15 games in, A's top prospect is already moving up to Double-A

Leo De Vries is one step closer to the big leagues.

After joining the A’s in a blockbuster deal that sent All-Star closer Mason Miller to the Padres at the July 31 Trade Deadline, it only took De Vries 15 games in his new organization to earn a promotion, officially moving up from High-A Lansing to Double-A Midland on Monday.

Rated the A’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, De Vries quickly adapted to his new surroundings. This weekend, however, saw the 18-year-old shortstop take his game to scorching levels at the plate, going 7-for-12 (.583) with a pair of home runs, two triples, a double and six RBIs in three games for the Lugnuts against Dayton.

“That’s the guy we’ve been looking for since we got him in the trade,” Lansing manager Darryl Kennedy said on Sunday. “That’s the guy that played against us for Fort Wayne. Is it surprising? No. That’s the guy that we traded for, and he looks really good right now.”

Those who have been at Lansing this season, such as Kennedy and hitting coach Ruben Escalera, have seen this from De Vries all year. Before joining the Lugnuts, he wreaked havoc against them with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, San Diego’s High-A affiliate, and even hit for the cycle against Lansing on April 22.

Since getting to work with De Vries up close over the past couple of weeks, Escalera has been impressed by the switch-hitter’s work ethic, both at the plate and on defense, where he’s considered a plus defender with a plus arm and smooth hands.

“He likes to work,” Escalera said. “He’s got a very professional routine in the cage. He knows what he has to do. He’s not overswinging.”

What about the approach from both sides?

“Hitting righty, he knows he has to work on his hands a little bit, but he’s working on that and has started getting more contact,” Escalera said. “Left side, he’s more pure. He’s showing the power from both sides, but in the game, it’s more from the left side. Lately, he’s started getting more patient at the plate, and he’s spraying the ball everywhere.”

Overall, De Vries is slashing .249/.354/.426 with 38 extra-base hits, including 10 homers, 58 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 97 games between Fort Wayne and Lansing this season.

Set to turn 19 in October, De Vries will join Midland as by far the youngest player on the roster. Of course, this is not your typical teenage ballplayer.

“Leo De Vries is explosive, dynamic and ultra toolsy,” said A’s assistant general manager and director of player personnel Billy Owens. “He’s a special talent. His patience, plate discipline, power, elite defense and maturity are rare for his youth. He’s able to slow the game down while still expressing his vast gifts on the diamond.”

Owens said he sees similarities between De Vries and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte of the D-backs in terms of overall skills.

Escalera, meanwhile, is reminded of another superstar shortstop to whom many scouts around the game have already compared the still-growing 6-foot-1, 183-pound De Vries.

“Every time I talk to him, he reminds me of [Francisco] Lindor,” Escalera said. “He’s bigger than Lindor, but I think he’s got the tools like Lindor.”