It’s time for an update on all the A’s minor league affiliates so you can get the lowdown on some of the key developments with each of the teams in the A’s minor league system over the past few weeks.
Also, with the amateur draft this past week, up to 40 new players will soon be joining the A’s system. So we’ve provided a complete list of the A’s picks at the bottom of this piece, along with some basic info on the top ten picks, as well as notes on which of them have already signed.
You can always check out the latest A’s affiliate rosters here – Rosters. A version of this weekly minor league report by Athletics Farm originally appeared on Athletics Nation…
Click here for this week’s updates on Nashville, Midland, Stockton & Beloit…
SEASON’S TOP PERFORMERS:
(Statistics through games of 6/14/15)
OF Josh Whitaker (Midland – AA)
6 HR / 10 BB / 28 K / .299 AVG / .348 OBP / .559 SLG / .907 OPS
3B Matt Chapman (Stockton – A+)
8 HR / 16 BB / 37 K / .263 AVG / .353 OBP / .549 SLG / .902 OPS
C Carson Blair (Midland – AA)
4 HR / 28 BB / 51 K / .282 AVG / .401 OBP / .500 SLG / .901 OPS
OF Brett Vertigan (Stockton/Beloit – A+/A)
2 HR / 39 BB / 36 K / .338 AVG / .427 OBP / .451 SLG / .878 OPS
2B Colin Walsh (Midland – AA)
7 HR / 43 BB / 60 K / .286 AVG / .401 OBP / .468 SLG / .868 OPS
OF Chad Oberacker (Midland – AA)
4 HR / 21 BB / 41 K / .301 AVG / .367 OBP / .475 SLG / .843 OPS
OF Jason Pridie (Nashville – AAA)
7 HR / 19 BB / 48 K / .306 AVG / .356 OBP / .463 SLG / .819 OPS
SP Nate Long (Midland – AA)
76 IP / 66 H / 24 ER / 28 BB / 64 K / 2.84 ERA / 1.24 WHIP
SP Dylan Covey (Stockton – A+)
73 2/3 IP / 65 H / 27 ER / 25 BB / 49 K / 3.30 ERA / 1.22 WHIP
SP Chris Bassitt (Nashville – AAA)
46 IP / 37 H / 18 ER / 12 BB / 45 K / 3.52 ERA / 1.07 WHIP
SP Barry Zito (Nashville – AAA)
76 1/3 IP / 74 H / 32 ER / 32 BB / 56 K / 3.77 ERA / 1.39 WHIP
RP Ryan Dull (Midland – AA)
30 IP / 19 H / 1 ER / 8 BB / 36 K / 0.30 ERA / 0.90 WHIP
NASHVILLE SOUNDS (29-35)
Pacific Coast League – Triple-A
The Oklahoma City Dodgers completed a 4-game sweep of the Sounds on Sunday, and LHP Brad Mills exited the game with an apparent leg injury. LHP Barry Zito finally had his scoreless streak come to an end after 26 innings when he surrenedered a 3-run homer in the 6th inning of Thursday’s game to take the loss. RHP Chris Bassitt has allowed just 4 earned runs and struck out 19 in 17 2/3 innings over his last 3 starts, while RHP Zach Neal finally took his 1st loss for Nashville on Saturday after winning his first 5 starts. LHP Sean Nolin did a brief stint on the disabled list with a groin strain but returned to action on Tuesday. And after tossing 7 scoreless innings for Stockton, RHP A.J. Griffin surrendered 4 home runs over 4 1/3 innings in his first rehab start for the Sounds on Friday. Griffin was later taken off the disabled list and optioned to Nashville. And after being demoted, RHP Dan Otero has allowed 1 run on 7 hits in 4 innings of relief for the Sounds. Meanwhile, first baseman Ike Davis went 2 for 7 with a double in his first 2 rehab games with Nashville. Another familiar first baseman, Nate Freiman, has struggled, putting up a .173/.225/.198 slash line with no home runs in 81 at-bats so far this season. Outfielder Jason Pridie has been the team’s best hitter of late. He’s the current team leader in hits, home runs, RBIs and total bases while posting a .306/.356/.463 slash line for the Sounds.
MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS (30-32)
Texas League – Double-A
The RockHounds snapped an 8-game losing streak by shutting out Frisco on Sunday. A couple of hot hitters have emerged for the Hounds of late. After returning from injury, outfielder Josh Whitaker has been one of the team’s most potent sluggers, putting up 6 home runs and 13 doubles in just 127 at-bats. Meanwhile, minor league free agent catcher Carson Blair has been getting on base at a .401 clip and has been receiving much more regular playing time behind the plate and at the DH spot. Second baseman Colin Walsh continues to be one of the biggest surprises at Midland, and he now leads his team in hits, doubles and total bases and leads all A’s minor leaguers in extra-base hits with 27. Despite spending some time on the disabled list, outfielder Chad Oberacker is still the team batting leader with a .301 average. Third baseman Renato Nunez has gone on a bit of a power tear lately and is now the team home run leader with 8 in just 148 at-bats. As was the case last season, 29-year-old minor league veteran Nate Long has been the staff ace and leads all A’s minor league pitchers with 64 strikeouts. LHP Chris Lamb, who’d struggled mightily this season, was shifted to the bullpen this week, and RHP Jonathan Joseph took his place in the starting rotation on Saturday and allowed just 1 run in 5 innings of work. Midland’s bullpen has been one of the team’s greatest strengths so far this season. RHP Seth Frankoff was reassigned to the RockHounds from Nashville and has given up just 1 run in 8 1/3 innings since his return, while RHP Ryan Dull has allowed just 1 run in 30 innings of relief this season, and RHP Tucker Healy has struck out 32 in 27 2/3 innings while posting a 2.60 ERA in relief for the RockHounds.
STOCKTON PORTS (31-32)
California League – High-A
After getting off to a late start this season due to a knee injury, last year’s top draft pick for the A’s, third baseman Matt Chapman, has been heating up of late and now has 8 home runs and 10 doubles in just 133 at-bats. The A’s other top prospect at Stockton, shortstop Franklin Barreto, went 4 for 5 and hit his 6th home run on Sunday. Center fielder and leadoff hitter Brett Vertigan continues to be the spark plug atop the Ports lineup and he leads all A’s minor leaguers with a .427 on-base percentage and 18 stolen bases. RHP Dylan Covey was named a California League All-Star this week and is currently 6-3 with a 3.30 ERA in the hitter-friendly California League, while RHP Joel Seddon tossed 6 shutout innings to earn his 4th win for Stockton on Thursday. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring, RHP Raul Alcantara returned to action with Stockton this week and gave up 6 runs on 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings in his first two appearances. And RHP Brendan McCurry has been the stopper out of the Ports bullpen, striking out 36 in 29 2/3 innings while posting a 3.03 ERA and leading all A’s minor leaguers in saves with 9.
BELOIT SNAPPERS (25-38)
Midwest League – Class-A
Snappers first baseman Sandber Pimentel, shortstop Yairo Munoz, second baseman Trent Gilbert and RHP Brett Graves were all picked to participate in the Midwest League All-Star Game. Pimentel is the A’s minor league home run leader with 10, while Gilbert leads the team in doubles with 14. Munoz is the team leader in total bases with 98, and Graves leads the team in wins with 6. Outfielder Justin Higley was reassigned to the Snappers from Stockton and catcher Andy Paz joined the team from extended spring training, while outfielder Shawn Duinkerk and catcher Argenis Raga were reassigned to Vermont. Pitching prospect Dustin Driver finally joined the Snappers from extended spring training but struggled with a blister on his pitching hand, allowed 11 earned runs over 11 innings, and was reassigned to Vermont. Last year’s 4th-round pick, RHP Jordan Schwartz, who struggled mightily, posting a 9.08 ERA over 10 appearances for the Snappers, was also sent to Vermont, while RHP Koby Gauna returned to action after serving a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a drug of abuse and allowed 2 runs in his first 8 1/3 innings of relief for the Snappers.
