Athletics: Could Ryon Healy be a Deep Waiver Wire Add?

Athletics Ryon Healy has been a pleasant surprise since he was promoted. Could he now be a deep waiver wire add moving forward?

The Oakland Athletics entered the 2016 season knowing that it would be a rebuilding year, with the hope that they could at least remain competitive for most of the season before trying to replenish their farm system at the trade deadline. The A’s continued this strategy by promoting Ryon Healy, and slotting him in as the starting third basemen over the incumbent, Danny Valencia.

Healy was a third round pick for the Athletics in 2013 out of the University of Oregon. He was never billed as a top prospect, but scouts praised him for his gap to gap approach, and his ability to consistency make contact. The 24-year-old has hit at every level, batting at least .285 in each of his last three minor league seasons. The A’s were hard pressed not to promote in 2016 as he was in the midst of his best minor league campaign, posting a .326/14 HR/64 RBI/.940 OPS line.

Oakland has struggled getting consistency from their offense, making Healy ‘s numbers even harder to ignore. On the surface it would seem that Healy would be a bench option thanks to Valencia’s .300 AVG, but the Athletics rather displace Valencia in favor of Healy.

Coming on the heels of hitting a walk off homer on July 23, Healy has posted a .281/2 HR/7 RBI/.866 OPS line over his first nine games.