Oakland Athletics: Draft Review

General Manager: Billy Beane
Farm Director: Billy Owens
Scouting Director: Eric Kubota

2006-2009 Draft Results:
First three rounds included
x- over-slot signees ($200,000 or more)

2009 1st Round: Grant Green, SS, Southern California
2. None
3. Justin Marks, LHP, Louisville [88-92 FB, Sl, CB, CH]
4x – Max Stassi, C, California HS
7x – Ian Krol, LHP, Illinois HS [86-90 FB, CB, CH]

Despite lacking a second-round pick, the organization nabbed some interesting talents, beginning with Green who projects to be at least an average big-league shortstop, with some projecting star potential. He appeared in just five games in his debut and hit .316. He should opened 2010 in high-A and could move quickly. Marks appeared in just one game after signing and he’s a southpaw with average stuff but a four-pitch mix.

Stassi would have been a potential first-round choice if an injury had not wiped out that dream. The A’s brought him away from his college commitment, though, and he should be an offensive-minded catcher with more than enough defensive skills to remain behind the dish. A suspension kept Krol from playing for his prep team, but he still showed enough potential to excite scouts. Another lefty, Krol’s fastball velocity is average-at-best, but he induces a lot of ground balls and he projects to have good command. He appeared in four games after signing and could move to low-A in 2010, although he might spend some time in extended spring training.

2008 1st Round: Jemile Weeks, 2B, Miami
2- Tyson Ross, RHP, California
3- Petey Paramore, C, Arizona State
7x – Brett Hunter, RHP, Pepperdine
10x – Rashun Dixon, OF, Mississippi HS
28x – Dusty Coleman, SS, Wichita State

Weeks had an up-and-down season but he showed enough to make the club’s Top 10 list. Ross just squeaks onto the list too, thanks to his ground-ball rate. Paramore’s bat has not developed and he hit just .230/.344/.294 in 326 low-A at-bats in ’09. He projects to be a big-league back-up at best. Hunter showed flashes of brilliance in ’08 but he was a mess in ’09 so 2010 will be a big year for him.

Dixon had a nasty time in short-season ball in ’09 by hitting .214/.300/.281 with a 37.2% strikeout rate. Coleman has yet to justify his above-slot deal by hitting less than .250 in ’09 with a strikeout rate above 35%. He has some speed, but limited power. Keep an eye on Jeremy Barfield (8th round) in 2010. He has more offensive potential than his brother Josh, but probably less than his dad Jesse.

2007 1st Round: James Simmons, RHP, UC Riverside
1S. Sean Doolittle, 1B, Virginia
1S. Corey Brown, OF, Oklahoma State
2. Grant Desme, OF, Cal Poly
2. Josh Horton, SS, North Carolina
3. Sam Demel, RHP, Texas Christian

The club was dealt a big blow when Desme retired this off-season to pursue another calling. He would have been a Top 10 prospect after slugging 31 homers. Doolittle, though, hangs onto a Top 10 spot despite dealing with injuries. Horton has been a disappointment since being rushed through the lower levels of the minors. Brown has also leveled off after a hot start to his career.

Simmons has seen his success diminish along with his ground-ball rates, which fell below 40% in ’09. His walk rate also jumped from 2.12 in ’08 to 3.53 BB/9 last season. Although his overall numbers were not encouraging, they were not as bad as his 5.72 ERA would suggest (3.99 FIP). Demel has the potential to be a valuable relief arm if he can get his control under… control (5.85 BB/9 in triple-A).

Daniel Schlereth would have been a nice grab in the eighth round and Eric Berger would have been a good value in the ninth.

2006 1st Round: None
2. Trevor Cahill, RHP, California HS
3. Matt Sulentic, OF, Texas HS

The club lacked a first-round pick but Cahill has made up for that. He held his own in the Majors this past season despite his age and lack of experience. He’ll hopefully build on his foundation in 2010. Sulentic has shown flashes of brilliance but he may not have enough power to be an everyday corner infielder after posting an ISO of .126 at double-A in ’09. Andrew Bailey (6th round) was a huge steal and he won the 2009 Rookie of the Year while serving as the A’s closer.

Up Next: The Oakland Athletics Top 10 Prospects