Hairston and his awesome clutch-i-ness shipped to Oaktown

Scott Hairston has been traded to Oakland.....who we git?

Ryan Webb: Sacramento River Cats AAA


"Before the Athletics took three high school righthanders in the first three rounds of the 2005 draft, righthander Ryan Webb was the standard bearer for high school pitchers in the organization--the only high school pitcher the A's selected in the first 10 rounds of the previous three drafts combined.

Oakland was enticed by the potential of the 6-foot-6 Webb when it drafted him in the fourth round in 2004, and he's starting to fulfill that potential. Webb, 20, struck out 11 with no walks in seven innings for high Class A Stockton against Inland Empire yesterday. He allowed six hits and just one unearned run, bringing his season numbers to 1-0, 1.04 with a 17-4 strikeout-walk ratio in 17 innings. He didn't factor in the decision as Inland Empire won 2-1 in 12 innings.

Webb's fastball velocity has improved from 86-88 mph when he joined the organization to the 89-91 range, his slider has gotten much tighter and he does a better job keeping his composure on the mound, A's farm director Keith Lieppman said.

A particularly encouraging sign has been Webb's success against lefthanded hitters, who batted .311 against him last season with 26 strikeouts and 24 walks in 51 innings. This year, Webb has a .286 average against and an 8-2 K-BB versus lefthanders in 35 at-bats. Lieppman points to Webb's change up as the biggest reason for his success against lefties--and for his improvement in general.

"He's really embraced the change-up," Lieppman said. "That is a pitch that he didn't possess last year--or he did but we had to force him to use it. In fact, we had threatened him a couple of times to not let him start unless he threw the organization policy of 10 to 15 percent (change ups) per outing. We had to help him understand that he had to be able to master three pitches in order to move along the organizational chart.

"So this year in spring training, he really focused on those two things--his fastball command and the use of his change up--and I really think that has opened up his other pitches, because he's got a really good slider. It's given him a lot more options as far as how he pitches, and I think that's part of the reason he's getting the strikeouts he's getting now."

Of course the above was penned in 2006 by Baseball America.com., so what does it mean for the Padres now? Well according to the 2008 Baseball America Prospect Handbook........he is not a prospect. Although he was #26 in 2007.

So he's really tall and doesn't throw exceptionally hard.....Chris Young minus a few years...maybe?

Craig Italiano: Stockton Ports (HiA)


According to the 2008 Baseball America Prospect Handbook, Italiano loves Thai food and also throws 98 mph while being the 30th ranked prospect in the Oakland system (22nd ranked prospect in 2007).....although I think that was before he had shoulder surgery for a torn labrum*.

(.....I had a torn labrum---my shoulder dislocated near 50 times---got it fixed----I have a torn labrum again---the thought of throwing a ball makes me wince---but that's just me, I'm sure our paisan from Oakland can still bring it....)

That was in 2006 of course, and 2007 was entirely different as Italiano had a line drive up the box crack his skull whereby he missed the rest of the season (54 IP from 2005-2007). My favorite quote from the B.A.P.H.:

"...there is some concern in the organization about him getting past the mental residue of being hit by the line drive."

I just liked the phrase mental residue. I am concerned whether or not I can get past the mental residue of this season.

Also of note: there is actually no indication that Craig Italiano likes Thai food....I however do enjoy Thai cuisine. Go to Royal Thai on 4th and Island and get the Hot Thai Basil w/beef or chicken.

PTBNL
That stands for Player To Be Named Later......there is speculation that it is another pitcher and he may or may not be named Sean Gallagher...the speculation primarily comes from nerdy fans but he sounds like he could be a solid addition if he is indeed the PTBNL.

Kyle Blanks should be staying with the big club thus avoiding the Beaver Shuttle and getting significant playing time in the OF. Hooray for that but I'll miss Scott Hairston. I was at some games where he hit some pretty memorable HRs**.

* Paul Depodesta is saying that it was shoulder tendinitis not a torn labrum. See link blow. I've asked him to clarify
**In 2007 Matt Cain was dominating us but Hairston hit a bomb off him and then later ended it with a walk-off HR. It was sweet.

Scott Hairston to Oakland [Paul DePodesta's Blog]