LINE UP AND COUNT OFF

List are fun. They are a great way to appear organized in a stream of collective uncertainty. Lists create a dogmatic and resounding ultimatum for reference and later debate. Lists make for easy reading and most anyone can weight the value of being ranked 6th rather than 2nd.

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospect Lists have become a staple for Spring Training reading and post season review. They not only allow some insight into organizations, but also provide a preview for who may be coming up through the organization or passing through via trade. Interesting, for all of the online content for BASEBALL AMERICA since 1999 (as far as the Top 10 Prospects) they have all been written by Casey Tefertiller. You may need to get a subscription to read parts of the site. We encourage you to do so. BASEBALL AMERICA is a great site and once you start researching organizations and seeing numbers you get a better idea of what events may transpire and what teams are going to be targeted come the trade deadline.

Anyway, let's get on with the Top 10's. We'll have are comments for 2004 in about six hours.

Most material in this post is taken from BASEBALL AMERICA. Don't confuse it with any other site or that we are capable of compiling this kind of information.

From BASEBALL AMERICA'S SITE: Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2004.

Here's a quick review of how BASEBALL AMERICA ranked the Oakland A's Top 10 prospects each year for the last several years:


1983
Mike Davis, of
Chris Codiroli, rhp
Tim Conroy, lhp
Bill Bathe, c
Tony Phillips, ss
Bill Krueger, lhp
Phil Stephenson, 1b
Curt Young, lhp
Tom Romano, of
Kelvin Moore, 1b
1984
Steve Kiefer, ss
Ron Harrison, of
Brian Dorsett, c
Steve Ontiveros, rhp
Charlie O'Brien, c
Stan Hilton, rhp
Jose Canseco, of
Phil Stephenson, 1b
Darrel Akerfelds, rhp
Tom Romano, of
1985
Jose Canseco, of
Tim Belcher, rhp
Darrel Akerfelds, rhp
Brian Dorsett, c
Mark McGwire, 3b
Rob Nelson, 1b
Mickey Tettleton, c
Steve Kiefer, ss
Ron Harrison, of
Luis Polonia, of
1986
Jose Canseco, of
Eric Plunk, rhp
Brian Dorsett, c
Rob Nelson, 1b
Darrel Akerfelds, rhp
Mark McGwire, 3b
Tim Belcher, rhp
Luis Polonia, of
Stan Javier, of
Walt Weiss, ss
1987
Terry Steinbach, c
Rob Nelson, 1b
Mark McGwire, 3b
Dave Otto, lhp
Tim Belcher, rhp
Luis Polonia, of
Wally Whitehurst, rhp
Kirk McDonald, rhp
Stan Javier, of
Walt Weiss, ss
1988
Dave Otto, lhp
Scott Hemond, c
Walt Weiss, ss
Felix Jose, of
Kirk McDonald, rhp
Todd Burns, rhp
Lance Blankenship, 2b
Tyler Brilinski, 1b
Reese Lambert, lhp
Lee Tinsley, of
1989
Dave Otto, lhp
Felix Jose, of
Scott Hemond, 3b
Will Schock, rhp
Stan Royer, 3b
Scott Chiamparino, rhp
Lance Blankenship, 2b
Lee Tinsley, of
Steve Howard, of
Jim Corsi, rhp
1990
Darren Lewis, of
Joe Slusarski, rhp
Felix Jose, of
Ray Young, rhp
Scott Hemond, 3b
Scott Chiamparino, rhp
Craig Paquette, 3b
Dave Otto, lhp
Stan Royer, 3b
Dann Howitt, of/1b
1991
Todd Van Poppel, rhp
Steve Chitren, rhp
Kirk Dressendorfer, rhp
Don Peters, rhp
Scott Hemond, 3b/2b
Joe Slusarski, rhp
Craig Paquette, 3b
Scott Brosius, 3b/2b
Lee Tinsley, of
Dann Howitt, of/1b
1992
Todd Van Poppel, rhp
Mike Neill, of
Scott Erwin, rhp
Dave Zancanaro, lhp
Kirk Dressendorfer, rhp
Craig Paquette, 3b
Don Peters, rhp
Jason Wood, ss
Scott Lydy, of
Curtis Shaw, lhp
1993
Todd Van Poppel, rhp
Brent Gates, 2b
Curtis Shaw, lhp
Scott Lydy, of
Damon Mashore, of
Miguel Jimenez, rhp
Craig Paquette, 3b
Johnny Guzman, lhp
Dave Zancanaro lhp
Mike Neill, of
1994
Steve Karsay, rhp
Curtis Shaw, lhp
Miguel Jimenez, rhp
Fausto Cruz, ss
Izzy Molina, c
Jose Herrera, of
John Wasdin, rhp
Kerwin Moore, of
Mark Acre, rhp
Willie Adams, rhp
1995
Ben Grieve, of
John Wasdin, rhp
Jose Herrera, of
Jason Giambi, 3b
Stacy Hollins, rhp
Ernie Young, of
Steve Wojciechowski, lhp
Willie Adams, rhp
Don Wengert, rhp
Heath Haynes, rhp
1996
Ben Grieve, of
John Wasdin, rhp
Brad Rigby, rhp
Steve Cox, 1b
Ramon Hernandez, c
Miguel Tejada, ss
Mario Encarnacion, of
Bret Wagner, lhp
Willie Adams, rhp
Tom Bennett, rhp
1997
Miguel Tejada, ss
Ben Grieve, of
Brad Rigby, rhp
Jay Witasick rhp
Eric Chavez, 3b
Steve Cox, 1b
Mark Bellhorn, 2b/ss
Jamey Price, rhp
Scott Spiezio, 3b
Danny Ardoin, c
1998
Ben Grieve, of
Miguel Tejada, ss
Eric Chavez, 3b
A.J. Hinch, c
Chris Enochs, rhp
Ramon Hernandez, c
Ryan Christenson, of
Blake Stein, rhp
Eric DuBose, lhp
Jeff D'Amico, rhp

