Tyler Soderstrom DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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.