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Kevin Goldstein took your A's questions
Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections
of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development
personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards
of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time)
are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2006.
So
much for rebuilding. Before the season, the Athletics dealt frontline
starters Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder in a pair of money-saving moves.
General manager Billy Beane preached the wisdom of building for the
future rather than making incremental moves to keep the major league
team in contention.
When Oakland started the year with just 17 wins in its first 49 games,
the season seemed over for all intents and purposes. But with huge contributions
by rookies, the A's went on an improbable 58-24 run that vaulted them
atop the American League West at the end of August. They faded in September
but served notice that they'll continue to contend even while rebuilding.
Oakland's most prominent first-year player was Huston Street, who made
the Opening Day roster after just 26 pro innings. He took over as closer
for the injured Octavio Dotel in May and won Baseball America's Rookie
of the Year award by saving 23 games with a 1.72 ERA. Other rookies
who made substantial contributions were: Joe Blanton, who won 12 games
and led the club with a 3.53 ERA; Nick Swisher, who replaced Jermaine
Dye in right field and delivered 21 homers and 74 RBIs; and first baseman
Dan Johnson, whose arrival in late May coincided with the start of the
club's turnaround. Johnson homered 15 times in 375 at-bats.
The graduation of so much talent to Oakland has thinned out the farm
system. The A's won't have much of a rookie influx in 2006, with the
possible exception of top prospect Daric Barton, who could hit his way
into a DH role. Most of the organization's top minor league talent came
from the 2005 draft, when Oakland owned five of the first 101 picks.
After following their standard operating procedure by taking polished
collegians Cliff Pennington and Travis Buck with their first two choices,
the A's took three consecutive high school pitchers, a college senior
and then three more prep arms. That's the risky draft demographic that
fans of “Moneyball” rush to disdain on Internet message
boards, but a direction Oakland felt it needed to take.
In the end, Beane doesn’t care what is written or said about
him or the A’s—as long as they continue to compete. “We
chuckle at everyone’s perception of what we do and what we don’t
do,” Beane said. “It’s somewhat comical.”
While the big league roster was going through turnover, so too was
the club's ownership. In March, billionaire John Fisher and managing
general partner Lewis Wolff led a group that bought the A's from Steve
Schott and Ken Hofmann for $180 million. Despite ties to San Jose, Wolff
insists he's committed to keeping the team in Oakland and trying to
build a new stadium in the Network Associates Coliseum parking lot.
The new owners rewarded Beane with the first ownership stake for a
GM in recent memory. Beane, who received nearly 5 percent of the club,
also got a contact extension through 2012. Club president Michael Crowley
got a slightly smaller stake in the club and an extension through 2008.
The A's nearly got a new manager as well. Contract talks between Beane
and incumbent Ken Macha broke down after the season, and Macha walked
away to pursue the same job with his hometown Pirates. When that didn't
work out, Macha returned to Oakland nine days later.
Drafted:
HS--Huntington Beach, Calif., 2003 (1st round) Signed
by: Dan Ontiveros (Cardinals)
Background: Considered one of the top
lefthanded bats in the 2003 draft, Barton fell to the Cardinals with the
28th pick because of his bad body and fringy defensive skills. After signing
for $975,000, Barton quickly established himself as the top prospect in
the St. Louis system. In his first full season, he led the low Class A
Midwest League in on-base percentage and finished fourth in slugging.
Looking for a starter to headline their rotation, the Cardinals sent three
players to the Athletics for Mark Mulder in December 2004. While Dan Haren
won 14 games for Oakland in 2005, Barton was considered the key player
in the deal. General manager Billy Beane called Barton the best pure hitter
in the minors after acquiring him. The A’s decided the rigors of
catching were hindering Barton's development, so they moved him to first
base in spring training. He hit just .241 at high Class A Stockton in
April but found his groove afterward. He hit .404 in June and earned a
promotion to Double-A Midland before his 20th birthday. He went 9-for-16
in his first five games in Double-A and reached base in 50 of his 56 contests
there.
Strengths: Hitting comes easy for Barton, who has natural ability
to go along with a mature approach. He has a short swing and picture-perfect
mechanics, with a fluid load and quick explosion through the zone. His
pitch recognition is off the charts. He draws a large number of walks
while still being an aggressive hitter, equally comfortable turning
on inside fastballs or slicing outside breaking balls the other way.
Barton holds his own against lefthanders. He took well to first base
in his first year there and shows the potential for improvement. He
has good instincts, soft hands and decent range.
