First day of the draft concludes...
and Beane & Company made like Charlie inside Willy Wonka's Garden of Goodies as they grabbed a little bit of everything. Without any compensatory draft picks this year, the A's have only nabbed the standard 6 players total. It's looking like a nice little haul so far. Here's a recap:
1st Round - Jemile Weeks , 2B, University of Miami
Like most moves Beane makes, I initially did not like this pick, and I'm still not completely in love with it, but I can see where Beane is going with Jemile. When I think of Week's potential I immediately think of Chone Figgins. I could see Weeks developing into a Figgins-like player especially with his speed, switch-hittng ability and athleticism that should allow him to play both 2nd base and the outfield in the majors. Like Figgins, Jemile will not hit a lot of homers, but he's got a nice line-drive swing and enough speed to really wreak havoc on the basepaths. He'll take his walks and hit for a high average and therefore get on base a lot. He'll also play adequate 2nd base defense.
Contrary to what some may say, I doubt that "signability" was a reason Beane chose Weeks. I really do think that Beane believes that Weeks is the 12th most valuable player in this draft class.
2nd Round - Tyson Ross , RHP, University of Califoria
I really like this pick, not the least because Ross was born and raised in Oakland proper. But I also really like Ross's upside. His stats, especially from this season, won't jump out at you, but his freshman and sophomore seasons were strong and he dealt with some non-arm-related injury issues earlier this season that probably affected his performance.
Ross is a big, tall righty starter with a three-pitch repertoire: 90-95mph fastball, good slider and changeup. He's incredibly athletic and Baseball America lauded him for sticking with Team USA all summer while guys like Matusz and Crow ditched the team after the first few competitions. His intangibles are strong. He's new to pitching and his mechanics are somewhat concerning, as he doesn't really follow through all that well with his pitching motion. He's relatively new to pitching, so his mechanics could probably be tweaked fairly easily. One assessment I read awhile ago labeled Ross an intriguing prospect as he's "got the upside of a high school arm but with the experience of a polished collegiate product."
3rd Round - Preston (Petey) Paramore , Catcher, ASU
Good, solid catcher. Can't have enough of those around in the system. He won't be a superstar, but as a defense-first catcher that won't embarass you with the lumber and is durable enough to stay behind the dish long-term, he will definitely have a positive impact on the organization.
4th Round - Anthony Capra , LHP, Wichita State University
Don't know much about this guy. I initially though he was a reliever, but after checking his stats, I realized that he was moved into the rotation this season. He's gone 9-0 so far this season with a 2.87 ERA and an 87-30 K-BB ration in 75 innings. Without a real dominant heater (he sits 89-91), he seems fairly average to me, but then again I don't know much about him and the A's might see him as a reliever anyways, where his stuff might play out better.
5th Round - Jason Christian , SS, University of Michigan
Jason seems like a solid little middle infielder, somewhat like last year's pick Josh Horton. He's a right-handed throwing lefty swinger that controls the strikezone well (39/36) BB-K ratio that has put up a nifty 1.012 OPS this season for the Wolverines, with 26 extra base hits in 194 at-bats. Like Horton it seems like Christian might eventually need to move to 2nd base, as he sports a less-than-stellar .938 fielding percentage at short. Unlike Horton, Christian has some speed and good instincts on the basepaths as he's swiped 16 bases in 18 attempts. He also pitched a little bit last season for the Wolverines, but I'm thinking that the A's will be drafting him as a position player as he got absolutely hammered every time he's taken the mound.
6th Round - Tyreace House , OF, College of Canyons
This guy came out of nowhere. He was drafted by the Braves in the late rounds of both the 2006 and 2007 drafts. BA says that the A's might have reached a little bit by picking him in the 6th round this year, but says that he's a former track athlete with a ton of speed. He seems to be a raw product as he was formally highly-recruited high school running back; so I'm guessing that Beane is betting that the kid can develop into a power/speed center field combo guy. Could take awhile to see him in the higher minors and majors as he probably be spending a lot of time in the instructional leagues and rookie-league teams.
So overall, day one has been very interesting. Weeks could be a Rickey Henderson-like exciting leadoff guy and could make it to the majors within a few years, while Ross could develop into a 2/3-type starter with a little tweaking in his mechanics. Posey, Capra and Christian all seem like solid, polished products that could move quickly through the system and become average major leaguers while House looks like a potential 5-tooler. It's quite a mix. Who knows what Beane has up his sleeve for tomorrow!
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comments
Comments
Collin Cowgill 168 to D'backs.
He was one of ours last year. I remember making fun of his name.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on Jun 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT 0 recs
Also, are we really going 10 today?