1999 Top Ten Prospects: Oakland Athletics

BASEBALL AMERICA'S OAKLAND A's TOP 10 FOR 1999
By Casey Tefertiller


1. Eric Chavez, 3B
Age: 21 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195
Drafted: HS--San Diego, 1996 (1st round) Signed by: Ron Vaughn
"It's just a matter of how good a player he wants to be...He could settle for a mediocre career, or he could make the extra commitment to becoming something special. It's really up to him."
-Keith Lieppman, the A's director of player development

2. Mark Mulder, LHP
Age: 21 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-6 Wt: 200
Drafted: Michigan State, 1998 (1st round) Signed by: Rich Sparks

3. Eric DuBose, LHP
Age: 22 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-3 Wt: 215
Drafted: Mississippi State, 1997 (1st round) Signed by: Steve Bowden
June 3, 1997: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1st round (21st pick) of the 1997 amateur draft.
September 8, 2000: Selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians from the Oakland Athletics.
September 22, 2000: Selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers from the Cleveland Indians.
March 31, 2001: Released by the Detroit Tigers.
February 4, 2002: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles.

4. Chad Harville, RHP
Age: 22 B-T: R-R Ht: 5-10 Wt: 180
Drafted: Memphis, 1997 (2nd round) Signed by: John Poloni

5. Chris Enochs, RHP
Age: 23 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-3 Wt: 225
Drafted: West Virginia, 1997 (1st round) Signed by: Ron Elam

6. Mario Encarnacion, OF
Age: 21 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 187
Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994 Signed by: Santiago Villalona
July 2, 1994: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
July 25, 2001: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Todd Belitz and Jose Ortiz to the Colorado Rockies for Jermaine Dye.
April 4, 2002: Selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs from the Colorado Rockies.

7. Ramon Hernandez, C
Age: 22 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
Signed: Venezuela, 1994 Signed by: Ubaldo Heredia
Background: Hernandez has been a top offensive prospect throughout his five seasons in the A's organization. His 98 RBIs ranked fifth in the Southern League in 1998.
February 18, 1994: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
November 26, 2003: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Terrence Long to san Diego for Mark Kotsay.

8. Luis Vizcaino, RHP
Age: 21 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 180
Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994 Signed by: Santiago Villalona
December 9, 1994: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
March 19, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Texas Rangers for Justin Duchscherer.
March 24, 2002: Traded by the Texas Rangers to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jesus Pena.

