Glimmers of Hope

by youdownwithOBP on Dec 16, 2008 7:52 PM PST

With all these distractions pertaining the SS who shall remain nameless I think we have been overlooking one of the A's most pressing needs.

The Free Agent market is definitely undervalued but if there is a lesson we learned recently it is, there is no such thing as a sure thing. Dunn, Giambi, Burrell, RJ rest on our wishlist. Unfortunately, any and all of them could be gone before the A's have a say in the matter.

With this in mind I think we need to turn our attention to a couple internal questions- Daric Barton and Travis Buck.

2007 provided a preview of two players who had promising futures. Buck batted nearly .300 (.288) and showed enough pop (.474 SLG) to justify some excitement from A's fans. Barton, our highly touted prospect, with great plate discipline and the potential to hit for a high average got his September call-up and did not disappoint. Flashing more power (4 hrs) and bat control (.347) than any of us probably anticipated, Barton teased us with potential.

2008 happened. I assume everyone remembers, yes? Good. Let's go forward.

From April to August Buck and Barton battled injuries and struggled to live up to their freshman performances. I think these months have really damaged our collective expecations. But after taking a closer look I am hoping those months represent the 'sophmore slump' for each of these players.

September proved promising for these young men. Buck posted a .367 avg and a 1.088 OPS over 50 ABs (a small sample) while Barton posted a respectable but unspectacular .279 avg with a .919 OPS over 68 ABs (again, small sample).

Could these numbers give us a preview into the future production of Buck and Barton or are we in for a case of seasonal hitters?

If these numbers could be extrapolated over a year, I'd be pleased. Hopefully I am not the only who thinks this outcome unreasonable.

With this considered do our SS woes seem so devastating? I say no. Would it be nice to land a power bat and veteran arm? Of course. But if the winter of 2009 continues on its current path should we write off the potential of the 2009 season? I say no. In my opinion we have plenty to hope for on the current roster before worrying about the endless possibilities of trades and signings. Thoughts?

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if Buck could give us a 1.088 OPS and Barton a .919 I think the division is ours...

of course, those numbers are astronomical. If either could give us around .800 OPS I would be pleased, along with average defense. While there numbers will be important, I don’t think they will make or break this team (I do assume they will put up solid, not flashy, but consistent numbers next year).

by stranahanahan on Dec 16, 2008 8:12 PM PST reply actions

I'm more worried about Barton, because even if he succeeds

he will offer insufficient slugging at a position where you expect to find power – whereas if Buck succeeds he will probably be precisely what he is supposed to be: A good leadoff hitter with an OFer’s slugging percentage.

Unless the A’s can find power up the middle (2B, SS, CF), they need power where you normally find it: 1B. I’d love to have a .300/.400 hitter at 1B, but that’s more like a ceiling for Barton (especially hitting in Oakland), and even that probably comes with only an .800 OPS.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 16, 2008 8:37 PM PST reply actions

agreed, but I think that was part of barton's struggles last year was his wanting to prove the cynics wrong

I can’t tell you how many times I saw him overswinging on a pitch. He just wanted to hit ‘em all out of the park. I don’t know if Barton will ever be a power threat, but I think that if he just focuses on a fluid swing, he will eventually develop enough power to be a fine first baseman.
His size is quite similar to Jeff Bagwell, another guy who didn’t start out as much of a power threat but developed it over time from the power in his legs…

by stranahanahan on Dec 16, 2008 8:57 PM PST up reply actions

Thing is, Barton was never projected to hit for a lot of power

Also, watching him last year my biggest concern was how the ball came off his bat “heavy” – like he needed a lighter bat, which would make him quicker through the zone but would only reduce his HR power. Time will tell – I still think he’ll hit for average and OBP, but I’ve never thought he’d be more than a 10-15 HR guy.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 16, 2008 9:03 PM PST up reply actions

he's still young

if he keeps his batting eye and gets back to the .300 hitter he was in the minors, i could see him easily putting on some muscle and becoming more of a 30 HR guy. he’s certainly not that right now, but if he trains right (so not bulking up a la ruben sierra many years ago in oakland, but adding strength), there’s no reason why he can’t work himself into that kind of player in 2 years or so. he’s got the frame to do it.

by guy incognito on Dec 16, 2008 9:57 PM PST up reply actions

+1

Considering a John Olerud or Mark Grace comparison as an accurate ceiling, each of those guys produced by making contact. The power developed. Hopefully Barton will be similar. Good hitters hit. The way scouts talked about Barton in the minors makes me think even if he isn’t hitting 30 bombs a year he will be a productive member of the lineup.

If Holliday and Cust (less likely) can provide above average power at their respective positions we can hopefully compensate for the lack of power at 1b.

If the A's can build around Holiday, Furcal, Cust, and maybe call up 2nd baseman Wes Childs at some point in the year, they have a shot to take a weak AL West. -- jameersju post on ESPN.com

by youdownwithOBP on Dec 16, 2008 9:03 PM PST up reply actions

You need to change your name to

youdownwithOPS.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 16, 2008 9:08 PM PST up reply actions

ya beane knows best?

Could work. Figured my tribute to Naughty by Nature would be closer with OBP.

If the A's can build around Holiday, Furcal, Cust, and maybe call up 2nd baseman Wes Childs at some point in the year, they have a shot to take a weak AL West. -- jameersju post on ESPN.com

by youdownwithOBP on Dec 16, 2008 9:21 PM PST up reply actions

cust

less likely with respect to position. Cust hits for power but DH and LF are different positions.

If the A's can build around Holiday, Furcal, Cust, and maybe call up 2nd baseman Wes Childs at some point in the year, they have a shot to take a weak AL West. -- jameersju post on ESPN.com

by youdownwithOBP on Dec 16, 2008 9:08 PM PST up reply actions