A’s Minor League Update

With Jemile Weeks providing a spark on offense for the Athletics, Oakland’s recent youth movement seems to be in high gear. The A’s activated Mark Ellis on Wednesday, but the veteran infielder will likely fill in as back-up infielder, an indication that Oakland sees Weeks as part of their future.

So, with Weeks stepping up and hanging tough in the big leagues, many fans are wondering how some of the other prospects in Oakland’s farm-system are faring this season.

A Quick Update on…

1. SS Grant Green (Double-A Midland): Green, one of Oakland’s top prospects, is currently in Double-A Midland with the Rockhounds. The A’s future shortstop is currently batting .293/.344/.407 with four home runs and 35 this season in the minors. Over his last 10 games, Green is hitting .333/.383/.548 with two homers and seven RBI. Many fans in Oakland are really excited about this kid from USC, and it’s only a matter of time when Green finds himself in the big-leagues.
2. OF Michael Choice (Class A Stockton): Choice, Oakland’s first-round selection in 2010’s draft, is playing solid baseball for Oakland’s Class A team, the Stockton Ports. Oakland’s OF prospect is currently batting .248/.350/.504 with 16 home runs and 44 RBIs, but in his last 10 games, Choice is batting a nice .300/.391/.750 with five homers and 10 RBIs. Choice still has some learning to do, but make no mistake, Oakland made the perfect choice in last season’s draft.
3. DH Adrian Cardenas (Triple-A Sacramento): Cardenas, acquired in the trade that sent pitcher Joe Blanton to the Philadelphia Phillies, has DH’d this season for Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate team. The River Cats designated-hitter is currently batting .325/.394/.427 with three home runs and 27 RBIs. Cardenas, 23, was ranked ninth in Oakland’s farm system according the Baseball America in 2010, and is definitely a player to keep close eyes on.
4. OF Michael Taylor (Triple-A Sacramento): The Matt Holliday trade will probably go down as one of A’s GM Billy Beane’s biggest blunders, but there’s no denying that Michael Taylor is a pretty darn good player. The A’s received Taylor after trading Brett Wallace, who they received from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Holliday. Is Taylor worth a Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, and a Huston Street? Probably not. But the A’s do have a talented young player on their hands. In 31 games this season in the minors, Taylor is batting .280/.343/.456 with six home runs and 22 RBIs. The A’s lack power, but they see Taylor as a big-hitting, run-producing outfielder in the near future. His name, granted he continues his solid play, could be called upon very soon.
5. LF/1B Chris Carter (Class A Stockton/Triple-A Sacramento): The A’s have two big hitters waiting to get their names called up to the show, but one of those hitters is currently struggling offensively. Carter is that one hitter struggling offensively. In 23 games with the River Cats, Carter hit .235/.362/.541 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs. He did battle an injury, but the A’s would like Carter to find consistency on offense before bringing him back to the big leagues. If you remember, the A’s brought Carter up to the show last year, where he put together a .186/.256/329 line in 24 games with Oakland. The A’s lack power in their lineup, so if Carter goes on a tear, he could find himself back in the big leagues again. The A’s have him currently in the outfield, but he’s better suited for either a first base or DH role.