Prospects

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Chris Carter, of/1b Born: Dec. 18, 1986 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-4 • Wt: 225
Drafted: HS—Las Vegas, 2005 (15th round) • Signed by: George Kachigian/Joe Butler (White Sox)
Chris CarterBackground: Carter has found a home with the Athletics. The White Sox drafted him in 2005, then traded him to the Diamondbacks for Carlos Quentin in December 2007. He spent 11 days in the Arizona organization before getting shipped to the Athletics in the Dan Haren deal, part of a six-player package that also included Brett Anderson and Carlos Gonzalez. After Carter finished second in the minor leagues with 39 home runs in 2008 but batted just .259, he worked hard to shed his reputation as an all-or-nothing slugger. The results were spectacular, as Carter posted a .329 average last season, leading the minors in hits (179) and ranking second in RBIs (115). His power didn't go away either, as he posted his third straight 25-homer season and managers rated him as his league's best power prospect for the third consecutive year. Named MVP of the Double-A Texas League, he led the league in doubles (41), extra-base hits (67), on-base percentage (.435) and slugging (.576), and he might have won the triple crown if he'd stayed there all season. He capped his year with four homers in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League playoffs for Sacramento.

Strengths: Home runs always will be Carter's calling card. However, he dedicated himself to becoming a more complete hitter and stopped giving away at-bats. He lowered his hands slightly and eliminated a small bat wrap from his swing, giving himself a more compact stroke. With his pure strength and explosive wrists, he still produces light-tower power. Carter can hit balls out of any part of any ballpark, and he's strong enough to do so without having to sell out for power. He's willing to take walks when pitchers won't challenge him, and he did a better job of handling offspeed pitches in 2009. He also made strides defensively at first base, where he should be at least adequate and possibly average, a big step up from years past. He has a strong arm for the position.

Weaknesses: Though Carter reduced his strikeout rate in 2009, whiffs always will come with the territory with him. He's still learning to control the strike zone and not be overanxious. He needs to stay on breaking balls better, so the A's dispatched him to play in the Mexican Pacific League, well known for being chock full of junkballers. That venture was short-lived, as he returned home with what was believed to be appendicitis but turned out to be the flu. Carter still isn't the most agile first baseman and he has given up playing third base. He played some left field after his promotion to Sacramento, and that might be an option if he can get more experience, improve his instincts and stay in good shape. He has some athleticism for his size, but his first-step quickness and speed are below average.

The Future: Carter can add power to an Oakland offense that sorely needs it. He has a great opportunity to make the A's in spring training and should bat in the middle of their lineup for years to come. The final question is where he plays. First base, left field and DH are all possibilities, but his best position is the batter's box.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Midland (AA) .337 .435 .576 490 108 165 41 2 24 101 82 119 13
Sacramento (AAA) .259 .293 .519 54 7 14 2 0 4 14 3 14 0

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Michael Taylor, of Born: Dec. 19, 1985 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-6 • Wt: 250
Drafted: Stanford, 2007 (5th round) • Signed by: Joey Davis (Phillies)
Michael TaylorBackground: Taylor emerged as one of the game's top outfield prospects during the last two years, batting .334 with 39 homers in the Phillies system. He was traded twice in the offseason, to the Blue Jays as part of a package for Roy Halladay and to the Athletics straight up for corner-infield prospect Brett Wallace.

Strengths: Despite his size, Taylor has few holes and has become an excellent hitter, squaring up balls consistently and smashing line drives to all fields. Pitchers try to tie him up inside, and while he can be vulnerable there, he has shown the ability to make adjustments. He has excellent raw power, average speed and good baserunning instincts. He's a solid defender with an average-to-plus arm who grades as above-average in left field.

Weaknesses: Taylor could stand to be more selective to get to his power more consistently. He needs to learn to loft the ball to become a true 30-homer threat. Conditioning probably will be a long-term issue for Taylor, who does a good job of staying on top of his juvenile diabetes.

The Future: Blocked in the Phillies system, Taylor has a clearer path to regular playing time with the Athletics. He'll get a chance to win Oakland's left-field job in spring training but figures to open the season in Triple-A.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Reading (AA) .333 .408 .569 318 59 106 22 4 15 65 35 51 18
Lehigh Valley (AAA) .282 .359 .491 110 15 31 6 1 5 19 13 19 33

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Grant Green, ss Born: Sept. 27, 1987 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-3 • Wt: 170
Drafted: Southern California, 2009 (1st round) • Signed by: J.T. Stotts
Grant GreenBackground: A top prospect since high school, Green shot up draft boards with an outstanding showing in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2008, hitting .340 on his way to being named the league's top prospect. He struggled early last spring but recovered to bat .374/.435/.569 for Southern California. Oakland landed him with the 13th overall pick and signed him at the Aug. 17 deadline for $2.75 million.