9. Nathan Haynes, OF
Age: 19 B-T: L-L Ht: 5-10 Wt: 170
Drafted: Hercules, Calif., 1997 (1st round) Signed by: Will Schock
July 29, 1999 Anaheim acquired RHP Elvin Nina and OFs Jeff DaVanon and Nathan Haynes from the Athletics for RHP Omar Olivares and 2B Randy Velarde
December 5, 2003 Signed as a minor league free agent by the San Francisco Giants

10. Tim Hudson, RHP
Age: 23 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 160
Drafted: Auburn, 1997 (6th round) Signed by: John Poloni
Who is this chucker?

Rest of the Best:
11. Brett Laxton, rhp
12. Jose Ortiz, 2b
13. Jorge Velandia, ss
14. Joe Espada, ss
15. Adam Piatt, 3b

2000 Top Ten Prospects: Oakland Athletics

BASEBALL AMERICA'S OAKLAND A's TOP 10 FOR 2000
By Casey Tefertiller


1. Mark Mulder, LHP
Age: 22 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-6 Wt: 200
Drafted: Michigan State, 1998 (1st round) Signed by: Rich Sparks

2. Barry Zito, LHP
Age: 21 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-3 Wt: 200
Drafted: Southern California, 1999 (1st round) Signed by: Rick Magnante

3. Jesus Colome, RHP
Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 185
Signed: Dominican Republic, 1996 Signed by: Angel Eusebio
September 29, 1996: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
July 28, 2000: Traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Todd Belitz and Jim Mecir.

4. Mario Encarnacion, OF
Age: 22 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 187
Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994 Signed by: Santiago Villalona
July 2, 1994: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
July 25, 2001: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Todd Belitz and Jose Ortiz to the Colorado Rockies for Jermaine Dye.
April 4, 2002: Selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs from the Colorado Rockies.

5. Adam Piatt, 3B
Age: 24 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 195
Drafted: Mississippi State, 1997 (8th round) Signed by: Steve Bowden
August 13, 2003: Designated for assingment and cleared waivers
August 18, 2003: Claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay
November 21, 2003: Released by Tampa Bay
December 20, 2003: Agreed to a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians

6. Chad Harville, RHP
Age: 23 B-T: R-R Ht: 5-10 Wt: 180
Drafted: Memphis, 1997 (2nd round) Signed by: John Poloni

7. Miguel Olivo, C
Age: 21 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 180
Signed: Dominican Republic, 1996 Signed by: Santiago Villalona
September 30, 1996: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
December 13, 2000: Sent by the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago White Sox to complete an earlier deal made on December 7, 2000. The Oakland Athletics sent a player to be named later to the Chicago White Sox for Chad Bradford. The Oakland Athletics sent Miguel Olivo (December 13, 2000) to the Chicago White Sox to complete the trade.

8. Ryan Ludwick, OF
Age: 21 B-T: R-L Ht: 6-4 Wt: 205
Drafted: UNLV, 1999 (2nd round) Signed by: Rick Magnante
June 2, 1999: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2nd round of the 1999 amateur draft.
January 14, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Gerald Laird (minors), Mario Ramos (minors), and Jason Hart to the Texas Rangers for Carlos Pena and Mike Venafro.
July 18, 2003: Acquired by Cleveland for pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez and veteran outfielder Shane Spencer.

9. Eric DuBose, LHP
Age: 23 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-3 Wt: 215
Drafted: Mississippi State, 1997 (1st round) Signed by: Steve Bowden
June 3, 1997: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1st round (21st pick) of the 1997 amateur draft.
September 8, 2000: Selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians from the Oakland Athletics.
September 22, 2000: Selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers from the Cleveland Indians.
March 31, 2001: Released by the Detroit Tigers.
February 4, 2002: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles.

10. Chris Enochs, RHP
Age: 24 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 225
Drafted: West Virginia, 1997 (1st round) Signed by: Ron Elam

Rest of the Best:
11. Terrence Long, of
12. Brett Laxton, rhp
13. Joe Espada, 2b/ss
14. Luis Vizcaino, rhp
15. Angel Berroa, inf

2001 Top Ten Prospects: Oakland Athletics

BASEBALL AMERICA'S OAKLAND A's TOP 10 FOR 2001
By Casey Tefertiller

1. Jose Ortiz, 2b
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 177. Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994. Signed by: Santiago Villalona.
November 8, 1994: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
July 25, 2001: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Todd Belitz and Mario Encarnacion to the Colorado Rockies for Jermaine Dye.

