'Cos I'm bored and I can't sleep on Christmas Eve I thought I'd pose CSR a little exercise (it's Draft related, so if you're not interested in that look away now!).

The exercise is: Regardless of where they WILL be drafted, who is your favourite prospect at each position in this draft? It's not about who you think will be the best per se, just who do you think will be very good.

If nothing else I think it'd be an interesting reference point for us to look back at in two or three years to see who has a keen eye for talent. Keeping it all in one place, rather than having to trawl through thousands of posts to recall what you said about each prospect.

Continue reading this post »

Sooooo I'm going to the A's game vs the Angels on Sunday 5th September, which apparently is Breast Cancer Awareness day (who knew?!)

As it's my first time in Oakland I don't really have any idea where to go, or what to do around the ground. So I'd appreciate any helpful hints in the comments section. I think Berry Jo is organising an AN gathering for Zigfan's birthday, so there will be some ANers there.

Obviously I don't want to impose too much on Jo (although I'm totally crashing that party!) - so if anyone has any suggestions about where I should sit, or what to eat (I'm thinking garlic fries!) let me know.

Oh and if you want to say hey, I'll probably be around all day - so if you want to meet up I'm available. Unless I don't like you, then I'm busy. ;-)

H'ok, so I've finally booked this trip I promised you guys I was taking.

The only things set in stone are:

• I'm flying into L.A. on the 29th of August and flying home on 10th of September from San Francisco.
• We'll be driving from L.A. to San Francisco/Oakland along this coastal route.
• Apparently I'm going to have to endure a day at Six Flags.
• I'm going to be in and around Oakland for the Angels series and the Mariners series.
• Alcatraz (thanks to Daniel777's suggestion)

So I'm using this fanpost to ask you lovely people where I should go and what I should get up to on this trip. Not just when I get to the Bay Area, but also where to go on the trip up from L.A. (and where to go in L.A. if any of you guys know that city well).

I don't have full autonomy on what we do, but if I stamp my feet enough I'm sure I'll get my own way enough to keep me happy!

I figured it was time to catch up on how our young A's are doing.

So without further ado:

Sacramento Rivercats (AAA): Lost 1-0 to New Orleans.

Notable performances/prospects

Wimberly (CF): 1-4. - .284/386/333  .702 OPS

Carter (1B): 0-3 (3Ks) - .248/335/496  .832 OPS (9 HRs)

Cardenas (3B): 0-3 (1K) - .222/269/254  .523 OPS 

Brown (RF): 0-2 (2Ks) - .155/193/286  .479 OPS (2HRs)

Godfrey (SP): 5.1IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 4BB, 5Ks (L 1-3 on the season)  4.39ERA

Kilby (RP): 1IP, 2H, 1K.  0.93ERA

Midland Rockhounds (AA): Lost 7-1 to San Antonio.

Notable performances and prospects

Horton (SS): 1-4 (2B, 1 RBI/1K) - .214/290/286  .576 OPS

Valdez (2B): 1-4 (1 K, 1E - #5 on the season) .319/367/585  .953 OPS

Sulentic (RF): 0-4 (2Ks) .250/359/325  .684 OPS

Banwart (SP): 4.2IP, 7H, 5R, 4ER, 3BB, 4K, 2HRs (L 4-1 on the season)  4.08ERA

Stockton Ports (A+): Lost 5-11 to High Desert

Notable performances and prospects

Ladendorf (2B): 1-4 (2B, E #4, CS #2) .304/348/402  .750 OPS (1HR)

Green (SS): 2-5 (2R, 1K) .286/320/373  .692 OPS (2HR)

Parker (3B): 1-4 (1HR, 1RBI, BB) .295/415/508  .922 OPS (7HR)

Barfield (RF): 2-3 (2 RBI, K, BB) .250/341/400  .741 OPS (5HR)

Richard (DH): 3-4 (R) .286/286/333  .619 OPS 

Smith (SP): 5.2IP, 15H, 8R, 6ER, 1K, 1HR (L 3-3 on the season)  6.21ERA

Kane County Cougars (A): Lost 4-5 to Quad Cities

Notable performances and prospects

Crumbliss (CF): 0-3 (RBI) .260/434/336  .770 OPS

Aliotti (1B): 1-4 (K) .292/441/358  .800 OPS

Gil (3B): 1-3 (2B, BB) .254/306/446  .752 OPS

Leyja (2B): 0-4 (3K) .288/342/315  .657 OPS

Stassi (C) 1-3 (BB, 2K) .270/350/476  .826 OPS (6HR)

Straily (SP): 4IP, 2H, 4BB, 6K (ND 4-1 on the season)  4.19 ERA

Peterson (RP): 0.2IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 2SO (L 0-1, BS 1)  5.79 ERA