Looking Back: Athletics Top Prospects of 2010 Review
With the season winding down, I thought it would be appropriate to look back at my 2010 top prospect lists and see how I did in my projections and how each team’s farm system held up over the course of the season.
This needs to be emphasized: the list below reflects each prospect’s status prior to the 2010 season. This is not a new list. Please keep that in mind.
The next team up is the Oakland Athletics:
1. Chris Carter | 1b/DH | Age – 23 | Grade – B+
Originally gave him a B+/A- grade, but backed off that a bit prior to the season. He’s had a good season, though contact problems remain a big red flag. I rated him as the 28th best prospect in baseball heading into the season. He’s still a top-100 guy, but he’ll be moved back some spots probably.
2. Michael Taylor | OF | Age – 24 | Grade – B/B+
Just a very disappointing season for Taylor. I’m not going to give up on him after one down year, but his stock has definitely taken a big hit. I rated him as the 48th best prospect in baseball heading into the season.
3. Grant Green | SS | Age – 22 | Grade – B
Struggled early on, but he’s been excellent over the last three months. He still doesn’t walk enough for my liking and there are also concerns about his defense. I rated him as the No. 73 overall prospect in baseball heading into the season and he’ll probably jump up a few spots in next year’s list.
4. Jemile Weeks | 2b | Age – 23 | Grade – B/B-
He’s better than his overall numbers indicate. A brutal month of August has brought Weeks down. Click here to see Weeks go head-to-head against Astros pitching prospect Jordan Lyles
5. Grant Desme | OF | Age – 24 | Grade – B-
Retired before the season to become a priest.
6. Michael Ynoa | RHP | Age – 18 | Grade – B-
Just nine innings pitched before succumbing to Tommy John surgery.
7. Adrian Cardenas | 2b/3b | Age – 22 | Grade – B-
He’s had no problem with Double-A pitching, but for some reason he’s struggled to have any success in Triple-A.
8. Max Stassi | C | Age – 19 | Grade – B-
He’s had a strange season…I like the power potential and his defense has gotten good reviews, but the contact rate is a concern. Numbers are brought down by very poor months of July and August.
9. Tyson Ross | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – B-
It was a surprise to see Ross make the Oakland opening day roster, but he performed well early before the league eventually adjusted to him. He has to work on his control, but his stuff is good enough to get big league hitters out.
10. Ian Krol | LHP | Age – 18 | Grade – B-
He’s more than justified my ranking him so high despite not having thrown a pro pitch. That said, I was disappointed by what I saw from Krol in a recent outing. It should be pointed out, however, that the start I saw was by far his worst start of the year. Click here for that report…
11. Josh Donaldson | C/3b/1b | Age – 24 | Grade – B-
He’s had a nice season and he’s been mostly playing catcher, which helps out his value. Has a low batting average in part because he’s been unlucky on balls in play (just a .257 BABIP)
12. Corey Brown | CF | Age – 24 | Grade – B-
Similar to Cardenas in that he’s conquered Double-A pitching, but he has yet to figure out Triple-A at all. Contact rate still remains a concern.
13. Sean Doolittle | 1b/OF | Age – 23 | Grade – B-
He’s been injured all year, making this essentially the second year in a row he’s gone without playing. I know it’s a leg injury, but I’m not sure exactly what is going on with him.
14. Fautino de los Santos | RHP | Age – 24 | Grade – C+
His stuff is back to the level it was pre-injury. He was dominant in A+ Stockton before a promotion to Midland. He’s pitched better than his ERA indicates in Midland. I’ll have a report on him in the next couple of days…
15. Anthony Capra | LHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C+
He has good stuff, but is just very inconsistent and his command has taken a big step back this year. A move to the bullpen might do him some good.
16. Pedro Figueroa | LHP | Age – 24 | Grade – C+
Kind of a bleh season…has been out with an injury since June.
17. Justin Marks | LHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
A strong season for Marks…rebounded from a terrible start to the season
18. Brad Kilby | LHP | Age – 27 | Grade – C+
Hasn’t pitched much this year and he hasn’t pitched at all since late May, but he was very good when healthy.
19. Arnold Leon | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+
Underwent Tommy John surgery after just three appearances this year.
20. Ben Hornbeck | LHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C+
I like his ability to miss bats though he’s struggled to do that so far after his promotion to Double-A…might be better suited for the bullpen
21. Mickey Storey | RHP | Age – 24 | Grade – C+
He’s had a decent season, but he’s been nowhere near as dominant as he was last year.
22. Connor Hoehn | RHP | Age – 21 | Grade – C+
A sleeper of mine heading into the year, he’s elevated his prospect status with a strong season and could move quickly next year. Click here for a report I did on him last season…
23. Sam Demel | RHP | Age – 24 | Grade – C/C+
Traded to Arizona…command has improved by a lot this season.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Jason Christian (3b/2b) | Jeremy Barfield (OF) | Rashun Dixon (OF) | James Simmons (RHP) | Henry Rodriguez (RHP) | Shane Peterson (OF) | Clay Mortensen (RHP) | Dusty Coleman (SS) | Kenny Smalley (RHP) | Ryan Ortiz (C) | Matt Sulentic (RF) | Eric Sogard (INF)
Of the honorable mentions, Rashun Dixon has had a nice bounce back year from a horrible 2009 campaign. To his credit, Henry Rodriguez has improved his command enough to where he can pitch effectively at the MLB level — at least so far. I made it a point to single out how bad Rodriguez’ command was last season. Clay Mortensen has improved his prospect status since last year ended. And Ryan Ortiz has emerged as a very nice sleeper prospect for 2011. He’s a catcher with solid power and very good on-base skills.
Of the prospects not mentioned, Stephen Parker has also emerged as a sleeper for 2011 at third base and Shawn Haviland, while a little old for his level, has been missing bats and limiting walks as a starter.
The Bottom Line
Yes, there have been set backs here. Three of the top five guys have taken a step backwards. One retired. And the 6th best guy, a supposed phenom, is gone for next season. The silver lining? While Chris Carter has regressed, he remains a very good prospect. Weeks seems like a guy who is due for a bounce back year, and several prospects have emerged in the system though none of them are considered impact players. So yes, a down year for the Oakland system, but it’s not as bad as people think.
