AN Community Prospect List - #44
Daniel Thomas, RHP wins the #43rd spot with 17% of the vote.
Key:
Letter Grade = John Sickels Letter Grade
BA# = Baseball America Top A's Ranking
Mi# = Minor League Ball Community Prospect List Rank
BP# = Baseball Prospectus Top A's Rank
#X = Baseball Prospects Star Grade
S# = Scout.com's Top A's List
SC = StatsCorner
FG = FanGraphs
tRA+ or wOBA+ stat will be placed for the level the prospect spent the most time at. tRA will be used for Pitchers, wOBA for Hitters. 000+ indicates that the stat is unavailable.
AthleticsNation Top Prospect List:
- [SC] [FG] [137+] Trevor Cahill, RHP [A-] [BA2] [Mi8]
- [SC] [FG] [133+] Brett Anderson, LHP [A-] [BA1] [Mi16]
- [SC] [FG] [117+] Chris Carter, 3B/1B [B] [BA6] [Mi51]
- [SC] [FG] [116+] Aaron Cunningham, CF [B] [BA4] [Mi67]
- [SC] [FG] [119+] Gio Gonzalez, LHP [B] [BA7] [Mi69]
- [SC] [FG] [107+] Adrian Cardenas, SS/2B [B] [BA5] [Mi57]
- [SC] [FG] [115+] Sean Doolittle, 1B/RF [B] [BA12] [Mi-??]
- [SC] [FG] [114+] James Simmons, RHP [B-] [BA10] [Mi83]
- [SC] [FG] [126+] Vin Mazzaro, RHP [B-] [BA8] [Mi97]
- [SC] [FG] [087+] Josh Donaldson, C [C+] [BA11]
- [SC] [FG] [000+] ]Michel Inoa, RHP [B-] [BA3] [Mi72]
- [SC] [FG] [122+] Jemile Weeks, 2B [B] [BA9]
- [SC] [FG] [136+] Henry Rodriguez, RHP [B-] [BA14]
- [SC] [FG] [000+] Rashun Dixon, CF [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [000+] Fautino De Los Santos, RHP [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [136+] Arnold Leon, RHP [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [107+] Josh Outman, LHP [B-]
- [SC] [FG] [111+] Corey Brown, CF [C+] [BA13]
- [SC] [FG] [076+] Brett Hunter, RHP [B-]
- [SC] [FG] [131+] Sam Demel, RHP [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [083+] Andrew Carignan, RHP [B-]
- [SC] [FG] [114+] Tyson Ross, RHP [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [000+] Nino Leyja, SS
- [SC] [FG] [109+] Matt Sulentic, OF
- [SC] [FG] [118+] Craig Italiano, RHP
- [SC] [FG] [086+] Gregorio Petit, SS
- [SC] [FG] [103+] Jason Christian, SS [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [080+] Andrew Bailey, RHP [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [127+] Jared Lansford, RHP
- [SC] [FG] [124+] Carlos Hernandez, LHP
- [SC] [FG] [000+] Dusty Coleman, SS
- [SC] [FG] [105+] Cliff Pennington, SS
- [SC] [FG] [102+] Petey Paramore, C [C+]
- [SC] [FG] [106+] Matt Spencer, OF/1B
- [SC] [FG] [101+] Javier Herrera, OF
- [SC] [FG] [099+] Landon Powell, C
- [SC] [FG] [081+] Travis Banwart, RHP
- [SC] [FG] [109+] Jeff Baisley, 3B
- [SC] [FG] Robin Rosario, OF
- [SC] [FG] Grant Desme, OF
- [SC] [FG] Joel Galarraga, C
- [SC] [FG] Jermaine Mitchell, OF
- Daniel Thomas, RHP
[Sickels has revised his grades on Trevor Cahil and Brett Anderson to A-]
New Addition to the Candidates List:
Ryan Webb, RHP
Dropped From List:
Testers:
[SC] [FG] Jeff Gray, RHP
[SC] [FG] Michael Madsen, RHP
Jamie Richmond, RHP
David Thomas, OF
[SC] [FG] Jason Fernandez, RHP
[x] removed due to ineligibility (over 130 AB or 50 IP)
Lower than 4% of the vote will get you bumped down from the list.
