A’s Farm’s 2017 Post-Season Organizational All-Star Team

by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor

With the 2017 minor league season now complete, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and determine who the true standouts on the field really were in the A’s system in 2017. We’re not selecting top prospects here, just looking at the top performers on the field this season. So, with that in mind, it’s time to name A’s Farm’s 2017 Post-Season Organizational All-Star Team!

Below you’ll find the primary starting players at each position for Triple-A Nashville, Double-A Midland, High-A Stockton, Class-A Beloit, Class-A Short-Season Vermont and the Rookie League Short-Season AZL A’s in 2017. Offensive players were selected from the primary starters at each position for each team over the course of the season, with notable players not leading in games played at a particular position listed in the designated hitter category. Starting pitchers for each club were selected from among the top starters for each team, while closers were selected from each team’s saves leader. Asterisks denote players with combined statistics from multiple minor league teams within the A’s system, but players’ major league statistics and statistics acquired while with other organizations have not been included.

Although A.J. Puk is undoubtedly the A’s top pitching prospect, he doesn’t appear here since he split his season between Stockton and Midland, had an ERA over 4.00 for the year, and had teammates on both squads who performed better on the field over the course of the season. But that in no way diminishes his overall prospect status. The same applies to Yairo Munoz, who split time between Nashville and Midland and also split time between shortstop, third base and the outfield and thus was not the primary starter at any position for either team. Shortstop Jorge Mateo and third baseman Sheldon Neuse are not included either, since both arrived in trades in July and neither appeared in more than 40 regular season games in the A’s system.

Check out our list of All-Star candidates at each position. Then click on the link just below the list of contenders to find A’s Farm’s winning Organizational All-Stars at each position. The winners were determined based purely on performance, not potential. Remember, we’re not selecting the top prospects here, we’re choosing the top performers on the field this season. So take a look at the candidates for yourself and then cast your vote in our poll for the top A’s Organizational All-Star of 2017!

 

–THE CANDIDATES–

 

CATCHER

Nashville – Ryan Lavarnway (264 AB / 6 HR / .239 AVG / .327 OBP / .341 SLG / .668 OPS)

Midland – Sean Murphy (356 AB / 13 HR / .250 AVG / .313 OBP / .410 SLG / .723 OPS) *

Stockton – Jose Santiago Chavez (167 AB / 2 HR / .192 AVG / .240 OBP / .287 SLG / .528 OPS)

Beloit – Collin Theroux (273 AB / 13 HR / .147 AVG / .251 OBP / .330 SLG / .580 OPS)

Vermont – Iolana Akau (159 AB / 0 HR / .195 AVG / .251 OBP / .226 SLG / .478 OPS) *

AZL A’s – Santis Sanchez (99 AB / 0 HR / .253 AVG / .306 OBP / .313 SLG / .619 OPS)

 

FIRST BASE

Nashville – Matt Olson (294 AB / 23 HR / .272 AVG / .367 OBP / .568 SLG / .935 OPS)

Midland – Viosergy Rosa (517 AB / 18 HR / .255 AVG / .325 OBP / .418 SLG / .743 OPS)

Stockton – Sandber Pimentel (244 AB / 14 HR / .279 AVG / .374 OBP / .484 SLG / .857 OPS)

Beloit – Miguel Mercedes (452 AB / 16 HR / .230 AVG / .286 OBP / .394 SLG / .680 OPS)

Vermont – Aaron Arruda (157 AB / 4 HR / .191 AVG / .251 OBP / .318 SLG / .570 OPS)

AZL A’s – Alonzo Medina (127 AB / 2 HR / .197 AVG / .297 OBP / .315 SLG / .612 OPS)

 

SECOND BASE

Nashville – Joey Wendle (478 AB / 8 HR / .285 AVG / .327 OBP / .429 SLG / .756 OPS)

Midland – Max Schrock (417 AB / 7 HR / .321 AVG / .379 OBP / .422 SLG / .801 OPS)

Stockton – Nate Mondou (470 AB / 2 HR / .287 AVG / .366 OBP / .381 SLG / .747 OPS) *

Beloit – Trace Loehr (363 AB / 3 HR / .267 AVG / .302 OBP / .364 SLG / .666 OPS)

Vermont – Ryan Gridley (210 AB / 1 HR / .262 AVG / .357 OBP / .333 SLG / .690 OPS)

AZL A’s – Marcos Brito (171 AB / 1 HR / .234 AVG / .320 OBP / .298 SLG / .618 OPS)

 

