I know my season officially sucks when I am more excited about the minor league box scores then what the big club does.  Another frustrating season is wearing on me..but I've turned my attention to the young guys to see if there is any help in sight. This post might be long, but hey, I need something to do to cheer me up. Everyone has heard about the status of our studs so instead of talking about the hyped prospects (Carter, Weeks, Cardenas, H-Rod etc.), I decided to check out some other intriguing prospects who I think might be able to make a splash in the next few years:

Hitters:

Grant Desme RF (2nd round in 2007, age 23)

Kane County: .274/.334/.490   19 2Bs, 11 Hrs, 38 RBIs, 24 S/ 0 CS....21/81 BB/K, 31% K rate

Stockton: .262/.361/.667   4 2Bs, 9 HRs, 21 RBIs, 7 S/ 3 CS.....13/34 BB/K, 40% K rate

 When the stats are added together, that makes for a 20 HR/ 20 2Bs/ 30 SB guy already.   Obviously, the K rate is outta control right now and he will need to see it fall if he wants to succed in the majors.  He is still just 23 and could possibly move up to Midland some time later this year.  Aside from Carter, and possibly Brown and Everidge, the power bats are scarce in the system. Combine this with plus speed while playing RF, and Desme is very quickly becoming my favorite prospect.  From all accounts, he has a very strong arm and he is projected to be an athletic RF in the bigs. Here is his draft report from 2007:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/index.jsp?mc=desme

 

Steve Kleen 1B (11th round in 2005, age 26)

KC: .282/.358/.436   14 2Bs, 8 HRs, 46 RBIs, 28/45 BB/K

Stockton: .405/.457/.595   7 2Bs, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs, 7/13 BB/K

I havent really heard much about Kleen prior to this year, but his numbers are hard to ignore.  There is no doubt he is old for A+, but this guy is just killing the ball for the Ports.  I guess while checking Desme's stats I will make sure to keep an eye on Kleen's season.

 

Archie Gilbert CF (age 26)

Mid: .286/.388/.357   10 2Bs, 32 RBIs, 43/37 BB/K, 23 SB/ 11 CS

Archie is small (5'8") and a local product.  He has a really good eye and speed to boot.  As one could guess, he has little to no power, but he brings some energy to the front of a line up.  His bat has been cooling off as late, but if he continues these numbers, he could make a case for a SAC call up in the near future.

 

Yung Chi Chen IF (age 26)

MID/SAC/AZL: .346/.410/.481...8 2Bs, 12/17 BB/K, 5 SB/ 0 CS

He disappeared for a while, but is now on a rehab assignment with AZL.  He was signed from the Seatle system where he put up rather pedestrian numbers.  This year, he has been on a tear, even if its limited ABs.  In his call up to SAC he hit .564, then to prove to management he was a real Oakland A, got injured.  He plays many positions, mostly 3rd, and could be a utility bat in the future.

Honorable mention: Matthew Spencer (MID), not Rashuan Dixon or Tyreace House (yet)

Pitchers:

Anthony Capra LHP (4th Round in 2008, age 22)

KC: 4-7, 3.24 ERA...100 IP, 70 H, 40/103 BB/K, 1.10 whip, 0.86 GO/AO

Anyone who can only allow 70 hits in 100 IP is worth mentioning.  But when you also factor in that he has 103 Ks, good for tops in the midwest league, Capra is starting to become a legit SP prospect.  He has improved his control of late and his last four starts have been incredible (25.2 IP, 10 H, 5/32 BB/K, 1.43 ERA).  He needs a better GO/AO, which would help him cut down on the long balls (9 so far).  I would like to see him face some tougher competition in the CAL league in the near future. 

 

Kenny Smalley RHP (24th Round in 2008, age 21)

KC: 8-3, 2.15 ERA.....83.2 IP, 59 H, 33/80 BB/K, 1.10 whip, 1.35 GO/AO

Another guy who is keeping the opponents bats quiets.  A huge concern is the walks, especially since he hasn't shown a lot of improvement over his past few starts.  Compared to Capra, he keeps the ball on the ground and has only allowed 3 HRs on the year. 

 

Mickey Storey RHP (31st Round in 2008, age 23)

KC/ STK: 0-0, 14 saves, 0.34 ERA,....26.1 IP, 11 H, 3/35 BB/K, 0.31 WHIP

These stats are just nasty.  He has continued his dominance save one outing where he gave up 3 hits and 4 unearned runs.  The 11.67 K:B ratio and 12.07 K:9 are dominant, and his 0.31 WHIP is almost unheard of.  This reminds me of Sam Demel's rise through the system and its hopefully goin to provide another power arm.  I could see him making it to Midland with a possible call to SAC later in the season.

