Ports Players Named to Top 100 Prospects

STOCKTON, Calif.--The strength of the Oakland Athletics farm system was revealed in Baseball America's 20th annual Top 100 Propsects list on Tuesday, as seven A's prospects were selected, including four members of the 2008 California League champion Stockton Ports.

Southpaw Brett Anderson and righthanded pitcher Trevor Cahill were named No. 7 and No. 11 respectively for their strong performances in 2008. Both Anderson and Cahill represented the A's at the 2008 Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, and were a part of the bronze medal-winning Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Anderson combined for a 11-5 record and a 3.69 ERA in 20 games for both Stockton and Double A Midland last season. Cahill, who also played for both Stockton and Midland in 2008, finished with a combined 11-5 record and a 2.61 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 21 games.

Anderson and Cahill are also listed as the Oakland organization's No. 1 and 2 propsects respectively by Baseball America.

In addition to Anderson and Cahill, 2008 Ports players Adrian Cardenas and Chris Carter were also named to the Top 100 prospects list. Cardenas was named the 74th top prospect, while Carter was named the 76th best prospect.

Cardenas, who came to the A's organization following a trade with Philadelphia for Joe Blanton, finished the 208 season with a .278 batting average, combined from both Stockton and Midland. He is also listed as the A's No. 5 prospect by Baseball America.

Carter had a tremendous season in 2008, leading the California League in home runs (39), RBI (104), runs (101), slugging percentage (.569) and extra base hits (75). He set a new Ports home run record, and was also tied for second in all of the minor leagues in home runs. He also led all of minor league baseball in extra base hits and total bases (288). Carter is ranked as the No. 6 Prospect in the A's organization by Baseball America.

All four of the players listed--Anderson, Cahill, Cardenas and Carter--were all non-roster invitees to Oakland's Spring Training camp.

Also making the cut for the Top 100 Prospects were RHP Michael Inoa (signed in July 2008 out of the Dominican Republic), OF Aaron Cunningham (Midland, Sacramento, Oakland in 2008), and LHP Gio Gonzalez (Sacramento, Oakland in 2008). They were ranked No. 54, No. 55 and No. 97 respectively.

For a complete listing of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, please click here.