Noda is hitting seventh and starting at first base for Monday's game against the Guardians, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Noda will get his first start as a member of the Athletics after appearing in three games off the bench. The 26-year-old was a Rule 5 draft selection in the offseason, and Oakland will be able to give him looks during the 2023 campaign during their rebuilding season.

Noda should be in line for "ample time" at first base this season while Jesus Aguilar primarily fills the designated hitter role, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A Rule 5 Draft selection that made the Opening Day roster thanks in large part to his promising power, Noda could be in line for a bigger role than initially expected if Gallegos' prognosis proves accurate. Four of Noda's 11 hits during Cactus League play went for extra bases, and he also belted 20 or more homers in three of five minor-league stops. Noda has yet to log a regular-season plate appearance at the big-league level, but that could potentially change as soon as Thursday's opener against the Angels.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters that Noda has been told he's made the Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Noda was a Rule 5 draft selection by the Athletics from the Dodgers, and the Athletics have seen enough to carry him on their roster to begin the year. While he's hit just .167, Noda has drawn 11 walks over his 64 plate appearances, and four of his eight hits have gone for extra bases. Noda has potential to be an intriguing long-term play, but it's hard to see a path to relevancy in the 2023 season.

Noda is hitting .161 (5-for-31) with three doubles, one home run, four RBI, eight walks, a stolen base and five runs over 15 Cactus League games.

EDGE Analysis

The Rule 5 Draft pickup is unsurprisingly being given a long look by the Athletics in spring training, and the results he's delivered have been somewhat mixed. While the .161 average naturally leaves plenty to be desired, the fact four of Noda's five hits have gone for extra bases and that he's drawn eight walks are certainly positives. However, the 26-year-old has also struck out 17 times in his 39 plate appearances, an extension of the sub-par contact rates he's generated through the majority of a minor-league career that dates back to 2017. Noda does offer some welcome defensive versatility in addition to his power -- he has experience at first base and all three outfield spots -- so a rebuilding squad such as Oakland's could potentially see the value in keeping him on the Opening Day roster.

Noda walked in his 10th straight game for Low-A Lansing on Tuesday against Dayton. His 35.9 percent walk rate leads all minor-league hitters by a decent margin.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old first baseman is a legitimate fantasy prospect, despite the fact he is older than the typical Low-A prospect. He posted a 190 wRC+ last year in rookie ball and his .516 OBP at Low-A is more than making up for the fact he has not yet tapped into his plus raw power against full-season pitching. He also has seven steals on seven attempts, although speed is not expected to be a big part of his game when he reaches the majors in a couple seasons.