H/W:  6-0  180 lb.     B/T:  R/R     DOB:  8/19/85

It took a while, but the M's finally signed their 1st round selection from the 2008 draft, Pitcher Joshua Fields.  Last season, Fields made a strong case to the baseball world that he was the most dominant closer in college baseball earning 18 saves and striking out 63 hitters in just 37.1 IP for the Georgia Bulldogs en route to a trip to the College World Series.  Fields has two dominating pitches, a 94-96 MPH heater and a devastating 12-6 curveball that could be the best in all of baseball very soon.  Fields has the demeanor of a closer, he attacks hitters with his plus stuff and works quickly.  He is loose-limbed and shows the durability to throw on back to back days.  While his curve is nearly unhittable, his fastball is too straight and Fields has shown an inability to command it lower in the strike zone.  Against the quick bats of the American League, this could be a major problem late in games, increasing his proneness to give up the gofer ball.  Aside from that fact, Fields was widely regarded as the top closer in the '08 draft and one that is close to being MLB ready.  In an organization like Seattle's that is welcome news.

2009 Projection: Don't be surprised to see the M's push Fields quickly.  He could start at High-A High Desert or AA West Tennessee, but wherever he is, he is sure to move quickly.  Last year, Fields averaged an insane 15.3 K's per 9 innings.  While that trend is surely going to diminish somewhat, he should be able to average more than one per inning at each of his minor league stops.  Watch the walk totals though, as Fields has been unable to average less than 5 walks per 9 innings in either of his collegiate seasons.  Surrendering walks and being a flyball pitcher could prove disastrous down the road for this otherwise bright young closer.  The M's don't have a surefire closer at this time as J.J. Putz now pitches on the East Coast.  If no one steps forward this season, there could be a chance for Fields to do so at the end of the 2009 season.

Key Joshua Fields Baseball Cards:

• 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
• 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

2008 Razor Rookie Auto Joshua Fields #558/1199 $3.00

2008 Razor Signature Series Rookie Auto Joshua Fields #1012/1199 $3.00

2008 Razor Signature Series 20 Joshua Fields $1.00

2008 JOSHUA FIELDS AUTOGRAPHED AUTO ROOKIE CARD RC M'S $14.99

Joshua Fields 2008 Razor Authentic Signature # 120/#'d! $0.99

JOSHUA FIELDS 2008 RAZOR SIGNATURE SERIES 0799/1199 $12.00

2008 Razor Signature Series Joshua Fields AU/1199 AUTO $6.25

2008 RAZOR JOSHUA FIELDS AUTO /1199 $9.99

Joshua Fields 2008 Razor Autograph #0178/1199 $5.00

« Previous123Next »

Popularity: 22% [?]

H/W:  6-1  225 lb.    B/T:  R/R     DOB:  9/27/86

Last season marked a coming of age for the A's 2005 3rd round pick.  Mazzaro split time between AA Midland and AAA Sacramento earning a 15-6 record with a 2.74 ERA and 131 K's in 171 IP.  A low 90's sinker is Vin's main weapon of choice accented well by a changeup and an improving hard curveball.  Mazzaro's command was vastly improved as he cut his walks by more than half and his ability to induce groundballs (1.39 GO/FO) should play well at the next level.  His sturdy build has shown good durability and health which gives the A's reason to believe that he could be an effective mid-rotation innings eater.  One culpability in Mazzaro's game is the fact that he often pitches to contact which, when his command is off, makes him quite hittable.  The transition to the hitter-friendly parks of the PCL proved to be a rude awakening for Vin, as he proved to be quite hittable (3-3 6.15 ERA .340 BAA).

2009 Projection: Mazarro will get to pitch some innings in spring training, but his real quest will begin back at AAA Sacramento where he struggled mightily late last season.  Watch to see if he can re-establish his contol of the lower parts of the strike zone.  When Vin is inducing groundball outs, he is very effective.  Despite his struggles at AAA, his K rate jumped a little bit.  If he is able to miss more bats, his transition to Oakland could come much sooner.  He will be up at some point in '08, but his role beyond that is somewhat unclear.  The A's have a plethora of high upside pitching talent that has yet to toe the rubber at McAffee Stadium.  For Mazzaro, a repeat of his Midland numbers will put his name at the top of the list.

Key Vin Mazzaro Baseball Cards:

• 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
• 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

Vin Mazzaro 2009 SP Authentic RC Copper # 169 / 99 $5.75

2011 TOPPS VIN MAZZARO BLACK PRINTING PLATE # 1/1 $20.00

2011 Topps 409 Vin Mazzaro Royals $0.99

2009 Topps Update Vin Mazzaro ATHLETICS Auto $6.99

2009 Topps Heritage 657 Vin Mazzaro Athletics Rookie Card $0.99

2011 Topps Gold VIN MAZZARO #409 Royals /2011 $1.50

2011 Topps Cognac Diamond Anniversary #409 Vin Mazzaro Royals *714 $0.99

2009 Topps Update UH54 Vin Mazzaro Athletics Rookie Card $0.99

2010 Topps Gold 422 Vin Mazzaro /2010 $1.49

« Previous12345...1112Next »

Popularity: 11% [?]