Monday's Minor League Update
by grover on Apr 13, 2009 12:00 AM PDT
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Welcome to the first official Monday Minor League Report! There are some changes of note for 2009, the chief being that my original partner in crime, Taj Adib, is no longer participating on a regular basis. He might slip in a special report or three over the course of the season but Life has other things demanding his time. So I’ll provide you with your weekly minor league fix as best I can, work permitting. For those who don’t know I’m a wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service, my summers tend to get busy and the job often sends me to places that don’t provide high speed internet access… or plumbing, for that matter. I encourage everyone wanting to stay current on the farm system to read asyouwish33’s regular minor league postings, there’s some good info in them and they tend to attract other rabid minor league followers who are quick to provide extra info on the state of the farm system.
My writing on the minor league system is still the best, of course.
The minor league season is only a few days old thus far, so I’m not going to give you any numbers in this update. (A ridiculously small sample size and all that.) No, this edition is intended to get everyone up to speed on the organizational depth chart. I figure if you read AN you already know who’s who and what position they play for the A’s; this post is about who’s filling the rosters of the Sacramento River Cats, the Midland Rockhounds, the
For those of you who are new, here’s a quick rundown of the full season teams in the
Midland Rockhounds (AA)
Stockton Ports (High-A or A+)
Let’s go around the horn.
Catcher
AAA: Anthony Recker
AA: Josh Donaldson
A+: Matt Smith
A-: Pete Paramore (eventually)
Notes: Paramore has yet to play for the Cougars. It was originally thought he’d start the year on the DL but made the roster after Dante Love got bumped to
First Base
AAA: Daric Barton
AA: Chris Carter
A+: Greg Dowling
A-: Steve Kleen
Notes: I realize Barton is only 23 but he’s running out of time to establish himself as the long term answer at 1st base for the A’s. Matter o’ fact, if he starts raking again in AAA I’d strongly suggest the A’s dangle him as trade bait. Sean Doolittle is also on the River Cats’ roster as the starting RF and scouts love his defense at 1st base, so if something should happen to Giambi and Barton is struggling with the bat there’s a very good chance that Doolittle could get the call. Carter offers unlimited power potential but had contact issues last year in High-A, AA will be an important test for him in 2009. Matt Spencer is going to see some time at 1st base while in
Second Base
AAA: Cliff Pennington
AA: Adrian Cardenas
A+: Michael Richard
A-: Matt Ray
Notes: The A’s have shelved the
Third Base
AAA: Jeff Baisley/Jack Hannahan
AA: Yung Chi Chen
A+: Alex Valdez
A-: Jason Christian
Notes: Corey Wimberly might see some time at 3rd base for
Short Stop
AAA: Gregorio Petit
AA: Josh Horton
A+: Michael Affronti
A-: Dusty Coleman
Notes: The gaping black hole everyone already knows about. Coleman and even Christian offer some hope in the long term, with Rookie ball sensation Nino Leyja hanging out in extended spring training until the short-season leagues start up in June.
Left Field
AAA: Aaron Cunningham (DL)
AA: Archie Gilbert/Dan Putnam
A+: Matt Spencer/Shane Keough
A-: Franklin Hernandez
Notes: Cunningham separated his right shoulder in a play at the plate. Hernandez was one of the A’s top performers in the AZL last year but
Center Field
AAA: Chris Denorfia
AA: Corey Brown
A+: Jermaine Mitchell
A-: David Thomas
Notes: Denorfia would make a perfectly acceptable back-up in the Show, but he had an option remaining and Rajai Davis didn’t, so there you go. The enigma that is Corey Brown impressed enough during spring training to earn a promotion to AA. Mitchell has a chance but he needs to make a move now or get lost in the shuffle. Rashun Dixon is in extended spring training at least until the weather warms up in
Right Field
AAA: Sean Doolittle
AA: Javier Herrera/Dan Putnam
A+: Todd Johnson
A-: Grant Desme
Notes: Herrera got pulled, probably due to injury, from
Designated Hitter
Notes: It’s early in the season but so far it appears as if all the minor league teams are rotating people through the DH spot to get everyone at bats.