Weaknesses: Barton’s power potential is the subject of
debate among scouts. He has a tendency to drop the barrel of the bat
and slice balls into the gaps. The A’s are convinced he’ll
eventually produce 25-30 homers on an annual basis, citing his hitting
ability and the scouting axiom that power often is the last tool to
develop. Others think he might top out at 15-20 homers, less than ideal
production for a first baseman. Questions about his work ethic have
dogged Barton in the past. His inability to remain a catcher was due
more to lack of effort than lack of ability. He’s a below-average
runner, and his conditioning could improve.
The Future: The A’s have no immediate plans to move Barton
back behind the plate, where his offensive skills would give him star
potential, but they haven't completely ruled it out yet either. While
his bat is nearly ready for the big leagues, Barton would need substantial
time in the minors if he returned to catching. He’ll begin the
year playing first base at Triple-A Sacramento, and could make his major
league debut before he turns 21 in August. Oakland almost certainly
will have to make a decision as to how to get his bat permanently in
the lineup by Opening Day 2007.
2005 Club (Class)
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
Stockton (Hi A)
.318
.438
.469
292
60
93
16
2
8
52
62
49
0
1
Midland (AA)
.316
.410
.491
212
38
67
20
1
5
37
35
30
1
1
2.
JAVIER HERRERA,
ofBorn:
April 9, 1985 B-T: R-R Ht: 5-11 Wt: 190
Signed:
Venezuela, 2001 Signed by: Julio Franco
Background: Herrera won MVP honors in the short-season
Northwest League in 2004, but his encore was delayed when he was suspended
after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance before Opening
Day. Once he returned, his natural talent took over. He earned a one-week
May stint in Triple-A when Sacramento was decimated by injuries.
Strengths:
Herrera’s combination of raw tools outclasses that of any
A's farmhand. A true five-tool talent, he can hit for average,
flashes plus power and is a well-above-average runner. He took
to the Oakland approach in 2005, dramatically improving his walk
rate. He’s a good center fielder with a plus arm.
Weaknesses:
Herrera is still a work in progress when it comes to translating
his tools to performance. He has a tendency to overswing, leading
to high strikeout totals. He needs to improve his throwing accuracy
and his routes in the outfield, especially on balls hit in front
of him.
The Future: The A’s have a rare commodity in Herrera,
a potential 30-30 man in center field. His progress will continue
one step at a time with an assignment to high Class A in 2006.
2005 Club (Class)
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
Kane County (Lo A)
.275
.374
.444
360
70
99
18
2
13
62
47
110
26
5
Sacramento (AAA)
.417
.533
.750
12
5
5
1
0
1
3
1
1
1
0
3.
CLIFF PENNINGTON,
ss Born: June 15,
1984 B-T: B-R Ht: 5-11 Wt: 160
Drafted:
Texas A&M, 2005 (1st round) Signed by: Blake Davis
Background: After starring in the Cape Cod League
in 2004 and leading Texas A&M is nearly every offensive category in
2005, Pennington became the first Aggie to be taken in the first round
since 1999. Signed for $1.475 million, he was thrust into the leadoff
spot at low Class A Kane County, where he scored 49 runs in 69 games.
Strengths:
Pennington is a solid hitter who makes contact, occasionally drives
the ball and shows a good understanding of the strike zone. He’s
an above-average runner and a dangerous basestealer with excellent
instincts. He’s a plus defender with good range to both
sides and a strong, accurate arm. Like most top A’s draft
picks of late, he has outstanding makeup and an infectious enthusiasm
for the game.
Weaknesses:
Pennington has a small frame and probably never will hit for much
home run power, but he still needs to work harder on driving balls
instead of just serving them back up the middle. He can get a
little out of control in the field, occasionally rushing his throws.
The Future: With Bobby Crosby in Oakland, there's no need
to rush Pennington, who will begin the year in high Class A. But
he should move quickly regardless and likely will move over to
second base and play alongside Crosby when he's ready for the
majors.
2005 Club (Class)
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
Kane County (Lo A)
.276
.364
.359
290
49
80
15
0
3
29
39
47
25
6
4.
TRAVIS BUCK,
of Born:
November 18, 1983 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 205
Drafted:
Arizona State, 2005 (1st round supplemental) Signed
by: Jeremy Schied
Background: Buck entered 2005 ranked as one
of the top college hitters available in his draft, but he hit just .246
in his first 15 games. He rebounded to hit .419 afterward, helping Arizona
State to the College World Series, but his early slump and disappointing
power (six homers) dropped him to the A's with the 36th overall pick.
After signing for $950,000, he hit .346 in pro ball.