2. Jason Hart, 1b
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 225. Drafted: Southwest Missouri State, 1998 (5th round). Signed by: Jim Pransky.
June 2, 1998: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 5th round of the 1998 amateur draft.
January 14, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Gerald Laird (minors), Mario Ramos (minors), and Ryan Ludwick to the Texas Rangers for Carlos Pena and Mike Venafro.
November 11, 2003 Waived by Texas and cleared waivers

3. Ryan Ludwick, of
Age: 22. B-T: R-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 200. Drafted: UNLV, 1999 (2nd round). Signed by: Rick Magnante.
June 2, 1999: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2nd round of the 1999 amateur draft.
January 14, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Gerald Laird (minors), Mario Ramos (minors), and Jason Hart to the Texas Rangers for Carlos Pena and Mike Venafro.
July 18, 2003: Acquired by Cleveland for pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez and veteran outfielder Shane Spencer.

4. Mario Encarnacion, of
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994. Signed by: Santiago Villalona.
July 2, 1994: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
July 25, 2001: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Todd Belitz and Jose Ortiz to the Colorado Rockies for Jermaine Dye.
April 4, 2002: Selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs from the Colorado Rockies.

5. Justin Miller, rhp
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 200. Drafted: Los Angeles Harbor JC, 1997 (5th round). Signed by: Bo Hughes (Rockies).
June 3, 1997: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 5th round of the 1997 amateur draft.
December 13, 1999: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Colorado Rockies to the Oakland Athletics. The Oakland Athletics sent Jimmy Haynes to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Colorado Rockies sent Henry Blanco and Jamey Wright to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers sent Jeff Cirillo and Scott Karl to the Colorado Rockies. The Milwaukee Brewers sent cash to the Oakland Athletics.
December 7, 2001: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Eric Hinske to the Toronto Blue Jays for Billy Koch.

6. Angel Berroa, ss
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 175. Signed: Dominican Republic, 1997. Signed by: Santiago Villalona.
August 14, 1997: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
January 8, 2001: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Oakland Athletics with A.J. Hinch to the Kansas City Royals. The Oakland Athletics sent Ben Grieve to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Cory Lidle to the Oakland Athletics. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Roberto Hernandez to the Kansas City Royals. The Kansas City Royals sent Johnny Damon and Mark Ellis to the Oakland Athletics.
November 10, 2003: Named AL Rookie of the Year

7. Freddie Bynum, ss
Age: 20. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Pitt County (N.C.) CC, 2000 (2nd round). Signed by: Billy Owens.

8. Chad Harville, rhp
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Memphis, 1997 (2nd round). Signed by: John Poloni.

9. Mario Ramos, lhp
Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 165. Drafted: Rice, 1999 (6th round). Signed by: Steve Bowden.
January 14, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with Gerald Laird (minors), Mario Ramos (minors), and Jason Hart to the Texas Rangers for Carlos Pena and Mike Venafro.
November 19, 2003: Claimed left-handed pitcher Mario Ramos off waivers from the Texas Rangers.
November 02, 2004: Signed free agent 1B Eric Karros to a one-year contract; designated LHP Mario Ramos for assignment; Outrighted LHP Mario Ramos to Triple-A Sacramento and invited him to Spring Training.

10. Eric Byrnes, of
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 200. Drafted: UCLA, 1998 (8th round). Signed by: Rick Magnante.

Rest of the Best:
11. Bert Snow, rhp
12. Gerald Laird, c
13. Todd Belitz, lhp
14. Keith Surkont, rhp

2002 Top Ten Prospects: Oakland Athletics

BASEBALL AMERICA'S OAKLAND A's TOP 10 FOR 2002
By Casey Tefertiller

1. Carlos Pena, 1b
Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 210. Drafted: Northeastern, 1998 (1st round). Signed by: Joel Grampietro (Rangers).
June 2, 1998: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1998 amateur draft.
January 14, 2002: Traded by the Texas Rangers with Mike Venafro to the Oakland Athletics for Jason Hart, Ryan Ludwick, Gerald Laird (minors), and Mario Ramos (minors).
July 5, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with a player to be named later and Franklyn German to the Detroit Tigers for Jeff Weaver and cash. The Oakland Athletics sent Jeremy Bonderman (minors) (August 22, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade.