Starting Pitching
AAA: Vin Mazzaro, Ryan Webb, James Simmons, Edgar Gonzalez, Gio Gonzalez
AA: Graham Godfrey, Jason Fernandez, Travis Banwart, Kristian
A+: Tyson Ross, Carlos Hernandez, Craig Italiano, Scott Hodsdon, 5th TBD
A-: Matt Fitts, Shawn Haviland, Pedro Figueroa, Anthony Carpa, 5th TBD
Notes: It’s amazing what a couple promotions (Anderson, Cahill) can do to the strength of a minor league system. Mazzaro and Ross might be the only SP prospects who profile as better than a #3 SP in the Show, and there’s a healthy dose of worry that Ross won’t be able to hold up under a SP’s workload. There is no fixed date as to when Ynoa will report to
Relief Pitching
AAA: Jeff Gray (CL) Jared Lansford,
AA: Sam Demel (CL)
A+: Daniel
A-: Jose Guzman (CL) Brett Hunter (if he isn’t in the rotation)
Notes: Andrew Carignan got banged up during spring training and is still in
Overall Assessment:
With Cahill and Anderson in
It'll have to be.
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Great Stuff.
I always look forward to the musings. There is always great commentary. Let me know if you want help out at all. I would be very interested.
Random thoughts
This is really a make or break season for Brown and FDLS as both are getting old to be prospects. Both should spend significant time at AA with possible late season AAA callups. Another interesting name to watch for is Matt Sulentic who is now in extended ST but will probably go to AA. Remember that the kid got a B+ from Sickels a couple years ago. I really want to see Leon in the rotation (and Lansford should get one more shot there too) but it looks like the A’s still want to limit his pitches.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
i still like sulentic
i wouldnt say its make or break for brown yet. his full age 23 season will be in AA for 09, maybe AAA towards the end. he doesnt turn 24 until the season is over in november. i think DLS might be an issue but better to not rush him. at worst he may be a reliever and they could always fast track those guys through levels.
i guess we forget DLS that will all the hype of that stockton staff in 08 he may have the best pure stuff and upside of all of them. unfortunately the injury issue. rated by BP as a 5 star at the time. lets hope no more additional setbacks to delay the progress
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6912
Perfect World Projection: Star-level starter or closer.
Timetable: De los Santos has the highest ceiling of any player in the system, but he’s still at least two years away. He’ll likely begin 2008 at High-A, with an expectation than he could be ready for a look at some point in 2009.
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Sulentic Trivia
OK, sue me if I have this wrong, but I seem to remember that Sulentic’s off-seaon job is as a male stripper. His hobby is boxing or kick-boxing. And he is the guy that started the Stockton-? brawl last year. Crazy stuff.
by redtopcowboy on Apr 13, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions
lol where did you get vthestripper info
here’s info on the boxing, improved defense,etc.
sulentic was playing really well until that injury.
also the fight
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Not normally one to condone fighting...
… but that brawl makes Sulentic sound like a badass.
I just remembered I love Eric Chavez.
Good stuff.
Clearly there’s still a lot of talent in the minors, but a lot of it is very boom or bust. It’s very important to have another good draft this year to capitalise on the reworking of the farm system that started last season. Otherwise we’ll be back to square 1 again.
The next draft
I for one am hoping we get really late draft picks this year. Like maybe 30th.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
sounds like
sounds like you have a really fun job.
More Rajai Davis & less mount Davis
by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 13, 2009 5:54 AM PDT reply actions
SP
Your thoughts on our SP depth are spot on. Several of last year’s top SP prospects are now iffy. All of a sudden, Simmons looks not quite so certain. And super prospect GIo can’t get his head straight. We need FLDS to get back healthy, and soon. And Leon needs to stretch out. And please, Italiano, start dominating like you did at Kane.
