Oakland Athletics prospect Leo De Vries to miss rest of season with shoulder injury

Oakland Athletics' highly touted prospect Leo De Vries will not play for the remainder of the Minor League season due to a shoulder injury, pushing back his anticipated Major League debut.

De Vries, 19, who is considered the Athletics' number one prospect and the second-best prospect in all of Minor League Baseball according to MLB Pipeline, was placed on the 7-day injured list on August 18 with discomfort in his right shoulder. While the club does not deem the injury serious, De Vries has been moved to the team's Spring Training facility in Arizona for medical supervision and rehabilitation.

As part of his recovery, De Vries has been ordered to cease all throwing activities for four weeks. He is expected to resume and intensify his training in late September. This timeline could allow him to participate in the Arizona Fall League or the Dominican Winter League, options the Athletics are currently evaluating.

The injury interrupts what had been a stellar introduction to the season for the young player. Acquired from the San Diego Padres in 2025, De Vries showcased his potential with a .426 batting average, three home runs, and 12 RBIs in the Cactus League. In Double-A Midland, he maintained his performance with a .290 batting average, 13 home runs, 21 doubles, and 55 RBIs over 93 games. He also demonstrated his speed, stealing a career-high 34 bases.

Despite his offensive prowess, De Vries experienced minor physical issues throughout the year, preventing a potential promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas. Oakland manager Mark Kotsay has stated that De Vries's next major objective will be to strengthen his body in the gym to gain muscle mass, preparing him for the demands of a professional baseball schedule.