The A’s announced a spate of minor-league signings this afternoon, some of which were previously reported by Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. On the pitching side, the club brought aboard left-hander Lucas Luetge and right-handers Ian Gardeck, Zach Lee, and Brian Schlitter. They confirmed the earlier-reported signing of Jaime Schultz. Oakland also added depth on the position player side, signing catcher Carlos Pérez, and infielders Eric Campbell, Nate Orf and Ryan Goins. All nine players will receive an invitation to MLB camp in spring training.
Of those players, only Gardeck doesn’t have some MLB experience. The former Giants’ farmhand tossed 18.2 relief innings with a 2.41 ERA last season for Tampa Bay’s AA affiliate in Montgomery. Campbell and Schlitter spent last season in the A’s organization, with Schlitter pitching in six MLB games for Oakland.
Except for Schlitter, only Goins reached the game’s highest level in 2019, his seventh straight year logging MLB action. The former Blue Jay took 163 plate appearances for the White Sox and slashed .250/.333/.347. That tops the .230/.279/.335 (65 wRC+) line the infielder has accumulated over his career. He, Campbell, and Orf, a former Brewers’ prospect, could all vie for a utility role this spring.
I like when teams sign a bunch of minor league players at once
Me too.
Mama June also likes that.
But they still can loose these players because they are available in the rule 5 draft.
My secret shame.
In before someone who doesnt know what minor league depth is and tries to proclaim any player mentioned in this post means something to the A’s 2020 chances.
Career-high OPS for Goins last year …he’s a difference-maker!
;-)
And the best goes on…
uh oh Jurickson Profar you are losing your job to the great Nate Orf!!!!
That right-hander, Brian that was signed throws a mean SCHLITTER !!
Is a Schlitter a cross between a cutter and a splitter.
I think it’s when you Throw a slider when you really have to poop
Looking forward to low level A’s signings out performing the high profile big money guys the Angels sign.
Have to admire them even as they beat us year after year.
Zach Lee should’ve stuck with football,
Why? If nothing else, he still made the 5+M the Dodgers gave him to sign, whatever other money he’s made, didn’t get his head smashed in and probably has a decent life. Maybe he becomes an amazing football player, but the odds are really against it and you get your body destroyed. I think he did ok.
Don’t forget the L in Schlitter. Orf!