Movin' On Up

by Boxkutter on Jun 23, 2008 1:32 AM EDT

I just read at MiLB.com that both Jeremy Hellickson and David Price are moving up to Double A Montgomery tomorrow.

Both have been absolutely dominant in Hi-A so far. I expect both to go through some growing pains (Hellickson more than Price) but I personally think they are the top two arms in the Tampa Bay system. I would rank them ahead of Davis and McGee. Am I the only one who feels that way?

Here are the season stats for all four pitchers:
Davis
Hellickson
McGee
Price

Just adding this line in case there aren't enough characters here.

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Price, sure. Hellickson? Eh. Double A is a big jump and I’m not sure if it’s all that wise to suggest Hellickson is better than Davis and McGee totally on the strength of his outstanding performance this year. And in terms of overall stuff, I think Hellickson probably rates slightly behind Davis and McGee. Maybe Hellickson gets the nod as the best combination of stuff and polish among the three, but I’d really need to think about that one . . .

by mrkupe on Jun 23, 2008 2:01 AM EDT reply actions

how about some friendly competition

does the A’s AA rotation compare at all:

Cahill -20
Anderson -20
Simmons -21
Mazzaro -21

maybe one of the youngest rotations in milb, but maybe a notch below in upside

Bailey -24
Webb -22

the last 2 are big guys with big fastballs in mid 90’s, but subpar results

then we might see hrod, he’s back to dominating high A ,too good for high A, but struggles in AA

Carignan and eventually Demel might pair up soon in AA, both relievers from 07 draft

by Asfan4ever723 on Jun 23, 2008 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

Even as a partisan A's fan,

I’d take the Tampa rotation. I like the A’s pitchers a lot, but if you match up the similar prospects:

Cahill-Davis
Mazzaro-McGee (yeah, this is a terrible comparison… sue me, it’s hard to compare righties and lefties)
Anderson-Price
Simmons-Hellickson

the A’s really only come out on top in one of the four.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 23, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

hopefully it'll even up

when beane convinces them that smoke and mirrors street is a good closer and is traded for mcgee/brignac…we can only hope

by Asfan4ever723 on Jun 23, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh

I’d make that trade, but only because of how overstacked the A’s bullpen is. Since Tampa does not need relievers, there isn’t a chance of it happening.

Weird gopherball tendencies this year notwithstanding, Street is a very good pitcher. For his career, he’s struck out better than a batter an inning. The HR/Fly rate is going to regress to a more normal Oakland number (probably half what it is now).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 23, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions