SB Nation User Blog: Asfan4ever723

the enigma corey brown

Asfan4ever723 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:47:38 -0000

so this 07 draft pick, was touted as one of the better college OF's in that draft. some projected him as a 1st rd pick. fell a bit later. there were some makeup issues in his past. k's alot, etc. had a pretty good NWL in 07. moved to a tough hitting kane county, now the cal league. he's hit 16hr in 170abs there, but the walk rate/obp has plummeted cant hit lefties and still k's a ton. he does have 30hr total in his 1st full season at age 22. likely will be 23 in AA for 09. so he's an interesting power/speed combo in cf, but also has major flaws. would he rank among the group of 07 college OF's like borbon/kulbacki/payne etc? will he be exposed at higher levels? with likely gonzalez/unningham/buck/sweeney et in the majors around 09/10 would he project better than any of them? his grade for 08, maybe b/b-? what's your take?

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Corey%20Brown&pos=LF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=446395

the resurgence of javier herrera

Asfan4ever723 — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:18:04 -0000

just a couple yrs ago he ranked as the A's top prospect by BA. great tools, athleticism, etc. then over that time, he got suspended for 50 games, had tj surgery, and various other injuries. he's even missed a god chunk of this season. he was put on the 40 man roster even after all these issues. 09 is a make or break season for him since he reaches minor league free agency, yet is still only 23 yrs old at the AA level. if herrera progressed as expected maybe A's may have not needed toget a gonzalez, cunningham, sweeney, denorfia etc over the past yr + since his combo of athleticism/upside was potentially that good. coming into 08, he was buried in the depth chart and not expected of much, but he's been on a nice streak and finally showing flashes of what was expected yrs ago. my opinion is that a healthy herrera has as much upside as any A's outfielder outside of carlos gonzalez. it will be interesting to see if its legit and where he fits into the mix with gonz/cunningham/buck/sweeney etc in a future OF. or will he just fade away into minor league FA like a robnett/putnam etc might eventually do at some point

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Javier%20Herrera&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=464268

74. JAVIER HERRERA, of, Athletics

"His best tool is everything. He can run, he has a phenomenal arm, he has power and he can hit."
--Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes
ETA: 2008

07 draft SP smackdown

Asfan4ever723 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:43:43 -0000

i wont go into a detailed analysis. just who do you like most out of these 5, who have had very good 08's so far and moved fairly within their farm systems. they will most likely be ready in 09 or so

poreda

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Aaron%20Poreda&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519145

simmons

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=James%20Simmons&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519285

cecil

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Brett%20Cecil&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=446399

todd

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jess%20Todd&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519357

arietta

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jake%20Arrieta&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453562

Who is the best 2b prospect in baseball?

Asfan4ever723 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:11:57 -0000

no particular order...rank your top 5-10

a few of these are combo SS/2b types...most of which should be ready around 09/10

2B Sean Rodriguez (Los Angeles Angels)

2B/SS Carlos Triunfel (Seattle Mariners)

SS Reid Brignac (Tampa Bay Rays)

2B Jemile Weeks (Oakland Athletics)

2B Taylor Green (Milwaukee Brewers)

2B Adrian Cardenas (Oakland Athletics)

2b Eric Young, jr. (colorado rockies)

2b/SS ivan de jesus jr (dodgers)

anyone else?

value of reliever prospects

Asfan4ever723 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:07:43 -0000

previously relievers were the result of failed sp's, but in recent yrs its been a pattern of drafting college closers early to fast track them through the minors.

examples of this are street/hansen/aardsma/devine/cordero etc

at the same time is it smart for a team to fasttrack a 21-24yr old to get them to majors faster or let them develop their pitches and stamina as a sp and later on decide what their best role is? right now, maybe a guy like justin masterson is in this situation, what should they do?

i ask this because about the A's farm system, they are loaded with pitching in the minors. right now, they have 2 products of highly drafted college relievers at mlb level w/ street/devine.

In the minors, they have an interesting situation w/ a group of relievers who may be ready by late 09.

carignan/demel: both top 5 rd draft picks, strictly relievers. dominating their levels in 08 so far

jared lansford: he looked like a sp with a dominating MWL a couple yrs ago, has battled 2 yrs of injuries. healthy in 08 and doing great out of the BP. he doesnt turn 22 until after the season. should they move him back to SP?

andrew bailey: fairly high pick in 06. looked like a workhorse type SP, but blasted in AA. switched to BP and has been great

Henry Rodriguez: 21 yrs old, throws 100mph, but control issues and blasted in AA. now a reliever.

would it be in the best interest, to leave Bailey, Hrod, lansford, etc as sp's and let them continue to develop? or just ride their current sucess and a faster path to the majors??