I was under the impressing that the max was 5.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on Jun 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT 0 recs
well, says what I know.
first day was 5 rounds last year, though.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:34 PM PDT
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A Michigander!!?!
Hurray!! This calls for a CELEBRATION!
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Jun 5, 2008 5:32 PM PDT 0 recs
A Californian?
Hurray!! This calls for a GAME OF TETRIS!
by Zonis on
Jun 5, 2008 5:39 PM PDT
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I'm guessing you've never ...
... waded through an April snowstorm in Ann Arbor. ;-)

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 5, 2008 5:54 PM PDT
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I saw how good Jason Christian can be first hand...
...last year when I was working as a writer for Vanderbilt University Athletics while completing a master’s degree. The Commodores came in sporting both last year’s No. 1 overall pick David Price AND this year’s No. 2 overall pick Pedro Alvarez, they had won both the SEC regular season and tournament titles, were the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament and were hosting a regional for the first time in program history in front of raucus Nashville crowds. Christian went 5 for 11 in Michigan’s three games against Vanderbilt, with 4 RBI’s 2 runs and 3 walks, and displayed the kind of grit that can more than make up for a lack of pure superstar talent. As much as my heart was broken last May, I am thrilled to have him in the organization…
by EastVillageA on
Jun 6, 2008 12:10 PM PDT
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6th rd......Tyreace House
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Jun 5, 2008 5:41 PM PDT 0 recs
college of the canyons. looking for stats.
a JC in palmdale, i think.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:44 PM PDT
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Watch his video
On mlb draft tracker. He squares to bunt on one pitch, then swings away at the pitch which is over his head. Looks like it fell in for a single.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on
Jun 5, 2008 5:45 PM PDT
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That would be lovely
if I could use MLB draft tracker…
This is so **ing frustrating.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 5:46 PM PDT
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You aren't missing much
Just the entire draft.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on
Jun 5, 2008 5:46 PM PDT
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looks like a RH version of Matt Lawton
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on
Jun 5, 2008 5:46 PM PDT
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Wasn't he good once?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
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maybe...coulda been the roids
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on
Jun 5, 2008 5:48 PM PDT
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stats stats stats.
slash: 348/428/462/890
31/35 sb, 11 2b, 2 3b, 2 hr
27 bb, 25 k, 184 ab / no errors in 43 games
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:45 PM PDT
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Position?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 5:46 PM PDT
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OF
Had his warmup video in left.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on
Jun 5, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
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49th round pick
last year for the Braves.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on
Jun 5, 2008 5:46 PM PDT
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OF
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on
Jun 5, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
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3 sports in HS (football, basketball, baseball)
recruited by Oregon, UDub, Oregon St., UCLA, Fresno among others for football…
looking for 07 stats, which were apparently better than this years.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:49 PM PDT
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that wasn't hard.
07: slash: 403/470/590/1060
9/10 sb, 9 2b, 3 3b, 4 hr; 15 bb, 23 k
38 games.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:51 PM PDT
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Aren't juco stats pretty worthless?
I mean, it’s more competitive than HS ball, but not by much.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 5:51 PM PDT
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a step up, but yeah.
I’m still trying to figure out why he didn’t go to UDub for football… he averaged 25 yards/catch at Palmdale his senior year, and had an offer.
Didn’t even play football at CoC, and apparently a BCS-level talent… but finding nothing is better than finding a run-in with the law.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:55 PM PDT
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I'd rather find a run-in with the law
It’s what got the A’s Corey Brown…
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 5:57 PM PDT
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Still cant believe Hunter from Pepperdine hasnt been taken
Love the A’s to take a flyer on him. Was a first rounder till injury.
Also Harold Martinez (HS 3rd baseman) lets try some high upside guys even if they bust they are 7th and 8th rounders but if they hit HUGE potential.
Pay them 3rd round $$ and lets roll the dice …
Well see but I am not holding my breathe
by Bud Light on Jun 5, 2008 5:50 PM PDT 0 recs
No
We must help the Vancouver Canadians, um, defend their 2nd place finish from last year.
Or was it third.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 5:51 PM PDT
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Thames too
His season was comparable to the very best hitters in the draft (the very best hitters in the draft.) I understand not wanting to use a first round pick on him. He only had the one big year and the scouting reports don’t match the production, but to not go in the first five rounds…I’m getting pretty frustrated. A torn quad isn’t that serious an injury. He’s supposed to be ready to play in about a month.
by 31Boots on
Jun 5, 2008 6:05 PM PDT
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+1
We drafted Smoak and didn’t pay him, then he goes to collage and now we are paying for it. Lets take a chance!!!!!!
by ebradley on
Jun 5, 2008 10:58 PM PDT
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satin to NYM
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Jun 5, 2008 5:52 PM PDT 0 recs
sorry SAINT
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on
Jun 5, 2008 5:52 PM PDT
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mets are gobbling up everyone saint wants...
