Aaron Harang is Sacramento bound. After looking at the schedule and determining that the A's would not need a 5th starter until September 10th, the A's optioned Aaron Harang to the Sacramento River Cats. Harang will probably get at least one start and possibly a second in an intersquad game later next week. Harang will be working with River Cats manager Bob Geren and pitching coach Rick Rodriguez.
To fill the hole in the 25-man roster the A's called up enigma Adam Piatt. You may remember Piatt as the first AA player to win the Texas League Triple Crown (Batting Average, Homeruns and RBI) in 72 years. You might remember Piatt as the guy who plattooned in right field with Jeremy Giambi in 2000. You might recall Piatt as the guy who fell victim to Viral Meningitis last year on a road trip in Anaheim and lost nearly 30 pounds. You might remember Piatt as the guy who took over in left field earlier this year and allowed David Justice to DH.
Here's two players:
Player A
10 Games (30 At Bats)
.333 Average
.474 On Base Pct
.800 Slugging
1.274 OBPS
4 HR
6 Walks
3 Strike Outs
Player B
26 Games (81 At Bats)
.247 Average
.287 On Base Pct
.321 Slugging
.608 OBPS
0 HR
5 Walks
23 Strike Outs
Player A looks like a stud and ready to take the league by storm. Player B looks like a single A utility infielder up because a bus accident crippled half the big league ball club and they're all on the DL.
Player A is Adam in May, Player B is Adam in June.
Which Adam Piatt will show up today?
Adam was recently named PCL player of the week and has hit well in AAA Sacramento.
62 Games (234 At Bats)
.295 Average
.385 On Base Pct
.462 Slugging
.847 OBPS
8 HR
35 Walks
30 Strike Outs
Piatt becomes a right-handed option of the bench for Art How with Olmedo Saenz having finger problems and Eric Brynes playing erratically in the field. Byrnes has been Howe's first pinch running option, though Eric has not been solid in the field, as of late. Eric is a perpetually motion machine and looks like he's vibrating even though he's standing still. In short, Eric is way too amped in the field. It could be argued that Eric should have gotten to a ball on Sunday that allowed the A's to lose the lead on Sunday.
Does this mean Eric is on the ropes?
No.
It means that September call-ups are soon. Eric has been a good organizational soldier and deserves a hint at regular playing time. However, if he plays erratically when given the chance how can Art Howe justify continually running him out there? Eric needs a few quality at bats and a few episode free innings in the outfield.
Eric's numbers:
69 Games (83 At bats)
.253 Average
.304 On Base Pct
.422 Slugging
.726 OBPS
2 HR
4 Walks
16 Strike outs
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