Non-A's system Minor League Players

by atomopawn on Jul 26, 2007 11:50 PM PDT Comment 14 comments

I've heard suggestions that we should give up on this year and try to trade Piazza (or various other players) for younger players with more potential. While this might mean trading for someone who's already broken in the big leagues, I am curious about those players who are still floating around at the AAA level or below. The Bartons and Meyers owned by other teams. Who is out there worth picking up?

Living way out here on the East Coast makes it difficult to follow A's minor leaguers. On the other hand, I do get to see a lot of talent from other team's systems. Both the Orioles and Braves have Triple-A teams within driving distance and there's a single-A for (I think) the Marlins just down the road. There are a lot of very talented players out here that I think would make a great addition to the A's system if Beane could acquire them.

For instance, tonight I watched Brent Lillibridge steal two bases, walk three times, and score a run for the Richmond Braves. He's a very promising prospect. Twenty-four years old, sporting a .270 average and 10-12 homer power, his OBP has fallen a lot since he got promoted from single-A, but has been climbing back up as he figures things out. He also seems like a pretty good fielder. Braves pitcher Ryan Basner also seems very talented. I don't know what it would take to acquire these guys. I doubt much that a Piazza trade would do the trick.

Who else is out there that might be available, has obvious talent, and would be able to contribute in 2008 or 2009?

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Lillibridge

what position does he play again?

by wordfromthewise on Jul 27, 2007 12:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Shortstop

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Jul 27, 2007 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its always good to hear a hands on opinion

but Lillibridge doesn't seem to fit. Looks like he had some troubles adjusting to the wood bat, and any trouble adjusting is a red flag.

He also steals a decent amount of bases, which is where he gets a good part of his value.

Don't get me wrong, I'd trade Kennedy for him, but I'm a little skeptical being that Crosby had numbers far better than this throughout the minors.

(opinion may change slightly if provided he is , in fact, a plus defender. Any stats pointing to this welcome)

by GusanoQuemador on Jul 27, 2007 12:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh and...

Not to mention the fact that we already have virtually the same prospect in Cliff Pennington

by GusanoQuemador on Jul 27, 2007 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wooden Bat

Judging from what I've seen and from the way his numbers have been rising, it looks like Lillibridge has finally figured out the wooden bat. I wouldn't worry about that so much. Yes, he's taken a hit every time he got promoted, but then he's adjusted and started hitting well enough for the Braves to bump him up another level. I just don't think the Braves will let him go cheap enough for us to pick him up. They value his speed a lot more than we do (would?).

You're right that Pennington's numbers look pretty similar. Can't hurt to have two prospects with a lot of upside, though. For instance, I'd have thought that Jeremy Brown or Jeremy Baker would have made it to Oakland by now. But neither one caught fire. It'd be nice to have a couple more strings to our bow.

by atomopawn on Jul 27, 2007 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Craig Brazell is available

since the Royals seem to have decided that they don't need a guy who's hit 32 home runs in AAA this season.

If there's any candidate for Jack Cust II status out there, it's that guy. He has the most minor league jacks at all levels this season, and it's not even particularly close. I think he's eligible for free agency, as he's been in the minors for quite some time-- I'd be pleased as punch to see the A's obtain him in the offseason.

The Player Formerly (actually still) Known as Rick Ankiel is second with 29. What an odd ride it's been for him.

by PaulThomas on Jul 27, 2007 12:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I got to see Brazell in Albuquerque...

...a couple weeks ago. Made it to the finals of the HR Derby and also homered in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

He's had a cup of coffee with the Mets, but looking at the Royals roster right now they're giving Ross Gload most of the time at first base. I can't see how that's any better for a team like that than giving Brazell more of a look is.

When I read an article speculating about Brazell's chances at hitting 50 homers in a full minor league season I couldn't figure out how someone like that would even have a chance to without being called up. Then I remembered we're talking about the Royals here.

As a hitter, I don't really know much about him. However, he'd probably have to be a 1B/DH here and I don't see the A's needing that if they have plans to use Barton there.

Bottom of the 9th - Baseball photojournalism by James Venes

by Flashfire on Jul 27, 2007 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How old is Brazell?

Would he be a stop-gap acquisition or would he be the kind of player we could hang onto for awhile?

by atomopawn on Jul 27, 2007 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

we don't really need a 1B, the guy is 27, and he had 5 mediocre to bad years in a row before this year.

by mikeA on Jul 27, 2007 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That doesn't sound so good, then.

Might not be a bad idea for a one-year rental, though.

by atomopawn on Jul 27, 2007 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Ankiel, then?

We know LaRussa likes him, but would the Cardinals give him up for a younger prospect? Richie Robnett for Ankiel, perhaps?

Looking further down the MiLB home run list, Mike Hessman is an interesting option at third base, but he has a terrible penchant for striking out. Valentino Pascucci is another overage 1B with excellent overall numbers.

Here's an interesting one: Mike Hannehan. Toledo Mud Hens, 27 years old, 2B. .310/.427/.502/.929, 12 HR.

by PaulThomas on Jul 27, 2007 12:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At least now you're getting to righty hitters.

I think the A's need one or two slugging right-handers in the lineup. Lately, their better hitters (aside from brief stays by people like Thomas and Piazza) have come on the left side and to me, it throws off the balance of the lineup at times.

Someone I'd be curious about is Shelley Duncan, especially after that weekend he had in Yankee Stadium after being called up to make his debut last Friday. No idea what it'd take to get him, if the Yankees would even offer him up in a deal. He played OF for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but he may be more of a 1B/DH type up here.

Ideally I'd like to see a young, right-handed OF picked up. Herrera is in the system but who knows when he'll be majors-ready.

Bottom of the 9th - Baseball photojournalism by James Venes

by Flashfire on Jul 27, 2007 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hannehan

I can't remember seeing Hannehan this season. He might have played against the Tides at some point when I was in Norfolk. Still, his numbers look impressive. With Ellis at 2B, I don't think we're going to need a 2B for awhile, but it couldn't hurt to try to pump up our depleted AAA system a little. I wonder if Hannehan can play SS.

by atomopawn on Jul 27, 2007 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A few names

Ryan Raburn (DET), Joe Dillon (MIL), Jason Botts (TEX), Carlos Quentin (AZ), Matt Murton (CHC)

All of those teams are considered to be active players in the trade deadline. All of those hitters are either blocked or have fallen off in the eyes of their respective teams.

by pinkfloyd on Jul 27, 2007 4:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs