Oakland left-hander Greg Smith is looking sharp after his first two big league starts, earning the win Monday against the White Sox. Smith, acquired by the A’s in the Dan Haren trade, also pitched 6 good innings against the Blue Jays last Wednesday, giving up 2 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) in a no-decision. Buster Olney likes his pickoff move too, which he used to catch Jermaine Dye in the 7th inning. Even in shallower fantasy leagues, owners would be wise to take a flier on Smith.
Posts Tagged ‘A’s Prospects’
A’s Rookie Smith Looking Good After Two Starts
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008A’s Prospect Watch: Gonzalez, Eveland
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008- Carlos Gonzalez, acquired by Oakland in the Dan Haren trade, has been out for a week with a strained hamstring and did not accompany the A’s to Japan for their season-opening series against the Red Sox. However, Manager Bob Geren says that he will play Gonzalez at center field when they play the Giants in the preseason Bay Bridge Series starting this Friday. Geren will then decide if he will include the 21-year-old on the 25-man roster, which must be finalized by April 1st. Gonzalez hit .360 this spring, to go with a tremendous arm and defensive skills. If he makes the roster, fantasy owners should look to pick him up, especially in deep leagues.
- Geren also noted that Dana Eveland, also acquired in the Haren trade, would be the A’s 5th starter. Eveland has looked fantastic this spring, putting up a 1.20 ERA in 15 IP.
A’s Eveland Making Trip to Japan; Smith, Gonzalez Reassigned
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008Oakland A’s rookie Dana Eveland will go with the team to Japan for their series against the Red Sox, and is scheduled to start in an exhibition game on Saturday against the Yomiuri Giants. Eveland, acquired in the Dan Haren trade from Arizona, finished his impressive performance this spring by giving up 3 hits and no runs in 5 innings. That brings his Cactus League ERA to 1.20 in 4 starts and 15 total innings; not too bad for the 24-year-old. Eveland hasn’t officially been named the 5th starter for the A’s, although Greg Smith and Gio Gonzalez being reassigned to Triple-A Sacramento would indicate that it is at least a strong possibility. Smith and Gonzalez have not had bad springs; to the contrary, they might not be spending that much time in the minors. They may be called up to fill a starter slot depending on the performance/availability of Justin Duchscherer and Chad Gaudin, who is likely to start the season on the DL.
A’s Rotation Update: Dana Eveland
Thursday, March 13th, 2008Oakland lefty Dana Eveland threw 5 shutout innings on Wednesday in the A’s 2 – 1 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up four hits, striking out 7 and walking none. This no doubt helps his chances to secure the open 5th slot in the Oakland rotation, but is by no means a sure thing. Greg Smith is also pitching very well this Spring, and represents Eveland’s main competition for the 5th slot.
Straight West Coast: Andy LaRoche, Clayton Kershaw, Nate Schierholtz, Greg Smith
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008- Andy LaRoche had surgery on his right thumb and is expected to be out for 8 to 10 weeks. The third baseman injured the thumb when a pickoff throw ricocheted of a runner and hit him in the hand. Not great news for a Dodgers infield that is already down a starter (Jeff Kent, although his injury is considered minor) and struggling to find healthy replacements.
- Clayton Kershaw got a few pointers from legendary lefty Sandy Koufax.
- Nate Schierholtz hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 7th to pull the Giants ahead of the A’s on Friday. Although Schierholtz has made excellent progress in San Francisco organization, Rick Eymer of MLB.com writes that the 24-year-old might find himself the low man on the outfield totem pole. Barring a trade of some kind that frees up a spot, the Giants are likely to use Schierholtz last minor league option and have him start the year at Triple-A Fresno.
- In other Giants news, four players were sent down to Minor League camp: Clay Timpner (who hit .301 at Triple-A Fresno last season), outfielder John Bowker, and pitchers Osiris Matos and Kevin Pichardo.
- The competition is heating up for the fifth spot in the Oakland A’s rotation. Greg Smith, acquired from the Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade, has had a great spring, including Tuesday’s four inning outing: 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, and no earned runs. Also in the running are Dana Eveland (also acquired in the Haren deal), Lenny DiNardo, Gio Gonzalez (acquired from the White Sox in the Nick Swisher trade), and Kirk Sarloos. Further complicating the starting pitching situation for the A’s is the injured Chad Gaudin, who is likely start the season on the DL. Thus, there would be two vacancies in the rotation, at least for a while.
Oakland’s Gio Gonzalez Has Solid Debut in Giants Rout
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008Oakland A’s lefty pitching prospect Gio Gonzalez made his spring training debut on Saturday against the Giants. In the 23-5 rout by Oakland, Gonzalez pitched 2 solid innings. Although he allowed three hits and a walk, he also struck out three and did not allow a run.
Gonzalez, formerly the White Sox’s best pitching prospect before he was sent to Oakland as part of a package deal for Nick Swisher, is competing for a spot in the A’s starting rotation. If he continues to pitch well throughout the spring he will be a strong sleeper candidate this season. Baseball America ranks the 22-year-old at #26 overall in their top 100, and #11 for pitchers.
