#5 Travis Buck

Travis Buck – Left Fielder – Bats: L Throws: R
Height 6-2 Weight 205 Born: October 18^th 1983

Buck entered his 2005 season at ASU as what seemed like a first round lock in the draft having hit .373 with 9 HR’s and an OPS over 1000 in 2004. He then proceeded to show he was not aluminum bat wonder hitting .417 while playing for team USA. His 2005 season at ASU did not go according to plan statistically. His power did not develop as people had hoped. Accordingly he slipped to the supplemental part of round 1 (36^th overall). Buck took a bit longer than everyone would have liked to sign, but certainly impressed in his pro-debut. He spent only 9 games in Vancouver batting 361/439/556 before moving on to Kane County where he hit 357/444/496. Despite the brief holdout (he may just have been tired) his character and work ethic should be a huge asset.

While people will argue a guy of Buck’s size should show more power, offensively, that is the only thing to complain about. A line drive hitter who has shown good success versus lefties and an ability to hit to all fields, he has also shown a great eye with even K/BB ratios in his pro debut. While not likely a stolen base threat by the time he makes it the majors he does have speed as demonstrated by his 27 SB’s in his last season at ASU

Defensively I think he is probably limited to LF based on a below average arm. He actually entered ASU as an IF and during the 2005 season made a brief attempt at 3B, but that experiment was quickly cut short. It would be a long-shot but if he keeps his weight in check he does have the speed and instincts to be a serviceable CF.

I would guess not many A’s top 10 lists will include Buck (or my number 4 selection Pennington) but the pure hitting ability and character they have both shown make there success so likely that I feel the rankings are justified.

What to watch for in 2006: Buck will begin the 2006 season at Stockton where his goal will be simple: Continue to hit the cover off the ball. It would be great to see the power develop but if he can just continue to hit for a .320 + average and 400 + OBP he vault himself into elite prospect status.

Oakland Arrival Time (OAT): 2008

#6 Jairo Garcia

Jairo Garcia – Relief Pitcher – Bats: R Throws: R
Height 6-0 Weight 165 Born: March 7^th 1983

Signed out of the DR in 2000 at only 17 Jairo spent his first 4 seasons as a pro as an injury prone starting pitcher before making a switch to the bullpen in 2004. Since the switch to the bullpen he has had no significant injury problems and has his career has begun to sky-rocket. He shot through 4 levels in 2004 putting up absolutely dominate performances in A, AA and AAA before getting a wake-up call when he arrived in Oakland. While it is clear now the A’s rushed him in 2004, his 14.9 k/9 ratio that year lead the minors were too much to resist. Many hoped his 2004 performance would earn him a spot in the A’s bullpen in 2005, but a less than impressive Spring Training performance lead to him starting 2005 in AAA as the closer.

No one has, nor should, doubt Garcia’s stuff. He has a 95 MPH fastball that can on occasion touch 97, and a nasty slider. He can be dominating at times as demonstrated by his back to back seasons with k/9 ratios over 13.5, but his walk ratios are too high and having never “had to” learn to pitch he never really has. While no one was overly excited about his 2005 season in Sacramento (4.47 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP) he did set a club record with 20 saves and he looked a bit more comfortable in his 3 inning call up to Oakland in September (1.00 WHIP)

What to Watch for in 2006:

Before Streets laughable domination as the closer in 2005 many pundits felt that Jairo was the future closer and Street the set-up guy. While that time has passed Jairo’s future is still incredibly bright. He needs to show he can control his stuff better, and as the A’s bullpen is full he will likely be given that opportunity in AAA. While Billy’s tastes may have changed in recent years (putting more value on K ratio’s) he does have a history of trading hard throwers before they make it to majors. Jesus Colome, Luis Vizcaino and Fraklyn German all threw as hard or harder and were all moved.

Oakland Arrival Time (OAT): 2006 mid-season

#7 Kurt Suzuki

Kurt Suzuki – Catcher – Bats: R Throws: R
Height 5-11 Weight 200 Born: October 4^th 1983

The Hawaiian native was drafted 67^th overall in the 2004 draft out of Cal State Fullerton (where he was a walk-on). Kurt was coming off a legendary college season that ended with: Fullerton winning the CWS, Suzuki being named conference player of the year, and of course taking home the Johnny Bench award as the top collegiate catcher.

He has great strike zone judgment, and he has lived up to his “Kurt Klutch” nickname from college. While he occasionally pulls the ball too much, his consistent success at the plate and line drive approach are very impressive. 43 extra base hits and more walks, 63, than K’s 61 are great signs.

His offense progressed as expected in 2005 but defensive concerns are mounting. Coming out of college he was considered a plus defender but questions of arm strength and lapses in concentration (15 errors and 19 past balls) are a concern.