CANDIDATES:
Pitchers:
[SC] [FG] Ronny Morla, RHP
Scott Mitchinson, RHP
Brad Kilby, LHP
[SC] [FG] Anthony Capra, LHP
Pedro Figueroa, LHP
Ryan Webb, RHP
Infielders/Catchers:
[SC] [FG] Anthony Recker, C
Outfielders:
[SC] [FG] Jeremy Barfield, OF
[SC] [FG] Tyreace House, OF
Danny Putnam, OF
POSSIBLES:
Pitchers:
Ryan Doolittle, RHP
Ricardo Penalba, RHP
Scott Hodsen, RHP
Jason Windsor, RHP
Jason Glushon, RHP
Mike Benacka, RHP
Jose Guzman, RHP
Chris Farley, RHP
Graham Godfrey, RHP
Patrick Currin, RHP
Jose Fragaso, RHP
Ben Hornbeck, LHP
Chad Kerfoot, RHP
Lance Sewell, LHP
Leonardo Espinal, RHP
Justin Friend, RHP
Nick Walters, LHP
Kenny Smalley, RHP
Mike Hart, RHP
Trey Barham, LHP
Shawn Haviland, RHP
Pedro Vidal, RHP
Mickey Storey, RHP
Jonathan Joseph, RHP
Juston Street, RHP
Infield/Catcher:
Justin Sellers, SS
Franklin Contreras, SS
Tommy Everidge, 1B
Joshua Horton, SS
Matt Smith, C
Larry Cobb, 2B
Jake Smith, C
Michael Richards, SS
Ryne Jernigan, 2B
Franklin Hernandez, 1B
Neudy Clime, 2B
Outfield:
Chris Berroa, OF
Jose Crisostomo, OF
JD Pruit, OF
Mike Massaro, OF
Richie Robnett, OF
Jon Zeringue, OF
Archie Gilbert, OF
Toddric Johnson, OF
Jose Crisostomo, OF
Unknown (Minor League Free Agents):
Jose Garcia, RHP
Brad Knox, RHP
Shane Komine, RHP
David Shafer, RHP
Casey Rogowski, 1B
If you have a suggestion for the next player to be put on the list, please say so in the comments.
The Prospect Depth Chart below should help, at a glance, to tell how deep the A's are at each position, in terms of quality and quantity. List is ranked by order they appear in the Community Prospect List.
A's Top Prospect Depth Chart:
Starting Pitching:
[SC] [FG] [137+] Trevor Cahill, RHP
[SC] [FG] [133+] Brett Anderson, LHP
[SC] [FG] [119+] Gio Gonzalez, LHP
[SC] [FG] [114+] James Simmons, RHP
[SC] [FG] [126+] Vin Mazzaro, RHP
[SC] [FG] [000+] ]Michel Inoa, RHP
[SC] [FG] [136+] Henry Rodriguez, RHP
[SC] [FG] [000+] Fautino De Los Santos, RHP
[SC] [FG] [136+] Arnold Leon, RHP #
[SC] [FG] [107+] Josh Outman, LHP #
[SC] [FG] [076+] Brett Hunter, RHP
[SC] [FG] [114+] Tyson Ross, RHP
[SC] [FG] [118+] Craig Italiano, RHP
[SC] [FG] [124+] Carlos Hernandez, LHP
Relief Pitching:
[SC] [FG] [136+] Henry Rodriguez, RHP #
[SC] [FG] [136+] Arnold Leon, RHP
[SC] [FG] [107+] Josh Outman, LHP
[SC] [FG] [131+] Sam Demel, RHP
[SC] [FG] [083+] Andrew Carignan, RHP
[SC] [FG] [118+] Craig Italiano, RHP #
[SC] [FG] [080+] Andrew Bailey, RHP
[SC] [FG] [127+] Jared Lansford, RHP
[SC] [FG] [081+] Travis Banwart, RHP
Catcher:
[SC] [FG] [087+] Josh Donaldson, C
[SC] [FG] [102+] Petey Paramore, C
[SC] [FG] [099+] Landon Powell, C
[SC] [FG] Joel Galarraga, C
First Base/Designated Hitter:
[SC] [FG] [117+] Chris Carter, 3B/1B #
[SC] [FG] [115+] Sean Doolittle, 1B/RF #
[SC] [FG] [106+] Matt Spencer, OF/1B
Middle Infield:
[SC] [FG] [107+] Adrian Cardenas, SS/2B #
[SC] [FG] [122+] Jemile Weeks, 2B
[SC] [FG] [000+] Nino Leyja, SS #
[SC] [FG] [086+] Gregorio Petit, SS