Strengths: Green has a short, compact stroke with a natural feel for hitting and an up-the-middle approach. Lean and athletic, he shows smooth actions and strong instincts at shortstop. He has good range and a solid arm, and his hands work well. He's also a plus runner. The A's laud his competitive makeup and how hard he plays the game.

Weaknesses: Green's bat isn't as explosive as his Cape showing seemed to indicate. He could project for average power once he develops physically, but he doesn't always maintain a good swing plane. His defense could use refinement, and scouts outside the organization weren't sold that he'd be more than an average defender at shortstop.

The Future: Green has the offensive upside and playmaking ability to be an all-star shortstop, perhaps a lesser version of Troy Tulowitzki. He'll begin his first full pro season at high Class A Stockton, where he made his brief debut, and easily could reach Double-A Midland by the end of the year.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Stockton (Hi A) .316 .350 .368 19 2 6 1 0 0 3 1 5 1

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Max Stassi, c Born: March 15, 1991 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 5-10 • Wt: 205
Drafted: HS—Yuba City, Calif., 2009 (4th round) • Signed by: Jermaine Clark
Max StassiBackground: Stassi comes from a baseball family. He's the great-great nephew of former big league outfielder Myril Hoag, and his father Jim was his high school coach. A first-round talent who slipped last June because of his price tag, Stassi landed the largest bonus ever given to a fourth-rounder, $1.5 million.

Strengths: Stassi has good leverage in his swing and plus raw power to all fields. He's an advanced hitter for his age, with a balanced setup and quick hands. Against older competition at short-season Vancouver, he showed he could lay off breaking pitches out of the zone and wasn't afraid to go deep in counts. He's a secure receiver and shows a feel for calling pitches, and he has a strong, accurate arm. The A's consider him a future plus defender behind the plate.

Weaknesses: A shoulder injury limited Stassi to DH duty for part of the high school season. His arm should play when healthy, but it bears watching. As with most young hitters, his stroke can get long at times. Oakland wants him to use his legs a little better in his swing. His speed is already below average, though he's not a baseclogger.

The Future: Stassi is mature enough to open his first full pro season at low Class A Kane County. He's still a few years away from the majors, but he appears to be the closest thing to a sure bet a high school catcher can be.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
AZL Athletics (R) .000 .500 .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Vancouver (SS) .286 .340 .367 49 3 14 4 0 0 8 2 11 0

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Pedro Figueroa, lhp Born: Nov. 23, 1985 • B-T: L-L • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 165
Signed: Dominican Republic, 2003 • Signed by: Juan Carlos de la Cruz
Pedro FigueroaBackground: Figueroa's development had proceeded so slowly that he needed five years in Rookie and short-season ball and went unpicked in the 2008 Rule 5 draft. He broke though in 2009, winning Oakland's minor league pitcher of the year award after going 13-6, 3.38 with 145 strikeouts in 152 innings between two Class A stops.

Strengths: From a low-three-quarters delivery, Figueroa whips lively fastballs that sit at 93-95 mph and touch 97. He can throw his fastball with natural sink or give it cutting action. His breaking ball was big and sloppy in the past, but he has tightened it into a mid-80s slider with depth. His changeup still is developing but shows some promise and he's not afraid to throw it.

Weaknesses: Command is Figueroa's biggest downfall, a result of sometimes rushing his delivery. That causes him to throw too many hittable pitches and hand out too many walks. He may be a late bloomer, but he's 24 and has yet to pitch above Class A.

The Future: Figueroa will have the stuff to be a frontline starter if he throws more strikes. If not, he could be a weapon out of the bullpen, with one A's official comparing him to Damaso Marte. Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, Figueroa should begin 2010 in Double-A.

2009 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Kane County (Lo A) 10 2 3.23 16 16 0 0 86 89 6 31 78 .267
Stockton (Hi A) 3 4 3.56 11 11 0 0 66 62 3 35 67 .251

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Tyson Ross, rhp Born: April 22, 1987 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-5 • Wt: 215
Drafted: California, 2008 (2nd round) • Signed by: Jermaine Clark
Tyson RossBackground: Ross looked like a potential first-round pick entering 2008. An up-and-down junior season at California dropped him to the second round, but he got back on track in his first full season, pitching well down the stretch and starring in the Texas League playoffs as Midland won the championship.