Strengths:
Buck has a knack for hitting, using a compact, line-drive swing
to tag balls to all fields. He makes good adjustments from at-bat
to at-bat and understands the value of a walk. He’s a good
outfielder with solid range and arm strength. He draws praise
for his work ethic.
Weaknesses:
Buck hit just three home runs in his debut and needs to get more
loft into has swing while incorporating his lower half better.
Oakland thinks he can hit 20-25 homers annually once he improves
his ability to recognize which pitches he can drive.
The Future:
The A’s have a glut of good-hitting corner outfielders in
their system, but Buck’s bat was too good to pass up. He’ll
begin the year in high Class A.
2005 Club (Class)
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
Vancouver (SS)
.361
.439
.556
36
7
13
1
0
2
9
5
8
1
1
Kane County (Lo A)
.341
.427
.472
123
17
42
13
0
1
22
19
19
3
1
5.
KEVIN MELILLO,
2b Born:
May 14, 1982 B-T: L-R Ht: 5-11 Wt: 185
Drafted:
South Carolina, 2004 (5th round) Signed by: Michael
Holmes
Background: The A’s became excited about
Melillo, a high school teammate of Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks,
when they were scouting 2004 first-round pick Landon Powell at South Carolina.
Melillo helped the Gamecocks to three College World Series. As a pro he
has provided the kind of power the injured Powell was supposed to deliver,
leading the system with 24 homers in his first full season.
Strengths:
Melillo has a quick, compact swing and surprising power, thanks
to natural loft and a high finish. He has a nice feel for working
the count and makes consistent hard contact. He’s a good
baserunner and can steal bases thanks to excellent reads and jumps.
Weaknesses:
Melillo isn't very athletic and his defense continue to lag behind
his bat despite his considerable effort at improving. His speed
is average at best, his range is limited and his arm is below-average.
The Future:
While Melillo likely will begin 2006 in Double-A, Oakland doesn’t
expect him to finish the year there. If he keeps hitting, he could
be in line for a big league look in 2007.
2005 Club (Class)
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
Kane County (Lo A)
.286
.399
.457
280
47
80
18
3
8
36
53
40
10
4
Stockton (Hi A)
.400
.471
.800
90
21
36
7
1
9
23
12
18
2
0
Midland (AA)
.282
.347
.519
131
33
37
10
0
7
34
14
23
9
2
6.
SANTIAGO
CASILLA, rhpBorn:
May 7, 1980 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 165
Signed:
Dominican Republic, 2000 Signed by: Bernardino Rosario/Raymond
Abreu
Background: Casilla was known as Jairo Garcia
until coming forward in January and admitting his real name and actual
birth date; he aged 2 years and 10 months. Casilla rocketed though the
system in 2004 after a conversion to the bullpen, beginning the year at
Low A Kane County and reaching Oakland by August. He continued to pile
up strikeouts in 2005 but was dogged by inconsistency, including two blown
saves in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League playoffs.
Strengths:
Casilla’s stuff is closer-worthy. He has an upper-90s fastball
with plenty of movement and a plus-plus slider with late break
that one scout describes as bordering on illegal. He’s aggressive
with both pitches and likes to pitch inside. He also has a solid
changeup.
Weaknesses:
Command problems still plague Casilla at times. He can get flustered
on the mound, beginning to nibble at the corners when struggling
to throw strikes.
The Future: While Huston Street is clearly the closer
at the big league level for years to come, Casilla could give
Oakland a devastating 1-2 punch in the bullpen. First, he’ll
have to get into the country, which could be delayed because he’ll
need new visa paperwork with his actual name. He’ll return
to Triple-A to begin the season, as the A’s want his next
callup to the bigs to be his last.
Drafted:
HS--Flower Mound, Texas, 2005 (2nd round) Signed by: Blake
Davis
Background: Italiano showed more velocity than
any pitcher in the 2005 draft, but a bout with shoulder inflammation and
questionable mechanics dropped him to the second round. The A's took him,
the first of six high school pitchers they took with their next seven
picks, and signed him for $725,500.
Strengths:
Italiano’s fastball immediately became the best in Oakland’s
system, sitting at 93-95 mph in the Rookie-level Arizona League
and touching 96. His heater peaked at 98 in high school. He has
refined his slurvy breaking ball into a true slider, which could
become a plus pitch.
Weaknesses:
Many scouts project Italiano to be a power reliever and had concerns
about his long-term health because he short-arms the ball and
has a maximum-effort delivery. He rarely has thrown a changeup,
and his fastball can be a little too straight at times.