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 5:55 PM PDT
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AINT'S it the truth?
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 5, 2008 6:38 PM PDT
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's a nit.
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
by oblique on
Jun 5, 2008 7:53 PM PDT
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Satin
Josh Satin. Teammate of Ross at Cal.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on
Jun 5, 2008 10:11 PM PDT
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oh look at picture....

Josh Satin
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on
Jun 5, 2008 10:22 PM PDT
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Sorry Saint
The Mets drafted Satin.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on
Jun 5, 2008 11:14 PM PDT
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From BA on our 6th rounder
The A’s went for speed with the 12th pick of the sixth round in former track athlete Tyreace House of JC of the Canyons. He’s one of three Canyons players expected to be drafted, though he wasn’t expected to be a first-day draft pick.
by Bud Light on Jun 5, 2008 5:53 PM PDT 0 recs
Tyreace can't hit, field, or throw,
and he’s crotchety as all get-out, but man can he come up with the correct diagnosis of a rare illness that has everyone stumped.
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 5, 2008 6:39 PM PDT
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has everyone *stumped*?
I thought the A’s weren’t letting Larry near the bone saws anymore.
Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 5, 2008 6:41 PM PDT
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I know - I wish I had NEVER gone to see him
for my canker sore. I really miss my left leg.
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 5, 2008 6:43 PM PDT
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James Shields doesn't really miss Coco Crisp's right leg
Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 6, 2008 9:41 AM PDT
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Shields did miss him with a right cross.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 6, 2008 9:46 AM PDT
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soxyankeescubsdotcom described it as a "roundhouse"
... with which description I have to agree.
Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 6, 2008 11:14 AM PDT
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We all ignore Saint why wouldnt the A's
LOL Ray Ray
Next Wednesday day game? Let me know
by Bud Light on Jun 5, 2008 6:09 PM PDT 0 recs
Is it a day game?
I think It’s a night game…Gary D is throwing down a BIG tailgate.
Pride And Poise!!!
by saint on
Jun 5, 2008 7:06 PM PDT
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So is day 1 finished?
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on Jun 5, 2008 6:09 PM PDT 0 recs
don't know, can't listen.
they could be taking a break, but they went 5 rounds last year, so… perhaps. (it’s also 9 est.)
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 5, 2008 6:11 PM PDT
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I think that's it.
No need to post a whole new diary I guess.
by Taj Adib on
Jun 5, 2008 6:11 PM PDT
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so, uh,
when does it start tomorrow? is it 8:30 pst?
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on Jun 5, 2008 6:37 PM PDT 0 recs
This might seem silly to most
but I am really excited that the A’s drafted an African American with their first pick. And I think he is gonna be a real soild big league player as well. Everyone should relax a little and enjoy the picks the A’s made because I don’t think (from all appearances) that any of them look bad. I’m pretty sure Beane is heading in the direction of a small ball, speed oriented, contact hitting team…......value the undervalued before it becomes devalued, per say? The other picks besides Weeks look decent but not eye popping
This kind of reminds me of the NFL draft when the Raiders took D-Mac instead of the DT that KC took, but for different reasons.
Right now, the Raiders are looking like they will be one of the most improved teams this coming year 2008 and although most “experts” claim that the Chiefs had a better draft, the Raiders will be the better team next year and could really be better than most people expect. Mc Fadden not “the best player” but definitely the most exciting and most likely to have an immediate impact to his team. Sorry for the tangent, folks…...Go A’s!!!!!
by mrod on Jun 5, 2008 7:39 PM PDT 0 recs
3 out of 6 picks were Afro-Amercan:
Pride And Poise!!!
by saint on
Jun 5, 2008 8:33 PM PDT
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Does this mean Beane will no longer acquire the token aging veteran OF black guy?
(This is one of those times where I feel obligated to mention I’m totally joking, because some people are so damn touchy)
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
Jun 5, 2008 8:43 PM PDT
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HOW DEER YUU RAG ON
FREENK THUMAS AND JEE PEETON??
(This is one of those times where I feel obligated to mention that I’m totally serious.)
