Oakland Athletics’ Top Four Draft Picks Challenge Current Prospects
Jun 10, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) is greeted at the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice hit by third baseman Brett Lawrie (not pictured) in the fourth inning of their MLB baseball game with the Texas Rangers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics’ farm system has been hurting ever since the departure of Addison Russell in last year’s trade that acquired pitcher Jeff Samardzija. The front office tried to fill in some of the holes by trading Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays, which in turn netted the A’s second ranked prospect Franklin Barreto, as well as their number six prospect Sean Nolin. The trade even gave them immediate help by adding Kendall Graveman to the rotation. Despite these moves, the A’s minor league system still ranks near the bottom in all of baseball.
Billy Beane recognized the gaping lack of sensational talent in the upper levels of the system, which is why the A’s drafted almost exclusively college level talent. They gave Barreto some competition by drafting shortstops with their first two picks, and rounded off their top four with a pitcher and an outfielder.
Now A’s Nation has questions. Who are these draft picks, how do they stack up against the people already in Oakland’s system, and will they really help the A’s at the major league level?
Next: Fourth Round: Skye Bolt
Jun 20, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Mississippi Rebels and the Virginia Cavaliers game twelve of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha was suspended due to lightning and severe weather. The game has been rescheduled for Saturday. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Fourth Round: Skye Bolt
Scouts have no doubt about Skye Bolt’s ability as an outfielder. He shows lightning quick reflexes when reacting to fly balls, and his shocking arm strength can handily discharge balls back into the infield. Of all of his skills, fielding is the one that is closest to being Major League ready.
MLB Prospect Pipeline added that his electric first couple months of college ball in 2013 (wherein he hit .392/.509./.648) were grounded after a foot injury. He has had a difficult time replicating that production ever since. He also hit from both sides of the plate throughout college, although he is notably better at hitting from the left side. The A’s are going to keep an eye on his foot as he progresses through the system, and possibly make him an exclusively left-handed hitter.
These changes to his game might be the jolt that he needs to be a Major Leaguer.
The baseball world wonders what happened to that flash of offensive brilliance, which is what makes Bolt such an intriguing prospect. He is 21, so his estimated time of arrival in the Majors depends entirely on how well he can put a charge into pitches in the minors. If he finds his stride again, people will wonder how on Earth he was picked as late as 128th overall.
Bolt absolutely wins Oakland’s “Best Name In The 2015 Draft” award, though.
Next: Round Three: Dakota Chalmers
Jun 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Baseball sits on pitchers mound at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Round Three: Dakota Chalmers
The A’s stole right-handed pitcher Dakota Chalmers in this draft. Going into the draft, he was ranked 33rd of all eligible draftees, and the A’s snagged him 97th overall. Baseball Essentials even ranked him as the best value pick, mentioning that he suddenly and unexpectedly fell off of the draft radar. Of the A’s top ten draft picks in 2015, Chalmers is the only one drafted right out of high school.
Chalmers is best known for blowing hitters away with his fastball. It is easily his best weapon, and he has the capability of throwing up to 98 MPH. MLB’s Prospect Pipeline notes that his curveball and slider are well above average, and that he is able to control these pitches well. Baseball America says that he is fit to be a starter, and should fill in the middle of a Major League rotation.
At only 18 years old, Chalmers is several years away from the Majors. The A’s should be excited that they were able to acquire this quality arm right out of high school. He will absolutely be a top-ten prospect in the A’s system, and easily challenge Dillon Overton for the title of top pitching prospect for the A’s.
Next: Round Two: Mikey White
October 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics manager
Bob Melvin(6) watches batting practice before game one of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at O.co Coliseum. The Tigers defeated Athletics 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Round Two: Mikey White
This shortstop out of Alabama looks like the kind of infielder that just gets the job done. His scouting report notes that there is not anything particularly flashy about the way he plays shortstop, and that his defensive skills might even be better suited for second base at the pro level. Having said that, Billy Beane loves it when players can just get on base, and that is exactly what White has done during his time in Alabama.
White led Alabama in batting average, hitting a whopping .339 this season, and a .308 over his collegiate career. The A’s have to like the upward trend in his hitting ability, and that might be what makes him Chad Pinder’s main competition for top second base prospect in the A’s system.
Pinder, who is the A’s number eight prospect overall, has more defensive prowess than White, and is batting an impressive .302/.359/.453 in Double-A Midland this season. If offense is White’s primary advantage over Pinder, he will have to light up a lot of minor league pitchers to rise through the system quickly.
White is comparable to Joey Wendle, and is likely several years away from Major League service.
Next: Round One: Richie Martin
Jun 17, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators runner Richie Martin (12) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Hurricanes in the sixth inning in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. The Gators won 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Richie Martin
If the A’s want Franklin Barreto for his bat, then they want Richie Martin for his sensational fielding ability. Martin’s scouting report shows that he is remarkably fast. His superior range can sometimes work at a disadvantage, as multiple reports note that he sometimes appears to do too much to make a play happen. That is a problem that he can overcome with coaching and discipline, however.
Bleacher Report’s post-draft rankings place Martin as the A’s new number six prospect. However, third base prospect Renato Nunez has had difficulty in fielding at his position, Matt Chapman’s services will not be necessary for awhile as Brett Lawrie does not enter free agency until 2018, and pitcher Dillon Overton will not have many opportunities to join the A’s rotation with the return of Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin next year. As far as need, Martin is clearly the A’s new number three prospect behind Matt Olson and Franklin Barreto.
The A’s are third in all of baseball in runs scored, and lead the league in errors committed. They will sacrifice power at the plate for his elite defense. Expect him to rise quickly; he will be an Oakland Athletic in 2017.