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  4. title => "Six A's prospects to watch during spring training"
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  6. article_body => "<p>The A\u2019s spring training clubhouse will include at least 20 non-roster players, with most of the names not catching the eye of the casual fan.<\/p>\n<p>However, that group will include six highly-rated prospects definitely worth paying attention to. Most are getting their first invitation to major league camp, and here\u2019s a quick sketch of each of those six:<\/p>\n<p><strong>SS Franklin Barreto \u2013 <\/strong>Rated the A\u2019s top prospect by <em>Baseball America<\/em> and mlb.com, Barreto also <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/three-a%E2%80%99s-named-top-100-prospects-list\"><strong>ranked 23rd on mlb.com\u2019s Top 100 list<\/strong><\/a> of overall prospects. He\u2019s an advanced hitter who uses the entire field and has above-average power for his position. Club officials are impressed with his defensive instincts at short, but there\u2019s still thought around the game that he may eventually wind up at second. Barreto, who turns 20 later this month, spent time in center field during winter ball in Venezuela, which could add to his versatility. He came over from Toronto as part of the four-player package for Josh Donaldson, and though Brett Lawrie was the biggest name in that return (and has since been traded away by Oakland), Barreto was viewed as the potential down-the-road gem. He hit .302 with an .833 OPS last season for Single-A Stockton, impressive in that Barreto was the second-youngest regular in the California League.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LHP Sean Manaea \u2013 <\/strong>The hype has followed the big lefty ever since he arrived last July from Kansas City in the Ben Zobrist trade. Manaea, who turned 24 on Monday, posted a 1.90 ERA in seven Double-A Midland starts after the trade, then led the Arizona Fall League in strikeouts following the season. The A\u2019s top pitching prospect, Manaea is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/three-a%E2%80%99s-named-top-100-prospects-list\"><strong>ranked No. 68 on mlb.com\u2019s Top 100 list.<\/strong><\/a> His fastball touches the upper 90\u2019s, and when he\u2019s spotting that pitch well, it makes his slider even more effective. His command can be spotty, and coaches are working with the 6-foot-5 Manaea on being able to repeat his mechanics. But his size and delivery can be deceptive to hitters, and Manaea has a shot to join the A\u2019s rotation sometime this season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[STIGLICH:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/will-dazzling-manaea-get-shot-rotation-spring\" class=\"active\">Will 'dazzling' Manaea get shot at A's rotation in spring?<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1B Matt Olson \u2013 <\/strong>Of the six prospects being mentioned here, Olson is the only one who has previously been invited to A\u2019s big league camp. He impressed manager Bob Melvin last spring with his overall approach to the game. But Olson, 21, is one of the top power-hitting prospects in the minors, and that will be his ticket to the major leagues. The left-handed hitting Olson has struck out 130-plus times in each of the past three seasons, but he\u2019s also been among minor league leaders in drawing walks. The A\u2019s have also used Olson at the corner outfield spots a bit. It\u2019s a plus if he proves a capable outfielder because another of the A\u2019s big-time hitting prospects, third baseman Renato Nunez, might eventually see more time at first. Olson snuck in at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/three-a%E2%80%99s-named-top-100-prospects-list\"><strong>No. 100 on mlb.com\u2019s Top 100 list.<\/strong> <\/a>After Manaea, he\u2019s next among this group as far as players who can make it to Oakland quickly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[RELATED:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/three-a%E2%80%99s-named-top-100-prospects-list\">Three A\u2019s named to Top 100 Prospects list<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>3B Matt Chapman \u2013 <\/strong>The A\u2019s first-round pick in 2014, Chapman is ranked as the team\u2019s No. 3 prospect by Baseball America, trailing only Barreto and Manaea. He possesses excellent defensive skills, including a throwing arm considered the best among A\u2019s infield prospects. The 22-year-old Chapman bopped 23 homers in 80 games last season for Single-A Stockton, in a year sabotaged by knee and wrist injuries. His strikeouts have gone up since he\u2019s entered the pro ranks, but Chapman has the all-around tools to stick in the big leagues as a third baseman.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[STIGLICH:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/reviewing-top-prospects-new-look-farm-system\" class=\"active\">Reviewing top A's prospects in new-look farm system<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>C Jacob Nottingham \u2013 <\/strong>Though Nottingham appears at least two seasons away from the majors, the elbow injury to Stephen Vogt could mean some increased playing time early in camp for him. Nottingham, 20, was acquired from Houston in the package for Scott Kazmir, and the A\u2019s like his potential to be an impact hitter. His defense still needs refinement, and that will determine how quickly he moves through the farm system. Nottingham hit .316 with 17 homers and 82 RBI last season split between low and high Single-A. Drafted in the sixth round by Houston in 2013, Nottingham turned down a scholarship offer to play tight end at the University of Arizona.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[RELATED:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/athletics\/two-a%E2%80%99s-named-arizona-fall-league-top-prospects-team\" class=\"active\">Two A\u2019s named to Arizona Fall League Top Prospects Team<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>SS Chad Pinder \u2013 <\/strong>An excellent 2015 season landed Pinder as the A\u2019s No. 7 prospect, according to <em>Baseball America<\/em>. He doesn\u2019t garner the hype of fellow shortstops Barreto or 2015 first-round pick Richie Martin, but the 23-year-old Pinder really put himself on the map last season with Double-A Midland. He hit .317 with 15 homers and 86 RBI, winning Texas League Player of the Year honors. Pinder was forced to play second base when top shortstop prospects Addison Russell and Daniel Robertson were still in the A\u2019s system, and eventually he may wind up back on the right side of the diamond. But Pinder is ahead of Oakland\u2019s other top shortstop prospects in experience and progression through the system, so perhaps he\u2019ll get his chance to prove he belongs at short.<\/p>\n"
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Athletics

Athletics

The A’s spring training clubhouse will include at least 20 non-roster players, with most of the names not catching the eye of the casual fan.