 

Tyson Ross RHP (2nd Round in 2008, age 22)

STK: 5-5, 3.90 ERA....80.2 IP, 73 H, 33/74 BB:K, 1.82 GO/AO 

Much has been said of his funky, hard to watch delivery, but he has experienced some success this year.  Tyson's last three starts have been especially promising (18.2 IP, 9 H, 9/19 BB/K, 0.99 ERA) but he has been rather inconsistent.  For example, he walked only 8 in the month of June compared to 9 so far in July, yet his numbers have improved.  His GO/AO is definitley very promising and his K to BB rate is solid.

Honorable Mention: Ben Hornbeck (STK), Justin Murray (KC), Trey Barham (KC), Graham Godfrey (MID), Sharpe (MID) 

 

As you can tell, I really like Desme and think he can turn into a special player.  Im also eagerly waiting the signing of Green, Stassi, and Leyland to improve some of our hitting prospects.  The SP in the A levels are starting to come on strong (Capra, Smalley, Hornbeck, Figueroa, Ross) and we have plenty of intriguing bullpen arms.  What minor league guys are you all excited about??

I know, I know its a little early to make judgements on the draft.  Especially with regards to pitchers, many of the draftees have small sample size.  But because I'm bored at work and the A's have an off day, why the hell not review our new Athletics.  Here is a list of pick 1-10, but also some other intriguing prospects from the new draft.

 

1st pick. Jemile Weeks 2B, Miami, S/R (B+)

• Kane County: .300 BA, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 6 SB, 12:7 bb/k 

After a slow, slow start Weeks has hit .424 over his past 8 games to up his average to .300.  And hes killing lefties to the tune of .368.  More importantly, his obp is .462 (12bbs/7 ks) and he has shown some of the anticipated speed (6 for 8 in steals).  Now for the bad, he is slugging .340 and his defense is adequate at best.  Still, he is showing some promise, and I, for one, am excited he is in the system.  Once power comes, he will upgrade to an A.

 

2nd pick. Tyson Ross RHP, UC Berkley (Inc.)

• Kane County: 5.0 ip, 2 hits, 1.80 era, 5:0 k/bb

The 6'5" local righty was an intriguing pick.  The thing I like the most: he was praying to be an Athletic during the draft.  While he showed solid numbers in his first 2 pro appearances for Kane County (5.0 ip 2 hits 1.80 era 5:0 ks to walks), the upright, odd delivery might have caught up to him.  Currently on 7-day DL, but can't see him being forced to pitch again this season.

 

3rd pick. Petey Paramore C, Arizona State, S/R (B+)

• Rookie League Athletics: .364 BA, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 10:2 bb/k

Another switch hitter, Petey has started his pro career on fire.  He is hitting .364 with a .563 obp and 1.017 ops!  Don't get too excited, he has only played 10 games(hasn't played since July 18th). The best thing: he is known as an amazing defensive catcher (4 errors in college).

 

4th pick. Anthony Capra LHP, Witchita State (D)

• Kane County: 6.0 ip, 7.75 era, 2:3 k/bb, 2 HR allowed

A head-scratcher for the fourth-round, Capra's line is shaky at best.  With only limited innings, this might be a harsh grading, especially after a run in Omaha.  Interesting to note his splits which show lefties ripping the ball to the tune of .500 while righties hit .167.  But its hard to get excited about a .333 baa, with a 1.67 whip and 2 hrs allowed.  

 

5th pick. Jason Christian SS, Michigan, L:R (A)

• SS Vancouver: .322 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 4 SB, 21:35 bbs/ks

The only things limiting him from an A+ is his inconsistent D and high strikeout rate.  Otherwise, Jason looks to be a big (6'3") SS with at least some power (.483 slugging).  The high K rate (35 ks in 34 games) is a concern, but he hits with runners in scoring position (.410) and shows enough promise to keep an eye on. 

 

6th pick. Tyreace House, OF, Coll. of the Canyons, R/R (C+??)

