Patience key for Byrnes
Publication date: 02/26/2003
PHOENIX -- A's outfielder Eric Byrnes has shown he can hit for power in the minor leagues. A's manager Ken Macha now wants him to show some patience.
I'd like to see him improve his on-base percentage," Macha said Tuesday as inclement weather forced a change in Oakland's routine. "I'd like to see him forget about hitting home runs. He's strong enough to hit home runs, but that shouldn't be his priority."
Byrnes walked four times in 94 at bats and had a .291 on-base percentage for the A's last year as a part-time player. The A's place a priority on getting on base.
"He has tremendous tools," said Macha. "But the philosophy should be the same even with limited at-bats. You look for a good ball to hit and not swing at everything."
Byrnes led off Tuesday's intrasquad game by drawing a walk off left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly. He was promptly picked off.
In his first year in the minors, split between Single-A Southern Oregon and Visalia, Byrnes had a combined .480 on-base percentage, drawing 34 walks in 277 at bats.
Those numbers steadily declined, however, as his power numbers increased. At Triple-A Sacramento in 2001, Byrnes hit 20 home runs but drew just 33 walks in 415 at bats for an on-base percentage of .343.
With the A's, Byrnes will be the fourth outfielder at best. Last year he appeared in 90 games and did not bat in 45 of them. He was used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
A's general manager Billy Beane said it would be unfair to call this a make-or-break season for Byrnes.
"He's never gotten a legitimate opportunity," said Beane. "Until he has the opportunity to succeed or fail over the course of a long season, it's hard to say. He's never received the same playing time as in the minors."
IN THE BULLPEN: With RHP Jim Mecir out the first two months of the season after having surgery on his left knee to repair a torn patellar tendon, the competition for several spots in the bullpen becomes even more important.
The A's have 16 pitchers in camp with major league experience, with 10 of them all but secured a job. That leaves Mecir's spot and possibly one other open.
"The priority right now is the pitchers," Macha said. "We want to get them innings. We want them on a mound."
Macha mentioned RHP Joe Valentine, who was 4-1 with 36 saves and a 1.97 ERA at Double-A Birmingham last year, and RHP Buddy Hernandez, a Rule 5 pick who was 4-0 with a 1.22 ERA at Double-A Greenville last season.
"We've discussed a priority list with guys who might be given more work early," said Macha. "But those things can change and it doesn't mean anything."
EXTRA BASES: 2B Mark Ellis will continue to see work at shortstop during spring training as insurance should something happen to reigning AL MVP Miguel Tejada. "We've been fortunate Miggy has been able to play every day," said A's manager Ken Macha. "If something should happen, we'd have to figure out what our strongest lineup would be." Ellis handled 16 total chances in eight games at SS last year. ... Former A's manager Art Howe, now with the New York Mets, gave Macha a call on Monday to find out how things were going and to thank Macha for his years of service as Howe's bench coach in Oakland. ... A's GM Billy Beane was scheduled to begin preliminary talks with Tejada's agent for a contract extension. Tejada is in the final year of a four-year contract and is reportedly seeking a long-term contract in the neighborhood of 10 years.
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