Prospects & Projects: Oakland Athletics

Prospects & Projects: Oakland Athletics
by: Nathaniel Stoltz

Outfield Projects

Jeremy Barfield is a big, strong right fielder who has every tool except speed. Barfield has only hit six home runs this year, and he needs to tap more into his massive raw power. He’s already shown a good contact stroke and decent plate discipline, and his outfield defense is good. The offensive bar for right fielders is set pretty high, and to reach it, Barfield will need to maximize his power.



Matt Spencer is a powerful outfielder acquired along with Cardenas and Josh Outman in the Joe Blanton trade last July. Spencer ripped apart the Cal League last summer and this spring, but he’s found the Texas League a bit more challenging (.268/.298/.415). His defense isn’t very good, and he fits best at left field or first base.

Spencer is only 23, so he has another year or two to figure out how to improve his poor plate discipline, which is his biggest problem at the plate. Right now, he projects as a .260/.310/.460 hitter; if he can raise that projected OBP 40 points, he’ll have a future, and if he can’t, he won’t.



Archie Gilbert is 26 and still in Double-A; in fact, he’s only in his first year at the level. While his raw speed, plate discipline, and contact are excellent, he has an utter lack of power, which handicaps him (.066 ISO this year).

Gilbert also doesn’t use his speed well: He gets caught too often on steal attempts (his steal percentages are usually in the 60s) and takes bad routes in the outfield. His defensive issues make him a marginal center fielder.

With quick improvements in power, baserunning, and defense, Gilbert could be a fourth outfielder, similar to current A’s fourth outfielder Rajai Davis. If not, he won’t last much longer.



Tyreace House makes Gilbert (and Rajai Davis) look slow; he may be the fastest player in the minor leagues. The A’s sixth-rounder in 2008, House can get from the right side of the plate to first in 3.8 seconds, and he was a track star in high school. House also shows good plate discipline.

Still far away from the majors in short-season Vancouver, House needs to work on adding some power. With his speed and solid approach, he doesn’t need to have game-breaking power or anything, but his .015 ISO in Rookie ball last year won’t cut it; he has one career extra-base hit in 115 ABs. The 21-year-old also plays a good center field and has leadoff potential if he can hit .290 and slug .370.

Compete article can be found at:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/205526-prospects-projects-oakland-athletics