[SC] [FG] [103+] Jason Christian, SS
[SC] [FG] [000+] Dusty Coleman, SS
[SC] [FG] [105+] Cliff Pennington, SS
Third Base:
[SC] [FG] [117+] Chris Carter, 3B/1B
[SC] [FG] [107+] Adrian Cardenas, SS/2B
[SC] [FG] [000+] Nino Leyja, SS
[SC] [FG] [109+] Jeff Baisley, 3B
Centerfield:
[SC] [FG] [116+] Aaron Cunningham, CF
[SC] [FG] [000+] Rashun Dixon, CF
[SC] [FG] [111+] Corey Brown, CF
[SC] [FG] [101+] Javier Herrera, OF
Outfield:
[SC] [FG] [115+] Sean Doolittle, 1B/RF
[SC] [FG] [109+] Matt Sulentic, OF
[SC] [FG] [106+] Matt Spencer, OF/1B #
[SC] [FG] [101+] Javier Herrera, OF #
[SC] [FG] Robin Rosario, OF
[SC] [FG] Grant Desme, OF
[#] Some players may be listed at multiple positions. # indicates that this is their most likely position, or best position they can stick at. Other instances of the player mean that they can/might shift over to that position eventually, in either best case or worst case scenario. This does not take into account other players/prospects pushing them out of that position. [#]
The System has gone in several places from a position of need to a position of depth, and visa versa. Middle Infield, as soon as mid 2008, was a barren wasteland, with only Petit and Pennington there who could amount to anything. Since then, we've seen a haul of Middle Infield draft prospects as well as Adrian Cardenas from the Joe Blanton trade. The Problem for the A's, however, is that pretty much all of this Middle Infield Depth is in the low minors, quite a few years away, while there is a pressing need at the MLB Level for a quality Shortstop.
Starting Pitching has also become a place of massive depth compared to 2007, when the system had great pitching in the Majors, but almost nothing in the minors-when Jason Windsor, Shane Komine and Mike Madsen were being touted as our top prospects.
But just as Pitching and Middle Infield depth has grown, the system is completely barren of Corner Infield depth. The only real true Corner Infield prospects the team has are Chris Carter and Sean Doolittle, both who are 1B prospects, though the team is trying to get Carter to stick at 3B. If he does somehow manage to play average, or slightly below, at 3B in the Majors, he would be a great welcome, but thus far it is not known if he can stick there, or even at First Base. Doolittle looks like a Gold Glove 1B, and a good hitter, but not quite as good as Carter with the bat. But aside from those two, there is no one else there (unless you count Matt Spencer and hope that his 2nd half of 2008 was the real Spencer). Compared to years past, when 1B/DH was the teams position of strength, this is definitely a change.
The System also has a rather amazing amount of Center field depth in the system, though somewhat a lack of Corner Outfield depth up the chart. This is made up for, though, by the slew of young outfielders on the 25 man roster (Sweeney and Buck), and OF depth on the 40 man Roster (Denorfia, Davis, Murton, etc...).
