Under the Radar Prospects: Joshua Kuroda-Grauer
written by Brian Bice
This article was intended to be published in early-May 2026. Due to a variety of delays, I was not able to finish this until after Joshua Kuroda-Grauer made his MLB debut. I have updated some of the stats and information to reflect his season year to date.
The Under the Radar Prospect Series is designed to shine a light on those Top Prospects who do not get a lot of attention, but are excelling at a high level. Every few weeks we will highlight a new Under the Radar prospect in this series.
There is one prospect however that made a lot of noise in the Texas League at the beginning of this season. Yet he seemingly flew under the radar until he made his Major League Debut. That prospect is Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Drafted in the 3rd Round, 75th overall, in the 2024 Draft, Kuroda-Grauer has played at a high level and excelled since making his professional debut. He is currently ranked #10 on the Athletics Top 30 Prospect List on MLB.com.
Kuroda-Grauer’s first pro game was with the Stockton Ports on August 10, 2024 at Banner Island Ballpark. He went 3 for 5 and drew a walk in that game against the Lake Elsinore Storm. Since then, Kuroda-Grauer has continued to hit and play some amazing defense at every level.
Autographed copy of 2024 Stockton Ports Team Set Card
2025 was Kuroda-Grauer’s first full season in professional baseball. He picked up right where he left off at the end of 2024. In 80 games with the Lansing Lugnuts he hit .293 with 21 2Bs and an OBP of .353. He finished 2025 with the Midland RockHounds. There he hit .301 with 9 2Bs and an OBP of .372 in just 41 games. At the start of 2026, through 21 games, Kuroda-Grauer is batting .296 with 7 2Bs, 5 HRs and an .851 OPS.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer batting against the Springfield Cardinals, April 26, 2026
On May 12, 2026 Kuroda-Grauer was promoted to AAA Las Vegas Aviators. He continued to hit, in 42 games at Las Vegas, Kuroda-Grauer had 68 hits in 193 at bats. His .352 batting average still leads Las Vegas for players with at least 40 games played. The Athletics took notice. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer received his MLB call up on June 29, 2026.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on the video board vs the Springfield Cardinals on April 26, 2026
The Athletics have graduated quite a few prospects over the past couple of seasons. Players like Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz (among others) made huge impacts on the Major League Roster. Even after all of these graduations the Athletics still have quite a few Top Prospects who are getting ready to make their mark. Leo De Vries, is currently the number 2 prospect on the MLB Top 100 list. He is batting .281 with Midland at the age of 19. Tommy White, the Athletics No. 8 prospect, is batting .304 in 51 games with the Aviators.
Kuroda-Grauer’s emergence as an elite hitter will force the Athletics to make some hard decisions over the next year.
Main Cards Available:
2024 Bowman Draft (Base & Chrome)
2024 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospect Autograph
2025 Topps Pro Debut (Base & Chrome)
2025 Bowman Draft (Base & Chrome)
2025 Onyx Vintage
2026 Topps NOW #396 - 3 Hit Debut
MiLB Cards Available:
2024 Stockton Ports
2025 Choice - Lansing Lugnuts
2025 Choice - Midwest League Top Prospects Series 2
2026 Choice - Midland Rockhounds
Photo Gallery of cards coming soon.
