Daric Barton update

by OaktownTribesman on Feb 21, 2005 4:26 PM PST

From rotoworld.com, original source from the Oakland Trib:

"In part because of fellow prospect Landon Powell's injury, Daric Barton will remain behind the plate for now."

"Barton will, however, work out at first base this spring, and a permanent switch might not be far away. A good spring could allow Barton to open the season in Double-A."

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Barton

Nineteen years old and in AA already? Talk about your fast track. I have no doubts that this guy will excel at whatever level he plays. Possibly a full season in AA and then into the majors next season?

I don't see why they'd wait to convert him to a first baseman. I think it's pretty clear that he's not going to be playing catcher in the majors. I'd rather not roll the dice on Barton getting smacked with a career threatening injury like John Suomi while playing a position that he has no future at.

Go Beach.

by Dirtbag Pride on Feb 21, 2005 4:52 PM PST reply actions

Expect a full season at AA

and then a full season and a half at AAA.

Relax alright don't try to strike everyone out. Strikeouts are boring besides that they're fascist. Throw some ground balls it's more democratic.

by devo on Feb 21, 2005 5:13 PM PST up reply actions

Suomi

Didn't Suomi get injured while trying to score a run? I don't know, I'm just asking... I feel like that's what I had read.

by OaktownTribesman on Feb 21, 2005 8:24 PM PST up reply actions

Injury

I was always under the impression that he was on the recieving end of a collision at the plate, but now I can't seem to find anything telling what happened either way. :\

Go Beach.

by Dirtbag Pride on Feb 21, 2005 9:27 PM PST up reply actions

Injury

I was always under the impression that he was on the recieving end of a collision at the plate, but now I can't seem to find anything telling what happened either way. :\

Go Beach.

by Dirtbag Pride on Feb 21, 2005 9:27 PM PST up reply actions

re

I doubt he spends a year and a half at any level..In fact, I doubt he spends the year at one level in 2005. If he starts at Stockton, he'll be in AA shortly. If he starts in Midland, I'd expect him in Sacramento soon. The A's aren't going to start Barton in AA unless they have the intention of giving him a chance in the majors at the start of 2006.

There is likely to be an opening at both 1B and DH after the 2005 season. Barton is a leading candidate for one of those spots.

by blee1134 on Feb 21, 2005 5:21 PM PST reply actions

From what I've read

about his defensive skilles it seems Barton may turn into a very young DH.

by the way is anybody else bothered by players who aren't expected to play both offense and defense? (yeah I know AL pitchers don't hit. But I'm a bit of a baseball purist and must confess to a bit of discomfort with the DH).

by OaklandSi on Feb 21, 2005 5:44 PM PST up reply actions

I really do know how to spell

I don't know where that "e" in skills came from! ;-)

by OaklandSi on Feb 21, 2005 5:44 PM PST up reply actions

I don't like it either

But it is here for good.

"The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." -Catfish Hunter

by kaweahkaweah on Feb 21, 2005 5:44 PM PST up reply actions

DH

I'm not as uncomfortable with it as I am with pitchers batting. Anyone who likes to see a .150 hitter come to the plate with two out and runners on is nuts. Anyone who likes to see a pitcher who is pitching a good game taken out for a pinch hitter doesn't like good baseball. Anyone who likes to see a pitcher hit the dirt from a high hard one doesn't write his pay check. I'd prefer Durazo over Zito at the plate any time.

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Feb 21, 2005 7:23 PM PST up reply actions

Excuse me

watching nine players play offense and defense -- and do what is necessary with the skills they have and have learned -- IS good baseball.

by OaklandSi on Feb 22, 2005 3:22 AM PST up reply actions

Sorry OaklandSi

The law has been laid down:

"Anyone who likes to see a .150 hitter come to the plate with two out and runners on is nuts. Anyone who likes to see a pitcher who is pitching a good game taken out for a pinch hitter doesn't like good baseball."

So there you have it; the word, from God, to help you determine your mental/emotional state and what quality of baseball you like.

Some people need to learn to write respectfully!

Nico

by Nico on Feb 22, 2005 8:15 AM PST up reply actions

what you describe

is called "baseball"

by kotsbots on Feb 22, 2005 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

DH

Having a guy on your roster that can't play the field is a waste of a roster spot and just makes the bench weak. Hopefully Barton can move to first and at least be average defensively.

by jbxchico on Feb 21, 2005 11:33 PM PST up reply actions

I don't get it

I'm sure we could find someone else to catch in Stockton, Midland, or wherever Barton plays this year.