What to Watch for in 2006:

2006 will be a big year for Kurt who will be facing new challenges in AA. He is still young for a catcher so a minor offensive slide would not be disastrous, if he can reestablish the defense.

Oakland Arrival Time (OAT): 2008

#8 Dallas Braden

Dallas Braden – Starting Pitcher – Bats: L Throws: L
Height 6-0 Weight 195 Born: August 13^th 1983

Drafted in the 24th round of 2004 draft out of Texas Tech, Dallas put up a solid effort in Kane County and Vancouver allowing him to start the season in Stockton. The Stockton native performed a little too well in Stockton, posting a 6-0 record with a 2.78 ERA and a 13K / 9IP, and quickly earning a promotion to AA Midland. Midland was a challenge and he was shut-down early but he did put up solid 3.90 ERA. His performance, along with his tough, confident attitude impressed the A’s enough to name him organizational pitcher of the year.

The lefty has a high 80’s fastball with a decent change and developing slider, but is best known for his screwball. While he uses the screwball sparingly, he seems to have good control, and if he is going to be a successful Major Leaguer it needs to continue to develop. He keeps the ball down well managing a 2-1 GB/FB ratio.

I have real concerns that at 22 he has yet to break the 145 IP mark. This figure leads me to think that his future is in the bullpen. Another possible concern is whether pros will too easily distinguish his screwball.

What to Watch for in 2006:

Braden’s future as a starter will be decided in 2006. If he can not put up at least 160 innings I think he may get moved to the bullpen. Movement to the bullpen could certainly quicken his movement to the majors. Would also love to see the Screwball used more to see if it will truly become an out pitch or just a “parlor trick”.

Oakland Arrival Time (OAT): 2007 (as Bullpen lefty)

#9 Kevin Melillo

Kevin Melillo – Second Base – Bats: L Throws: R
Height 6-0 Weight 190 Born: May 14^th 1982

Drafted by the A’s in 2004 out of South Carolina, he was a steal after injury problems made him slip in the draft. (It was only a hand injury so no long term concern, and he showed he was a gamer in playing through injury). He went through 3 levels in 2005 (low A through AA) and showed his bat was more than up for the challenge. In his last stop of 2005 AA Midland he impressed enough to be named the 20^th best prospect in the Texas league.

He has solid power and may be able to put up 25 HR’s in the majors, though as farm director Keith Lieppman has said his best tool is his ability to put the ball in play to all fields.

His defense is questionable, but he works hard and even has a bit of speed, so a transition to OF is always a possibility, though any change would slow his progress to the majors as much of his value stems from him being a 2B. Another organizational challenge he faces is possibly being blocked by Cliff Pennington, should Crosby stick around long term.

Todd Walker comparisons will always abound.

What to Watch for in 2006:

Melillo needs to continue to develop his defense. He is one of the few power threats in the entire system so a solid 2006 and promotion AAA is very possible. If Ellis gets a long term deal and Pennington continues to develop he could be trade bait.

Oakland Arrival Time (OAT): 2008

# 10 Jared Lansford

Jared Lansford – Starting Pitcher – Bats: R Throws: R

Height 6-2 Weight 190 Born: October 22, 1986

Still very young, he will complete the 2006 season and still only be 19.

Great lineage on this guy!!!! We all know about Carney but he also had two uncles who were drafted, and his brother who was drafted in 2003 is now at Cal Poly. He signed quickly and agreed to pitch even though pre-draft buzz had him refusing to sign as a pitcher.

3 pitches are a 94 MPH fastball, to go with an average curve and a change.

Made great debut in Arizona Rookie League and BA saw enough to list him as the 6^th best prospect in the League. (Yes BA did rank Craig Italiano higher but not in my book).

What to watch for in 2006:

Jared needs to develop the curveball while continuing to show that great command. Should start out at Kane County.

Oakland Arrival Time (OAT): 2009

General prospect info- top 10 debut

Baseball is not about having a great farm system it is about winning the World Series.

But no one (and that includes the Yankees) can continue to win without developing some talent of their own.

I want to review our top 10 prospects, but first I want to explain what I look for in a prospect.

1. In general I will take a sure thing big league contributor over a guy with a ton of tools who may or may not make it.

2. Make-up is huge!!! Players with a family history or who have had great coaches or role models get bonus points.

Now on to my beloved A’s….

The A’s farm system was once one of the deepest in baseball but we now stand with a system that is far from elite.

The top 10 is complete and looks like this. I will break down the players in coming days.
(position listed is where I project player will end up)

1	Daric Barton	1B
2	Javier Herrera	RF
3	Dan Meyer	SP
4	Cliff Pennington	SS
5	Travis Buck	LF
6	Jairo Garcia	RP
7	Kurt Suzuki	C
8	Dallas Braden	RP
9	Kevin Mellio	2B
10	Jared Lansford	SP