Through his first three professional seasons, second baseman Jemile Weeks' career seemed like a series of injuries interrupted by a few spectacular moments on the field. The reward came with a fully healthy season in which he batted .303/.340/.421 in 406 at-bats for the Athletics.
The Athletics wasted no time this offseason to make a big acquisition, but not one that will take the field. Dan Feinstein returned to the organization in late October as director of professional scouting and baseball development, but his position will encompass far more duties.
Not long ago, righthanded reliever Andrew Carignan was on a skyrocket ride toward the major leagues. "I was knocking on the door," he said. "I was on the ultimate fast track. Then I got hurt, and that derailed me pretty quick."
If the Athletics are locked in Oakland, they may choose to build a more competitive team for the immediate future, though the organization has struggled to develop its own middle-of-the-order offensive threat.
First baseman Brandon Allen struggled through his first three professional seasons before he got the message: One can collect hits by staying back and hitting the offspeed pitch to the opposite field. "I learned to have an approach and started to stick to it. You can't just go up there and swing," he said.
Correspondent Casey Tefertiller selects end-of-season awards for the Athletics organization, naming a best player, best pitcher and a player to monitor in 2012.
Athletics righthander Dan Straily didn't make his Springfield, Ore., high school team as a freshman, but he eventually became the team's top pitcher. "I've been told too many times that I didn't have what it took to be a baseball player," Straily said. These days, he's a successful professional pitcher in high Class A.
Catcher Anthony Recker made the Triple-A all-star team this year, and he is poised for what may be the biggest moment of his career. At the end of the season, the Athletics will have to decide whether to place him on its 40-man roster or risk losing him as a minor league free agent.
Despite a track record for hitting in the minors, Athletics second baseman Eric Sogard had not been afforded much big league opportunity. He took it upon himself to alter perceptions by learning a new position.
A higher arm slot boosted righthander Graham Godfrey's velocity, which led to minor league success and, ultimately, a notable big league debut.
Athletics correspondent Casey Tefertiller hands out midseason awards for the system's best player, biggest leap forward and biggest disappointment.
The Athletics called on 26-year-old righty reliever Trystan Magnuson in mid-June to fill a hole in the bullpen. He's made great strides in Triple-A this season by learning to throw a four-seam fastball and slider.
Athletics scouting director Eric Kubota said of Sonny Gray, "He is an incredible, incredible competitor." Oakland made the Vanderbilt righthander its first-round selection at No. 18 overall.
The Athletics' low Class A Burlington affiliate roared to a Midwest League-best 28-9 record thanks to the circuit's lowest ERA (2.56) and WHIP (1.08). For that a trio of college pitchers from last year's draft was most responsible.
After two difficult seasons, outfielder Jermaine Mitchell's fortunes changed last season when he began talking with Athletics roving instructor Rickey Henderson.
The Athletics love center fielder Michael Choice's power, but they hope his modified swing will help cut down his strikeouts.
After suiting up for three organizations in 2010, Jai Miller seeks stability with the Athletics. While he didn't break camp in the big leagues, he put himself in position for a quick callup from Triple-A Sacramento.
An Athletics second-round pick last June, Yordy Cabrera spent his early years in his native Dominican Republic, but at age 14 he called his father Basilio, a manager and hitting instructor in the Tigers system, and told him that he wanted to live with him in the U.S.
When righthander Shawn Haviland left Harvard, he knew he still had a thing or two left to learn. His lessons continued courtesy of two Athletics coaches whose education came on the diamond, not the ivy-covered halls.
Athletics slugger Chris Carter stands as the system's top power prospect and the fount of great optimism. But the A's have earmarked five roster spots for veteran outfielders, leaving Carter on the bubble for 2011.
Baseball America