Strengths: The A's lengthened Ross' previously short stride by about a foot last year, with spectacular results. His sinking fastball now sits at 93-94 mph and touches 97. He throws a cutter that usually comes in around 90 mph and a slider with tilt at 82-84, both of which are above-average pitches. He cuts an imposing figure on the mound and is a good athlete for his size.

Weaknesses: Ross' command needs tightening and his changeup lags behind his other offerings, though he shows a feel for it. He has an upright finish to his delivery and his motion is hard on his shoulder. He missed time in his 2008 pro debut with a shoulder strain as well as a couple of starts last April with biceps tendinitis.

The Future: Durability may always be a concern with Ross and eventually could dictate a move to the bullpen, but Oakland will continue developing him as a starter. He has middle-of-the-rotation stuff, and possibly more. He may open 2010 back in Double-A, but should reach Sacramento by the end of the year.

2009 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Stockton (Hi A) 5 6 4.17 18 18 0 0 86 78 10 33 82 .237
Midland (AA) 5 4 3.96 9 9 1 0 50 40 3 20 31 .225

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Jemile Weeks, 2b Born: Jan. 26, 1987 • B-T: B-R • Ht: 5-10 • Wt: 175
Drafted: Miami, 2008 (1st round) • Signed by: Trevor Schaffer
Jemile WeeksBackground: Weeks and his brother Rickie, the No. 2 choice in the 2003 draft, are the eighth pair of siblings to become first-round picks. Jemile signed for $1.91 million as the 12th overall selection in 2008. A hip-flexor injury cut short his pro debut and lingered into the spring, delaying his arrival at Stockton until late May. He struggled after an August promotion to Double-A but recovered to hit .290 with two homers in the Texas League playoffs.

Strengths: Weeks has good pitch recognition and a line-drive swing that produces surprising power for a player his size. He has the speed to steal bases, though leg injuries cut into his ability to run last year. He's athletic enough for the middle of the diamond and has a strong arm.

Weaknesses: Injuries have been Weeks' biggest obstacle going back to his college career, when hamstring and groin woes derailed his sophomore season. His hands aren't always smooth at second base and he sometimes rushes himself turning double plays. He can fall in love with his power and try to hit home runs, lengthening his swing.

The Future: Staying healthy will be Weeks' top priority in 2010. The A's are grooming him to be their leadoff hitter of the future, so it will be important for him to maintain a disciplined approach. He'll return to Midland to open the season.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Stockton (Hi A) .299 .385 .468 201 29 60 9 2 7 31 26 40 5
Midland (AA) .238 .303 .343 105 10 25 5 0 2 13 10 16 4

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Adrian Cardenas, inf Born: Oct. 10, 1987 • B-T: L-R • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 185
Drafted: HS—Miami, 2006 (1st round supplemental) • Signed by: Miguel Machado (Phillies)
Adrian CardenasBackground: Baseball America's High School Player of the Year in 2006, Cardenas went 37th overall in that draft to the Phillies and signed for $925,000. The A's acquired him along with Josh Outman and outfield prospect Matt Spencer in exchange for Joe Blanton in July 2008. Cardenas reached Triple-A last season at age 21 while playing second base, third base and shortstop.

Strengths: A natural hitter with a compact swing, Cardenas has a keen sense for putting the barrel on the ball. He has gap power and controls the strike zone well for a player his age. He has an all-fields approach and always looks like he has a plan at the plate. He has the hands and arm to play anywhere in the infield, as well as average speed.

Weaknesses: A high school shortstop, Cardenas lacks range and quickness there. He can handle the defensive responsibilities at third base, but doesn't have the home run power for the position. His bat profiles best at second base.

The Future: Cardenas' long-term future with the organization may hinge on his ability to fit at third base. Most of Cardenas' value stems from his bat, so the A's will find a place for him as long as he keeps hitting. He'll likely return to Sacramento to open 2010.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Midland (AA) .326 .392 .446 325 56 106 26 2 3 55 38 44 5
Sacramento (AAA) .251 .317 .372 183 23 46 15 2 1 24 17 29 3

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Sean Doolittle, of Born: Sept. 26, 1986 • B-T: L-L • Ht: 6-3 • Wt: 190
Signed: Virginia, 2007 (1st round supplemental) • Signed by: Neil Avent
Sean DoolitleBackground: A two-way standout as a first baseman and lefthander at Virginia, Doolittle signed for $742,500 as a sandwich pick in 2007. After a strong first full pro season, he hit .329/.441/.724 with 11 RBIs in big league camp last spring. But tendinitis in both knees ruined his season, which ended in early May. His left knee eventually required surgery.

