Oakland Athletics’ Top Four Draft Picks Challenge Current Prospects

October 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics manager

(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