Where is Ynoa? Still home for personal reasons? This really worries me.
I think some of these will do fine in time. I hope so.
Why can’t we develop hitters? Screw patience. Hit the ball!
When did you hear about Ynoa and personal reasons?
Last I heard the plan was to bring him to AZ for a couple of weeks (which they did) send him back to the DR, and then bring him back to the states at some point in the not too distant future.
A subscriber article on Scout.com had that language.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions
BTW Robin Rosario is expected to arrive at Ext ST per that article
The Scout.com subscription is well worth it to me.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions
I agreee. Scout.com seems to be a great source of minor league info.
Not to poach your account, but did the article make these “personal reasons” sound serious? As I remember from Blez’s interview with Beane, it didn’t even sound like Beane himself knew where or when Ynoa would be beginning the season. Nor that he was particularly concerned about this.
It just said "personal reasons". It didn't elaborate, so I'm not sure of the seriousness.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions
A testimonial for Scout.com
Lockard et al do a terrific job of reporting details on the A’s overall organization similar in quality to what Slusser does for the major league club. Slusser is more “up to the minute” with her information, but Lockard covers all the clubs in the majors and minors, and has info that I don’t get anywhere else.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I disagree a bit here
I’m not at all concerned about Simmons. His ceiling has never been off the charts, but he’s as good a bet as any to reach it. Had the A’s decided to put Simmons on the typical college pitcher track there’s a good chance he’d have posted Kevin Slowey type numbers in A ball. I wonder how much differently he’d be perceived if that were the case.
Gonzalez is a bit frustrating, but his overall track record remains very impressive. Were it not for the shoulder problems in spring, he’d likely be a part of the big league rotation.
by CapgrasDelusion on Apr 13, 2009 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Simmons had a very good year last year in AA. My perception of him is a lot higher than it would
be if he were still in A ball. My main reason to think of him as a reliever is that he doesn’t have a real third pitch, no big weapons, and the A’s have better starter prospects.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions
imo he compares to alot of the pitchers for twins
like slowey/baker/blackburn etc
simmons not overwhelming stuff but throws strikes, good fastball control, pitches to contact, etc.
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Simmons
It sounds like he’s having issues controlling is secondary stuff (so far)… he needs to be able to locate the change and curve/slider better. Trevor Cahill is having the same issues, but he gets away with it because he has sooooooooooooo much movement on the 2-Seamer. Simmons’ fastball (2-Seamer and 4-Seamer) appears to be relatively straight, so it’s mandatory that he control his secodary pitches (see: Blanton).
by Colorado Fan on Apr 13, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Instructional league and spring workouts
coaches were praising simmons for his improvement with the curveball. The one spring training game vs giants he did throw a few impressive sliders. Maybe its just consistency for now. Also i remember A’s really wanted poreda who might end up a power lefty reliever himself. At least simmons i think is better than wes roemer who A’s showed some interest too in that late 1st rd.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/index.jsp?mc=simmons
Here’s simmons 07 draft report:
Fastball: Simmons’ fastball sits in the 88-92 mph range.
Curve: Simmons shows a curve at times, but it is a below-average pitch.
Slider: Like with his curve, Simmons has a slider, but it grades out below-average.
Changeup: Simmons’ best pitch, the change is an average to plus pitch.
Strengths: Outstanding command of two pitches; has the ability to be very efficient.
Weaknesses: His breaking stuff. The curve and slider lag behind the fastball and change-up and will need to improve at the next level.
Summary: When Simmons is on, he’s the quintessential command right-hander, an efficient starter who fills the strike zone. When he has a breaking ball working, he’s extremely effective. If he can’t improve those offerings, though, he’ll get too much of the strike zone and won’t miss a whole lot of bats.
