Article:Oakland Athletics 2008 Top Ten Prospects

Since the NL West Prospects were done a few weeks ago, there has been some player movement which has caused some of the Dbacks Top Prospects heading over to the Post Office to fill out change of address cards. As with the Orioles with Erik Bedard, trading a top pitcher for a group of prospects is a bit risky...you could end up with the better end of the deal, or the backend. Sacrificing the next two seasons for the possibility of being good for five years after that is a questionable move at best, but only time will tell how this will all play out.


 * 1) Carlos Gonzalez, 22, lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, free agent, 2002

Obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade. Gonzalez showed marked improvement defensively in 2007, especially with his throwing. He has a plus arm but was tentative with his throws which caused unecessary errors at times. He has the speed and range to play center which has improved his routes to the ball. Offensively he has a picture perfect swing and uses the whole field, although his power has yet to develop fully. His tendency is to chase pitches out of the zone and sometimes shows indifference on the bases, which some in the organization see as lack of hustle. He is slated to spend 2008 in Triple A, and there is not an opening at the major league level in Arizona. Without Gonzalez in the deal, the Haren trade would not have happened and the A's didn't get him to play in the minors or sit on the ML bench. Worst case scenario is a month in Triple A with a more likely case of Gonzalez starting opening day in either center or right field.

2) Gio Gonzalez, 22, LHP, first round supplemental, 2004

Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the Nick Swisher trade. Led all minor leaguers with 185 strikeouts, (in 150 innings). Average fastball with a hard downward sink which generates alot of groundballs. Money pitch is a plus (70) curveball and has an improving changeup. Average command and his dimunitive size (5'11") brings durability concerns into the mix. In the mix for a rotation spot in the spring although some Triple A time is not out of the question.


 * 3) Brett Anderson, 19, LHP, second round, 2006

Anderson is the son of Oklahoma State coach Frank Anderson, a noted pitching expert and his work shows with his son. Far advanced for someone his age, Anderson posted a 2.21 ERA during his time in the Midwest League which would have led the league if not for a promotion mid-season. Anderson was injured along with several teammates in a vehicle accident and only pitched four innings after July. His fastball is barely average but has three plus offspeed pitches and, as mentioned, top of the charts mentality to go along with perfect mechanics. Anderson will go to Double A in 2008.


 * 4) Fautino de los Santos, 21, free agent, 2006

Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the Nick Swisher trade. Overall best repetoire in system, plus curve and fastball and average slider. Confident with all pitches in all counts. Throws improving change but not yet a reliable ML pitch. Double A in 2008.


 * 5) Daric Barton, 22, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing first baseman, first round, 2003

Acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Mark Mulder trade. Hit .347 in 72 AB's in September with Oakland. Has a picturesque lefty swing with good bat control and good hands, only question is whether power will develop. Poor defensively at first base with below average speed and arm, Barton is no worse than current A's first baseman Dan Johnson, with whom Barton will battle for the starting job in spring training.


 * 6) Trevor Cahill, 19, RHP, second round, 2006

Good mound presence for a 19 year old with an average fastball and curve. Needs to develop a third pitch to be successful and early attempts at a slider and change weren't promising. Has good arm speed and mechanics so the pitch may develop at some point. His curve is his best pitch and will throw it in any spot. Will start in High Class A


 * 7) James Simmons, 22, RHP, first round, 2007

Best command in system. Started pro career in Double A. Best changeup in system, average fastball and non-existent breaking ball. Worked out of bullpen in Arizona Fall League where he will likely remain unless is successful in learning a breaking ball. Will report again to Double A as a starter, with this season's results determining his future.


 * 8) Henry Rodriguez, 21, RHP, free agent, 2003

Average/plus fastball with movement, has hit 100 mph on occasion. Changeup is average with projections to plus. A good athlete, Rodriguez is a good fielder and has a strong, repeating delivery with minimal wasted movement. In teh same boat as Cahill and Simmons, a minor league starter but a possible major league reliever if unable to develop a third pitch. High Class A.


 * 9) Aaron Cunningham, 22, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, sixth round, 2005

Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade. A solid all-round outfielder who can easily play all three spots. He is the special kind of hitter who always seems to get the barrel on the ball and has power to all fields. He has trouble on good stuff inside and his lack of a dominant tool leaves on to believe he may be a fourth outfielder in the majors. A trip to the Arizona Fall League went well and will start 2008 in Double A .



*10) Chris Carter, 21, righthanded hitting and throwing first baseman, 15th round, 2005

'''Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade. Surprised his previous organization (White Sox) with his overall hitting ability, drafted primarily as a power prospect. As with Barton, Carter is defensively challenged (11 errors in 73 games in '07) with poor range, speed and arm. The move to the AL gives Carter a higher ceiling as he is a prime DH candidate. High Class A in '08'''