• Rookie League: .219 BA, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5 SB 2:4 bbs/ks

Hardest grade yet because the talent is huge for this guy.  Peformance wise, no better than a C, but potential has him at least at a B.  Hit .348 with 31 steals in his last year at College of Canyons (Dana Eveland's old stomping grounds).  He has shown great speed with 5-5 sbs, but no power (.219 slugging%).  Too small a sample to judge with just 39 ABs.  Also, seen limited playing time as of late.

 

7th pick. Brett Hunter RHP, Pepperdine (Inc.)

• Unsigned Team USA: 13.1 ip, 6 hits, 17:10 k/bb 

Lets give him what he wants.  Taj Adib posted an article in his Monday Minors that stated he wanted $2,000,000, and I say we should do it. While his velocity is down, he is recovering from an injury and pitching well for Team USA.  To put it into Taj's words, he is pitching "wildy, but effective".  Reports had him hitting 100 mph pre injury and hitting mid to high 90s now, but not consistently. Please show him the money!!

 

8th pick. Jeremy Barfield, OF, San Jac JC, R/L (D-)

• SS Vancouver: .239 BA, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 0 SB, 6:15 bb/k

Huge (6'5" 240), so where is the power?  With a slugging % of .303 and an OPS of .581, he is struggling to say the least.  His home/ road splits suggest he hates the homr ballpark (.183/.306) and his 0-1 in SBs show little speed.   He did just turn 20 and is playing above Rookie League, but overall, nothing to be excited about yet.

 

9th pick. Mitchell Levier, OF, Cal State Fullerton, L/L (D)

• SS Vancouver: .235 BA, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 4:24 bb/k

The lefty CFer has been so-so thus far.  In 106 PA, he has 4 walks to the tune of a .271 obp.  And his OPS....555.  He also strikes out almost 25% of the time and isn't too big of a threat on the base paths 3-5 SBs.  But he is from Fullerton, who produces some legit talent, and he is left handed.  Therefore, I will probablly follow his career wherever he goes.

 

10th pick. Rashuan Dixon, OF, Mississippi HS, R/R (A)

• Rookie League: .255 BA, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 3 SB, 7:38 bb/k

The defenition of a 5-tool player, Rashuan is holding his own and then some as an 18 year old in Rookie ball.  The .311 obp is nothing to be excited about, but the .832 OPS is.  In 23 games, Rashuan has 25 hits: 0 2B, 7 3B!!!, 4 HR.  The kid is simply to fast to hit 2Bs!!!!  Hopefully, he will be able to use his speed effectivley on the basepaths (3-5 SBs), and we could have a stud CF.  Would like to see him hit in SS Vancouver, but his BA needs improvement.

**Note: today, Rashuan went 1-2 with his first 2B, 2 RBI, and a walk.

 

 

Other interesting draftees:

14th pick. David Thomas, OF, Catawaba College, S/R (A+)

• Rookie League: .429 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 2:1 bb/k
• SS Vancouver: .329 BA, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 3 SB, 14:15 bb/k

David had an unbelieveable career for small Catawba College, and he has brought it will him to the pros.  There is hard to find something negative about his game besides the lack of HR power, and his current .444 OBP and .873 OPS are impressive.  David is about to turn 22, but he could be a fast riser in our system.  He has speed (5-6 SB), plate discipline (16:16 bb/k), and the track record to be a pesky hitter in the majors.  Keep your eye on him, I wouldn't be shocked at another promotion sooner rather than later.

 

15th pick. Nino Leyja, SS, Houston HS, R/R (A)

• Rookie League: .325 BA, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 5 SB, 13:12 bb/k

A 17 year old that can hit with plate discipline is hard to find.  Especially as a SS. While he might not be hitting HRs, he has 6 2Bs and 3 3Bs, which is good for a .481 slugging% and a .903 OPS.  Nino also has very good speed (5-6 SB) and his L/R split is .333/.323.  He hits .387 with RISP, but his 7 errors in 19 games is a little worriesome.  Better D would give him an A+.

 

26th pick. Ryan Doolittle, RHP, Cumberland County College (D-)

• Rookie League: 19.2 ip, 27 hits, 5.49 era, 11:5 k/bb, .342 bba

Flat out: he is getting hit and hit hard.  Luckily, he has only allowed 1 HR, but the little Doolittle might be in over his head to this point. Maybe he will bounce back a la his brother.

 

EDIT: the rankings are solely by numbers. certain players such as Dixon, House, and Barfield were altered due to potential or, in Barfield's case, an awful slugging% for a power bat

EDIT: I am not ranking them as prospects, its their production up to this point.  Obviously its to early to judge them as a prospect....