Tyler Soderstrom To See Time In Left Field And As Designated Hitter
Athletics general manager David Forst said that with first base prospect Nick Kurtz joining the big-league squad this week, first baseman Tyler Soderstrom will get some time in left field and as the designated hitter. Brent Rooker will also be part of the left field/DH mix going forward as the A's make room for Kurtz, who was the fourth overall pick in 2024 out of Wake Forest. Soderstrom has never played the outfield in his professional career, so when he's not at first base, he'll probably serve as the DH most days and will move to left field when Rooker needs a day off his feet. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't be banking on the 23-year-old gaining outfield eligibility in 2025 just yet. Kurtz is regarded as the better defensive option than Soderstrom at first base. Soderstrom is currently tied with Cal Raleigh for the MLB lead in homers with nine and has also driven in 19 runs while hitting .298 early on.
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom has been on another level early in the season. Soderstrom showed that he had pop in the minors, but he has been putting up video game numbers in April. On Thursday, Soderstrom blasted his league-leading ninth home run of the season during the blowout victory over the Chicago White Sox. The 23-year-old has nine homers and 18 RBI and we're not even to Easter yet. The expectation is that he'll slow down at some point, but until then Soderstrom needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats.
Tyler Soderstrom Hits Two Three-Run Homers Tuesday
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom continued his hot start at the plate in Tuesday's 12-3 win over the White Sox. Soderstrom went 3-for-5 with a single and a pair of three-run home runs. The 23-year-old lined a first-inning Sean Burke hanging curve just over the right-field wall, and he later launched a sixth-inning Penn Murfee offering deep into the right-field seats. The former fantasy prospect has started to make good on the promise he offered, slashing .328/.403/.734 with a league-leading eight HR to go with 17 RBI in 72 plate appearances. He is currently rostered in 85 percent of leagues, so he may still be available for fantasy managers looking for higher-end power.
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom could see time at third base to open a spot in the starting nine for prospect Nick Kurtz. According to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, the Athletics have to find a spot in the lineup for Kurtz as both first base and designated hitter are typically occupied by Soderstrom and Brent Rooker, respectively. Gallegos noted that there is a scenario where the Athletics attempt to move Soderstrom to the hot corner to open first base for Kurtz. Rooker could also move to the outfield. Soderstrom has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, posting a .305/.388/.644 slash line with six home runs. However, first base prospect Nick Kurtz has been just as impressive with Triple-A Las Vegas, posting a .367/.409/.817 line with seven long balls. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Athletics' starting nine as both Soderstrom and Rooker could begin to shift to another position to open a spot for Kurtz.
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (calf) is in the starting nine on Wednesday afternoon when they conclude their series against the San Diego Padres. Soderstrom was removed from Tuesday's contest due to a calf contusion. However, the injury was not serious, and the former first-round pick is already returning to action. He will cover first base and bat in the three-hole. Soderstrom has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign as he has posted a .378/.440/.822 slash line with six long balls across 12 contests. He has generated a stellar .415 xwOBA with a .626 xSLG. He is a solid play in DFS facing San Diego right-hander Randy Vasquez.
Tyler Soderstrom Exits Early Tuesday With Right-Calf Tightness
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (calf) exited Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Padres early with right-calf tightness, per MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. The 23-year-old had a baserunner collide with his right leg while reaching for a high throw at first base earlier in the game, but he was able to stay in the game before being pinch-hit for by Max Schuemann in the eighth inning. Soderstrom went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk before exiting. He should be considered day-to-day until any further news comes out. Hopefully, the move was just precautionary, as Soderstrom has gotten off to a great start at the plate, slashing .378/.440/.822 with six home runs and 10 RBI in 50 plate appearances.
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom continued to flex his muscles early in the season in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Padres. Soderstrom went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs and a walk. The 23-year-old lined a third-inning Michael King offering into the right-field bullpen and launched a seventh-inning Jeremiah Estrada offering over the right-field bullpen. The former fantasy prospect is starting to show why he was highly regarded, slashing .381/.435/.857 with six HR and 10 RBI in 46 plate appearances. Soderstrom would have even greater fantasy appeal if he were able to gain catcher eligibility, although he has yet to make a start behind the plate. Regardless, he is providing plenty of fantasy value as a first baseman, making him worth a look in all leagues at this time.
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom continued to show off his power during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Soderstrom opened up the scoring with a solo home run off right-hander Bryan Woo in the fourth inning. Sadly, the A's offense couldn't do anything else as they ended up dropping this game 2-1 to Seattle. Soderstrom finished 2-for-3 with a single and a walk as well. The 23-year-old is hitting .467 with three homers and four RBI through the first four games of the season. Soderstrom could be worth a look in most fantasy formats while he's hot at the plate.
Tyler Soderstrom Smashes Two Home Runs On Thursday
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom got his 2025 regular season off to a great start by going 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs on Thursday night. Unfortunately for the A's, the rest of the lineup combined to go a brutal 1-for-26 in their 4-2 loss in Seattle. Soderstrom went yard in the fifth off Logan Gilbert to give his team the 1-0 lead and hit another home run off Trent Thornton in the eighth to put them up 2-1. The bullpen couldn't hold the lead, though, so the team fell to 0-1. Soderstrom is starting his first full season in the MLB after hitting .233 with nine home runs and a .322 wOBA in 61 games last season. He's off to a fast start and will look to continue his success through the weekend in Seattle. He got some preseason hype as a potential breakout this season, and he definitely lived up to that hype in game No. 1.
Tyler Soderstrom Could See Opportunities Behind The Plate
Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom could still be in the mix to serve as the team's backup catcher. Soderstrom was drafted as a catcher with the 26th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. However, the 23-year-old has begun to transition to first base. Last summer, Soderstrom made just one start behind the dish in the majors last season compared to the 59 he made at first base. However, he started 21 games behind the plate in the minor leagues compared to eight at first base. While Shea Langeliers is expected to be the team's primary backstop, Soderstrom could eventually earn the No. 2 role while still operating as their top first baseman. His defensive flexibility would allow the Athletics to have another player on their roster as he would be available to play two positions. Despite playing in only 60 MLB games last season, Soderstrom flashed high power upside as he went deep nine times and held a .429 SLG. He is worth a look as a late-round flier in deeper formats as he could gain catcher eligibility, which would boost his fantasy value.
Tyler Soderstrom
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Athletics
