Monday Morning Minors

by Brian Durack on Oct 16, 2006 1:17 AM PDT in News Comment 31 comments

Not to be all Chicago Cubs on you, but there's always next year. Yes, some wounds take a long time to heal, and this is certainly one of those occasions, but we can at least start looking forward. All we have to do is look to Arizona where they seemingly play baseball 365 days per year. The Arizona Fall League started on Tuesday of last week and features six of the A's top prospects.

As is typical in the AFL, the offensive talent we sent was more impressive than the pitching. Travis Buck is certainly the most impressive name, but the other offensive players, Kevin Melillo and Landon Powell, deserve attention. On the mound, or more specifically the bullpen, are Marcus McBeth, Connor Robertson and Michael Mitchell. McBeth and Robertson had fine seasons in Midland, whereas Mitchell had plenty of struggles. The AFL is a place to either build off a fine full season, or recover from a disappointing one like Shane Komine did in Arizona last fall.

Kevin Melillo started his AFL campaign off with a bang, hitting a home run in the first game of the season. He has since added a double and a couple of singles. A nice Fall would mean a lot to Melillo, whose 2006 season totals were less than what was to be expected. If the second baseman can refind his power stroke he can hopefully carry it over to next season.

The player that may be the closest to Oakland is Marcus McBeth. He is certainly a wild card having pitched not much longer than one year total in his career, but his impressive numbers in Midland (65:20 in 54 1/3 innings) show much promise. He has two perfect innings so far this season with a pair of strikeouts.

Players typically don't get a lot of playing time in the AFL so it is difficult to make judgments, but a player who performs well usually has high expectations entering the next season. A good example of this is the aforementioned Shane Komine. He missed much of 2005 after undergoing surgery, but an excellent 2005 AFL season was followed by a good 2006 start and he eventually ended up in Oakland.

So as Nico and BaseballGirl have already inferred, how can you not be excited about 2007? Besides, this is Oakland, and our off-seasons are more spectacular than the actual season.

Right?

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Buck?

I haven't seen any stats for Buck in the AFL box scores. Is he hurt, or just not getting playing time?

I still think the Big Hurt kicks ass.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 16, 2006 7:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where's that catcher...

an Asian guy?. I can't remember his name

by Salvatore on Oct 16, 2006 7:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That sumbitch name is Suzuki.

And he's Hawaiian.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 16, 2006 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

Suzuki sounds of Japanese heritage to me. I take it he was born and raised in Hawaii. Anyhow, he sounds like an exciting prospect who can also run pretty well==from what I read. And, so can Travis Buck. That's what I like to see--some home-grown talent who can do some different things on offense--and play good defense like these two top prospects supposedly can--great athletes for a change.

by Salvatore on Oct 16, 2006 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and

I've heard that little dirtbag can play...

by Leopold Bloom on Oct 16, 2006 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Had this dream last night...

The A's beat Detroit and win the pennant. Pennant? When was the last time you heard that word? Only in my dreams. Only in a parallel universe.

by Salvatore on Oct 16, 2006 7:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd be more excited abotu 2007

if our entire minor league roster wasn't hurt in 2006.

It seems like all our TOP prospects got injured.

Barton
Buck
Meyer
Pennington
Putnam
ect...

by Zonis on Oct 16, 2006 8:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

seriously

it was a lost year for our farm system in many regards. if our entire training staff isn't fired this offseason, majors down to the minors, something is very wrong.

"welcome to ME, motherf*^*er!" - tim hudson

by guy incognito on Oct 16, 2006 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Off topic but

did anyone else read the story in cron this morning about Macha? Do you think he will really be fired?

by sactownbull on Oct 16, 2006 8:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i saw it on ktvu

right before 9am wow i wonder if its because wash is going to interview with texas. they said not because of loss but players interaction with him.

by smasfan on Oct 16, 2006 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dear AN,

Need a Macha thread.

I think he did a great job this year. The names listed as detractors is very unimpressive: Sauerbeck, Melhuese, T-Long, Singleton, Adam Piatt etc. In the long run, it is worse to appease malcontents, especially irrelevant, underperforming ones.

Actually, I am convinced Mark Kotsay is the un-named guy who allegedly went to Beane with the me or him ultimatum. He wanted to start in the playoffs over Kielty, did not appreciate being on the bench during the clinching game, and admitted as much. Wouldn't be surprised if Kotsay was also the secret guy bagging on Bradley to Urban - this was always my hunch.

"We owe it all to one man. And we are all extraneous. 'Billy' has denuded us of ego". Liar's Poker

by Sashulia on Oct 16, 2006 9:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Macha is a poor manager IMO

I wasn't happy when he was brought back after last year. My list of complaints are too long to list but let's just say any manager that would hit Mark Ellis 3rd isn't my type of guy. I'd really like to see Washington get a shot with the A's. If it's not with the A's it will be somewhere else. I'd really hate to see Wash leave the organization.

by sactownbull on Oct 16, 2006 9:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am going to be more heartbroken if

Wash leaves than I am about losing the ALCS.

WASH FOR A'S MANAGER 2007!

"There's not a moment of peace and quiet in this damn clubhouse." ~~ Nick Swisher

by luvsthecurveball on Oct 16, 2006 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No you won't.

by Pucking Insane on Oct 16, 2006 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Macha was a carbon copy of Art Howe.