2. Eric Byrnes, of

NOTE: We're including the Baseball America write up on Byrnes to point something out...

Strengths: Byrnes has hit at every stop, and he has solid power potential that he’ll tap into as he develops his game. His speed is another asset. He has an intense work ethic that has led to improvement, and he always exhibits all-out hustle.

Weaknesses: While Byrnes has shown great improvement on defense the last two years, he still is not a top-level outfielder. Some in the organization question whether he has the tools to become an everyday major leaguer or is just a supreme overachiever.
What difference does it make as long as he produces? Isn't that what the Oakland A's system was supposed to value - production over polish? (Italics are ours)

3. Chad Harville, rhp
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Memphis, 1997 (2nd round). Signed by: John Poloni.

4. Esteban German, 2b
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 165. Signed: Dominican Republic, 1996. Signed by: Santiago Villalona.

5. Bobby Crosby, ss
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Long Beach State, 2001 (1st round). Signed by: Rick Magnante.

6. Mark Ellis, ss
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Florida, 1999 (9th round). Signed by: Cliff Pastornicky (Royals).
June 2, 1999: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 1999 amateur draft.
January 8, 2001: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Kansas City Royals with Johnny Damon to the Oakland Athletics. The Oakland Athletics sent Ben Grieve to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Oakland Athletics sent Angel Berroa and A.J. Hinch to the Kansas City Royals. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Cory Lidle to the Oakland Athletics. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Roberto Hernandez to the Kansas City Royals.

7. Jeremy Bonderman, rhp
Age: 18. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS–Pasco, Wash., 2001 (1st round). Signed by: Gary McGraw.
July 5, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with a player to be named later and Franklyn German to the Detroit Tigers for Jeff Weaver and cash. The Oakland Athletics sent Jeremy Bonderman (minors) (August 22, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade.

8. Freddie Bynum, 2b/ss
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185. Drafted: Pitt (N.C.) CC, 2000 (2nd round). Signed by: Billy Owens.

9. Franklyn German, rhp
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 260. Signed: Dominican Republic, 1996. Signed by: Santiago Villalona.
July 2, 1996: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent.
July 5, 2002: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with a player to be named later and Carlos Pena to the Detroit Tigers for Jeff Weaver and cash. The Oakland Athletics sent Jeremy Bonderman (minors) (August 22, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade.

10. Chris Tritle, of
Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS–Center Point, Iowa, 2000 (19th round). Signed by: Jim Pransky.

Rest of the Best:
11. Mike Wood, rhp
12. John Rheinecker, lhp
13. Matt Allegra, of
14. Neil Cotts, lhp
15. Chris Enochs, rhp

2003 Top Ten Prospects: Oakland Athletics

BASEBALL AMERICA'S OAKLAND A's TOP 10 FOR 2003
By Casey Tefertiller

1. Rich Harden, rhp
Age: 21. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Central Arizona JC, 2000 D/F (17th round). Signed by: John Kuehl.


2. John Rheinecker, lhp
Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 225. Drafted: Southwest Missouri State, 2001 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Jim Pranski.

3. Bobby Crosby, ss
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Long Beach State, 2001 (1st round). Signed by: Rick Magnante.

4. Jeremy Brown, c
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 210. Drafted: Alabama, 2002 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Billy Owens.

5. John-Ford Griffin, of
Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 215. Drafted: Florida State, 2001 (1st round). Signed by: Scott Pleis (Yankees).
July 5, 2002: Traded by the New York Yankees with Jason Arnold (minors) and John-Ford Griffin (minors) to the Oakland Athletics for Jeff Weaver.
February 2, 2002: Traded for 1B-L Erubiel Durazo (from the Snakes, in the four-team deal where they sent cash to the Diamondbacks and RHP Jason Arnold to the Blue Jays), RHPs Keith Foulke and Joe Valentine and C-L Mark Johnson (from the White Sox, with cash, for RHP Billy Koch, LHP Neal Cotts, and OF-R Daylan Holt), RHP Jeremy Fikac (from the Padres, for a PTBNL or cash), INF-L Mike Rouse and RHP Chris Mowday (from the Blue Jays, for RHP Cory Lidle), and a PTBNL (from the Blue Jays, for OF-L John-Ford Griffin).

