$Ranking the Oakland Athletics\' Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016$

Ranking the Oakland Athletics' Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016

By Nick Vorholt

Ranking the Oakland Athletics' Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016

Oakland Athletics 2016 Prospect Chad Pinder — The Oakland Athletics had a tough luck season in 2015. Despite having a positive run differential in the first half of the season, they were completely out of playoff contention by then. The A's did what the A's do and sold as many extraneous pieces as they could, including ace Scott Kazmir. Now they get to do a modified rebuild with the youngsters listed below.

5. Chad Pinder

Oakland A's Shortstop Chad Pinder

5. Chad Pinder

Oakland A's Shortstop Chad Pinder — In his second season out of Virginia Tech, Chad Pinder had an OPS of .847. He has experience at short, second and third. He projects as a challenge for Marcus Semien at short in 2017, but he could come up in a utility role in 2016 if he gets off to a hot start in Triple-A.

4. Matt Chapman

Oakland Athletics Third Baseman Matt Chapman

4. Matt Chapman

Oakland Athletics Third Baseman Matt Chapman — Matt Chapman started for three seasons at Cal State Fullerton before being drafted in the first round by the A's in 2014. In 2015 he had an OPS of .907 including 23 home runs in advanced A ball. Chapman is the third baseman of the future, likely getting a shot in 2017.

3. Rangel Ravelo

Oakland A's FIrst Baseman Rangel Ravelo

3. Rangel Ravelo

Oakland A's FIrst Baseman Rangel Ravelo — Rangel Ravelo came over in the Jeff Samardzija deal in December of 2014. With Ike Davis at first and Billy Butler holding down DH, there is little opportunity for Ravelo to get regular playing time. Don't be surprised if one or both of them are dealt before spring training to allow Ravelo a spot to play every day. If not, he may stick as a backup at the big league level.

2. Raul Alcantara

Oakland A's Starting Pitcher Raul Alcantara

2. Raul Alcantara

Oakland A's Starting Pitcher Raul Alcantara — Like so many of the A's prospects, Raul Alcantara came from another organization having been traded from the Red Sox in the Andrew Bailey deal of 2011. For Alcantara the time is now. He has progressed slowly due to Tommy John surgery, but with the signing of Rich Hill, Alcantara needs to get his foot in the door as a reliever to help the rebuilding A's.

1. Sean Nolin

Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher Sean Nolin

1. Sean Nolin

Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher Sean Nolin — Sean Nolin was the top prospect to come from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for AL MVP Josh Donaldson. Because of injury in 2015 he only made 20 appearances, including six starts with the Oakland A's. Now they are rebuilding and need to get a return on the investment. They already traded away Jesse Chavez for a relief arm and signed Rich Hill as a mentor. Now Nolin needs to come into camp ready to produce for the big league club.

Nick Vorholt is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Cincinnati Reds and all things MLB.

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