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions
hmmm...jason windsor flashback
hopefully without the messed up shoulder and better durability
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Well he did miss bats in AA -- more than 7 K/9
But in the majors that translates to about 5 K/9, so unless he develops those breaking pitches he’s got problems as a starter. I kinda think that a guy with pinpoint control and a fastball/change combo can succeed as a reliever though. There’s Keith Foulke and Trevor Hoffman.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Nice write up
I am very worried that the A’s botched the 2008 draft. Brett Wallace is raking and may be called up as early as this summer. Jemille Weeks is in extended spring training and is behind a pretty good prospect in Cardenas. Wallace could be below average with the glove and still be a major upgrade over Chavez. The A’s have nothing in the pipeline at 3rd right now.
This was a first guess by many AN members and scouts at the time of the draft.
Blaming Weeks for a botched '08 draft is like blaiming Simmons for a botched '07
Even if Weeks doesn’t end up to be the player we expect, the A’s got two players who also could have been first round pick and have higher upsides in Hunter and Dixon (not to mention a good pitcher in Ross and a very exciting short stop prospect in Leyja).
Weeks was the typical low risk, low reward player the A’s usually take in the first round, and he in no way ruins the draft or the farm system.
Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.
by Threepwood XX on Apr 13, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Exceeding the bar of "[not ruining] the draft or the farm system", doesn't win pennants. It's too low of a bar.
Neither did that, but nor does either project anywhere near as well as Porcello, Hicks or Wallace.
Simmons over Porcello was just bad budgeting. Weeks was a better draftee than Simmons, but he was also drafted earlier.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
weeks: low risk, low reward
kind of disagree there.
He was one of the best few college infielders in the draft and one of the better speed/athleticism combos in the whole draft. Plus he produced in the most competitive conference in college baseball.
Yes it might have been a slight overdraft, but i easily couldve seen him being picked not much later with the cardinals, mets, etc. A’s went for positional need and organziational need for a 2b/leadoff hitter over wallace (3b defense weakness and A’s depth at 1b) and hicks (who they liked as a pitcher only). The injury stalled the progress otherwise he wouldve been in the cal league playoffs last season and been able to make a better judgement on what type of playe rhe might be.
well, if he turns into another quintanilla, snyder, pennington, etc we’ll have gripes about the pick. for right now, he has an interesting skill set that not many players in the system currently have. plus if hunter, dixon, etc turn out just as good it will be a solid draft.
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm more bothered that they drafted for need in the first round when they had their eyes on
Hicks and then didn’t take him. Their logic that they wanted Hicks to pitch doesn’t hold water since:
1) He can always pitch if hitting doesn’t work out but it’s harder vice versa
2) He’s a heckuva CF prospect — better than Weeks is as a 2B prospect
3) CF is an organizational need anyway.
Their logic was faulty. I hope they stop doing that. Draft the best player in the first round. It’s easy and fun!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't even call it drafting for need.
There’s no way that you can convince me that middle infield was a bigger need than third base throughout the organization.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
The only explanation for this would be that they don't consider Wallace a legitimate option at third.
Whether or not that is true, however, I don’t know.
not saying it isnt true but you could make an argument
At the time they had pennington/petit in AA/AAA
Ellis was impending FA, Crosby was horrible, still is.
they had yet to make trades for patterson, cardenas, etc.
since then, their depth chart for middle infielders…
pennington had a solid AAA sample size, good spring
petit has produced in springs and limited mlb experience
they added patterson, cardenas, wimberly, chen, etc
horton in AA from 07 draft
the 08 draft resulted in weeks, christian, leyja, coleman
who knows there might not be any star level players out of this group, but it is solid depth. either they get lucky and find a couple good ones or maybe eventual trade bait to fill other needs.
