USA Today Rankings
Oakland Athletics
TEAMS: Sacramento River Cats (AAA); Midland RockHounds (AA); Modesto A's (A); Visalia Oaks (A)
WHERE THEY'RE STRONGEST
The strongest suit of the organization might be outfield and first base at Sacramento. The talent is mostly homegrown, including outfielders Eric Byrnes and Mario Encarnacion and first baseman Jason Hart.
YOU MIGHT ALREADY KNOW ABOUT
Byrnes, a 1998 eighth-round selection from UCLA, combined to hit .316 with 14 homers, 48 doubles, 84 RBI and 33 steals between Midland and Sacramento last year.
Hart had one of the best seasons of anyone in the minors in 2000. He hit .326 with 30 home runs, 44 doubles and 121 RBI at Midland. He also shows strong defensive skills.
Encarnacion has been considered a top outfield prospect for several years, and the A's hope this is the year he lives up to expectations. He hit .269 with 13 homers and 61 RBI at Sacramento last year and stole 15 bases.
BUT KEEP AN EYE ON
Right-hander Justin Miller, acquired in the complex 1999 deal that sent Jimmy Haynes to Milwaukee, posted a 4.55 ERA at Midland last year before a promotion to Sacramento, where he went 4-1 with a 2.47 ERA in nine starts. He should be one of the top two starters for Sacramento this year, and farm director Keith Lieppman compares him to Tim Hudson. "He's got similar pitches but not quite the same quality as Hudson yet," Lieppman says. "He's got a good sinker, a decent split and a changeup, and his slider is actually better than Hudson's. He's a real battler on the mound."
Outfielder Ryan Ludwick, brother of former big-league pitcher Eric Ludwick, was drafted in the second round of 1999 out of UNLV. He has great power, as shown by his 29 home runs and 102 RBI at Modesto. Ludwick will start the season at Midland.
Shortstop Mark Ellis, acquired during the offseason from Kansas City in the three-way deal involving Ben Grieve, hit .302 in an All-Star campaign for Class A Wilmington and was set to start at Midland. But he earned a spot at Sacramento with his spring training effort. "He reminds me of a young Randy Velarde," Lieppman says. "He's a workman-like guy with good hands who makes good contact. He's a real steady young player who does a lot of things right."
Second baseman Esteban German hit .264 for Visalia last year with 78 stolen bases, giving him 40 or more each of his four pro seasons. He also broke Miguel Dilone's Dominican winter league stolen base record this past offseason. He will be at Midland.
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