Going Ga-Ga for C-Gon
by C-Gon on Jun 2, 2008 2:42 AM PDT
Email
PrintCarlos Gonzalez made his major league debut on Friday against the Rangers, going 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and 1 RBI. After his first series, he's 4 for 11 (all doubles!) - so far, so good. As the centerpiece of the 6-for-2 deal that sent Danny Haren to the desert, C-Gon was ranked as the 18th best prospect by Baseball America in 2007. To quote Yahoo Fantasy Expert Brandon Funston, "The 22-year-old is blessed with a quick, strong all-fields stroke that has generated a per-162-game average of 22 HRs and a batting average pushing .290 in 580-plus minor league games." But the thing to get out of those gushing words of praise is that he's only 22, and he's probably headed back to the minors once Ryan Sweeney comes off the DL.
So what can we realistically expect from C-Gon this year? And why did he arrive in the majors with so little attention? Well mainly because of this guy , who's batting an unreal .591 with a 6/1 BB/K ratio and a walkoff to his name after only 6 games. But going back to C-Gon: he's only played about 50 games at AAA, and this year, before being called up, he was batting .293 with 4 homers, 1 steal, and a 13/30 BB/K ratio. Those numbers aren't exactly on the level of the aforementioned Bruce, but that's not the only reason C-Gon hasn't gotten much attention. Of course, Bruce is actually younger than C-Gon by a couple years, but he's played twice as many games at the AAA level (and put up amazing numbers there) and he figures to stick around with Corey Patterson being shipped down. On the other hand, it isn't clear how C-Gon fits into the A's plans this year. Most likely, when Ryan Sweeney returns from the DL (and he was just starting to play well before he hit the DL, at least during the two games during the BoSox series I was in attendance for), C-Gon goes back to the minors for more seasoning. Even though an Emil Brown-Ryan Sweeney-Jack Cust OF won't exactly set the league on fire, most experts agree that C-Gon is probably at least a year away from being ready to be an everyday player for the A's. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about his future prospects, and by all means, I hope he and the A's prove me wrong and he sticks around to play everyday. However, most likely, this two-week stint will just be a taste of the big leagues for C-Gon and a teaser for us A's fans of our very bright future (even if it's in Fremont). Enjoy the trailer while it lasts. I know I sure will.
Sources:
http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/Closing-Time-Going-ga-ga-for-Bruce-Kershaw-no?urn=fantasy,85361
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1103728
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gonz%C3%A1lez_%28baseball%29
58 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Gonzalez's RBI Double against the Rangers
Speaking of trailers, here’s a video of Gonzalez’s RBI double against the Rangers:
From his big league debut:
RBI double from his debut:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200806012815914
As noted at the end of the video, he doubled to left and to right and looks really good.
One thing I've noticed about Gonzalez
Kid hits the ball hard. Those doubles were blistered. As the cliche goes, the ball really jumps off his bat. While I like to be cautious and realistic it’s really going to be hard to keep expectations down when the kid just looks so good out there. He’s so smooth. Not hard to see why the scouts get all gushy about him.
It’s remotely possible that the A’s have him up on a get-your-feet-wet basis, but given their pattern with top prospects and Beane’s own words I’d be quite surprised to see him sent down again. It will be interesting to see how the A’s will resolve the crowding in the outfield, especially given the awkward fact that every outfielder (and every “outfielder” – you know who I mean) who can hit worth a damn is left-handed.
Did you just join, or did you change your handle in honor of the occasion? If so, who were you before?
Just joined
Just joined… and yea, I’m interested to see how he fairs against better pitching this week (Kevin Milwood and Scott Feldman aren’t exactly Johan Santana). If he keeps up this hard hitting over the next week, it’ll be hard not to get excited… and hopefully he at least make it a tough decision to send him down
He ain't Jay Bruce
But even jay Bruce ain’t Jay Bruce—I mean .590 your first week and totally rejuvenating a franchise? Pretty lofty standards.
If this wasn’t Oakland, I’d say Car Gon would have a pretty decent chance to hit .300 this year. As it is, if we can get 285-350-460 out of him, i’d be thrilled.
And that would make him inftinitely more valuable than Emil Brown
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 2, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I've nominally followed the guy
since he came to the A’s and have seen him in his few games and watched the replays several times. Gut feeling is he is the real deal much more so than the “others” who have come and gone since say, 2004.
alaska A
My prediction:
.260/.310/.420: i.e. showing some promise, but still too raw to actually be an offensive upgrade for this season.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Wouldn't that make him a huge offensive upgrade over Brown?
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 2, 2008 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't really consider Brown a starter
He’s gotten starter’s time to this point because of an early hot streak and some injuries. I don’t see that continuing all season long, although I suppose it did for Shannon Stewart.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I don't see him going back down.
