Posted on 25 December 2008
H/W: 5-9 180 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 1/26/87
In selecting this Miami Hurricane, the Oakland A's bucked their customary trend of drafting Moneyball-type players. Jemile, the younger brother of Milwaukee Brewer 2B Rickie Weeks, is a speedy, top of the lineup hitter with a slender frame and little pop. Weeks demonstrated his collegiate polish in his pro debut by hitting .297 with 1 HR 8 RBI 6 SB and a 19 BB/18 K ratio. Profiled orginally as a 2B, Jemile's skill set is more appropriate for CF where his stellar speed can be utilized and his stiff infield mechanics will not be exploited. Some scouts are concerned about Weeks' lack of strength, thinking that it will hamper his power output and, perhaps, make him more susceptible to injuries down the road. The A's, though, are excited about the potential for Weeks to become the top of the lineup catalyst that has eluded them in years past.
2009 Projection: Given that Weeks was jettisoned to full season Low-A Kane County after signing, he should continue to be challenged by the A's organization by beginning the '09 season with High-A Stockton in the California League. The biggest things to watch for out of Weeks is his ability to produce a high batting average, lots of runs scored and stolen bases this next season. If he can continue to work counts with the same effectiveness that he did at Kane County and increase his power output to 10-15 HR this season, Weeks should move very quickly through Oakland's system.
Key Jemile Weeks Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-7 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/24/91
The A's, in an uncharacteristic move, broke the bank by inking the 16 year old Inoa to a $4.25 million signing bonus. Inoa was the top international talent in 2008 and he projects to be an elite pitching talent as he develops. Inoa features a 91-94 MPH fastball that reaches 96 on occasion, though his athletic (no pun intended) 6-7 frame projects that he should add even more velocity, some believe he will hit triple digits, as his body matures. Mechanically, he has a clean and fluid delivery despite his lack of formal coaching. Inoa also features a curveball and splitter that has been described as being "nasty". Inoa shows good command of all of his pitches and he has been lauded for exceptionally high makeup and work ethic. There haven't been many detractors to Inoa's future abilities as he is widely being tabbed as a future superstar. Like any young prospect, especially pitchers, Michel will be challenged to match his skills against professional hitters. Players of Inoa's considerable talent and hype have an inevitable proclivity to not meet expectations. Though, with Inoa, it seems like there is enough there physically and mentally to indicate that he will be a special player A's GM guru Billy Beane has 4.25 million reasons to believe so as well.
2009 Projection: The A's will likely take their time with Inoa during his first couple of seasons. Expect him to pitch at extended spring training before joining one of the A's short season affiliates in the Arizona League or the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League. Either way, all eyes will be on Michel Inoa in '09 and his cards will be one of the hotter commodities.
Key Michel Inoa Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/1199
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto Redemption
Posted on 24 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/1/88
Cahill had an immensely successful 2008 season pitching at both High-A Stockton and AA Midland earning an 11-5 record with a 2.61 ERA and 136 K's in 124.2 IP. Cahill limited hitters to a lowly .179 BA and his 2.43 GO/FO ratio was one of the best in the minor leagues. Cahill is not a flame thrower, though his fastball, sitting at 90-92 MPH, has excellent sink and late movement. He throws a hard breaking curve ball that has the makings of a strikeout pitch at the major league level. Cahill walked 50 hitters in 124.2 IP which is not terrible, but shows that he still needs to work on throwing strikes with his offspeed pitches. He has a tendency to bury his pitches in the dirt instead of offering them in the strike zone which, of course, is much better than leaving them up in the zone. There's not much to dislike about Cahill's abilities. At the ripe age of 21, he is Oakland's brightest pitching prospect in a fully stocked system.
2009 Projection: Since Cahill did not play fall or winter baseball, he will likely get a long look by the A's in spring training before heading to AAA Sacramento to start the season. The A's have many good arms in their rotation, though there are no truly elite pitchers in their rotation. Cahill has the makings of a very good #2 starter and he should be first in line for a rotation spot should one of Oakland's starters land on the DL. Cahill has just one major autograph, 2007 Bowman Chrome, out right now which should see a noticable bump in value when he makes his major league debut.
Key Trevor Cahill Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Auto
- 2007 Bowman Heritage
Posted on 20 November 2008
H/W: 6-1 215 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/8/85
Donaldson was a throw-in by the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade, but the move to Oakland proved to be a renaissance as Josh hit .330 with 9 HR and 39 RBI in 47 games following the trade. Donaldson is the kind of polished, Moneyball-type college draftee that the A's love. He works counts effectively, but is aggressive with pitches in the strike zone, especially on the inner half of the plate. Defensively, Donaldson was a catcher in the Chicago Cubs system, though he almost exclusively playing 1B and DH in the Arizona Fall League. Donaldson played 3B at the University of Auburn, which indicates that he has the potential to be a solid fielding 1B at the major league level.
2009 Projection: This upcoming season will be an important one for Donaldson. He will almost certainly begin at AA Midland as will Stockton slugger Chris Carter (39 HR in '08). Watch to see where the A's decide to play each one of them throughout the season. This will speak volumes about what the future plans are for each one of these guys. If Donaldson can continue to be the hitter his was in the second half of the season rather than the first half, his 2007 Donruss Elite Extra autographs will be solid bargain buys.
Key Josh Donaldson Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/500
- 2007 Tri Star Auto
Posted on 09 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 9/26/86
Doolittle started his 2008 campaign at High-A Stockton where he proved critics of his power potential wrong by the cover off of tha ball. In 86 games, Doolittle hit .305 with 18 HR 61 RBI and 25 doubles. This performance was good enough to earn him a promotion to AA Midland where he struggled early on to make consistent contact, but a late season hot streak boosted his AA average to .254. Doolittle has a sweet left-handed line drive swing that seems to have developed more loft and power Read the full story
Posted on 01 November 2008
H/W: 6-0 200 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 10/17/85
Gonzalez was one of the key prospects in the trade that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks. Gonzalez got called up by the A's in June and struggled to show the power potential that made him the D'backs top prospect in '07. Gonzalez has a lightning quick swing that causes the ball to jump off of his bat. Defensively, he has good range and a top flight arm reminiscent of Bobby Abreu or Ichiro Suzuki. The tools are all in place for Carlos to be an all-star caliber player. The biggest detractor Read the full story
H/W: 5-9 180 lb. B/T: S/R DOB: 1/26/87