If we don't plan on keeping him as a catcher, then why mess around with it? Especially because we certainly aren't hurting for depth at that position, even with Powell's injury.

by Hegenberger Road on Feb 21, 2005 5:50 PM PST reply actions

Almost every AL DH came through the minors

But how many were designated "DH" in the minors?
I ask because I don't recall seeing them "listed".
Interesting.

"all we really want out of the season is two things -- (1) To make the postseason, and (2) To win the last game we play." Huckaby

by A s Eh on Feb 21, 2005 6:11 PM PST up reply actions

the thing is..

The thing is that there really isn't a catcher for every level. With Suzuki at Kane County, there is going to be an opening at either Stockton or Midland depending on where David Castillo starts. If Powell is ready than it's all irrelevant anyways.

He caught all of last season, I wouldn't be worried about a few more games there.

by blee1134 on Feb 21, 2005 6:21 PM PST up reply actions

I suppose

but I'm sure somebody else could catch. There've gotta be plenty of career minor leaguers bouncing around for that kind of thing.

But I guess if the A's want to use him as a backup or emergency catcher sometimes, it's ok to keep him there. But if they want him to be a 1st baseman, he oughta start putting time in there.

And, I suppose, if they know they want him for DH, then it doesn't particularly matter

by Hegenberger Road on Feb 21, 2005 7:38 PM PST up reply actions

how BAD is barton with the glove?

has anyone seen the guy field? is the guy completely devoid of any defensive prowess?

"What's the ugliest part of your body...some say your nose, some say your toes, but i think it's your MIND." - Mothers of Invention

by redclay22 on Feb 21, 2005 7:01 PM PST reply actions

The Guy is 19

Giving up on his defense is nuts. People learn how to play defense. There is no reason at all the guy can't be a gold glove winning defender at some point in his career. No need to relegate him to DH.

by RichardP on Feb 21, 2005 7:40 PM PST reply actions

Barton's D

I agree to a point..The guy didn't catch in HS..That means he's only been behind the plate for like 120-150 games. Plus last season he was coming back from elbow surgery. I would have liked him to get a chance to stick behind the plate.

That said, the reason why people think he may just be a DH very soon is because he lacks athleticism.

by blee1134 on Feb 21, 2005 8:01 PM PST reply actions

It's one thing

to have the DH position. I agree, there's no turning back the clock in the AL. It's quite another to decide that a 19 year old isn't athletic enough to play any position in the field, thus allowing him to comeup to the majors without becoming at least competent at some position.

Catcher is the toughest defensive position. If the A's want Barton for his bat and want him sooner rather than later, they start training him now at 1B and/or LF. Not athletic enough for defense? Then he's not athletic enough for MLB -- after all this isn't football!

(I'm sure he has the potential to be better at one of those positions than some of the better-hitting players in the game who have never excelled in the field.)

by OaklandSi on Feb 22, 2005 3:29 AM PST up reply actions

Even if he becomes a DH

Even if he becomes a DH, it would be great for us if he knew how to play catcher, and could catch 20-30 games for us a year if we ever needed it. A more versatile defense is always a good thing.

by Bambi on Feb 21, 2005 8:45 PM PST reply actions

no

i'm not sure what you folks are saying. yes, given more time he might develop into a better defensive catcher. but i think the point is that the a's don't want him at catcher given what a great hitter he is. like dave c, i'm also confused as to why they don't make him a first base / dh type right now, there are plenty of career minor leaguers who can catch instead of powell. bambi, there will always be a melhuse type to catch 30 games, there's no need for barton to provide that versatility.
and devo is right, it'll probably be a year at aa and then a year and a half at aaa. even if he doesn't quite need it, do you want him gone from the a's before he even comes close to reaching his full potential?

by xbhaskarx on Feb 21, 2005 10:06 PM PST reply actions

VORP

Melhuse is terrible, Barton is great. Since most catchers can't hit and almost all DH's are awesome hitters, the team overall could be much better with Barton playing catcher, even if his hitting suffers a bit as a result. Barton's substitue at DH will always be better than whoever our 2nd or 3rd string catcher would have been.

by Bambi on Feb 22, 2005 6:05 AM PST up reply actions

re; potential

It's that or Scott Hatteberg being resigned.

If Daric Barton hits like he's expected, he will not spend that much time at any level. Barton should be one of the top 1-5 hitting prospects in baseball after the 2005 season. He wont be forced to spend another 180 games in AAA

by blee1134 on Feb 21, 2005 10:54 PM PST reply actions

yeah, get him ready to play defense

i agree with the thoughts here that say to give him time in the minors at one position. i didn't realize he's only had a handful of games behind the plate. i hate scouts seeing a guy as non-athletic and then casting him off to be a DH, or turned into a b-level prospect because of it. give him time to work at it.

not atheletic enough. bah. this guy played good enough defense to stick for quite a while: