Ranking the Oakland Athletics’ Top 10 Prospects Heading into 2014
Ranking the Oakland Athletics' Top 10 Prospects Heading into 2014
If there is a crowning jewel of the Oakland Athletics, it is definitely their farm system. The minor league system of this team has been a critical part of them staying in contention for the better part of the last decade even though their payroll is close to half of the teams that they constantly defeat for the American League West division title. This is one of those franchises whose top ten could each be a top one or two prospect for almost any other team.
There is a lot of attention on their top prospect coming to the major leagues soon but that could be said of a lot of their top few prospects. Most certainly they are stacked full of solid prospects and I do not mean the kind of prospects that are all decent pitchers. We are talking the kind of prospects that could all be put together to make a fairly decent team by themselves, much less when added to the big league club at the right time.
This will be an overall glance at the top 10 prospects in the organization as they are ranked right now. Some are headed in the right direction as most would be to earn a spot in the top ten. A few here or there might be falling down the ladder just a little bit as well. Take a look and leave a comment below.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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10 – Nolan Sanburn
Sanburn has a great fastball already which could get even better. When his other stuff catches up to par, he will be ready for the big time.
9 – Miles Head
A solid third base prospect, Head already has pretty good power. He still needs to become a better all around hitter before he will be ready to crack into the major leagues however.
8 – Billy McKinney
This 2013 draft pick looks very good early and has potential across the board. Nothing should stand in his way as long as he develops on a decent pace.
7 – Raul Alcontura
He has great stuff all the way around. The ability to keep a low ERA in the minors is always a good sign for a pitching prospect and Alcontura has that.
6 – Matthew Olson
Good first base prospects are hard to come by but the A’s have a decent one here that could be very good. Olson has the potential to be everything a MLB first baseman is supposed to be offensively and defensively.
5 – Daniel Robertson
If the first ranked prospect on this list is the future at shortstop, Robertson is likely to be the man standing at third next to him for years to come. He has all the tools.
4 – Renato Nunez
Nunez has a lot of potential but he still has quite a bit of work to do in order to realize the potential he has.
3 – Michael Ynoa
Scheduled to reach the majors around the 2015 season, Ynoa could be dominant if his curveball and fastball continue to be what they are and slightly improve when accompanied by a decent change of speed.
2 – Michael Choice
Choice is a solid outfield prospect that has the potential to be a good power hitter at the next level. Some work remains for that to be a reality but he could show up for good around the 2014 season.
1 – Addison Russell
This is the golden child of the Athletics farm system. Shortstop is manned by some pretty good players right now in the big leagues but they are frankly just keeping the spot warm until Russell is ready. He will be soon, if not this season then surely the 2015 sometime.
