Grant Green Is Working His Way Up
By Joseph Lopez
Drafted as the Oakland Athletics’ first round pick during the 2009 draft, SS Grant Green is seen as a part of Oakland’s future infield. Over the past few seasons, the Athletics have attempted to rebuild the franchise and Billy Beane’s youth movement was on full display during Thursday’s Mark Ellis to Colorado trade.
With the Ellis deal, the A’s demonstrated that they’re getting ready for the future. Handing the job to rookie Jemile Weeks is an indication that the A’s know they have pieces down in the minors getting ready to help out the big league team.
Weeks provided a spark on offense the moment he was called up last month after Ellis landed on the DL. Weeks, younger brother of Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks, has hit .309/.349/.469 with six RBIs in 21 games this year for the A’s. Ellis may have been a better defender, but Oakland is confident in Weeks’ ability to help out offensively.
Offense has been a big problem for this organization over the past few seasons, and this year Oakland’s offense has been downright atrocious. The additions of Hideki Matsui, David DeJesus, and Josh Willingham haven’t helped Oakland’s offense this season, as the team currently ranks 28th in the majors with just 285 runs scored this year.
That’s why it’s important for prospects like Green, Michael Taylor, Adrian Cardenas, and others to continue their moving up in the ranks of Oakland’s farm system.
The A’s have already assembled a talented starting rotation, but the A’s need some of their big bats to help supplement the success of the pitching staff.
Green, 23, is currently in Double A Midland, where he is batting .283/.340/.392 with four home runs and 37 RBIs. Even more impressive, Green is currently batting .324/.413/.514 with two home runs and seven RBIs in his past 10 games.
Defensively, Green needs a little more polish, as he’s committed 21 errors this season in 69 games (.934 FPCT). The like a strong defense, but they’re in dire need of some quality hitters. If Green continues to produce offensively and continues to work on his defense, he could find himself on road to the show.