Oakland Athletics Top 5 Prospects
The rejuvenation of the A’s farm system is usually attributed to the A’s recent re-building efforts. That’s certainly a large part of it, as 5 of the Athletics on the Mid-Season Top 100 have been acquired via trade in the last year. However, due to the large contingent of A’s on the list, that means that there are still six A’s on the list which were acquired via draft or international signing. The A’s are proving that they are still one of the best drafting organizations in the majors.
1. RHSP Trevor Cahill
Who?: Cahill exceeded expectations with an impressive full-season debut last year. It was beyond hope that he could exceed expectations again this year, but that’s exactly what he did. As a 20-year-old in a hitter’s park in the California League, Cahill put up what was, at the time, likely the best season of any pitcher in the minors. Cahill struck out 103 of 344 batters, with 31 BB and a 61.4 GB%. After a promotion to the Texas League, Cahill has finally shown he’s human, as he’s been far from dominant. Cahill throws a 91-94 sinking fastball, with a real plus-plus slow curve and a decent change. Cahill also scores huge points for his intelligence, as he had committed to Dartmouth before signing with the A’s out of high school.
Projection: Cahill could certainly be a pitcher near the front of a team’s rotation. He’s currently in Beijing representing the United States as part of a baseball squad pretty stacked with prospects, including…
2. LHSP Brett Anderson
Who?: Anderson lacks an overpowering fastball, but that’s just about all he lacks. Anderson possesses a plus curve, a plus change, he has excellent command of all three pitches, and everything is down in the zone. Combined between High-A and AA, Anderson has a very good 26.7 K%, 6.4 BB% and 58.0 GB%.
Projection: You could pretty much flip a coin to decide who’s better between Cahill and Anderson. They’re both extremely young, extremely talented, and extremely polished. They’ll also both be pitching at the front of the A’s rotation in short order.
3. RHSP Michael Inoa
Who?: Michael Inoa is the exception to every rule. For me to put a 16-year-old without a lick of pro experience on my Top 100 is borderline sacrilege. Inoa was ranked 15th. That should tell you everything you need to know. Inoa is the best international prospect since Felix. At 16, he’s already throwing in the 92-94 range with, of course, a lot of potential for improvement in velocity. He also showcases potentially a plus curve as well as a splitter, with excellent mechanics and remarkable command for his age.
Projection: He’s my 7th ranked pitching prospect without having thrown a pitch in North America; that should say everything you need to know about his ceiling. He’s so polished that you shouldn’t be surprised if he’s pitching in the majors within 3 years.
4. 1B Sean Doolittle
Who?: Doolittle was a 1st round compensation pick of the A’s last year. Doolittle could have realistically been drafted as a hitter or a pitcher, but the A’s (obviously) decided on the former. Doolittle showcased an excellent plate approach in college with a career 125 BB and 77 K in college. However, except for a hot streak early in 2007, he never showed much power. That didn’t look like it was going to change as he hit only 4 HR in his first 68 minor league games. In the off-season the A’s made an adjustment to Doolittle’s swing, and it had a huge effect. So far this year Doolittle has hit 22 HR and 57 total XBH, but it’s come at the expense of his contact; he also has 127 K in 514 PA. Still, Doolittle now possesses excellent power as well as patience, along with perhaps the best defense of any 1B prospect. An improvement on his K rate would be nice, but it’s not necessary.
Projection: A well above-average offensive 1B with defense to boot.
5. LHSP Gio Gonzalez
Who?: Inconsistency, thy name is Gio. Gonzalez’ prospect status took a shot with a disappointing 2006, but he came back with an excellent AA showing in last year. It seems that this year, he has attempted to combine those two years. He could go from pitching a 9-inning 13 K 1-run game or an 8-inning 12 K 1-hitter to struggling to get out of the 4th inning, and then back again. Gio throws one of the best curveballs in the minor leagues to go with a low-90s FB with a lot of movement.
Projection: A mid-rotation starter who, if he continues to pitch like he has this year, will give both managers and fans ulcers.
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