SHORTSTOP

Nashville – Franklin Barreto (469 AB / 15 HR / .290 AVG / .339 OBP / .456 SLG / .796 OPS)

Midland – Richie Martin (380 AB / 4 HR / .234 AVG / .311 OBP / .332 SLG / .643 OPS) *

Stockton – Eli White (448 AB / 4 HR / .270 AVG / .342 OBP / .395 SLG / .737 OPS)

Beloit – Eric Marinez (410 AB / 3 HR / .278 AVG / .341 OBP / .359 SLG / .699 OPS)

Vermont – Kevin Merrell (125 AB / 2 HR / .320 AVG / .362 OBP / .424 SLG / .786 OPS)

AZL A’s – Nick Allen (138 AB / 1 HR / .254 AVG / .322 OBP / .326 SLG / .648 OPS)

 

THIRD BASE

Nashville – Matt Chapman (175 AB / 16 HR / .257 AVG / .348 OBP / .589 SLG / .937 OPS)

Midland – Jordan Tarsovich (341 AB / 3 HR / .240 AVG / .336 OBP / .328 SLG / .664 OPS)

Stockton – Mikey White (440 AB / 17 HR / .261 AVG / .331 OBP / .457 SLG / .787 OPS)

Beloit – Edwin Diaz (347 AB / 10 HR / .233 AVG / .326 OBP / .378 SLG / .703 OPS) *

Vermont – Will Toffey (209 AB / 1 HR / .263 AVG / .377 OBP / .349 SLG / .726 OPS)

AZL A’s – Jake Lumley (135 AB / 0 HR / .333 AVG / .388 OBP / .444 SLG / .832 OPS)

 

LEFT FIELD

Nashville – Renato Nunez (473 AB / 32 HR / .249 AVG / .319 OBP / .518 SLG / .837 OPS)

Midland – Tyler Ramirez (487 AB / 11 HR / .306 AVG / .399 OBP / .437 SLG / .835 OPS) *

Stockton – Brett Siddall (440 AB / 21 HR / .300 AVG / .365 OBP / .495 SLG / .861 OPS)

Beloit – Luke Persico (446 AB / 5 HR / .260 AVG / .327 OBP / .368 SLG / .695 OPS)

Vermont – Anthony Churlin (166 AB / 3 HR / .265 AVG / .320 OBP / .422 SLG / .742 OPS)

AZL A’s – Lazaro Armenteros (156 AB / 4 HR / .288 AVG / .376 OBP / .474 SLG / .850 OPS)

 

CENTER FIELD

Nashville – Jaff Decker (351 AB / 6 HR / .274 AVG / .342 OBP / .368 SLG / .709 OPS)

Midland – B.J. Boyd (533 AB / 5 HR / .323 AVG / .366 OBP / .428 SLG / .793 OPS)

Stockton – Skye Bolt (432 AB / 15 HR / .243 AVG / .327 OBP / .435 SLG / .762 OPS)

Beloit – Mike Martin (281 AB / 1 HR / .296 AVG / .356 OBP / .377 SLG / .732 OPS) *

Vermont – Logan Farrar (214 AB / 4 HR / .341 AVG / .413 OBP / .495 SLG / .909 OPS) *

AZL A’s – Austin Beck (152 AB / 2 HR / .211 AVG / .293 OBP / .349 SLG / .642 OPS)

 

RIGHT FIELD

Nashville – Mark Canha (272 AB / 12 HR / .283 AVG / .373 OBP / .529 SLG / .903 OPS)

Midland – J.P. Sportman (513 AB / 12 HR / .275 AVG / .327 OBP / .417 SLG / .744 OPS)

Stockton – Seth Brown (518 AB / 30 HR / .270 AVG / .340 OBP / .506 SLG / .846 OPS)

Beloit – JaVon Shelby (374 AB / 8 HR / .198 AVG / .283 OBP / .299 SLG / .582 OPS)

Vermont – Greg Deichmann (164 AB / 8 HR / .274 AVG / .385 OBP / .530 SLG / .915 OPS)

AZL A’s – Enrry Pantoja (90 AB / 0 HR / .244 AVG / .355 OBP / .289 SLG / .644 OPS)

 

DESIGNATED HITTER

Nashville – Matt McBride (251 AB / 10 HR / .231 AVG / .299 OBP / .434 SLG / .734 OPS)

Midland – Tyler Marincov (286 AB / 9 HR / .266 AVG / .339 OBP / .444 SLG / .784 OPS)

