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The Lansing Lugnuts have had a strong showing of players who have gone on to make it to the major leagues since becoming affiliated with the Athletics in 2021.
The opening few seasons of a 10-year player development partnership between the Lugnuts and Athletics has already resulted in 16 players making it from Lansing to the bigs. That has helped push the total of former Lugnuts to appear in a Major League Baseball game to 203 in the nearly three decades Lansing has been home to a minor league team.
As the Lugnuts open the home schedule for the 29th season in franchise history at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday against the Great Lakes Loons, here’s a look at five notable former Lansing players to reach the majors so far in their partnership with the A’s.
LAWRENCE BUTLER
▶ Time with Lugnuts: 2021, 2022
▶ What he’s done: The outfielder has been the most successful hitter at the major league level of those who have spent time with the Lugnuts. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 67 while batting .262 and stealing eight bases last season. That resulted in the A's locking up Butler with a contract extension prior to the season. He was one of the stars for the Lugnuts in 2022, hitting 11 home runs, along with 19 doubles and three triples while driving in 41 and batting .270 in 81 games.
MASON MILLER
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▶ Time with Lugnuts: 2022
▶ What he’s done: Miller was an American League all-star last season for the Athletics, registering 28 saves and striking out 104 in 65 innings while establishing himself as a key bullpen presence after he made six starts during his MLB debut in 2023. Miller already has three saves this season. Fans didn't have much of an opportunity to see him with the Lugnuts as he appeared in just three games and pitched seven innings during his brief time in Lansing.
TYLER SODERSTROM
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▶ Time with Lugnuts: 2022
▶ What he’s done: The first baseman had nine home runs, 10 doubles and 26 RBIs while batting .233 in 61 games in the majors last season. So far this season, Soderstrom ranks among the American League leaders with four homers while batting .359 through 10 games entering play Monday. Soderstrom was a Midwest League postseason all-star in 2022 with the Lugnuts after batting .260 with 20 home runs, 19 doubles, three triples and 71 RBIs in 89 games before earning a promotion to Double-A Midland.
From the archives: The next big Lansing Lugnuts star? Top Oakland A's prospect Tyler Soderstrom has that potential
MAX SCHUEMANN
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▶ Time with Lugnuts: 2021
▶ What he’s done: The Portage native and former Eastern Michigan star has carved out a role as a utility player for the Athletics. Schuemann appeared in 133 games while making his MLB debut last season and hit .220 with seven homers, 14 doubles and 34 RBIs and had 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts. He has appeared in four games this season. Schuemann appeared in 54 games with the Lugnuts in 2021, hitting . 224 with five home runs, 11 doubles, a triple, 20 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 36 attempts on his way to being one of the A’s MILB.com organizational all-stars.
From the archives: How an experimental rule has helped this Lansing Lugnuts infielder lead the minors in steals
JACOB WILSON
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▶ Time with Lugnuts: 2023
▶ What he’s done: Wilson got his first taste of the majors last season with a 28-game stint during which he hit .250 with two home runs, two doubles and three RBIs. He has opened this season as the starting shortstop for the A’s and had two homers, two doubles and had driven in seven runs through 10 games while batting .351. Wilson had a short late-season stint in Lansing in 2023 a few months after being taken with the No. 6 pick in the MLB draft by the Athletics. He hit .318 with nine doubles and eight RBIs during his 23 games with the Lugnuts.
From the archives: Newest Lugnuts infielder Jacob Wilson on mission to follow all-star father's footsteps
OTHERS OF NOTE: Jeff Criswell, Joey Estes, Hogan Harris, Max Muncy
THE OTHER EX-LUGNUTS TO REACH BIGS SINCE A's AFFILIATION: Garrett Acton, Brady Basso, Jordan Diaz, Brett Harris, Grant Holman, Drew Millas
Contact Brian Calloway at [email protected]. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Meet 5 notable ex-Lansing Lugnuts now making their mark with Athletics
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