The Oakland Athletics trimmed their major league camp by seven position players ahead of Sunday's contest against the Chicago Cubs. Third baseman Renato Nunez, first baseman Rangel Ravelo, and starting pitcher Raul Alcantara, all on the 40-man roster, were optioned to the minor leagues. Catcher Beau Taylor, infielder Josh Rodriguez, shortstop Richie Martin, and left-handed reliever Daniel Coulombe, non-roster invitees, were reassigned to minor league camp.
Following the Cubs game, the A's also reassigned reliever Ryan Doolittle, starter Dillon Overton, starter Chris Smith, and reliever Taylor Thompson to minor league camp.
Renato Nunez
Third baseman Renato Nunez will start the year in Triple-A Nashville as one of Oakland's top prospects. The question will be whether his defensive skills will allow him to stay there. Nunez looked rough in his spring training appearances at third base, with a number of offline throws. At the plate this spring, Nunez was 3-for-15 with a double and two walks, he struck out four times.
Rangel Ravelo
First baseman Rangel Ravelo will also start the year in Triple-A, with the A's hoping that his bat comes along further than it has. While he did well in winter league, he hasn't developed the power one might expect from a major league first baseman. Ravelo was 1-for-8 with a walk and two strikeouts this spring.
Raul Alcantara
Right-handed starting pitcher Raul Alcantara will go to Double-A. He has two option years remaining, including a fourth option year allowed in 2017 due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Alcantara made two appearances this spring, striking out four and walking two in five innings while allowing one home run.
Non-roster invitees
Richie Martin is the biggest name being sent to minor league camp. Oakland's 2015 1st round draft selection was 0-for-3 and drew a walk this spring, striking out once. Martin will start the year in A-ball, though the question is whether the A's will push Martin to High-A Stockton or give him his first taste of full-season ball at Low-A Beloit.
Infielder Josh Rodriguez was signed as a 31-year-old minor league free agent. He'll be able to play all over the infield, though if the club remains healthy the Triple-A roster looks awfully crowded. Rodriguez appeared in four games this spring and went 0-for-5 with a strikeout.
Left-handed reliever Daniel Coulombe was competing with fellow non-roster invitee Patrick Schuster to be the next left-hander called up in case of an injury or two at the major league level. The major league club already has Sean Doolittle, Marc Rzepczynski, and Felix Doubront in its likely bullpen headed into 2016, so a lefty need not necessarily be replaced with a lefty. Coulombe made four appearances for the A's and allowed six earned runs in four appearances. He walked four and struck out none.
Catcher Beau Taylor split time between High-A stockton and Double-A Midland in 2015 and he'll try to benefit from Jacob Nottingham's trade to the Milwaukee Brewers. I expect he'll start the year in Double-A, and where he stands depends on what catchers the A's retain at Triple-A and Double-A this year. Carson Blair, Bryan Anderson, Bruce Maxwell, and Matt McBride are the other non-roster catchers remaining in camp. Taylor had just one plate appearance this spring, he struck out.
Dillon Overton pitched two innings today and struck out one while allowing two hits. For the spring, Overton made three appearances and struck out seven while walking just one. He's a legitimate prospect, probably behind Sean Manaea on the development curve, but he could factor in the next couple of years.
The A's also transferred Ryan Doolittle (brother of Sean), Chris Smith, and Taylor Thompson to minor league camp.
Remaining in camp
There are 37 active members of the 40-man roster and 14 non-roster invitees remaining in camp, though the recently claimed Andrew Triggs might not report for a day or two.
Notable position players on the 40-man on the outside looking in for a place on the roster are Tyler Ladendorf, Max Muncy, Eric Sogard, Joey Wendle, Sam Fuld, Andrew Lambo, and Jake Smolinski. Notable pitchers are R.J. Alvarez, Ryan Dull, Andrew Triggs, and J.B. Wendelken. Notable prospects remaining in camp are Sean Manaea, Franklin Barreto, Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, and Chad Pinder.
Players who have been transferred out may still appear in major league spring training games on loan from minor league camp.