cliff pennington called up

Asfan4ever723 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:39:35 -0000

former 2005 1st rd pick...this season has crash and burned over the last 3 weeks, but tonight at least home debut for gio gonzalez/pennington..surprised he's playing 3rd, but i guess it helps his versatility

then 3 am baseball with trevor cahill starting vs korea

this will be a glimpse towards the future of several A's prospects

Pennington gets call, confirmed

From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser at the Coliseum

**update** Pennington is in the lineup, playing third and batting ninth. DiNardo was sent to Sacramento and Brooks Conrad was designated for assignmment to make room on the 40-man for Pennington. This will be Pennington's major-league debut.**

The A's haven't put out a release yet, but Cliff Pennington is working out on the field with hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo. Manager Bob Geren tends to put new callups in the lineup and with Jack Hannahan struggling mightily on the last road trip, it's a good bet Pennington is at third tonight. The former first-round pick has been playing there recently at Triple-A Sacramento, and he's been one of the River Cats' hottest hitters of late.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=29057

Chris Carter the next great power hitter?

Asfan4ever723 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:10:59 -0000

he just hit his 34th hr tonight, his 6th hr in 30+ august ab's

he turns 22 after this season in late december.

he was taking alot of walks earlier in the season, but its plummeted to 12 walks over 140's ab's in the past 2 months.

he's finally broke that .270 avg barrier

post ASB: .315/.376/1.036 OPS

obviously the defense is an issue, he's shown progress with a strong throwing arm at 3b but 20 errors

is he then limited to a 1b/DH type?

if the bat is legit will his defense shortcomings be overlooked like a gamel/laporta have in the past?

what is the upside of keeping him longer in high A than a late season audition in AA?

2009 will be his full age 22 season in AA

is he a product of the cal league or do you expect the power/obp combo to continue at higher levels

he was a fringe top 100 prospect by BP preseason. where do you think he'll rank among top 100 lists after this?

what is your take on this guy?

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Carter%20%20RF&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=474892

Aug 15th draft signing deadline thread

Asfan4ever723 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:59:08 -0000

So this friday will be the deadline to sign any players. we know they signed coleman, murray, berroa a week ago. but there's still several high profile college and highschool players remaining. since the team has hit rockbottom and the trade deadline day came and went with any action, this is the other route to continue rebuilding this farm system. There is really not much excuse to sign a couple more guys. The extra money is there with the low payroll. post articles if you find any updated info on these draft pick status.

College:

Hunter/Guilmet/Rusin/Glenn/Walton

Highschool:

Elgie/Warren/Maronde//Doiron/Crocker

i found this recently on guilmet/glenn

Those holes, Lopez says, could be negated somewhat if pitcher Preston Guilmet and third baseman Brad Glenn decide to return to college. Both were both late-round selections by Oakland but are expected to enroll in classes in a few weeks.

"Guilmet and Glenn coming back would give us a ray of hope," Lopez said. "Both players seem to be far away from signing pro contracts, so I'd be shocked if they decided to sign."

http://collegebaseball.rivals.....asp?cid=833599

How good is Cliff Pennington?

Asfan4ever723 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:35:54 -0000

24 year old shortstop at Sacramento. .294/.420 in AAA and that doesnt even show the whole story because he got off to a real slow start. This kid wow'd everyone in college with his all out play, speed and on base ability and he has certainly had a breakout season w/ a 30+steal/100 walk type season. The walk rate is just ridiculous. As a shortstop, his defensive skills are solid, and his bat would carry at 2b but his value would obviously take a hit.

Where does he rank with the current shortstop prospects in the minors ? I know some other guys might be a year younger or doing it at a higher level but I think this kid's combo of speed, obp, defense, etc could be a good mlb SS and end this bobby crosby era in oakland. After several yrs of injuries and a former 1st rd pick, has his 08 season rid himself of the bust label and transitioned into a quality SS prospect?

A's notes: Wavy feelings may have started on Street

Asfan4ever723 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:11:18 -0000

So whatever happens, we should see some resolution by saturday or so.still not convinced he'll get dealt, but its still possible to get multiple top prospects not on 40 man rosters or recent draftees that have yet to be eligible. I'd atually think embree could get more interest if put on waivers

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/07/SPV11270QR.DTL

Post trade-deadline, any trades must include waivers - players either need to clear waivers first, or clubs may try to negotiate deals with teams that are awarded a waiver claim on a specific player. And on Thursday, there were rumblings that several teams had put in waiver claims on A's closer Huston Street.

Once a waiver claim is made, the clubs have 48 hours to work out a deal, and if nothing is agreed upon, the original team pulls the player off the waiver wire. So if Street indeed has been claimed, any deal would happen in the next day or two.

If the A's were to find a good match for a waiver-wire deal, they'd likely be looking to acquire top-notch infield prospects, particularly third baseman, at the Double-A level or higher.