A new way to draft

rollierollieOxenfree — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:06:15 -0000

I would like to propose that the A's do something "radically different" in their trading and drafting strategy. This is more applicable to how they draft, as you'll read below.

BB has mentioned that one of the characteristics they look for in their draft picks is good athleticism as evidenced by players who come from stock, ie, have a history of athleticism in the family. Indeed, the recent crop of draftees included one Barfield. Though this family same-name thing isn't an exact science.

However, there is an exact science to predicting one's athleticism - genetics! Thanks to a little company in BB's backyard up here in the bay area, one can now test for the genetic phenotype of muscle performance. All that's needed is a bit of the player's saliva, and whamoo - 3-4 week turnaround as to a better indication of whether the player has the genetics to be a star athlete or not! Ok, maybe the method can't precisely pick out a ManRam or Bonds from a lineup of Emil Browns, but it could narrow the percentages..

From the company's website:

" To date, more than 150 genes have been linked to different aspects of physical performance. One of the clearest associations is seen with a gene called ACTN3 that is normally turned on in a type of muscle fiber used for power-based sports. A single SNP can turn this gene off."

The company's name: 23andme.com (cofounded by the wife of a Google cofounder).

Yes, there's more than just 1 gene corellation with athleticism, and it would be interesting to test all 150, and that may be possible in the future. But for now, a simple $400 test on each participant in the draft class could yield us some serious returns...

To carry out this strategy would entail some degree of negotiation with the player's union, if applied to trades for players already in the system. Though for draftees, it could greatly enhance their draft slot. The proposition for the potential draftees would be to "spit in the cup, and you can likely sign for millions; don't spit, and you'll likely draft alot lower".

I believe adopting this 'draft filtration' method would benefit all parties involved:

1) For the players who never would have made it to the majors, it could save everyone alot of time (those that don't have the gene wouldn't have to waste 8 years in the minors to realize they're not cut from the "special cloth" that will get them up in the majors and stay there).

2) For the FO, it would save alot of $$ and time in not wasting it on fruitless endeavors, and allow them to concentrate on players with a higher likelihood of exhibiting athleticism on the field.

3) Though for the current MLB players, it will result in a higher level of competition in the long-term, it could also result in a smaller number of players entering the majors, suggesting that those already in the league would be more likely to have their careers extended rather than being pushed out by the annual army of promotions from the minor leagues.

Maybe I'm just fantasizing, or bored w/ the A's as they're plodding along... Just thought I'd try to change the future!

[disclosure: while this post isn't intended to be an ad, and I don't work the specific company mentioned, I do work in this field]

SB Nation User Blog: rollierollieOxenfree

A new way to draft