Athletics Draft Helfrick to Fix Catcher Gap

The Athletics are eyeing Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick at No. 8 overall in the draft — a smart move for a team building through the draft, not free agency. Helfrick, compared to current catcher Shea Langeliers, boasts elite defense and power (33 homers in two seasons) and fills a glaring need behind the plate. With aging Jonah Heim and struggling Tyler Soderstrom at catcher, Helfrick could be the cornerstone of their catching depth. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter backs the pick, calling him a perfect fit for Oakland’s developmental blueprint. Keep watching — if they draft him, it’s a win-win for their future. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/fa2bff62e2957ddf