[존 시켈스] 오클랜드 어슬레틱스 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 오클랜드 어슬레틱스의 유망주 랭킹을 올렸습니다. BA처럼 유격수 유망주인 에디슨 러셀이 1위를 차지한 가운데 모두 10명의 선수가 B-이상의 등급을 받았네요. 오클랜드의 유망주 랭킹을 보면 트래이드를 통해서 영입한 선수들이 다수 포함이 되어 있는데..예전보다 좋은 유망주를 골라내는 능력이 떨어진 것인지...생각보다 오클랜드에 합류한 유망주가 좋은 모습을 보여주지 못하는군요. 

1) Addison Russell, SS, Grade B+: Borderline A-. I really like him and am considering the A- since I assume he can play shortstop. He has some things to address, including more accurate throwing and a better read on breaking balls, but overall he was more refined than expected and he's got plenty of tools.

2) Michael Choice, OF, Grade B: Was just getting hot when he broke his hand. Enormous power to all fields stands out, but I still wonder if high strikeout rate will keep him from being a complete hitter. 

3) A.J. Cole, RHP; Grade B: Hammered in High-A, turned things around in Low-A and was still decently young for the level at age 20. Remains a very high upside arm with a chance to be a number two starter, but we have to see how he handles a return to Stockton.

4) Dan Straily, RHP, Grade B: I've gone back and forth on ranking him ahead of Gray. Straily's upside isn't as high as Gray's, but his floor is higher too, meaning that I'm more certain of what Straily's role (number three/four starter) will be than I am of Gray's, who could turn into anything from an ace to a schlub. In the end, I'm ranking him ahead of Gray heading into 2013.

5) Sonny Gray, RHP, Grade B: Erratic in Double-A, but I still see him as a guy who can develop into at least an inning-eater, or failing that a closer. 

6) Grant Green, INF-OF, Grade B-: I think he made real progress with the bat last year and seems like he handles second base just fine. Could win that job, or be a useful super-utility guy with versatility and a solid bat.

7) Brad Peacock, RHP, Grade B-: He had problems with mechanics and command in Triple-A, but the 6.01 ERA overstates things...his FIP was much better at 4.26. Needs more consistency, but don't write him off. He can still be a mid-rotation guy or a power reliever.

8) Miles Head, 3B-1B, Grade B-: Outstanding in High-A at age 21, but Double-A pitchers got him to chase stuff outside the zone and he'll need to adjust to that. I think he has a decent chance to stick at third, where his bat will have more value.

9) Nolan Sanburn, RHP, Grade B-: One of my favorite college pitchers from the 2012 draft. Impressive fastball/curveball combination and I think he has a good chance at developing the changeup, so I agree with their decision to see if he can start.

10) Daniel Robertson, 3B, Grade B-: Was ahead of the Arizona Rookie League but overmatched in the New York-Penn League, no biggie considering his age at 18. Will he develop sufficient home run power for third base?

11) Matt Olson, 1B, Grade B-: Borderline C+: Slugger from Georgia high school ranks has thunder in the bat, though showed strikeout tendencies in rookie ball. Scouts don't seem to think that's a big problem going forward but we'll see.

12) Renato Nunez, 3B, Grade C+: Borderline B-. Significant defense and plate discipline issues, but the bat has thunder in it. 

13) Max Stassi, C, Grade C+: Produced power this year and showed he could catch again after injury problems. Not going to be a star, but should have value.

14) Dave Freitas, C, Grade C+: Acquired from Nationals. Could be Derek Norris Lite, with combination of plate discipline, power, and solid defense. 

15) Ian Krol, LHP, Grade C+: I think he's better than the raw numbers indicate as a lefty with a live arm. 

16) Chris Bostick, INF, Grade C: Borderline C+: A long way off, but has athleticism and held his own in the New York-Penn League at age 19. 

17) B.J. Boyd, OF, Grade C: Borderline C+: Fourth round pick from 2012 draft was supposed to be raw, but played very well in rookie ball with speed, on-base ability, and some power potential. Could develop into a Matt Lawton-type player with a broad skill base.

18) Shane Peterson, OF, Grade C: On-base guy with left-handed bat, added to 40-man roster, lacks power to star regularly at a corner but could be useful reserve.

19) Michael Taylor, OF, Grade C: He will never, ever be a big time power hitter. He is what he is, but that might still have some value if you know what to expect. Can swipe a base, knock stuff into the gaps, and has more on-base potential than he's shown in the majors. 

20) Arnold Leon, RHP, Grade C: Another 40-man roster edition, Mexican pitcher with diverse arsenal and chance to be useful middle reliever.

16-20 are interchangeable with each other and several of the Grade Cs below, but I just picked a couple of youngsters I wanted to highlight plus a trio who could contribute in 2013.

OTHERS: Dakota Bacus, RHP; Josh Bowman, RHP; Bobby Crocker, OF; Conner Crumbliss, OF; Vicmel De La Cruz, OF; Ryan Doolittle, RHP; Drew Granier, RHP; Kris Hall, RHP; Austin House, RHP; Jefry Marte, 3B; Bruce Maxwell, C-1B; Max Muncy, 1B; Chad Oberacker, OF; Stuart Pudenz, RHP; Seth Streich, RHP; Beau Taylor, C; Blake Treinen, RHP; T.J. Walz, RHP; B.A Vollmuth, 3B; Andrew Werner, LHP; Michael Ynoa, RHP.