Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics Prospects Shining in Winter Ball
By Jason Burke
The Arizona Diamondbacks only got a glimpse of what their Minor League Player of the Year could do in the Majors in 2015 as 23-year-old Socrates Brito hit .303 with a run batted in over 33 at-bats with the snakes. Just in case you had forgotten about him, Brito sent out a reminder yesterday in Dominican Baseball League action, as the lefty went deep twice and drove in five. Through three games Brito is batting .250, but has driven in at least one run per contest.
Over in Venezuela, Oakland Athletics first base prospect Rangel Ravelo is off to a blazing start, leading the League in home runs (4), RBI (13), batting average (.429), slugging (.857) and on-base percentage (.549) through 13 games. Ravelo played in just 59 games in the minors in 2015, and his power stroke never really got going as he managed just two homers in Double-A Midland and one home run in Triple-A Nashville. He hit for average at both stops however, accumulating a .301 batting average over 214 at-bats.
Both players should be in contention for 25-man roster spots in 2016, although Brito may find his path to the Majors a bit rougher than Ravelo due to the number of outfielders that will be vying for four to five roster spots.
Brito’s versatility may help him land a spot, but he will be duking it out with A.J. Pollock (not going anywhere), Yasmany Tomas (can also play third), Ender Inciarte (.303, 6 HR, 45 RBI), David Peralta (.312, 17 HR, 78 RBI), Peter O’Brien (.400 in 10 at-bats, HR, 3 RBI) and Phillip Gosselin (.311, 3 HR, 15 RBI). A player like Inciarte could be on the move this offseason to clear up some of the logjam in the outfield, but also to acquire some pitching depth to help the D’Backs contend in 2016. Arizona ranked 8th in baseball in runs scored (720) in 2015, and 2nd in the National League, trailing just the Colorado Rockies (737). It will be interesting to follow the Diamondbacks transactions this winter, as the team looks to be nearing contention with Minor League arms like Aaron Blair nearly ready for their call to the big leagues.
As for Ravelo, it shouldn’t be terribly hard for him to find a spot on the Oakland roster. Standing in his way is a 29-year-old Ike Davis and Rule 5 selection Mark Canha being his main competition for playing time at first base. Canha also roams the outfield grass in left field a fair amount, opening up some playing time for Ravelo if he finds himself on the roster. All-Star catcher Stephen Vogt will get his cracks at first to keep his bat in the lineup while resting his knees, and Max Muncy could also figure into the mix at points throughout the season, but if Ravelo continues to hit, then Oakland would be foolish to not give him a chance.
Ravelo was part of the haul that the A’s received for Jeff Samardzija along with solid backstop Josh Phegley, error-prone shortstop Marcus Semien and starting rotation candidate Chris Bassitt. Both Brito and Ravelo will be worth keeping an eye on in their Winter League action, as well as when Spring Training rolls around.