One of Oakland’s most-watched players this spring is top prospect Addison Russell, a 20-year-old shortstop that some scouts believe will be in the big leagues this year.
Manager Bob Melvin agreed that Russell has all the tools, but he said definitively that Russell will not be on the Opening Day roster, barring a rash of injuries.
“You don’t want to rush someone like that,” Melvin said.
Russell is likely to start the season at Double-A Midland but could be moved up to Triple-A Sacramento quickly and at the very least, he is a strong bet to be a September call-up.
The A’s current shortstop, Jed Lowrie, is a free agent after this season, and Hiro Nakajima, signed before 2013, never panned out: He was moved to third base and spent his entire season at Sacramento last year. He is not in the A’s big-league plans, especially at shortstop.
Melvin is highly impressed by Russell, saying he has “skill in every facet.” The one knock so far might be his strikeout totals, but otherwise, Melvin calls him “wise beyond his years.”
The A’s, generally one of the youngest teams in baseball, might not have a single rookie on their Opening Day roster. Sonny Gray only spent 61 days in the majors but he worked 64 innings, 14 beyond the limit for rookie status.
NOTES, QUOTES
–OF Craig Gentry, the A’s new backup outfielder, strained his lower back early in camp and is expected to miss several days. Gentry is unlikely to play in the first few Cactus League games.
–RHP Ryan Cook did not throw a bullpen session during the first week and a half of camp because of right shoulder tightness, but the reliever might be throwing off the mound by the end of February. Manager Bob Melvin does not believe Cook will miss the start of the season; he’s expected to be on the Opening Day roster.
–LHP Sean Doolittle had a minor calf strain the first few days of camp that kept him off the mound. Doolittle already had thrown half-a-dozen bullpen sessions before camp, though, so once back in action, he caught up quickly. The reliever is now on the same schedule as the other relievers.
–RHP Jesse Chavez will start Oakland’s Cactus League opener. The A’s long-man was among the team’s most versatile and reliable pitchers last year, manager Bob Melvin said, so he was deserving of the start. RHP Josh Lindblom, who will vie for the long-man spot, also is scheduled to pitch in Wednesday’s opener.
–1B/OF Brandon Moss must improve his bunting skills this spring, manager Bob Melvin said. Melvin was pleased when Moss put down a successful bunt during an intra-squad competition while facing a shift; the left-handed platoon first baseman sees shifts regularly during the season, far more than any other Oakland player.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We won’t let it grow down to his belt. But you don’t want to cut Sampson’s locks off either.” — A’s manager Bob Melvin, on starter A.J. Griffin’s long hair, now down to his shoulders.