Athletics Daniel Robertson Named AFL Player of the Week
By Jason Burke
Sep 20, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of practice baseballs before the game between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Robertson, once known as the other shortstop the A’s took in the 2012 draft, was named the Arizona Fall League’s Player of the Week on Monday. That is high praise for a 20-year old competing in a league filled with all-stars, including MLB’s top prospect, Byron Buxton.
Last week, Robertson hit .556, on ten hits, eight rbi, a home run, five runs scored and recorded zero strikeouts. On Monday, Robertson went 0-for-4 with a walk and 3 K’s.
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According to this piece on MLB.com, Robertson prefers to play shortstop, but is open to trying new positions as well. In the piece he says, “I’ll even learn to play the outfield if it gets me in the lineup.”
Everything I have read about Daniel Robertson impresses me. He appears to have a good feel for the game, and obviously just wants to play. He also seems to have some grit, and, according to last week, the big stage doesn’t scare him.
Perhaps this is what the Oakland Athletics saw in Robertson that made it acceptable for them to trade Addison Russell. Only time will tell on that one.
Heading into Tuesday’s games, Robertson leads the AFL in OBP (.520), and is second in average (.400). Just for the sake of comparison, take Robertson’s numbers thus far: 40 at-bats, .400 average, .520 OBP, 1 home run, 9 rbi, 10 runs and 6 strikeouts. In 2006, another shortstop put up this stat line: 79 at-bats, .329 average, .398 OBP, 1 home run, 10 rbi, 8 runs and 11 strikeouts. That player is Troy Tulowitzki.
This isn’t a projection, or saying that Daniel Robertson is the next Tulo. I saw that stats and found them interesting. No more, no less.
As for some other A’s prospects in the Fall League, Matt Olson is currently tied for second with 4 home runs (35 at-bats), two behind Yankee prospect, Greg Bird (67 at-bats).
In 38 at-bats, Boog Powell is hitting .368 (4th) and has an OBP of .455 (5th).
While the Oakland Athletics don’t have any names that rank high on baseball’s top prospect list, the green and gold are still making some noise this Fall League.