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions
About 3b depth
thats been an issue going on 3-4 yrs now w/ chavez injuries. I dont know if its been ignored or not a priority. I would think they have enough ammo to maybe have gotten a laroche, headley, craig, freese mlb ready type. Its definitely not been a draft position priority in recent yrs. Hamblin retired, they drafted the older and lesser talented Vitters brother, attempting to convert Jason Christian for now.
other ones drafted at 3b: Leslie was released, Baisley DFA’d now back
Snyder in 03 Kubota called him one of the best pure hitters in that draft, ranked him an 8 on the 2-8 scale
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Other than Cardenas and Weeks I hope none of those guys are counted on to
start more than 20 games for the A’s in their careers. IF is still a big weakness.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
wait. really?
A bit premature to count out Coleman and Christian, no? And out of Patterson/Pennington/Petit/Wimberly it’s not absurd to think one of them might still end up half decent.
Sorry my wording was poor.
I meant none of those other guys can be counted on as the SS of the future. The acquisition of a top SS prospect is still a top priority for AFAIAC. We’re not talking Tim Beckham or Alcides Escobar here.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Weeks
had injury problems at Miami. His brother also has been banged up throughout his career. There is no doubt that the A’s are way behind on the Wallace/Weeks debate. Wallace may be hitting in prime lineup spot in the majors before Weeks makes it out of A ball. Once again this is a first guess….a lot of people thought that Weeks was an overdraft. Chavez is a corpse right now….the A’s had a free run at Wallace.
I also agree that Hicks would have been the best position prospect in the A’s system if he was drafted. I love the fact that he is a scratch golfer.
Thanks grover. Great rundown of the entire system.
A quick question. What’s up with Jerome Williams? Extended spring training? Released? Seems like he would be a good guy to keep around for depth purposes.
Scout.com has him in Ext ST
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions
It's in a subscriber article
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Make it or break it
for Travis Buck. The Cunningham injury should allow him the chance to play w/o looking over his shoulder, The A’s really need Sweeney, Buck and Barton to be productive if they have any grand aspirations going forward, It would be nice to have a sure thing bat in the system (like Wallace).
Overall this was a sober assessment of the system.
I'm hoping Cardenas fills the gaping hole at 3B and Weeks does that at 2B
I’ve no idea who fills that hole at SS.
It’s true that with Anderson and Cahill in the bigs, there’s no one in the minors who got more than a B from Sickels. Ynoa and Carter were 5-star prospects by Goldstein and Cardenas got 4 stars. That plus the depth makes the system still pretty good. It could get better with this year’s draft and international signings plus anything they might get for Holliday.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
wow bad depth chart
maybe this system isnt as good as we thought, but promoting 2 of the tp 20 prospects in mlb would do that. plus as mentioned., a ton of guys in extended spring/injured will improve rosters like carignan/dls/hrod/dixon/weeks/leyja etc.
any guesses on breakout prospects for 09? scouts still seem high on desme as a 20hr toolsy player even with the injuries. hererra/mitchell still have those plus tools if they ever put it together. i think horton is underrated and may surprise.
i guess the good thing is that the mlb team overall is so young too, that it wont put much pressure on the farm system and give it some depth for awhile. of course it would be nice to have a smoak, wallace, hicks, etc in this farm system too
Eh, it's not that bad
Preliminary 2010 Top-10/11 Prospect List:
1. Michael Ynoa
2. Vin Mazzaro
3. Sean Doolittle
4. Chris Carter
5. Adrian Cardenas
6. Gio Gonzales
7. Jemile Weeks
8. Aaron Cunningham
9. James Simmons
10. Rashun Dixon (for grover)
11. Josh Donaldson (I think grover understates Donaldson’s value – Could be a very valuable trade chip)
Darkhorses to crack the 2010 Top10 Prospect List: Brett Hunter, Tyson Ross, Arnold Leon, Dustin Coleman, Jason Christian, Nino Leyja, Corey Brown, Fautino De Los Santos, Grant Desme, Matt Sulentic