However, that group will include six highly-rated prospects definitely worth paying attention to. Most are getting their first invitation to major league camp, and here’s a quick sketch of each of those six:

SS Franklin Barreto – Rated the A’s top prospect by Baseball America and mlb.com, Barreto also ranked 23rd on mlb.com’s Top 100 list of overall prospects. He’s an advanced hitter who uses the entire field and has above-average power for his position. Club officials are impressed with his defensive instincts at short, but there’s still thought around the game that he may eventually wind up at second. Barreto, who turns 20 later this month, spent time in center field during winter ball in Venezuela, which could add to his versatility. He came over from Toronto as part of the four-player package for Josh Donaldson, and though Brett Lawrie was the biggest name in that return (and has since been traded away by Oakland), Barreto was viewed as the potential down-the-road gem. He hit .302 with an .833 OPS last season for Single-A Stockton, impressive in that Barreto was the second-youngest regular in the California League.

LHP Sean Manaea – The hype has followed the big lefty ever since he arrived last July from Kansas City in the Ben Zobrist trade. Manaea, who turned 24 on Monday, posted a 1.90 ERA in seven Double-A Midland starts after the trade, then led the Arizona Fall League in strikeouts following the season. The A’s top pitching prospect, Manaea is ranked No. 68 on mlb.com’s Top 100 list. His fastball touches the upper 90’s, and when he’s spotting that pitch well, it makes his slider even more effective. His command can be spotty, and coaches are working with the 6-foot-5 Manaea on being able to repeat his mechanics. But his size and delivery can be deceptive to hitters, and Manaea has a shot to join the A’s rotation sometime this season.

 

[STIGLICH: Will 'dazzling' Manaea get shot at A's rotation in spring?]

1B Matt Olson – Of the six prospects being mentioned here, Olson is the only one who has previously been invited to A’s big league camp. He impressed manager Bob Melvin last spring with his overall approach to the game. But Olson, 21, is one of the top power-hitting prospects in the minors, and that will be his ticket to the major leagues. The left-handed hitting Olson has struck out 130-plus times in each of the past three seasons, but he’s also been among minor league leaders in drawing walks. The A’s have also used Olson at the corner outfield spots a bit. It’s a plus if he proves a capable outfielder because another of the A’s big-time hitting prospects, third baseman Renato Nunez, might eventually see more time at first. Olson snuck in at No. 100 on mlb.com’s Top 100 list. After Manaea, he’s next among this group as far as players who can make it to Oakland quickly.

[RELATED: Three A’s named to Top 100 Prospects list]

3B Matt Chapman – The A’s first-round pick in 2014, Chapman is ranked as the team’s No. 3 prospect by Baseball America, trailing only Barreto and Manaea. He possesses excellent defensive skills, including a throwing arm considered the best among A’s infield prospects. The 22-year-old Chapman bopped 23 homers in 80 games last season for Single-A Stockton, in a year sabotaged by knee and wrist injuries. His strikeouts have gone up since he’s entered the pro ranks, but Chapman has the all-around tools to stick in the big leagues as a third baseman.

[STIGLICH: Reviewing top A's prospects in new-look farm system]

C Jacob Nottingham – Though Nottingham appears at least two seasons away from the majors, the elbow injury to Stephen Vogt could mean some increased playing time early in camp for him. Nottingham, 20, was acquired from Houston in the package for Scott Kazmir, and the A’s like his potential to be an impact hitter. His defense still needs refinement, and that will determine how quickly he moves through the farm system. Nottingham hit .316 with 17 homers and 82 RBI last season split between low and high Single-A. Drafted in the sixth round by Houston in 2013, Nottingham turned down a scholarship offer to play tight end at the University of Arizona.

 

[RELATED: Two A’s named to Arizona Fall League Top Prospects Team]

SS Chad Pinder – An excellent 2015 season landed Pinder as the A’s No. 7 prospect, according to Baseball America. He doesn’t garner the hype of fellow shortstops Barreto or 2015 first-round pick Richie Martin, but the 23-year-old Pinder really put himself on the map last season with Double-A Midland. He hit .317 with 15 homers and 86 RBI, winning Texas League Player of the Year honors. Pinder was forced to play second base when top shortstop prospects Addison Russell and Daniel Robertson were still in the A’s system, and eventually he may wind up back on the right side of the diamond. But Pinder is ahead of Oakland’s other top shortstop prospects in experience and progression through the system, so perhaps he’ll get his chance to prove he belongs at short.