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 5, 2008 9:11 PM PDT
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I see you spent the off day working on the typing skills
Impressive. I wanna see you keep that up for an entire game thread.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
Jun 6, 2008 12:24 AM PDT
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It is silly
I would think you’d be pleased if the A’s drafted a good player no matter where he or his ancestors originated. Would you be less excited if he were African-Canadian like Ferguson Jenkins?
by Monday Fan on
Jun 6, 2008 8:31 AM PDT
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I'll add what I can to the scouting reports
I may end up writing a diary about Weeks and Taj has done a good job pointing out the essentials on Ross and Paramore.
4th Rounder Anthony Capra became a full time starter this year, so his arm is fresh and he could have some projection left in him. He keeps his fastball down and has a plus change-up. Inconsistent curve, might switch to a slider because of his arm slot.
5th Rounder Jason Christian is solid with the bat but more importantly is expected to stay at SS in the pros. One thing to (maybe) worry about… he had some early season back issues possibly due to long airline flights.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jun 5, 2008 7:41 PM PDT 0 recs
Weeks
I read somewhere a few weeks ago that if Weeks’ last name was Smith, he’d be a 2nd or 3rd rounder. I forget who said it (though I think it was Law or Sickels), but the implication is that Weeks is only a first rounder because of his brother’s pedigree.
That’s not my opinion, but if true, I don’t like the pick. Of course, I can’t imagine Beane would be fooled by that sort of thing so maybe the very fact that the A’s picked him suggests that’s not true.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 5, 2008 8:28 PM PDT 0 recs
It's not "foolish"
A lot of athletic ability is genetic. Not all of it, obviously, but if one guy in a family can do something, the odds are better than usual that his siblings or children can as well.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 9:01 PM PDT
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Agreed
But the comment was meant to suggest that people were banking on the genetic factor a little bit too much. I wasn’t criticizing the pick, though some certainly are surprised by it.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
Jun 5, 2008 9:14 PM PDT
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So did Weeks go after Daze,
but before Munths?
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 5, 2008 9:15 PM PDT
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I don't know, but at least he's Hours.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on
Jun 5, 2008 9:25 PM PDT
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Touche.
And a minute tip of the hat to you. Anyone want to second it?
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 5, 2008 9:32 PM PDT
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I think the A's are banking on "we hope he'll develop power" a little bit too much
but that’s just me.
Either that or they think that everyone’s power has dropped off so much in the post-steroid/post-juiced-ball/whatever era that players don’t need it to be elite anymore.
Yes, I recognize that those are completely contradictory positions…
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 9:30 PM PDT
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I may very well be that...
...the game was so distorted in the past 5-10 years due to PED’s that the standard idea of how to build a team isn’t really applicable anymore.
by rageon on
Jun 6, 2008 7:00 AM PDT
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+1
Travis Bucks, Bartons and Weeks’ are the future(?)
"Let’s just hope he’s not a complete turd out there." -thejd44, describing Crosby's best scenario.
by notsellingjeans on
Jun 6, 2008 2:48 PM PDT
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sickles
i remember sickles mentioning that he likes weeks, though more as a late 1st round guy.
by dbeach13 on
Jun 6, 2008 7:49 AM PDT
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Tyson F'ing Ross!!
It is positive for the A’s that the Bears were knocked out in the Super regionals. College managers can burn up arms on the road to the CWS championship in Omaha. They want to win now, not protect the kids’ arms. Cal’s early demise is the Oakland A’s gain.
He has a funky follow-through but they can straighten that out on the farm. This is a great prospect, remember how fast Brandon Morrow came up to the show after leaving Cal??
And a local kid. Sweeeeeeeet!!!!
by ExGiantsFan on Jun 5, 2008 8:37 PM PDT 0 recs
This is definitely true
Erik Davis was pitching on two days’ rest for Stanford last Monday (and got predictably shelled in the process).
The NCAA really needs to put in a rule. Pitch more than 2 innings, and you sit for four days. Period. No exceptions.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 5, 2008 9:13 PM PDT
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That rule is called a "Yabu"
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 5, 2008 9:15 PM PDT
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High School as well
Both levels need to have some kind of rules in place. A friend of mine, who was once one of the top 5 player in my state, was explaining how he went from Mr. Baseball consideration to not playing—3 complete games a week will tend to destroy an arm.
by rageon on
Jun 6, 2008 7:02 AM PDT
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10 innings per week...
That’s the limitation for players in the Central Coast Section (San Francisco, Santa Clara County, and down to King City).
That may be a CIF rule (all of California), but I’m not sure.
That said, the point stands. An innings limitation is less sophisticated and probably less effective than a pitches limit or a mandated two days off would be in preventing injuries.
"Let’s just hope he’s not a complete turd out there." -thejd44, describing Crosby's best scenario.
by notsellingjeans on
Jun 6, 2008 2:51 PM PDT
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