Stockton – Branden Cogswell (326 AB / 0 HR / .270 AVG / .352 OBP / .328 SLG / .681 OPS) *

Beloit – Kyle Nowlin (416 AB / 11 HR / .248 AVG / .357 OBP / .394 SLG / .751 OPS)

Vermont – Jordan Devencenzi (170 AB / 1 HR / .276 AVG / .367 OBP / .324 SLG / .691 OPS)

AZL A’s – Ben Spitznagel (92 AB / 0 HR / .337 AVG / .460 OBP / .457 SLG / .917 OPS)

 

STARTING PITCHER

Nashville – Paul Blackburn (79 2/3 IP / 69 H / 27 ER / 26 BB / 56 K / 3.05 ERA / 1.19 WHIP)

Midland – Heath Fillmyer (149 2/3 IP / 158 H / 58 ER / 51 BB / 115 K / 3.49 ERA / 1.40 WHIP)

Stockton – Dalton Sawyer (130 2/3 IP / 113 H / 52 ER / 47 BB / 140 K / 3.58 ERA / 1.22 WHIP) *

Beloit – Zack Erwin (95 1/3 IP / 74 H / 22 ER / 29 BB / 91 K / 2.08 ERA / 1.08 WHIP)

Vermont – Parker Dunshee (40 1/3 IP / 20 H / 3 ER / 8 BB / 48 K / 0.67 ERA / 0.69 WHIP) *

AZL A’s – Chris Kohler (42 2/3 IP / 44 H / 19 ER / 12 BB / 24 K / 4.01 ERA / 1.31 WHIP)

 

CLOSER

Nashville – Simon Castro (38 IP / 24 H / 14 ER / 21 BB / 63 K / 3.32 ERA / 1.18 WHIP / 4 SV)

Midland – Kyle Finnegan (60 1/3 IP / 61 H / 26 ER / 25 BB / 57 K / 3.88 ERA / 1.43 WHIP / 12 SV) *

Stockton – Nolan Blackwood (57 IP / 42 H / 19 ER / 18 BB / 48 K / 3.00 ERA / 1.05 WHIP / 19 SV)

Beloit – Sam Sheehan (40 2/3 IP / 26 H / 10 ER / 27 BB / 54 K / 2.21 ERA / 1.30 WHIP / 6 SV)

Vermont – Wandisson Charles (21 IP / 15 H / 8 ER / 18 BB / 29 K / 3.43 ERA / 1.57 WHIP / 5 SV)

AZL A’s – Slater Lee (21 IP / 21 H / 9 ER / 6 BB / 21 K / 3.86 ERA / 1.29 WHIP / 4 SV)

 

Click here to see A’s Farm’s 2017 Post-Season Organizational All-Star Team…

 

–A’s Farm’s Post-Season Organizational All-Star Team–

 

 

CATCHER

Sean Murphy – Midland RockHounds+Stockton Ports

(356 AB / 13 HR / .250 AVG / .313 OBP / .410 SLG / .723 OPS) *

 

Last year’s 3rd-round draft pick for the A’s has always been valued for his strong throwing arm and his solid work behind the plate, but he also proved he has some pop by hitting 13 home runs this season. The 22-year-old put up a .250/.313/.410 slash line while splitting time between Stockton and Midland, and his strong defense and power potential make him a solid catching prospect for the A’s.

 

 

FIRST BASE

Matt Olson – Nashville Sounds

(294 AB / 23 HR / .272 AVG / .367 OBP / .568 SLG / .935 OPS)

 

The A’s third overall draft pick in 2012 always had plenty of power potential, but with some adjustments to his swing, he’s been wielding an even more potent bat this season. Olson put up the best slugging percentage and OPS of any A’s minor leaguer with at least 250 at-bats this year. Despite appearing in just 79 games for Nashville this season, the 23-year-old was still second on the team in walks, home runs and RBIs. And all Olson’s done since joining Oakland is hit 19 home runs in his first 51 games for the A’s.

 

 

SECOND BASE

Max Schrock – Midland RockHounds

(417 AB / 7 HR / .321 AVG / .379 OBP / .422 SLG / .801 OPS)

 

Acquired last year from Washington for LHP Marc Rzepczynski, Schrock was the Nationals’ 13th-round draft pick in 2015. His ability to make contact has always been his greatest strength, and the 22-year-old had the second-best batting average among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 250 at-bats this year. He also led RockHounds regulars in both on-base percentage and OPS this season.

