I was all set to write up my own top 10 prospect list, but as I got to thinking about it I realized that you could find better researched, and often more lengthy lists here, here, here and here. So instead of repeating the same tired exercise I’ve simply picked out 10 players who I’ll be keeping an extra close eye on in 2009.
Note: I’d also suggest keeping a particularly close eye on Corey Brown, but for a completely different reason. Yeesh. Guy’s a creep. Keep him away from your daughters. Seriously.
Rashun Dixon, CF- The guy can absolutely fly. He had 10 triples in 179 Abs last year. That’s insane. Was born in 1990, so will be interesting to see if the A’s start him in full season ball.
Adrian Cardenas, SS/2B-His true abilities have been obscured by the fact that he’s always been really young for his level. With that in mind, why not let him play shortstop for the A’s in ’09? Haha. Just kidding Sabean.
Chris Carter, um-Dude swatted 44 bombs as a 21 year old. Who says Cal League stats are an unreliable predictor of future performance?
Javier Herrera, OF-The guy’s been a prospect since before I was born. I know the outfield is stacked, but I think we will see him in Oakland before the season is out.
Gio Gonzalez, SP-According to the Gio Gonzalez Career Plan ©, the young lefty performs much better his second time around at a given level, which bodes quite nicely for his big league prospects in ’09.
Andrew Bailey, RP-I have a hunch that he will be the first of the organization’s gaggle of relief prospects to make an impact in Oakland.
Vince Mazzaro, SP-Vince strikes me as the underrated/underappreciated type, especially in a pitching heavy organization like Oakland. I think he’ll develop into a solid middle of the rotation innings eater. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if he made the team out of spring training. Plus I once met him and his dad at the team’s minor league complex and he seemed like a pretty cool dude. Good enough for me.
Nino Leyja, SS-Another guy who missed out on the 80s. I know he’s young, I know he plays shortstop and I know he OPSed .862 last season. I also know that he spent 2008 in the AZL and that he’s still years off.
Josh Donaldson, C-Like Carter, Josh will be looking to prove himself in the upper minors for the first time. If he gets moved off catcher he goes from intriguing to just kind of interesting.
Brett Hunter, SP-Should move fast. Could end up as an over-slot steal. Note: I am hugely in favor of over-slot signings. Did I mention I like over-slot signings? Over-slot signings. I. like.
I also predict that James Simmons will finally complete his seven year indentured servitude in Midland, and join the rotation in Sacramento. You see what I did there? Eh? I said I was only going to talk about ten guys, but I slipped in an eleventh. So whom will you be watching out for in ’09?
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