Checking In On The Athletics’ 2005 Prep Picks

The Oakland Athletics organization has one of the most talent-laden minor league systems in the game. The majority of those prospects, though, have been collected from other organizations through various transactions including trades.

Even so, the Athletics organization has been successful, to a degree, at drafting promising arms. In 2005, despite its reputation for favoring advanced college products, the club focused its efforts on selecting some talented prep arms early in the draft. In the first seven rounds, the organization selected five high school pitchers in nine selections.

Kevin Bunch, a right-hander drafted out of a California high school, was the last of those players selected. He managed just two pro seasons and ended his career in 2006 by allowing 31 hits and nine walks in 16.1 Short Season innings.

Scott Deal was selected in the fifth round out of a Washington high school. The right-hander spent two OK seasons in Short Season ball and has been in the Midwest League for the past two seasons. Still only 21, Deal has served a variety of roles for Kane County this season and has made 10 starts in 21 appearances. He has a 3.73 ERA and has allowed 79 hits in 82 innings.

Vince Mazzaro was drafted in the third round out of a New Jersey high school. He signed late and did not make his pro debut until 2006 when he was assigned to the Midwest League. Mazzaro, a right-hander, had two unspectacular seasons in A-ball before being challenged with a promotion to Double-A to begin 2008. He has thrived at the level and currently has a 2.11 ERA and has allowed 103 hits in 119.1 innings. Mazzaro has struck out just 89 batters with 32 walks. He has become less hittable the last three seasons as he ascended through the minors: 11.01 H/9, 9.31 H/9, 8.00 H/9.

Right-handers Jared Lansford and Craig Italiano were both selected in the second round of the 2005 draft. Jared, 21, is the son of former A’s third baseman Carney Lansford. Jared has had an up-and-down career and followed up a solid 2006 season (2.86 ERA, 87 hits in 104 innings) by missing all of 2007 due to an injury. This season in High-A ball, he has been pitching out of the bullpen and has allowed 57 hits in 60.1 innings. He has walked 20 and struck out 73. Left-handers are hitting .330 against him, while right-handers are batting just .188.

Italiano is the most promising of the five early round prep pitchers. His success is a testament to his dedication and commitment, as he managed to throw less than 54 innings in his first three pro seasons due to injuries, which included shoulder surgery and a fractured skull after he was hit by a line drive. He began 2008 in the Midwest League and posted a 1.16 ERA with 43 hits allowed in 70 innings. Italiano also walked 35 and struck out 79. He then took his mid- to high-90s fastball to High-A ball where he has posted an ERA of 13.81 in 14.1 innings. Italiano has allowed 23 hits and 13 walks during that span of time.

The A’s organization has had varying degrees of success with its selections from the 2005 prep pool. Given that the club is still seeing progress from four of its five top selections, the club should be pleased with the results.