A’S TOP 10 DRAFT PICKS:
1st Round – Richie Martin
Shortstop / Florida / Age: 20 / 6’0” – 185 lbs. / Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 5 HR / 33 BB / 34 K / .292 AVG / .404 OBP / .424 SLG
2nd Round – Mikey White (SIGNED)
Shortstop / Alabama / Age: 21 / 6’1” – 195 lbs. / Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 4 HR / 31 BB / 47 K / .339 AVG / .444 OBP / .537 SLG
3rd Round – Dakota Chalmers (SIGNED)
Right-Handed Pitcher / North Forsyth High School (GA) / Age: 18 / 6’3” – 170 lbs. / Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 High School Stats: 51 1/3 IP / 27 H / 11 ER / 37 BB / 82 K / 1.50 ERA / 1.25 WHIP
4th Round – Skye Bolt
Center Fielder / North Carolina / Age: 21 / 6’2” – 180 lbs. / Bats: Both / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 10 HR / 40 BB / 40 K / .259 AVG / .383 OBP / .449 SLG
5th Round – Kevin Duchene (SIGNED)
Left-Handed Pitcher / Illinois / Age: 21 / 6’2” – 210 lbs. / Bats: Left / Throws: Left
2015 College Stats: 102 2/3 IP / 89 H / 20 ER / 18 BB / 88 K / 1.75 ERA / 1.04 WHIP
6th Round – Bowdien Derby (SIGNED)
Right-Handed Pitcher / San Diego State / Age: 21 / 5’10” – 180 lbs. / Bats: Left / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 103 IP / 94 H / 38 ER / 34 BB / 131 K / 3.32 ERA / 1.24 WHIP
7th Round – Kyle Friedrichs (SIGNED)
Right-Handed Pitcher / Long Beach State / Age: 23 / 6’1” – 190 lbs. / Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 100 IP / 90 H / 31 ER / 12 BB / 109 K / 2.79 ERA / 1.02 WHIP
8th Round – Nick Collins (SIGNED)
Catcher / Georgetown / Age: 21 / 6’2” – 228 lbs. / Bats: Left / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 7 HR / 22 BB / 21 K / .370 AVG / .435 OBP / .540 SLG
9th Round – Jared Lyons (SIGNED)
Left-Handed Pitcher / Liberty / Age: 22 / 6’0” – 190 lbs. / Bats: Left / Throws: Left
2014 College Stats: 50 2/3 IP / 40 H / 16 ER / 12 BB / 48 K / 2.84 ERA / 1.03 WHIP
10th Round – Steven Pallares (SIGNED)
Center Fielder / San Diego State / Age: 22 / 6’2” – 185 lbs. / Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 9 HR / 37 BB / 33 K / .352 AVG / .447 OBP / .523 SLG
A’S COMPLETE 2015 DRAFT CLASS:
(BOLD = Agreed to terms)
#1 Richie Martin SS (Florida), #2 Mikey White SS (Alabama), #3 Dakota Chalmers RHP (HS-GA), #4 Skye Bolt CF (North Carolina), #5 Kevin Duchene LHP (Illinois), #6 Bowdien Derby RHP (San Diego State), #7 Kyle Friedrichs RHP (Long Beach State), #8 Nick Collins C (Georgetown), #9 Jared Lyons LHP (Liberty), #10 Steven Pallares OF (San Diego State)
#11 James Terrell OF (HS-CA), #12 Chris Iriart 1B (Houston), #13 Brett Siddall OF (Canisius), #14 Boomer Biegalski RHP (Florida State), #15 Ryan Howell 2B (Nevada-Reno), #16 Dustin Hurlbutt RHP (Tabor), #17 Brent Wheatley RHP (USC), #18 Brett Sunde C (Western Michigan), #19 Seth Brown 1B (Lewis-Clark St), #20 James Naile RHP (Alabama-Birmingham)
#21 Andrew Tomasovich LHP (Charleston Southern), #22 Brady Bramlett RHP (Mississippi), #23 Eric Senior OF (HS-ON), #24 Heath Bowers RHP (Campbell), #25 Evan Manarino LHP (Irvine), #26 Jordan Devencenzi C (Nevada-Reno), #27 Xavier Altamirano RHP (Oral Roberts), #28 Marc Berube RHP (Pittsburgh), #29 Armando Ruiz RHP (Alabama State), #30 Brendan Butler RHP (Dowling)
#31 John Gorman RHP (Boston College), #32 Michael Murray RHP (Florida Gulf Coast), #33 Mike Martin CF (Harvard), #34 Shane Conlon 1B (Kansas State), #35 Tim Proudfoot SS (Texas Tech), #36 Troy Rallings RHP (Washington), #37 Andy Cox LHP (Tennessee), #38 Chris Cullen C (HS-GA), #39 Gregory Fettes C (Kentucky), #40 Nick Maton SS (HS-IL)
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