Unless he fails miserable, there is no reason for this kid to go back to Sacto. I see a four man OF (when Frank comes back) of Cust, Buck, Car Gon w/ Sweeney taking over late for Cust. Brown and Davis are expendable and certainly not the future. A line-up with Buck and Car Gon seems to have a lot of energy and speed with improved fielding over what we have seen. I wouldn’t mind seeing the everyday line-up looking like this:
Buck
Car Gon
Cust
Thomas
Chavvy
Crosby
Ellis
Barton
Suzuki
I also think that Petit, although a decent prospect, might make be the back-up infielder the A’s need this year. His ability to run the bases, matched with his fielding at either short or second makes him valuable to this particular team. The team could also learn a lot about his long-term viability as a replacement for Ellis at second (especially with the DFA of Melillo).
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
Unless he starts to struggle, I don't see him going down either
If they get everone healthy, I think this is the roster:
C – Suzuki, Bowen
1B – Barton
2B- Ellis
SS – Crosby
3B – Chavez
IF – Hannahan, Murphy/Petit
OF/DH – Cust, Thomas, Buck, Gonzalez, Sweeney, Brown
SP – Harden, Blanton, Eveland, Smith, Duchscherer
RP – Street, Embree, Casilla, Brown, Devine, Gaudin
I think they’ll keep Brown around because they’re way LH without him. The challenge will be getting enough AB’s for Buck, Gonzalez and Sweeney. This roster means DFA, trade or minors for M. Sweeney, Foulke, Calero, Davis, Ziegler and either Murphy or Petit. The likelihood of all 25 being healthy is pretty small, so there are probably more rehabs, DLs, etc. to keep a few of these guys around. But that is the 25 I’d like to see out there.
If the only reason to keep Brown is because he's a righty
I’d just as soon keep M. Sweeney. He’s a better bat off the bench and he’s already well-liked by all teammates (although we haven’t heard the opposite about Brown, Brown hasn’t had fluff pieces written about his rapport with teammates) and he at least has some upside (in that if he is fully healthy, which is maybe a .1% chance but still, he might be able to rake the ball like he used to).
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
If we're just going with a 5th outfielder
I’d keep Davis. Speed and defensive off the bench. But, like you, between Sweeney and Brown/Davis, Sweeney all the way.
In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!
I thought about that
but Sweeney’s health issues make this a dubious option. Responding to DMOAS below, with Buck, Gonzalez, and Sweeney, the need for speed and defense off the bench is diminished. Davis is completely useless at the plate. So I’m still for Brown as the “5th” OF. I put that in quotes because I don’t really consider Cust to be an OF.
All this being said, if someone would take Brown off their hands for a middling prospect, I’d do it in a minute.
well since cust is one
and starts in the outfield all the time, you should probably consider him an OF
"It's not my fault your team's so shitty." -Steve Friend, head coach, Chabot College, to Laney College's head coach, who asked why we scored so many runs after we beat Laney 30-3 in 2006
Maybe
the A’s philosophy is that a back up catcher cannot be played because if that catcher is played, who would then be the backup? Does that blow your mind?
What's really mind-blowing
is if you apply this reasoning to not wasting the bullpen.
formerly known as mdl
I expected to see
him yesterday because it was a day game after a night game, er i mean the game wasn’t televised.
Maybe he did play, but since VInce didn’t do the lineup ken and ray just assumed and got it wrong.
Murphy could be the key to keeping an extra player.
I don’t love Murphy but he can play 3 infield positions while Hannahan can only play the corners. Having one guy to back-up 3B, SS and 2B (and possibly 1st) allows the A’s to keep M. Sweeney in a platoon with Barton. This would also allow the A’s to keep 5 OF’s (Cust, Sweeney, Car Gon, Buck and Davis for speed purposes). Hannahan has been alright but its not like he is the long-term replacement for Chavvy and if Chavvy goes down, bring up Baisley and give him a shot.
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
I think Sweeney is destined to be the A's 4th Outfielder
this year and next year. Once Thomas leaves, Cust will slide back into the DH role and the A’s will probably call up Aaron Cunningham to take over the Centerfield role for the team. Cunningham is a better hitter than Sweeney, and better defensivly.
Aaron Cunningham
I would definitely Use Aaron “Richie” Cunningham as trade bait over a 4th OF. Let Cunningham stay in AA for the entire year. Then AAA next year. If Beane loves the idea of a Buck / CarGon / R. Sweeney / Jack Cust – LF/CF/RF/DH – Cunninghamm could net a position of need (2B / SS) down the road.
Personally, I think CarGon (CF) is here to stay. R. Sweeney will play some Re-Hab games in AAA before he gets the call back to Oakland (similar to Buck, but w/o being optioned to AAA). The trade deadline is less than 60 days away, so Bye-Bye Emil (Trade or DFA).
I'd rather trade Sweeney...
seeing as how Cunningham is, you know, better at baseball.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Whoa whoa whoa
Ok, I like Cunningham, I really do. But Sweeney is just one year older and he’s putting up numbers in the majors that are pretty close to what Cunningham is putting up in AA. They’re hitting for almost identical average and a similar OBP. Sweeney’s SLG is a little bit lower, but he’s TWO LEVELS ahead of Cunningham.
