Future feature: Grant Green…and others.
1. Addison Russell, ss
2. Michael Choice, of
3. A.J. Cole, rhp
4. Brad Peacock, rhp
5. Sonny Gray, rhp
6. Dan Straily, rhp
7. Miles Head, 3b/1b
8. Grant Green, 2b/of
9. Daniel Robertson, ss/3b
10. Matt Olson, 1b
In a departure from its “Moneyball” history of eschewing high school players, Oakland took prepsters with each of its three 2012 draft picks before the second round. The A’s hadn’t used their top choice on a high schooler since taking Cahill in the second round in 2006, and hadn’t expended a first-rounder on one since selecting Jeremy Bonderman 26th overall in 2001.
Shortstop Addison Russell was the 11th overall pick and the highest-drafted A’s prepster since Eric Chavez at No. 10 in 1996, and he already ranks as the organization’s No. 1 prospect after hitting .369/.432/.594 and reaching low Class A in his pro debut. Shortstop/third baseman Daniel Roberston and first baseman Matt Olson, both supplemental first-rounders in June, are two of the system’s most promising hitters.
Repoz
Posted: December 01, 2012 at 09:35 AM |
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1. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: December 01, 2012 at 11:41 AM (#4314004)I know he's just a HS pick, but he had 10 errors in 48 games in his first pro season. Is he seen as a long term shortstop?
I haven't heard anyone say Russell will need to move because he can't handle the position, and I follow Russell closely. I have heard he may outgrow SS; he lost a bunch of weight in order to to improve his draft stock as a high school SS.
That was with three different teams; it is really hard to settle in when you are moved around as much as he was. And that's really not a huge number of errors for the minors anyway. To take one example - Nick Ahmed, a prospect in Atlanta's system, had 26 in 128 games at high A this year, which is roughly the same games-per-error as Russell, and I have seen no one suggest that Ahmed is likely to move off the position even though he's already 22 and bigger than Russell. Let's see where we are in a year or two.
-- MWE
1. Field quality is worse
2. Young players generally get more sure handed with experience
Andrelton Simmons made 28 errors in 129 games in A+ ball, 2011. It seems the Braves are OK with him sticking at the position.
What you're saying is that you're not pro-Choice?
This is true in general, but the fields today at A-ball are in better shape than the major league grass fields of yesteryear. The Arizona League plays its games at spring training complexes, so it's probably even more so the case.
Also his eyes were described as "jittery."
---
Generally agreed, but Cole is kinda exciting.
Ya, Cole, Choice and Gray could be really good, but they all had pretty mediocre years in 2012. I'm not expecting all-star seasons from them, and I'd be happy if two of them became average MLB starters.
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