2010 Shortstop: Gregorio Petit? Or whomever we receive if Matt Holliday is traded?
by Colorado Fan on Apr 13, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions
This is good, but I expect Mazzaro, Gio and Cunningham to be in the majors this year, so you've got
1. Michael Ynoa
2. Sean Doolittle (Could see the majors this year)
3. Chris Carter
4. Adrian Cardenas (Could see the majors this year)
5. Jemile Weeks
6. James Simmons (Could see the majors this year)
7. Rashun Dixon
8. Josh Donaldson
9. Henry Rodriguez (#12 on AN Top 50, could see the majors this year)
10. Fautino De Los Santos (#13 on AN Top 50)
11. Arnold Leon (#14 on AN Top 50)
12. Corey Brown (#18 on AN Top 50)
13. Brett Hunter (#19 on AN Top 50)
14. Sam Demel (#20 on AN Top 50)
15. Andrew Carignan (#21 on AN Top 50)
It’s not bad — you still have Ynoa and maybe 2-4 projected starters in Cardenas, Carter, Doolittle and Weeks
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Exactly
There are a lot of teams who don’t have a Chris Carter, a Cardenas, a Simmons, or a Doolittle. The thing that really stands out is that the majority of that list is made up of hitters. I expect another heavy dose of pitching in the draft this year.
"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox
by Gallagher's Watermelons on Apr 13, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Also Andrew Bailey - not only in the bigs unexpectedly,
but looking like he could be better than anticipated.
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
He was the A's minor league pitcher of the year 2 years ago.
I still think he was given up on as a starter too fast.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Seems like his turnaround from
“absolute and utter suck” to “absolute and utter dominance” coincided with moving him to the bullpen. Hard to argue with that.
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
Yeah, I think from what I have seen of Bailey already
he could be a closer/power set up man.
I’d like to see the A’s draft the most talented position player available when it’s their turn this year…..SS would be my first choice, 3rd base my second, and a SP that is too good to pass up would be 3rd.
Great post grover.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
He had a great year as a starter in 2007
Between A/A+/AAA. 125 Innings 150Ks with 54BB and a 3.46 ERA. So thats not really true. He got off to a ruff start in 2008 but his Ks and Walks were still good. Was just getting a little unlucky.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Or pitching badly
You can have good K/BB numbers and still pitch badly.
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
Err not really.
Striking out 9+ per 9 inning and walking 3 Per 9 speaks well for any pitcher. Maintaining that ratio says that you are pitching well. In small samples ERA and hits can be elevated due to bad luck or poor defense.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Err, ok.
You can also have good stuff and throw strikes but make a lot of mistakes in the strike zone leading to runs. Or you can dominate once through the order and then get knocked around the second or third time, leaving you with good K numbers and high hits and ER numbers – and a bright future in the bullpen.
If you want to attribute all of Bailey’s troubles to bad luck and bad defense, I won’t try and stop you. But I suspect those weren’t the only factors.
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
All Im saying is he didnt really deserve his demotion to the pen.
He had a little ruff patch that all pitchers have. And rather than getting a chance to make good they were quick to put him in the pen.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
But what if they saw that he loses velocity and overall effectiveness,
and could dominate in shorter stints but would struggle as a starter? So far they sure seem to be right.
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
Why wouldnt they have saw that the year before?
Things like that just dont happen outta no where.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
nice work, in your typically
humble fashion - ;)
seriously, this helps to keep tabs on the A’s system.
A couple of points:
agree on Donnelly and Barton. I suspect that the A’s first base situation (tired legs Giambi as starter, fragile Nomar as backup, Crosby as inexperienced backup backup) may call for a younger and better first baseman sooner than later. Donnelly’s additional proficiency in the outfield may help him with an earlly callup — although that may mean that one of the present outfielders might need to go.
I read a few weeks ago (sorry, didn’t keep the link), that Michel Ynoa went back to the DR to finish the semester in high school, and that he would be available sometime in June.