I think it’s quite a stretch to say Cunningham is better at this point. Sweeney is getting the job done where it counts.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 2, 2008 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I'll give Sweeney credit, his SLG isn't the eyesore it was a couple of weeks ago
Nonetheless I stand by my assertion that Cunningham is the better player and prospect. I explained this on another thread a few days ago (run a search for me and “Cunningham” and it should turn up).
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I think Cunningham might develop into a better player
Maybe he has more upside. But comparing what each guy is doing right now, Sweeney is the better player. He’s getting better at the major league level. Cunningham still hasn’t played higher than AA. At the very least, Sweeney has a nice head start.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 2, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Argument in a nutshell:
To be a plus player, Sweeney has to do something he’s never done before (hit for power). Cunningham simply has to keep doing what he’s already doing, at higher levels of play.
I’m not saying Sweeney is bad (although I don’t think he’s great), just that if I was looking to trade one of them (which I wouldn’t be), it would be Sweeney.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
For all of Sweeney's faults...
he has hit very well in the clutch (if you believe in clutch hitting). He might make a nice pinch hitter/Cust replacement going forward, certainly he is a better hitter than Davis. I like Davis’s speed, but you got have to get on base before you can steal one. I would also like to hold on to Mike Sweeney, he’s a great clubhouse guy and although his power is gone, I trust him more as a hitter than Brown/Davis combo.
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
I don't believe in clutch hitting...
and certainly not based off the ludicrously small sample size of a half-season’s worth of plate appearances.
I don’t have a problem with Sweeney as a 4th outfielder, although I question whether the team really needs another 4th outfielder right now. I view him as expendable if the right trade offer comes along, because the team has good depth in the outfield.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Cunningham simply has to keep doing what he’s already doing, at higher levels of play.
DJ would argue that that is not that simple.
by methodrampage on Jun 2, 2008 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Not a comparable situation
DJ was overage. The more overage a player is, the less likely he is to carry his current production to a higher level.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I think the point remains
Lotsa AAAA hitters out there, and sometimes you just don’t know until they get to the bigs.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
I know that...
There are also lots of “flashes in the pan” who show up and do great for a short time in MLB and then fade away. And lots of “tools” players who never convert those tools into MLB skills.
There are many, many ways for a player to fail. The overwhelming majority of pro baseball players fail to become MLB regulars.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
No, keep Cunningham
SOMEBODY in the outfield has to hit right-handed.
Also a good point
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
or, considering how injury prone buck is
and since both sweeney and cunningham have already gone down with injuries this year, why not keep all five, buck/cargon/sweeney/cunningham in the outfield and cust at dh?
why even bother designating one of them as “the 4th OF” when their playing time will likely only be limited by injuries?
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
Who's???
Who’s playing 2B in 2009? Who’s playing SS in 2010? That’s why I think it would be beneficial to trade Cunningham. Chris Denorfia can be the 4th Outfielder.
by Colorado Fan on Jun 2, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Who's playing 2B in 2009? Mark Ellis, probably.
Who’s playing SS in 2010? Petit, Josh Horton, Pennington… the A’s system isn’t devoid of prospects at short.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I think you can upgrade the SS position in 2010
..by offering Cunningham + Italiano to an Organization w/ SS depth.
Let me put it this way
I don’t think SS will be the position of greatest organizational need in 2010, and I don’t think that the outfield will be the position of greatest organizational depth, either. It’s hard to see that far into the future, of course.
My point is this: If I had to make a trade of one of Sweeney and Cunningham for a SS in 2010 with only the info I have through today to judge their performance, Sweeney would be the one to go.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Seeing as how Sweeney and Cunningham are only a year apart
I think it’s a little premature to judge both Sweeney’s and Cunningham’s ability at the MLB level.
by methodrampage on Jun 2, 2008 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
My projection system has him hitting .364
for the rest of the year, and every hit will be a double. One problem: I have him projected for zero walks.
stat-addled alien overlord
Your avatar is Marcel the Monkey?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
If you can hit .364/.364/.728
Then you don’t need no stinkin’ walks
With that projection...
If he has 4 doubles in 11 ABs… over 400 ABs, he’d collect 145 doubles.. SHATTERING Earl Webb’s 77-year record of 67… TAKE THAT Jay Bruce.
lets be honest
i just joined, and i cant believe people actually like Cust to play over R. Sweeney. Sweeney is a rookie and actually coming along very nicely while Cust is in the “prime” of his career,at 29, and only hitting .250 with 63 K’s and 9HR’s,He shouldn’t be stealing valuable time from any of our young outfielders, and I definitely dont expect to see him in Fremont(if there is a Fremont).
by oaktown elephant on Jun 4, 2008 5:04 PM PDT reply actions
Guess you only like certain stats
He has been either #1 or #2 in OBP in the entire AL for quite some time now.
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
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
- Robinson Cano and Denzel Washington face off in Jay Leno’s Yankees trivia contest
- Shane Victorino lands role on ‘Hawaii Five-0′
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