Strengths: Doolittle has bulked up and become more power-oriented since turning pro. He has a disciplined, all-fields approach and hangs in well against lefthanders. His swing is short to the ball and sound mechanically. A first baseman until last year, he moved to right field to take advantage of his above-average arm strength. The A's think he's athletic enough to handle the position, and he could always move back to first, where he was an above-average defender.

Weaknesses: Though Doolittle has gotten stronger as a pro, scouts still don't project him to have more than fringe to average power. He's a below-average runner who isn't a threat on the bases. If he loses a step after knee surgery, he won't be able to stay in right field.

The Future: Following his knee surgery, Doolittle may not be ready for the start of spring training. Nevertheless, he looks like a safe bet to be a solid big league hitter, and he could develop more power. He'll return to Triple-A once he's healthy.

2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Sacramento (AAA) .267 .364 .448 105 17 28 5 1 4 14 15 23 0

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10. Michael Taylor, of Born: Dec. 19, 1985 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-6 • Wt: 260
Signed: Stanford, 2007 (5th round) • Signed by: Joey Davis (Phillies)
Background: Taylor hit .312/.383/.515 in three years in the Phillies system, but Domonic Brown's emergence made him expendable and Philadelphia included him in its trade for Roy Halladay in December 2009. The Blue Jays promptly flipped Taylor to the A's for Brett Wallace. Shoulder problems cut short his winter season in Mexico and may have contributed to a slow start in Triple-A, and he never really got going.

Scouting Report: A physical specimen, Taylor still hit balls out to all fields during batting practice but rarely carried that power over into games in 2010. Scouts wondered where his bat speed had gone, and he had issues with a dead start in his swing. Oakland worked to shorten his stroke and improve his angle to the ball. He did get praise for his ability to control the strike zone and handle breaking pitches, but his production was still disappointing. Taylor has average speed and takes good routes, so he can play center field in a pinch. His strong, accurate arm works well in right field.

The Future: Taylor's physical tools are still readily apparent, and the A's hope last season was simply an aberration. Their November trade for David DeJesus will make it harder for Taylor to break into the big league outfield in 2011, but he still has to prove himself in Triple-A anyway.

2010 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Sacramento (AAA) .272 .348 .392 464 79 126 26 6 6 78 51 92 16

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9. Ian Krol, lhp Born: May 9, 1991 • B-T: L-L • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 180
Drafted: HS-Naperville, Ill., 2009 (7th round) • Signed by: Kevin Mello
Background: Krol slipped to the seventh round in 2009 after being suspended from his high school team for being found in the presence of alcohol, violating the school's athletic code of conduct for the second time. The A's signed him for $925,000 and he excelled in a return to his home turf in 2010. While at Kane County, he lived at his home 30 minutes away and led the Midwest League in ERA (2.65) and baserunners per nine innings (9.4).

Scouting Report: Krol's fastball sits at 88-89 mph and tops out at 91, but he locates it well and complements it with two potential plus pitches. He spins a quality 11-to-5 curveball that's a swing-and-miss pitch when it's on. He has learned to trust his changeup, which he didn't need much in high school. He throws it with good arm speed and it comes in at 78-81 mph with some sinking and tailing action. Krol repeats his delivery well and has an advanced feel for pitching, helping his stuff play up.

The Future: Despite his big 2010, Krol's ceiling doesn't look any higher than that of a No. 3 or 4 starter as he lacks projection in his frame. He could move quickly through the minors for a high school pick, however, and will return to high Class A after finishing last season there at age 19.

2010 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Kane County (Lo A) 9 4 2.65 24 23 0 0 119 98 5 19 91 .223
Stockton (Hi A) 1 0 3.66 4 4 0 0 20 18 3 9 20 .247

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8. Yordy Cabrera, ss Born: Sept. 3, 1990 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-4 • Wt: 200
Drafted: HS—Lakeland, Fla., 2010 (2nd round) • Signed by: Trevor Schaffer
Background: The son of Tigers minor league manager Basilio Cabrera, Yordy moved to United States from the Dominican Republic when he was 14. The oldest high school player drafted in the 2010 draft class at nearly 20, he signed at the deadline for $1.25 million as the 60th overall pick. Though he was a well regarded pitching prospect who could fire mid-90s fastballs, he and the A's view him as an everyday player.

Scouting Report: Cabrera has a physical frame and produces excellent raw power. He has some lift in his swing, so he'll have to adjust to get down to the ball and hit it more on a line if he's going to succeed against good pitching. He's an average runner. He'll get a chance to start his career at shortstop, and though he has good hands and is athletic for his size, he may be too big to stay there. Wherever he plays on the diamond, he'll have plenty of arm strength. Oakland loves his attitude and work ethic.

The Future: If Cabrera's bat comes along, he'll have no trouble profiling as a third baseman if he can't stick at shortstop. His bat could be put to the test right away, as he's the most likely of the A's premium 2010 high school picks to start his first full pro season at their new low Class A Burlington affiliate.

2010 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Did Not Play—Signed Late

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7. Aaron Shipman, of Born: Jan. 27, 1992 • B-T: L-L • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 185
Drafted: HS-Quitman, Ga., 2010 (3rd round) • Signed by: Matt Ranson
Background: Shipman didn't get as much exposure as other top Georgia high school prospects because he never played for the Atlanta-based East Cobb juggernaut. He would have been the biggest recruit in Mercer baseball history, but his stock soared as the 2010 draft approached. The A's drafted him in the third round and signed him at the Aug. 16 deadline for $500,000. His father Robert played briefly in the minors and coached him in high school, and his brother Robert is a sophomore outfielder at Georgia.

Scouting Report: Shipman has the potential for four plus tools, with power his lone shortcoming. He has a short, slashing swing that produces consistent hard contact. He still has to learn to stay back better on pitches, but he has shown a nice aptitude for making adjustments. He could develop some power as he matures physically, but it's not going to be a focus of his game. Shipman has plus-plus speed and the chance to be an impact defender in center field, where he has above-average range and arm strength.

The Future: Shipman projects as a dynamic leadoff man and ballhawking center fielder. He'll need some time to develop though, and he'll likely begin his first full professional season in extended spring training before heading to Oakland's new short-season Vermont affiliate.

2010 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
AZL Athletics (R) .118 .118 .118 17 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 6 3

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6. Max Stassi, c Born: March 15, 1991 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 5-10 • Wt: 190
Drafted: HS—Yuba City, Calif., 2009 (4th round) • Signed by: Jermaine Clark
Background: Stassi set a fourth-round record (since broken by the Nationals' A.J. Cole) when he signed for $1.5 million in 2009. He has strong baseball bloodlines, as his great-great uncle Myril Hoag played for the Yankees in the 1930s, his father Jim played in the minors and was his high school coach and his older brother Brock is entering his senior season at Nevada.

Scouting Report: Stassi's swing is compact, and he has the bat speed and strength in his forearms and wrists to hit for at least average power. He shows the ability to work counts and use the middle the field, but also gets pull-happy and has trouble laying off high fastballs at times. Scouts worry about his open stance and how frequently he swings and misses. Nagging shoulder problems hampered his throwing in 2010, though Stassi did erase 34 percent of basestealers. He has soft hands and good agility behind the plate, and the A's praised how he took charge of the low Class A Kane County pitching staff as a teenager. He's a below-average runner.

The Future: Stassi has the tools to develop into a solid all-around catcher. After Oakland gave him instructional league off so he could recover from the long grind of the season, he'll report to high Class A in 2011 and should put up bigger numbers in the California League.

2010 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Kane County (Lo A) .229 .310 .380 411 54 94 21 1 13 51 45 141 3

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5. Jemile Weeks, 2b Born: Jan. 26, 1987 • B-T: B-R • Ht: 5-9 • Wt: 170
Drafted: Miami, 2008 (1st round) • Signed by: Trevor Schaffer
Background: Weeks (the 12th pick in 2008) and his brother Rickie (second in 2003) are the eighth pair of siblings to be drafted in the first round. Jemile has been unable to stay healthy as a pro, with repeated hip and leg injuries preventing him from playing a full season. Hip soreness knocked him out for two months during the 2010 regular season and again during the Texas League playoffs.

Scouting Report: When healthy, Weeks shows promising tools. He has a quick, explosive swing and can do damage from both sides of the plate. His strength and outstanding bat speed give him the capability to hit for more power than his body type would suggest. He's a good situational hitter who hangs in against tough pitches and rarely gets fooled. Weeks has above-average athleticism and speed, though the injuries have diminished his ability to steal bases. He's not the smoothest second baseman, but he has worked hard to improve his throwing and double-play pivot.

The Future: Weeks draws some Ray Durham comparisons and has the potential to be a top-of-the-order catalyst. The A's expect him to be ready for spring training and advance to Triple-A in 2011. If he can avoid the disabled list, he could make his big league debut by the end of the year.

2010 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Midland (AA) .267 .335 .403 273 43 73 14 7 3 33 28 37 11
AZL Athletics (R) .306 .432 .417 36 9 11 2 1 0 1 7 4 5