By Ryan Roach & Adam Forsyth
The Shallow
Trevor Cahill – Starting Pitcher (SP)
Trevor Cahill just might be the best pitching prospect in the majors outside of David Price; and Cahill is on a major league roster, while the “Price is Right” still awaits a call up to the bigs.
Either way, this young heralded right hander could yield great results in a traditionally deep pitching development system such as the A’s.
Without a clear cut #1 in Oakland, the Athletics rotation is wide open for arms to step up. Looking at his minor league numbers (In two season, which compares to a little over one major league season: 238.2 IP with a 22-9 record, he had 264 Ks, 2.68 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and only yielding 8 long balls) you realize a future ace is a strong possibility.
Early on Cahill has walked too many batters - but hopefully pitching coach Curt Young can work with the hard throwing righty to gain further command - making him that much more dominant.
The Deep
Andrew McCutchen - Outfield (CF)
What’s not to love about ‘Cutch? Andrew McCutchen is a four-tool performer with tremendous upside that should arrive in the majors for good sometime soon.
Battling through a decent spring, his 10-.267-1-4-2 line doesn’t jump off the screen; however, what the 22-year old smallish speedster brings to the game is energy, and can be counted on as a catalyst.
His defensive skills are already major league ready, and you can pencil him in as the starting center fielder for years to come once he makes the roster.
With decent pop, McCutchen could add the missing fifth tool if he makes the transition to the majors, but his game sits steady based on the fact that he makes contact, runs well, walks at a decent rate. He is a prototypical leadoff hitter that can get a game going from his first at-bat.
With four minor league seasons under his belt and a full AAA season at Indianapolis of experience, it appears that he is ready to make the jump.
Considering an average over the past three seasons of 80-.280-12-59-26, along with that top-notch glove to defend the open fields of PNC Park , expect McCutchen to make the most of his opportunity when it knocks.
The Pirates will likely shift Nate McClouth over to a corner OF spot to make room for this speed demon - thus creating a tremendous outfield group for years to come.