 

 

SHORTSTOP

Franklin Barreto – Nashville Sounds

(469 AB / 15 HR / .290 AVG / .339 OBP / .456 SLG / .796 OPS)

 

Widely considered the A’s top hitting prospect, the 21-year-old is also the youngest member of A’s Farm’s Organizational All-Star Team. Barreto was a productive player at Triple-A this year while playing shortstop and second base and frequently batting in the leadoff spot for Nashville. He had the best batting average among Sounds regulars and also tied for the team lead in both hits and stolen bases this season.

 

 

THIRD BASE

Matt Chapman – Nashville Sounds

(175 AB / 16 HR / .257 AVG / .348 OBP / .589 SLG / .937 OPS)

 

After performing well during his first couple of months at Triple-A, Oakland’s top draft pick in 2014 got the chance to make his major league debut with the A’s in June. While always respected for his strong throwing arm and his defensive prowess at the hot corner, the 24-year-old was also averaging a home run every 11 at-bats at Nashville this season and had the best slugging percentage among A’s minor leaguers prior to his promotion. Since joining Oakland, Chapman’s put up a .483 slugging percentage while hitting 12 home runs in his first 69 games for the A’s.

 

 

LEFT FIELD

Brett Siddall – Stockton Ports

(440 AB / 21 HR / .300 AVG / .365 OBP / .495 SLG / .861 OPS)

 

After turning in a somewhat uninspiring season for Beloit last year, Siddall made big strides in Stockton this season. Taken by the A’s in the 13th round of the 2015 draft, the 22-year-old posted the third-best OPS among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 250 at-bats this year. He put up an impressive slash line of .300/.365/.495 and compiled the second-most hits, runs, home runs and total bases for his Stockton team this season.

 

 

CENTER FIELD

B.J. Boyd – Midland RockHounds

(533 AB / 5 HR / .323 AVG / .366 OBP / .428 SLG / .793 OPS)

 

The A’s 4th-round draft pick back in 2012, the Bay Area native put together a very productive campaign while hitting near the top of the order for the RockHounds this season. The 24-year-old led the A’s system in hits and runs and had the best batting average among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 250 at-bats this year. Boyd also led the RockHounds with 16 stolen bases this season.

 

 

RIGHT FIELD

Mark Canha – Nashville Sounds

(272 AB / 12 HR / .283 AVG / .373 OBP / .529 SLG / .903 OPS)

 

Canha was a dangerous force in Nashville’s lineup for 75 games this season. He put up the second-best slugging percentage and OPS among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 250 at-bats and had the best on-base percentage among all Sounds regulars while compiling 27 doubles in just 272 Triple-A at-bats. The 28-year-old still may have something to prove at the major league level, but he’s certainly shown that he can more than handle himself in the Pacific Coast League.

 

 

DESIGNATED HITTER

Tyler Marincov – Midland RockHounds

(286 AB / 9 HR / .266 AVG / .339 OBP / .444 SLG / .784 OPS)

 

Spending his second season in Midland, the slugging outfielder was one of the RockHounds’ biggest run producers this year before suffering a broken hand after being hit by a pitch. Marincov missed a month and a half this summer, but the 25-year-old put up the best slugging percentage among RockHounds regulars and still managed to compile 20 doubles and 54 RBIs in 79 games for Midland.

 

 

STARTING PITCHER

Zack Erwin – Beloit Snappers

(95 1/3 IP / 74 H / 22 ER / 29 BB / 91 K / 2.08 ERA / 1.08 WHIP)

 

Originally selected by the White Sox in the 4th round of the 2015 draft, Erwin was acquired by the A’s in December of 2015 in the Brett Lawrie deal. After spending the first month and a half of the season on the disabled list for Beloit, Erwin looked like a man on a mission once he returned to the mound. The 23-year-old allowed more than 2 earned runs in just 3 of his 19 starts this season, and the southpaw finished the year with the best ERA and WHIP among all A’s minor leaguers with at least 75 innings pitched.

 

 

CLOSER

Nolan Blackwood – Stockton Ports

(57 IP / 42 H / 19 ER / 18 BB / 48 K / 3.00 ERA / 1.05 WHIP / 19 SV)

 

Drafted in the 14th round just last year, the righty turned out to be a reliable closer for Stockton, successfully converting 19 of 20 save opportunities this season. The 22-year-old led all A’s minor leaguers in saves while striking out 48 batters in 57 innings and giving up just 2 home runs all year in the homer-happy confines of the California League.

 

 

Be sure to like A’s Farm’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @AthleticsFarm. You can also get our exclusive A’s minor league newsletter e-mailed to you free by signing up here.