OAKLAND – Oakland A’s top prospect Tyler Soderstrom has been in the major leagues for all of three days, and he has already shown himself to be a versatile talent at multiple positions.

The 21-year-old from Turlock started at DH on Friday, caught on Saturday and is scheduled to start at first base during the Sunday series finale against the Minnesota Twins. 

“I’ll be taking ground balls and doing early work, but it’s the same game,” Soderstrom said. “I’ve been playing first and catching all year.” 

Regardless of where he plays in the field, Soderstrom’s bat is expected to provide some punch to a lineup that has scored a league-low 3.61 runs-per-game and scuffled to a 25-69 record heading into Sunday’s game. 

After going hitless in his debut, Soderstrom was 2 for 4 on Saturday in a 10-7 loss. His first hit was an infield single to third base off All-Star pitcher Pablo Lopez, and his second was another single that this time made it into left field.

“I didn’t exactly draw that one up in my head for my first major league hit, but you know, they all count,” Soderstrom said, adding that he gave the ball to his father after the game. 

While Soderstrom can handle a spot in the corner infield, his long-term position could be behind the plate. 

Manager Mark Kotsay praised his abilities at catcher on Saturday, and the rookie has already got a solid grasp on the professional pitch communication system. 

“We’ve been using it in Vegas (in the minor leagues), so I’ve got a good hang of it, and pretty much have all the buttons on the pitch com memorized by now,” Soderstrom said. 

Soderstrom’s primary competition for the starting spot is Shea Langeliers, a second-year player who was the crown jewel of the Matt Olson trade.

Still a young player himself, the 25-year-old who is batting .206 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs, Langeliers said he has learned that catching at the major league level takes more than just a physical toll. 

“Honestly, at the major league level, the toll is more mental than physical,” the 2019 draftee said. “Thinking about scouting and paying attention to everything that’s going on in the game, that’s what kind of gets to you.”

Soderstrom, the youngest catcher in the league at 21 years and 234 days old, agreed. 

“There’s so much more data up here than there is in the minor leagues, so that will be a learning curve for me for sure,” Soderstrom said.

The rookie might be gunning for his job, but Langeliers said he’s willing to help Soderstrom learn the ropes. 

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“The whole motto of this team is everyone is trying to help each other get better,” Langeliers said.

With Soderstrom and fellow post-All-Star game callup Zack Gelof in the starting lineup, the Oakland youth movement has already started. 

But it’s far from over, and Soderstrom said he’s looking forward to his peers joining him at the highest level.

“We have a good group for sure in the minors, and a lot of talented players up here and down there,” Soderstrom said. “So I think over the next few years it’s going to be fun.”