A's pick up two-time CIAA player of the year

by Ozzz on May 4, 2006 10:02 PM PDT

In 'gee,that was random' news, Oakland has signed a free agent outfielder out of Elizabeth City State University, ahead of the draft. Carlos Gutierrez set school records in runs scored, batting average, doubles, triples, dingers and more, and was apparently offered a deal after A's scouts saw him play just one time.

He hit .548 this year (!).

"He has the ability and a good track record which is why we wanted to sign him. With the kind of numbers he has put up, he is definitely the type of player that is deserving of an opportunity. We are happy that he will not be around for another team to draft in June," [says A's scout Neil Avent].

He's headed to Vancouver.

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What are the rules for signing before the draft

anyways?

English 101: Remedial Kick-Ass
"Cause only one language kicks ass, and that's the one we're teaching!"

by Zonis on May 4, 2006 10:10 PM PDT reply actions

As far as I can tell...

...If a player doesn't go in, it's open season. But what doesn't make sense is, why wouldn't he go in?

Maybe he'll make more as a free agent signing than being drafted as a low-pick senior?

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 4, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

huh?

I've never really understood this. We were on the right side of the deal this time, but in general, it just doesn't seem very fair. Shouldn't the worst teams get a crack at the best players? I know this problem extends to the draft too (see Weaver, Jered and Drew, Stephen).

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on May 4, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you sure

that this guy didn't already go through the draft. Because if you register for the draft and don't get picked I'm pretty sure you become a free agent.

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on May 4, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope.

He was MVP this season (2006), so unless he was passed over in 2005... hmm, maybe.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 4, 2006 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions

5th year senior

From BA:

A player who is a fifth-year college senior may sign a minor league contract as soon as he finishes his last class in college.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/2005draft/2005drafthow.html

by OaktownTribesman on May 5, 2006 6:15 AM PDT up reply actions

wow, i was a fifth year senior once

why didn't i know this back then???

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 5, 2006 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions

What, they didn't prep you for the MLB draft at...

Clown College? :)

In defense of the Einar Diaz trade, his stats are very good. He has an excellent vowel/consonant ratio.

by McFood on May 5, 2006 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Clown College has a terrible team.

Instead of a shortstop, they have a short sheet.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 5, 2006 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

One bonus, though

No need for a team bus, you can fit the whole team in one bullpen cart.

In defense of the Einar Diaz trade, his stats are very good. He has an excellent vowel/consonant ratio.

by McFood on May 5, 2006 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Good to see they traded for Kielty.

Now if they can just get Felix Pie...

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 5, 2006 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

wow

i just got a visual image of the team cart driving down the highway on the way to the game...can you imagine if their manager stopped at dairy queen on the way?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 5, 2006 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Gotchya beat

I was a six-year senior

by easyraider on May 5, 2006 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Better than nothing

Is this our consolation prize for losing our first rounder in signing Loaiza? That just hurts to type.

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on May 4, 2006 10:54 PM PDT reply actions

Damn

Did Tom Emanski get a hold of this kid?

Frank Thomas=The Big Healthy

by dboysick on May 4, 2006 11:04 PM PDT reply actions

Either that or Senor Conte.

Kid's got numbahs.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 4, 2006 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

LINK

I know some of you like this kinda thing

(the one at the top didn't work for me at least)

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/050406aco.html

"ET TU, DAMON?" 4/4

by FireballerHARDEN on May 5, 2006 12:29 AM PDT reply actions

Real Identity

It's Danny Almonte..

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on May 5, 2006 6:10 AM PDT reply actions

In the future...

..everyone will be Danny Almonte for 15 minutes.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 5, 2006 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

In the year 2000.

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." -- Connie Mack

by GreenSocks on May 5, 2006 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

4 words why he wasn't drafted:

Elizabeth City State University. Good old ECSU isn't exactly a baseball powerhouse. Sorry Oz....

by DeeWayne on May 5, 2006 8:32 AM PDT reply actions

But he was CIAA player of the year! Twice!

Oh, wait...

Yeah, yeah, I know ECSU isn't the go-to spot of scouts looking for an MVP, but you've gotta like the kids numbers, even in a fluffy school in a fluffy division.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 5, 2006 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Unbelieveable Stats!!

Player AVG GP-GS AB R H 2B
GUTIERREZ,C .548 34-34 115 50 63 12

3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO GDP OB% SF
2 15 63 124 1.078 22 4 9 0 .614 4

SH SB-ATT PO A E Fld%
1 12-15 58 3 2 .968

by robertmelvin on May 5, 2006 8:33 AM PDT reply actions

weak

only two triples?

by david32 on May 6, 2006 1:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Sounds like a stud and a real coup.

Questions/Comments:

Is he a CF? Given his speed (12-15 SB), I'd have to imagine so?
Any other info on his defense, such as arm strength?
This from the ECSU site, after Carlos was all-academic honorable mention, June '05:

"Gutierrez, the 2005 CIAA Player of the Year, earned an honorable mention for maintaining a 3.480 in physical education. In the CIAA, he finished the season tied at first in home runs, was first in total bases, and was fourth in both walks and runs scored. He was named Co-MVP with teammate Victor Branch for leading the Vikings to their first ever CIAA Baseball Championship."
(Note: Was named co-MVP of ECSU team, but named CIAA POY for 05.)
4) Nice work A's scouts. Have to imagine this guy would get drafted if we weren't on top of things. Why don't we do this more often?

by RyanFromBonas on May 5, 2006 11:10 AM PDT reply actions