6. Mike Wood, rhp
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 185. Drafted: North Florida, 2001 (10th round). Signed by: John Poloni.

7. Joe Valentine, rhp
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 195. Drafted: Jefferson Davis (Ala.) JC, 1999 (26th round). Signed by: George Bradley/Warren Hughes (White Sox).
February 2, 2002: Traded for 1B-L Erubiel Durazo (from the Snakes, in the four-team deal where they sent cash to the Diamondbacks and RHP Jason Arnold to the Blue Jays), RHPs Keith Foulke and Joe Valentine and C-L Mark Johnson (from the White Sox, with cash, for RHP Billy Koch, LHP Neal Cotts, and OF-R Daylan Holt), RHP Jeremy Fikac (from the Padres, for a PTBNL or cash), INF-L Mike Rouse and RHP Chris Mowday (from the Blue Jays, for RHP Cory Lidle), and a PTBNL (from the Blue Jays, for OF-L John-Ford Griffin).
June 30, 2003: Acquired OF-R Jose Guillen from the Reds for RHPs Aaron Harang, Jeff Bruksch and Joe Valentine.

8. Marcus McBeth, of
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185. Drafted: South Carolina, 2001 (4th round). Signed by: Kelly Heath.

9. Freddie Bynum, 2b/ss
Age: 23. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Pitt (N.C.) CC, 2000 (2nd round). Signed by: Billy Owens.

10. Joe Blanton, rhp
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 220. Drafted: Kentucky, 2002 (1st round). Signed by: Rich Sparks.

Best of the Rest
Chad Harville
Jason Grabowski
Ben Fritz
Nick Swisher

2004 Top Ten Prospects: Oakland Athletics

BASEBALL AMERICA'S OAKLAND A's TOP 10 FOR 2004
By Casey Tefertiller

February 18, 2004

Bobby Crosby, ss
Age: 23 Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 190 Bats: R Throws: R
Drafted: Long Beach State, 2001 (1st round)
Signed by: Rick Magnante

2. Joe Blanton, rhp
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 225.
Drafted: Kentucky, 2002 (1st round).
Signed by: Rich Sparks.

3. Dan Johnson, 1b
Age: 24. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 225.
Drafted: Nebraska, 2001 (7th round).
Signed by: Jim Pransky.

4. Brad Sullivan, rhp
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190.
Drafted: Houston, 2003 (1st round).
Signed by: Steve Bowden.

5. Graham Koonce, 1b
Age: 28. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 225.
Drafted: HS—Julian, Calif., 1993 (60th round).
Signed by: Dick Wiencek (Tigers).

6. Nick Swisher, of
Age: 23. B-T: B-L. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 194.
Drafted: Ohio State, 2002 (1st round).
Signed by: Rich Sparks.

7. Omar Quintanilla, ss
Age: 22. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 185.
Drafted: Texas, 2003 (1st round supplemental).
Signed by: Tim Holt.

8. Mike Rouse, ss
Age: 23. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 185.
Drafted: Cal State Fullerton, 2001 (5th round).
Signed by: Demerius Pittman (Blue Jays).
February 2, 2002: Traded for 1B-L Erubiel Durazo (from the Snakes, in the four-team deal where they sent cash to the Diamondbacks and RHP Jason Arnold to the Blue Jays), RHPs Keith Foulke and Joe Valentine and C-L Mark Johnson (from the White Sox, with cash, for RHP Billy Koch, LHP Neal Cotts, and OF-R Daylan Holt), RHP Jeremy Fikac (from the Padres, for a PTBNL or cash), INF-L Mike Rouse and RHP Chris Mowday (from the Blue Jays, for RHP Cory Lidle), and a PTBNL (from the Blue Jays, for OF-L John-Ford Griffin).

9. Andre Ethier, of
Age: 21. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190.
Drafted: Arizona State, 2003 (2nd round).
Signed by: John Kuehl.

10. Justin Duchscherer, rhp
Age: 26. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190.
Drafted: HS—Lubbock, Texas, 1996 (8th round).
Signed by: Luke Wrenn (Red Sox).
June 4, 1996: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 8th round of the 1996 amateur draft.
June 12, 2001: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers for Doug Mirabelli.
March 19, 2002: Traded by the Texas Rangers to the Oakland Athletics for Luis Vizcaino.