The Future: Italiano will join fellow 2005 draftees Jared
Lansford and Vince Mazzaro to create that rarest of happenings
in the Oakland system--a low Class A rotation consisting mostly
of teenagers. While his future may be in the bullpen, the A's
will give him every chance to use his overpowering stuff as a
starter.
Drafted:
Nebraska, 2002 (9th round) Signed by: Jim Pransky
Background: A native of Hawaii, Komine helped
put Nebraska's baseball program on the map. He led the Cornhuskers to
back-to-back College World Series appearances while going undefeated as
a senior in 2002. A heavy college workload resulted in back and shoulder
woes, and Komine required Tommy John surgery in mid-2004. He returned
last year to dominate in the Texas League playoffs and wow scouts in the
Arizona Fall League.
Strengths:
Komine has a full arsenal of pitches, starting with a low-90s
fastball and a knee-buckling curveball that's his primary out
pitch. He also mixes in a slider and changeup. He knows how to
set up hitters and has outstanding makeup.
Weaknesses:
Size and health are Komine’s biggest obstacles. His listed
height of 5-foot-9 may be generous, but he still does a good job
of staying on top of his pitches. Whether he has the durability
to be a starter remains questionable, though he would make a useful
long reliever.
The Future: Komine will start the year in the Triple-A
rotation, but should be on the short list for a callup should
the opportunity arise in Oakland. His first taste of the big leagues
could come in the bullpen.
Drafted:
HS—Rutherford, N.J., 2005 (3rd round) Signed
by: Jeff Bittiger
Background: After selecting a pair of high school
righthanders in the second round of the 2005 draft, the A’s took
another in the third with Mazzaro. They paid him a $380,000 bonus to sway
him away from pitching at St. John’s. While he signed too late to
make his pro debut, he outpitched both second-rounders Craig Italiano
and Jared Lansford in instructional league.
Strengths:
Mazarro’s lively, sinking fastball sits at 88-91 mph can
touch 94. His corkscrew delivery and high three-quarters arm slot
offer plenty of deception. He throws a power curveball with good
break. While his makeup was questioned by some in high school,
Oakland praises his work ethic.
Weaknesses:
Mazzaro throws across his body, which hurts his control and could
pose a long-term health risk. Like many young pitchers, he never
really has needed a changeup, so it still ranks well behind his
sinker and curveball.
The Future: Mazzaro’s performance in instructional
league surprised even the A’s, who think he’s ready
for full-season ball. He'll make his pro debut as a 19-year-old
in low Class A.
2005 Club (Class)
W
L
ERA
G
GS
CG
SV
IP
H
HR
BB
SO
AVG
Did Not Play--Signed 2006 Contract
10.
KURT
SUZUKI, cBorn:
October 4, 1983 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 200
Drafted:
Cal State Fullerton, 2004 (2nd round) Signed by:
Randy Johnson
Background: Suzuki capped his Cal State Fullerton
career in style, hitting .413-16-87 to earn All-America honors and delivering
the championship-winning hit at the 2004 College World Series. He was
slated to begin 2005 in low Class A until Landon Powell tore up his left
knee in January. Bumped to high Class A, Suzuki delivered a solid performance
in his first full pro season.
Strengths: Suzuki's offensive abilities are above-average
for a catcher. He has a short, level swing and makes consistent
contact. He works the count well and has occasional power. Defensively,
he has an average arm and threw out 37 percent of basestealers
last year.
Weaknesses:
While his throwing is fine, Suzuki needs work on the rest of his
defensive game, such as blocking balls and framing pitches. Though
his effort and leadership skills are universally praised, he can
be a little too headstrong at times. He'll argue with umpires,
which doesn't help his pitchers' cause, and visibly shows frustration
with poor play by himself or others.
The Future: Most observers agree Suzuki will reach the
majors, but whether it will be as a starter or backup is still
a question. Clearly the top catching prospect in the system, he
moves up to Double-A this year.
2005 Club (Class)
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
Stockton (Hi A)
.277
.378
.440
441
85
122
26
5
12
65
63
61
5
3
Photo Credits:
Barton: Larry Goren
Buck, Herrera, Italiano, Komine, Mazzaro, Melillo, Pennington: Bill Mitchell
Casilla, Suzuki: Steve Moore
Sorry, the page you're looking for is either like Sidd Finch and does not exist, or like Josh Hamilton and has moved. Where would you like to go instead?
Baseball America
So
much for rebuilding. Before the season, the Athletics dealt frontline
starters Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder in a pair of money-saving moves.
General manager Billy Beane preached the wisdom of building for the
future rather than making incremental moves to keep the major league
team in contention.