On FDLS
“A’s pitching prospect Fautino De Los Santos is making steady progress in his rehab from 2008 Tommy John surgery, according to A’s Director of Player Development Keith Lieppman. De Los Santos, who is more than 10 months out from his surgery, is throwing bullpen sessions in the Dominican Republic. As soon as his visa is confirmed by the US Immigration Office, he will arrive in Phoenix to continue his rehab at extended spring training.”
http://athletics.scout.com/a.z?s=304&p=9&c=2&cid=856131&nid=4209261&fhn=1
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Yay Fautino!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
It's a yay, except they're not going to say "good lord he's lost all his stuff."
Not at this stage anyway. :-P
He's day to day.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
No!!!!! Anything but that!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Still solid
The depth chart may look a little thin in certain places right now but I’m choosing to think about what it may look like in July when guys like FDLS, Weeks, and Cunningham are healthy and (hopefully) performing and then all the young guns are playing in their leagues and some other guys have been promoted to higher levels. Getting freaked out in the first weeks is just not worth it because a lot of positive stuff can and will happen between now and the future. Of course a lot of negative stuff could happen as well but I’ll save my stress for a time TBD.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
SS/3B Depth - 2009 Draft
Who are the Top3 Shortstops/3B in College today? This should really be addressed in a couple months, no? Gordon Beckham was drafted last year and he’ll probably be with the WhiteSox this season. Are there any reports on who the A’s might be eyeing this college baseball season?
Top 3 Shortstops:
Grant Green – USC
Ryan Jackson – Miami
Robbie Shields – Florida Southern College
I wouldn’t mind seeing the A’s grab a bunch of H.S. Pitchers from rounds 2-5. Recent success from Cahill, Mazzaro, and Lansford might sway them to continue going the H.S. route w/ Pitching.
ryan jackson
i would take him in rd 4/5 or later
too bad green wont fall to their pick
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 13, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
In other news, Eric Chavez will miss 2-3 games
because he can’t figure out that when you’ve had shoulder surgery, you need to slide back to first on a snap throw.
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
What is perplexing to me...
is that even though Geren knew his shoulder was sore yesterday, he still put him in the lineup against a very tough lefty instead of giving him back-to-back days off like he should of. Just plain stupid in my opinion!
Yeah, I just saw that tidbit in the side bar column.
All I can say is “F*#K!!”
Well, Nomar is probably a better choice at least tonight against Lester. Tomorrow night, though, is Dice-K, and Wednesday is Wakefield, so I hope he cab bounce back for one or both of those matchups.
Get better soon Chavvy!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
grover,
you’re full of furry warmth.
ooooh, better than last years. Yeah, that should be the standard that lineups are judged against. --xbhaskarx
Just a random rotation-related thought
The A’s have an off-day Thursday. They could put Outman in the bullpen, start Braden, Eveland, and Anderson in this series, then come back with Cahill on his regular day Friday, Braden on his regular day Saturday, Eveland on his regular day Sunday, and Anderson on his regular day Monday.
That takes you to Tuesday, April 21st, 8 days from now, at which point you insert Gallagher into the #5 slot. By April 21st, Gallagher has had 2 full weeks from the start of the season to fix his mechanics and then build up his pitch count (in the bullpen and maybe one long-relief appearance this week).
Gallagher is just a better SP option than Outman; why not use the upcoming off-day to prepare for a switch? Note: This plan would have worked even better had the A’s sent Gallagher to AAA by April 11th where he could make starts 4/11 and 4/16 (to stretch him out) and then be eligible to be called up for the start 4/21.
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
Yep
They should have DL’d Gallagher, saving an option and stretching him out. I like the skipping of Outman scenario you’ve presented. I would like to see as much of Cahill/Anderson/Eveland/Braden early in the season.
by Colorado Fan on Apr 13, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions
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