Don't blame Macha--blame the guy who hired him.

by Salvatore on Oct 16, 2006 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The players loved Art

"There's not a moment of peace and quiet in this damn clubhouse." ~~ Nick Swisher

by luvsthecurveball on Oct 16, 2006 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes. the young frat boy bunch

loved Art. The young players were pretty much left alone by him.

by Salvatore on Oct 16, 2006 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Macha's Status

I don't think Macha is a bad manager but he clearly plays favorites rather than try to get the most out of everyone on the team. For instance, it is clear a Macha favorite is Jason Kendall. He did what Kendall wanted and never played Melhuse, even though he said at the start of the year that Melhuse would become a more active member of the team.

While I think Macha is smart and analytical, it would seem he has trouble relating to players and is not a good communicator with the press or fans. I think he keeps the team stable when losing but provides little inspiration.

I don't think the A's will ever have a great manager with Beane as GM since he clearly doesn't want a manager to challenge his authority. I think Beane respects the opinion of his brain trusts but not the manager. Could you imagine Detroit getting ten people in a room and voting on the rotation for the playoffs? A great manager like Leyland wouldn't allow that to happen.

While I love Wash in his current position, I wonder whether he is just too nice a guy to be a manager that can't please everyone. Also, his time to teach would be diminished and that is what he excels at and loves.

If we lose Macha, I don't think the replacement will be much better or worse given the type of manager Beane desires. We will just be out $2 million dollars and look stupid for not making the change last year.

by scarr1 on Oct 16, 2006 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Sactownbull,

give Wash a chance, before we lose him elsewhere!

"Even I don't believe half the things I say . . ." Barry Bonds to New York press corps, 2004

by millbraeforAsfan on Oct 16, 2006 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where is Sullentic projected to start next year?

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch." - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Oct 16, 2006 10:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MLB, taking over for Macha as manager.

(The A's are promoting him aggressively)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 16, 2006 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interpersonal Interaction is Key...

...to success with any organization, baseball or not. And in Major League Baseball, one of the great team sports, if you don't act like a team on and off the field, you don't win. Just ask the Yankees. They have more talent than any team according to the stat books, but they don't play like a team. The Tigers, on the other hand, seem to have a "team huddle" every time there's a runner on first base. And their manager Jim Leyland? He comes out multiple times a game to talk to the pitcher, not just to remove him from the game. Ever seen Macha visit the mound, just to visit? Blink, and you'll miss it.

Personally, I feel neutral about Macha. His performance alone is not enough to call for his termination. But if the players are at all distracted by his nonchalant attitude, then maybe another manager who posseses more admirable traits would be better fit for the position. I agree with (I'm sure) many people who check AN regularly that Washington has the interpersonal team skills that a manager requires. Eric Chavez gave him so much praise for his continued assistance that he gave him his gold glove award. And after hurricane Katrina, the team collected money amongst themselves to help Washington after his home in New Orleans was ruined. As much as I'd like to see Ron Washington giving every home run hitter a high five as they round third base, I'd rather see him as our manager.

...but that's just me.

"Is Frank Thomas the Mariah Carey of Baseball, or is Mariah Carey the Frank Thomas of Pop Music?"

by roysteelefan on Oct 16, 2006 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If Billy Beane decides to hire Ron Washington

as Manager, that will be a dramatic change of thought on BB's part. He will for once hire a manager with a strong personality.

by Salvatore on Oct 16, 2006 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Karsay

comes out of retirement and becomes one of those cool player managers?

UC Davis Athletics KDVS 90.3FM www.kdvs.org/streams.cfm

by Hit4TheCycle on Oct 16, 2006 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

OT: 2007 Schedule is up, tentatively...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a193/Blondi2550/Baseball/Schedule3.jpg

what is with the two game series? I never saw those before last year.
The first two months don't look too bad but the last two months are killer. We don't even see Detroit again until down the stretch.

Let's GO OAKLAND!!!

by OaktownRajah on Oct 16, 2006 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Things

Suletic wil start with Kane County again, wouldn't expect him the majors for a few years considering he's only 19.

Macha is unbelievably average; I don't think we should have given him as much as we did, and if we got rid of him now I wouldn't shed a tear.

Hopefully that's not true about Kotsay and Bradley, we need them both to be successful next year. Sorry but Marcus McBeth in middle relief does not get me excited for 2007. If they work out a 1-2 year deal with Big Heezy then I'll be excited.

by BillyMac on Oct 16, 2006 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MACHA HAS BEEN FIRED

according to CBS.sportsline.com

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW

by AsFanTexas on Oct 16, 2006 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wash

it has to be because the rangers are going to interview wash

by AsFanTexas on Oct 16, 2006 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Holy $#@%

In other new bay area productivity goes up 20% as all the "Fire Macha Now!" people return to work.

by Threepwood XX on Oct 16, 2006 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOW

let's hope they can court Wash before anyone else...

by elly on Oct 16, 2006 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mr. Wolff and Mr. Fischer

had to be fully supporting this. How else can the A's flush those kinds of manager budgetary dollars ($2 million) down the tubes. A financial disaster from a budget standpoint. Next manager will almost assuredly be low profile.

and please, please let it not be Dusty Baker.

"We owe it all to one man. And we are all extraneous. 'Billy' has denuded us of ego". Liar's Poker

by Sashulia on Oct 16, 2006 1:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs