Grant Green

Green was traded to the Angels from the Athletics just before the non-waiver trade deadline in exchange for Alberto Callaspo, and was quickly given the opportunity to play with the big club as Howie Kendrick landed on the disabled list in August with a hyperextended knee. Despite slugging .500 in 378 at-bats with Triple-A Sacramento prior to the trade, the power never materialized for the former first-round pick at the major league level, as he hit just one home run in 125 at-bats with the Angels. Green has some work to do heading into 2014, as he struck out far too frequently (28.8%) and didn't walk enough to compensate (6.5%), but his minor league pedigree should prompt the Angels to consider Green as a utility option if he isn't sent back to Triple-A to open the season.

Green was a first-round pick for the A's in the 2009 draft and his slow development was especially evident last year as the player who went 12 picks after Green (Mike Trout) tore up American League. The major issue with Green is that he has not found a position to stick at in the minors and has jumped between all the infield positions before finally going to the outfield in 2012. However, Green went back to the Arizona Fall League and played second base exclusively. Green has hit well across all levels, hitting both for average and some power, but the lack of a steady defensive position is slowing his arrival to the big leagues. The A's moved Green to the 40-man roster in November and assistant general manager David Forst said that Green will be given an opportunity to earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Green was moved to center field late in 2011 after it was determined he wasn't going to be able to handle shortstop duties in the majors. His season at Double-A Midland was largely a disappointment, as he slugged just .408 and fanned 119 times against 39 walks in 530 at-bats. One would expect a better approach at the plate given his pedigree (13th overall pick in 2009 out of USC), and it's easy to wonder if he was moved to center field as a form of a career reboot. His brief Arizona Fall League season was better, including 16 extra-base hits in 107 at-bats, but still featured an 8:26 BB:K ratio. He'll likely begin the year at Triple-A Sacramento, and is well-positioned to ascend to the majors if he ever figures things out, given the state of flux in the A's outfield.

Green was expected to see time at Double-A Midland, having been drafted last June out of USC, but instead spent the entire year at High-A Stockton hitting well (.318/.363/.520, 65 extra-base hits in 131 games). He did fan 117 times against just 38 walks, so perhaps the A's were being a bit cautious given the struggles of Michael Taylor, Chris Carter and Adrian Cardenas at the upper levels. His AFL campaign was poor, hitting just .200/.234/.244 in 45 at-bats with a lone extra-base hit and 14 strikeouts, but it would be a surprise if he doesn't start at year at Double-A Midland.

The A's selected Green with the 13th overall pick in the June draft and signed him in mid-August just before the deadline. He didn't get much playing time as a result, limited to just 19 at-bats at High-A Stockton. He played well in the Cape Cod league with wood bats back in 2008, so the adjustment period shouldn't take long. He could advance as high as Double-A Midland in 2010. There were questions about his strike zone judgment coming out of USC, so there could be some initial growing pains against advanced pitching.