Catcher is also somewhat thin, but with Kurt Suzuki installed in the Majors, it is not a pressing need. Galarraga and Powell should battle for the Backup Catcher spot in 2009 or 2010, whenever Rob Bowen becomes obsolete or too expensive. And by the time that Suzuki is ready to leave, Josh Donaldson or Pete Paramore should be ready.
0 recs |
36 comments
Comments
Voting
For me, it’s between Capra, Morla, and Mitchinson. I went with Mitchinson.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 1, 2009 7:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously?
I became unable to judge the players on the list weeks ago, this is ridiculous, there is no way you can accurately rank the players at this stage in the list of top prospects. 44? Really?
by T-Money on Jan 1, 2009 10:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Come on guys,
get over it…
Every single post now, we get one or two comments saying “we can’t do this.”
What’s the harm in trying?
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Jan 1, 2009 10:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
If you think it’s useless, don’t participate. And shut up.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 1, 2009 11:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
More importantly
I think we’re still in the C prospect range. Maybe we’re in C- now. A guy like Daniel Thomas might be top 25 in some (bad) systems.
by thejd44 on Jan 1, 2009 11:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Capra
I’d say Capra is still a C prospect. High draft status, decent stuff and looked ok in his debut.
I agree that people who say they have no idea about these prospects should just not participate. I know enough about most of these prospects to still enjoy these threads.
by DeJay on Jan 2, 2009 3:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Somewhere around #10
is where I felt I could no longer intelligently judge. After that, I read the comments and continued to take my best guess.
Then after #41 I found I couldn’t even guess anymore, so I stopped voting.
But I’m still enjoying reading the comments and watching the votes.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 1, 2009 11:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't even confident about Anderson or Cahill being #1. After that we don't really have
any idea. Who cares? It’s not like anyone’s actually going to take our advice.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 2:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was confident about
“Anderson OR Cahill” being #1. Which was #1 and which was #2 was a guess.
Anyway, I came late to the first poll, so my vote didn’t count on that one.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 2, 2009 9:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How come you dropped Recker from the list?
He got more votes than Recker did.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 1, 2009 8:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm confused
Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.
by notsellingjeans on Jan 2, 2009 12:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
recker was on the list twice
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 2, 2009 12:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And he still didn't win
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 2:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
His mom doesn't play favorites
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Jan 2, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How far Putnam has fallen
What happened to the guy?
by easyraider on Jan 1, 2009 8:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
+1
I’ve still been looking for some sort of reason why Putnam is no longer considered a shot at being an everyday Major League outfielder, besides his age.
He’s been delayed, and his cup of tea wasn’t outstanding, but his numbers have always been good when healthy.
Maybe it’s just his position which is holding him back in our organization.
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Jan 2, 2009 12:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's never done anything impressive...
Just a bunch of .800 OPS seasons at levels he was, at best, average age in. And injuries— tons, and tons, of injuries… he hasn’t played 100 games since 2005.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 2, 2009 10:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's left-handed Matt Murton I think
And if you combine Murton and Putnam, you probably get Bobby Kielty.
by thejd44 on Jan 3, 2009 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been voting Mitchinson, and I guess I'm sticking with him till he's on.
Webb seems kinda interesting in a trade bait sort of way though.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 1, 2009 9:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nth consecutive vote for Ronny Morla
Similar stuff to Mitchinson, but younger, more projectable, and less Rule 5/free agency vulnerable.
I like Mitchinson, but somehow I see him having a similar career to fellow Aussie Grant Balfour, in that he’ll eventually have a random breakout with someone, but it probably won’t be Oakland.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 1, 2009 10:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
does balfour throw anything thats not a fastball?
and more importantly what does mitchinson have. ive been voting on him based on numbers, with trepidation due to his injuries/age. but its difficult to look past his stats.
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 2, 2009 12:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lockard says he's got a few decent pitches but his real strength is command.
