• 2008 Oakland organization preview
• 2007 stats and review • Gonzalez still in mix for job • A's Minor League shop MiLB.com is spending February and March visiting each Spring Training site in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues to report on the most significant stories involving each club's Minor League system as players get ready for the 2007 season. We'll find out who's impressing the organization, who's hot, who's not and sit down for an exclusive Q&A with a top prospect.
Team: Oakland Athletics Burning Question The A's brought in so much talent during the offseason via trades. Which of the prospects new to the system are most likely to have an impact in the big leagues in 2008? The field of candidates can be narrowed down to three (aside from Dana Eveland, who technically is no longer a prospect), and all are in Northern California for the Bay Bridge Series against the Giants before the regular season "reopens" for the A's: outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and left-handed pitchers Greg Smith and Gio Gonzalez. The final answer may not necessarily come from who's performed the best or has the most talent. First and foremost, there has to be the opportunity and as of right now, there is still a lack of a defined starter in center field. That could mean Carlos Gonzalez, despite just getting back from missing nearly two weeks with a hamstring problem, could get first crack at making a Major League impact. "The needs of the organization overrides who has the best talent," said A's farm director Keith Lieppman, quickly pointing out that in this case, Gonzalez is both extremely talented and might have the best opportunity. "He has all the tools and uses them. He's not just a tools guy; he's got a feel for the game and a passion to play it." The A's will have to finalize their 25-man roster prior to the April 1 game against the Red Sox. For now, C-Gone is on the "28-man" list the A's were allowed to turn in prior to the Japan games. Even if he does end up coming down to Sacramento to join Gio and Smith, it's a pretty good bet that all three will get a chance to show what they can do in the bigs for the first time this season. Other News of the Day Aaron Cunningham broke his thumb three weeks ago diving back into a base in a Major League game. The center fielder just got his cast off on Wednesday and will start the long rehab process. The estimate is that he'll miss a grand total of eight weeks, which means hanging back in extended Spring Training until he's healthy. Then he'll likely head to Double-A Midland to begin his first full season in the organization. #ques_include {width:300px;float:right;margin-left:5px;} #ques_content {border-top:1px solid #000000;border-left:1px solid #000000;padding-left:5px;} .ques_schedule {margin-top:5px;font-size:11px;} .ques_dates {font-size:11px;font-style:italic;color:#999;} 
2B Kevin Melillo is still dealing with a wrist issue that's forced him to miss nearly all of Spring Training. He's had just four at-bats, but he's getting closer and should be ready to join Sacramento in the not-too-distant future. Can appendicitis be contagious, from overseas? A's reliever Andrew Brown thought he had it in Japan. Lefty Dan Meyer definitely had it here in Phoenix. The starter had his appendix removed recently and will have to hang back in extended spring training until he's at full strength. That opened a spot for Brad Knox on the Sacramento staff. He was going to have to go back to Midland even though he spent almost all of last year in Triple-A. ... Much of Javier Herrera's pro career has been derailed by injuries. He played in just 82 games last year dealing with hamstring issues. The 2005 All-Star Futures Game participant looks like he's feeling 100 percent healthy for the first time in a long time. Health is the key -- and he doesn't exactly have a good track record there -- but if he can stay on the field, he could have a nice year at Midland. OF Jon Zeringue was a second-round pick of the Diamondbacks in 2004. By last year, after stalling out at Double-A, he was in indy ball before the A's signed him and sent him to Class A Advanced Stockton. He did OK and then came to A's camp trying to prove he deserved another shot at Double-A. He's done that by hitting seven homers this spring. He'll play with Danny Putnam, who made his Major League debut last year, but will nonetheless begin the year in the Texas League. Putnam has shown this spring that he worked incredibly hard physically during the offsesason and adjusted his mental approach. The Stanford product has been too overanalytical and self-critical in the past and has done an excellent job of not breaking down his at-bats for too long this spring. Five Questions with James Simmons MiLB.com: You had a whirlwind summer after being drafted in the first round last June, going straight to Double-A and then to the Arizona Fall League? How has that helped you during your first Spring Training? JS: I'm don't know how much it's helped me. It did give me experience and the more baseball you play, the better you'll be. It was a great learning experience. I got those first pro ball jitters out of the way. I was tired, and I got to take a month off before getting started again. MiLB.com: A lot has changed in this organization since you signed, with a ton of talent brought in via those trades. How excited are you to play with these guys and compete with them? JS: It's definitely exciting. We're going to have a great team in Double-A and at every level. They've done a great job rebuilding the system. The competition will definitely push me to be better. It's a little extra pressure, but so is playing in front of 40,000 in the big leagues, so it's good. MilB.com: What have you been working on this spring? JS: I'm mostly trying to refine my off-speed pitches. I'm trying to throw my changeup behind in the count and getting more consistent with my slider. In the past, though, I've gotten away from being focused on my fastball because it's my best pitch. I sometimes can get a little slider- and changeup-happy in games. You have to stay with what your strength is. I'm trying to find that right balance. MilB.com: Finish this sentence: People would be surprised to know that I... JS: I do everything left-handed, but I play baseball right-handed. I should be a left-handed pitcher. I think my dad just bought the wrong glove when I was little. MilB.com: If you were to have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be and why? JS: I'll say Nolan Ryan. My first choice would be Carrie Underwood, but I wasn't sure if I should do that. Maybe I could go with both of them. I don't know what we'd talk about, though. That would be a little tough, wouldn't it? Lasting Impression It's been a common reaction among opponents of the A's Stockton club this spring. Hitters walk by one of the A's coaches and mutter, "Where are you getting these guys?!?" Those guys are Fautino de los Santos and Henry Rodriguez. The two right-handers, one a homegrown A's player (Rodriguez) and one that came in the Nick Swisher trade, are cut from the same cloth. They've been causing Class A Advanced hitters fits with fastballs that run from 95-99 mph. Rodriguez has a changeup and splitter while de los Santos has a killer slider and change as well. "They are not one-dimensional," Lieppman said. "But they are running mates. They're really similar with the same equipment." If those were the only two starters in Stockton, there would be a respite for opponents. But following up those two flame-throwers is Trevor Cahill and his absolutely filthy sinker, as well as lefty Brett Anderson, who came over in the Dan Haren trade. Mexican import Arnold Leon rounds out the rotation, forcing arms like Jason Fernandez and Jared Lansford -- guys who normally would start -- into the bullpen. With 2007 draftee Andrew Carignan closing in on 92-96 mph, it's looking like opponents are going to be muttering all season long. Parting Shot It's a fun time to be in A's camp and it's not just because of those aforementioned arms -- there are some guys with some pretty ridiculous power throughout the system as well. Many of them are spending their first time in the Athletics' organization. Carlos Gonzalez, Cunningham and young first baseman Chris Carter are just three of the hitters who have been regularly flexing their muscles at Papago Park. How can the A's tell they've got more pop than they have had in past years? Simple accounting, really. "We've used over 500 dozen baseballs for the first time," Lieppman said. "We're usually at about 350 dozen. Something good is happening in our organization. "With our influx of strong hitters, it's been fun to watch. They're banging balls out of the park and losing a few. Our accounting department may not be thrilled we had to dip into the reserve, but it's worth the investment." Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
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