[農場][JS] Oakland Athletics Top 20 Prospects
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/4/7/5587354/oakland-athletics-top-20-prospects-for-2014
Oakland Athletics Top 20 Prospects for 2014
By John Sickels
1) Addison Russell, SS, Grade A: Looks like a complete player to me, perhaps
not a guy who is going to hit .330 but who should produce
power, speed, on-base percentage, and enough range and arm
strength to remain at shortstop. Future long-term regular
and All-Star candidate eventually.
2) Billy McKinney, OF, Grade B: Borderline B+: Scouts love him despite average
tools due to his excellent feel for hitting and overall
instincts for the game. Opening 2014 in High-A, a big jump
for a high school player, but the challenge worked for
Russell.
3) Raul Alcantara, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. Secondary pitches went from
non-existent to solid last year and he already had a good
fastball, resulting in dramatically improved performance and
big spike in strikeout rate. I want to see if he sustains
it, but could be a number three starter.
4) Daniel Robertson, SS, Grade B-: Russell’s domination overshadowed a solid
campaign from Robertson. Good approach at the plate, could
develop double-digit power. On his own merits he has a
chance to stay at shortstop, but other factors (Russell)
may result in switch to third base anyway. I think he is
a breakout candidate.
5) Renato Nunez, 3B, Grade B-: You have to love the power and he could put up
huge numbers in the Cal League, but impatient approach will be
problematic against pitchers who change speeds more
effectively. Defense is also in question but a shift to first
base would pressure his bat.
6) B.J. Boyd, OF, Grade B-: Bad body on paper (5-11, 230) but he’s actually
a good athlete who played wide receiver in high school. He hit
very well in the New York-Penn League, offers good approach at
the plate to go with power possibilities. Strikes me as
underrated.
7) Nolan Sanburn, RHP, Grade B-: This guy has special stuff: low-to-mid-90s
fastball with movement, and his curve, slider, and changeup
all flash plus. Main question is role and durability: he has
the four-pitch arsenal to start and his command isn’t bad,
but he relieved at Arkansas and some shoulder trouble last
year aborted attempts to stretch his arm out.
8) Bobby Wahl, RHP, Grade B-: University of Mississippi ace fell to fifth round
due to blisters and velocity drop, could wind up as a big
bargain. Potential mid-rotation arm with fastball/slider/
change arsenal.
9) Michael Ynoa, RHP, Grade C+: Borderline B-. Possible outcomes: number two
starter; number four starter; power closer; mediocre middle
reliever; Triple-A washout. I recognize his immense potential
but I want to see more to make sure he’s not the Dominican
version of Todd Van Poppel.
10) Billy Burns, OF, Grade C+: How does 80-grade speed last until the 32nd
round? Power is lacking but what this guy does (steal bases,
draw walks, drive pitchers nuts), he does VERY well. I think
he’s a fourth outfielder but a fun one.
11) Dylan Covey, RHP, Grade C+: You can make a case to rank him higher but the
results have never matched the stuff in this case even in
college. Maybe he lacks deception?
12) Max Muncy, 1B, Grade C+: 21 homers in Cal League was misleading but he does
have skills: gap power, patience, impressive defense at first
base. I still think he’s a Doug Mientkiewicz type.
13) Matt Olson, 1B, Grade C+: Showed weaker pure hitting skills compared to
high school, but more power production. 72 walks, 32 doubles,
23 homers look nice but .227 average is low and strikeout rate
was quite high. Reports indicate he changed his swing to add
more power but will it backfire?
14) Chris Kohler, LHP, Grade C+: Very projectable young lefty drafted in third
round last year performed quite well in rookie ball (2.73
ERA, 32/9 K/BB in 23 IP) and has a chance for three quality
pitches. Hasn’t received a lot of attention despite draft
status but I expect that will change.
15) Miles Head, 3B, Grade C+: Borderline C. Season ruined by shoulder problems.
Big potential with bat if he can get the strike zone locked
down. Must take a step forward soon or get pushed aside since
corner bats are one of the strengths of this system.
16) Dillon Overton, LHP, Grade C: Awaiting results of Tommy John surgery. I
liked him a lot at the University of Oklahoma, four pitch
lefty who knows what he is doing, would be a B/B- guy if
healthy.
17) Kent Matthes, OF, Grade C: Older prospect claimed on waivers from Rockies.
I have seen a lot of him over the years and this is the kind
of guy who could parlay a well-timed hot streak (he is 27
after all) into a career. Going way back, I’m thinking of
something like Shane Spencer with the Yankees back in 1998,
one well-timed hot streak that earns him years of role player
status.
18) Ryan Dull, RHP, Grade C: One of a large group of Grade C type arms in this
system, workmanlike guys who could slot as middle relievers or
emergency starters under the right conditions. You could also
slot Frankoff, Granier, Jensen, Murphy, Healy and Peters in this
area.
19) Arnold Leon, RHP, Grade C: Versatile right-hander from Mexico can start or
relieve, throws strikes with decent stuff. Another Grade C
pitching depth option.
20) Ryon Healy, 1B-3B, Grade C: High-ceiling power hitter from University of
Oregon, you could slot him higher on pure talent terms but I am
disturbed by how badly the strike zone got away from him in
pro ball.
OTHERS: Anthony Aliotti, 1B; Dustin Driver, RHP; Seth Frankoff, RHP; Drew
Granier, RHP; Tucker Healy, RHP; Chris Jensen, RHP; Bruce Maxwell, C; Sean
Murphy, RHP; Tanner Peters, RHP; Shane Peterson, OF-1B; Chad Pinder, INF; Seth
Streich, RHP
This system is in a down-phase right now at the higher levels although they’ve
shown the ability to recharge in the past. There is very impressive impact
talent at the top: Russell is a beast, McKinney should be very good, Robertson
has a chance, but after that there are a bunch of question-marks.
Corner bats have depth: there are a lot of them, but they mostly seem like
future role players. Nunez has a terrific ceiling but his approach is
problematic. If you could graft Muncy’s approach onto Nunez’s body you’d
have a star, but I think that kind of genetic engineering is illegal. Burns is
a lot of fun to watch but realistically I think he’s a valuable bench guy.
Alcantara’s turnaround shows how quickly things can change for young pitchers.
Could Ynoa do the same? Maybe, but he’s the farthest thing from a safe bet.
Sanburn, Covey, Wahl…all talented, but again each has at least one significant
caution flag in their profile. They can probably get some useful innings out of
some of the Grade C types. I do like Kohler and Dustin Driver, another high
school arm from the ’13 draft, also has a high ceiling.
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