From Scout.com
The right-hander features a low-90s fastball with a good change-up and an excellent breaking ball. However, it is his control which makes Mitchinson unusual. In 354.1 career innings, he has walked only 71 while striking out 351. He has also allowed only 15 homeruns over that stretch.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 2:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
did he repeat low A
just due to the crowded stockton rotation?
by Asfan4ever723 on Jan 2, 2009 8:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes and when they were about to promote him his elbow acted up, delaying his
Stockton debut. That elbow is a problem.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Richie Robnett still needs to be on the list.
He is has more talent than most if not all of the choices on this list and 2009 will only be his age 25 season. This is probably last chance saloon for him but we are at a point in the list where his natural talent should get consideration. There might only be a very small chance he reaches his potential but we are at a point in the list where that very small chance to be good should take precedence of a prospect with a chance to be replacement level.
by DeJay on Jan 2, 2009 3:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
But if he loses his roster spot, isn't he likely to reach that potential with another organization?
Even if he goes to Sacramento, he’s probably not a starter.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 5:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i'll go off this list wth...
graham godfrey
pretty good arm, solid control, workhorse of the stockton rotation
his stats may have been inflated by the cal league, but pitched well enough in 3 of the last 4 months of the season
by Asfan4ever723 on Jan 2, 2009 8:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Haviland for sleeper
I know a trainer at his gym (and it’s a topflight gym, Eric Cressey’s place) and apparently Haviland had never worked out seriously until this offseason and has completely remade himself in just a few months, making big big gains in strength, mobility, athleticism… They are very impressed with the guy and how far he’s come. The place he’s at also focuses on efficiency, safety, and corrective work. So he’s the one A’s farmhand who I’d be surprised if he gets hurt.
I voted for Mitchinson. Thinking about it, I agree with DeJay and would vote for Richie Robnett if he were on the list.
by AgitationStation on Jan 2, 2009 7:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Agree with Haviland for tester
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 8:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
that’s good, strength, mobility, athleticism… but does working out mean a player is less likely to get hurt?
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 Jan 2, 2009 8:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, what does "efficiency, safety and corrective work" mean?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
When you hear pop in your shoulder or elbow
they STOP you from continuing to lift weights and pitch.
ie; the Anti-Dan Meyer school of working out.
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Jan 2, 2009 9:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
re
Corrective work is very simply identifying and then fixing structural and strength imbalances and getting the body to work efficiently through safe ranges of motion. An example would be eliminating range of motion limiting scar tissue and adhesions which build up in tissue over time (in everybody and particularly athletes) with foam rolling and myofascial release. Or identifying a weak muscle and building it up to more evenly distribute stress. It can be something as simple as fixing problems with posture. Heck, hip flexors shorten when you sit a lot, and you can’t fix that unless you first realize it’s an issue, and secondly perform specific and uncommon stretches and get rid of the adhesions. Short hip flexors are directly involved in groin and hamstring problems. Good strength coaches, like the guys Haviland is going to, are well aware of that.
For some reason weightlifting has gotten a bad name on this blog, but the truth of it is the healthiest players lift weights just as much as the players who get hurt all the time. Weightlifting can definitely cause injuries when done improperly, but a properly trained, balanced, and mobile athlete will reinforce good movement through a proper range of motion with weightlifting. That’s going to equal less injury. I suspect the A’s don’t have the “properly” trained part down, definitely (how can teams so young be injured so consistently…hello!).
by AgitationStation on Jan 2, 2009 11:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Are his guys available to work with the rest of the team?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 2, 2009 11:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
he'd take it
If the A’s offered it. Hey, at least the A’s finally got rid of fucking Cockrell. Took six years to realize he was a disaster, but it’s over now. Hopefully it will make a big difference with the injuries. Other than Big Mac, I don’t remember too many bad injuries during Alejo’s last reign.
by AgitationStation on Jan 3, 2009 12:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
At least Haviland's guys could work with the River Cats or Ports or something.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 3, 2009 12:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

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