The Oakland Athletics promoted minor league veteran infielder Tyler Ladendorf to the major league roster yesterday. He's a rookie, he's in the Show, and that means we write him up here at Minor League Ball.
Ladendorf was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round in 2008 following an outstanding season for Howard Junior College in Texas. He was traded to the Athletics in 2009 for Orlando Cabrera, then began a slow drift up the Oakland farm ladder. He reached Triple-A in 2014 and hit .297/.376/.407 in 78 games, playing time limited by a recreational drug suspension. Oakland was not concerned about the suspension and gave him a spot on the 40-man roster.
He made the team in spring training last year but it did not last long.
From the 2016 Baseball Prospect Book:
Tyler Ladendorf, INF-OF, Oakland Athletics
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-0 WT: 190 DOB: March 7, 2026
2015: Grade CAnkle and wrist injuries cost rookie Tyler Ladendorf most of the 2015 season. This was especially unfortunate since he had played well enough in spring training to take a roster spot as a super-utility man, but the injuries cut short his efforts to impress. A healthy Ladendorf can play every position on the field except catcher and first base and do a competent job everywhere. His bat is nothing special though he will drive something hard into the gaps occasionally. Time is running short but the versatile glove will keep him in someone’s picture for a bit longer. Grade C.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY
Ladendorf was at .239/.261/.328 in 67 at-bats for Triple-A Nashville. The pre-season report still holds true: his best asset is the ability to handle almost any spot in the field without hurting you. He runs pretty well and his strike zone judgment is fair, but he has just enough pop in his bat to get himself in trouble when he becomes too conscious of it.
Overall, this is a bench profile but the versatility is a nice thing for a 25th man.
Here's a shot down the right field line for a triple.
Here's some nice glovework at shortstop.
