Trevor Cahill Called Up to AA (and more minor league transactions)

by ohad on Jun 16, 2008 4:35 PM PDT

A's prospect fans, rejoice. Trevor Cahill has finally been called up to the Midland Rockhounds, the A's AA affiliate. In turn, Scott Moore has been sent down to Stockton.

He's a pretty controversial prospect, as their is a differing opinion in the prospect community about his potential as a major leaguer.

Some believe that his amazing numbers indicate ace status: he is among the leaders in the minors in strikeouts, in groundball/flyball ratio, he doesn't walk too many guys, and he is great at limiting hits.

Others believe that his stuff isn't good enough.This is entirely based on his fastball velocity, which sits around 89-92. The counter to that argument is that it has so much sink on it (compared by an A's official to Brandon Webb or Roy Halladay) that it doesn't need to be faster than that.

Anyway, the jump to AA from A+ is usually thought of as one of the best indicators of a prospects true ability. So now we, the fans, can finally find out how his stuff will translate to the next level. I'm excited and confident that he will continue to dominate.

I recall a user comment here suggesting that the A's will have a bunch of minor league roster moves right after the all star break. That sounds about right so far. Danny Borrell was sent down to Midland (edit: thanks, Andeux), in place of Jason Glushon, who was sent back to Stockton. Javier Herrera is also finally back for Midland, taking up an empty roster spot. I haven't found any more transactions yet (cough Craig Italiano to Stockton cough) but I'm hoping they come soon. I'm also looking for an organizational boost of second baseman, pushing Larry Cobb up to Stockton again and Jesus Guzman to AAA.

And by the way, since Brett Anderson has returned to Stockton from his injury: 4 GS, 23.2 innings, 3 ER, 16 hits, 27/1 K/BB (!), and I believe 2 HBP's. As we can see, those horrific outings before going on the DL can be written off to injury

Please post up in this thread any more transactions that you can find.

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Comments

High on Cahill

I’m really excited to see how Cahill will perform in AA. If he can continue missing bats with a K/9 over 9, who cares if he tops out in the low 90s? His current 10.95 K/9 and 3.96 K/BB ratios are sparkling. And according to fangraphs, his FIP is 2.46, so his 2.66 ERA and 0.90 WHIP are legit.

by C-Gon on Jun 16, 2008 4:43 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think Craig is going to Stockton. The Rockhounds sent 2 pitchers down when

they brough Trevor up, unless he is going to skip Stockton and join Cahill in Texas.

by theblackpearl on Jun 16, 2008 4:45 PM PDT reply actions

Sweet!

Justin Duchscherer throws 86, and he’s pretty damn good.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Jun 16, 2008 4:45 PM PDT reply actions

Halliday and Webb are perfect examples

of how effective a sinkerballer can be throwing 89-92 MPH with great command – which is exactly what Cahill has done. And Mussina has shown how effective a good knuckle-curve can be. Count me in as a Cahill-believer. I think he and Brett Anderson are the two “real deals” in the mix.

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 Jun 16, 2008 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions

i think there are more than two real deals

but i agree cahill and anderson are both the real deal.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 16, 2008 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope so - it's all relative.

I think Simmons could be pretty good, but DLS is out of the mix for a while, I’m not sure about Gio, and I think H-Rod is a longer-term project than his quick-promotion suggested (I think he may end up back in the bullpen). Leon excites me, but he’s still awfully young – so is Anderson, but I see him fast-tracking somehow.

So maybe Anderson is a future Greg Smith-plus, Cahill a future #2, Simmons a future Blanton or Blanton-lite, and the rest wind up being back of the rotation guys or misfires. Hopefully, Gio turns out to be the real deal – I’ve just had a “not sure” feeling about him all along. And Leon is certainly exciting.

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 Jun 16, 2008 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Airplane

I read, “And Leon is certainly exciting,” and my first thought is that it’s a reference to the, “And Leon is getting larger,” line from the movie Airplane.

It’s kind of a stupid line, really, but it’s stuck with me.

by bear88 on Jun 17, 2008 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, for some reason...

that is by far the most memorable line from that movie for me too.

by WhiteElephants on Jun 17, 2008 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Derek Lowe has been successful that way as well...

Not as consistently, but occasionally with outstanding results.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Jun 16, 2008 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Good point - I think one would have to be

pleased if a prospect turned out to be as good as Derek Lowe (a solid starter most years who even had considerable success as a closer at one point in his career).

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 Jun 16, 2008 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions

But Lowe is a complete douchebag

Oh, sorry, this isn’t the douchebag thread…

by Faust on Jun 16, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions

YOU DOUCHEBAG!!!

Oh, you wanted an argument? Down the hall, then, two doors on your left.

Stupid git.

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 Jun 16, 2008 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank goodness you're just the Abuse guy

Not the getting-hit-on-the-head-lessons guy.

Git yourself.

by Faust on Jun 16, 2008 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Other transactions

Borrell was actually send down to Midland – he had been on the Sacramento DL.
And a few players (no one of note) were sent from Kane County back down to Vancouver for the start of the season there.

"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.

by andeux on Jun 16, 2008 4:55 PM PDT reply actions

A deserved round of applause for Mr. Cahill

Conquering the California League in 2.5 months is no mean feat. Things don’t get much easier in the Texas League, so I wish him good luck in his new locale.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 16, 2008 5:42 PM PDT reply actions

When's his first start - you or anyone happen to know?

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 Jun 16, 2008 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions

He pitched Saturday in Stockton

So Thursday at the earliest.

"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.

by andeux on Jun 16, 2008 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Cool. I'll cark my malendar.

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 Jun 16, 2008 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Second basemen

I’m thinking we won’t see any 2B movement until Weeks signs/they figure out where to send him (if they haven’t already).

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 17, 2008 12:45 AM PDT reply actions

yikes

that leaves a huge hole on the right side of any infield

Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!

by Satchmo22 on Jun 17, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey, the Giants haven't had any movement at the second base position

since 2003.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

That's only because of the white billboards behind home plate

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 Jun 17, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Petit also might go to Sacramento when Murphy comes back.

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 17, 2008 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Question for AN

Is Pennington terrible at shortstop defense?

Because if the team wants a guy who’s a useful bench player, it seems to me that Pennington would be a superior one to Donnie Murphy. Don’t get me wrong, I like Murphy, but he hasn’t really demonstrated the ability to, you know, hit. Neither has Pennington, but he’s fast.

It seems like Pennington could fill the roles of both Rajai Davis (pinch runner) and Donnie Murphy (utility infielder) and thus save the team a roster spot which could be used for an outfielder who can hit the ball out of the infield.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

not terrible, no

he airmails a few too many throws, some of them on infield singles that he should just eat but tries to get the super play. He has good range and stuff, though he does still allow the ball to play him a bit much.

But I don’t see Pennington going anywhere else this year. He’s started with a nice little groove in AAA and I’d bet they want him to succeed there if possible.

by jakarta on Jun 17, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

can he play OF?

I like the idea of a Rajai-Marco hybrid.

If we can’t fix the stupid, can we at least beat them senseless? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 17, 2008 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

"RAJAI!"

“SCUTARO!”

“MARCO!”

“DAVIS!”

Hmm. Not sure.

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 Jun 17, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions