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Oakland Likes College Middle Infielders Early?
One thing that perked my attention during the 2009 draft was Oakland Athletics’ pick of USC shortstop Grant Green with the 13th overall pick. The selection drew my interest for a number of reasons. First, Green had been rated much higher in the weeks before the draft, but fell as the draft neared. Chin Music has a little more on the A’s draftee. Secondly, it immediately made me think of the middle infielders in their system and how they’ve drafted middle infielders with their early picks recently.
Here is a list of their more recent infielder selections:
2009 - 13th pick: Grant Green – USC
2008 – 12th pick: Jemile Weeks 2B – U. of Miami
2007 – 90th pick: Joshua Horton SS – UNC
2005 – 21st pick: Cliff Pennington SS – Texas A&M
Additionally, the A’s have 2B Eric Patterson (although he doesn’ t profile defensively at 2B very well)and SS Adrian Cardenas (a former first round pick) that they have acquired through trades.
Pennington has fallen into the utility role, playing three different positions in Oakland. His bat hasn’t been all that impressive as he is hitting only .279 at Triple-A this season, but he does have a nice .372 OBP and has stolen a career high 24 bases so far.
Horton seems to be falling into the same mold. He’s held a better batting average through the seasons than Pennington, but doesn’t have his speed on the basepaths.
Jemile Weeks is currently destroying opposing pitchers in High-A Stockton, hitting .381/.464./.691 in 97 AB. He’s even hit seven home runs in those 97 AB. The Midland Rock Hounds probably already have a locker with his name on it.
The Athletics recent middle infield picks in the draft haven’t fared that well. But Weeks looks like he has the ability to make an impact in the majors. With many draft projections having Grant Green at the #2 draft spot before the 2009 draft, we could see a nice middle infield combination of Weeks and Green in the future.
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