It’s a month of opportunity for call-ups
September is here, and with it a lot of new faces in Oakland’s clubhouse — some who might be in the picture for next season.
This month is something of a preview of the future. Sure, the team still cares about results, but getting a look at possible pieces for next year might be just as important. Tuesday night at the Coliseum, several new guys were in action in the A’s 6-2 loss to the Angels.
“This is their time to shine,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said before the game. “Guys who have never been here before get to show us, the majorleague staff, what they can do on the field.”
Starter Cody Martin, working in place of shoulder-sidelined Chris Bassitt, was among Tuesday’s eight call-ups when rosters expanded. Martin allowed five runs in three-plus innings. Among other things, he hit Albert Pujols with the bases loaded and failed to cover first on a key play in the third.
“I started to center too many pitches, made some mistakes and the mental mistake, not covering first,” said Martin, who veered farther than he’d thought from the bag. “I just need to stay focused and not try to do too much next time.”
Making a notable debut in the eighth: right-handed reliever Ryan Dull, who worked a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out the first man he faced, C.J. Cron. “Can’t draw it up any better than that,” Dull said.
Dull, a 32nd-round pick in 2012, wasn’t in big-league camp, nor on the 40-man roster, but he put up a combined 0.74 ERA between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Nashville.
“Once they start putting up those kinds of numbers, you start watching them pretty closely,” said Melvin, who hinted that Dull could see work in high-leverage spots.
Dull, 25, is listed at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, but both are optimistic at best.
“Looks like someone’s 12year-old kid out there, but he didn’t seem to be affected by any nerves,” Melvin said. “Impressive start for him.”
Also getting a look Tuesday: outfielder Jason Pridie, who had a tremendous season at Nashville, hitting .310 with 20 homers, 89 RBIs, 55 walks and 20 stolen bases.
“A lot of times you don’t bring up guys who aren’t on the roster,” Melvin said. “But when you have the type of year he did, the organization felt he needed to be rewarded, and rightly so.”
“To see the average and power, that’s fun to watch,” said utility man Tyler Ladendorf, who was recalled Tuesday after missing most of the season after ankle surgery. “Going 20-20 with a .300 average, that’s few and far between, even in the minor leagues.”
Pridie even impressed alltime stolen base leader Rickey Henderson. “I was with Nashville for two days and he stole three bases. He can run,” said Henderson, an A’s special instructor.
At 31, Pridie isn’t considered a hot prospect, but has placed his career back on track after being suspended for 50 games in 2012 for a violation of the drug policy.
‘The best season I’ve had overall by far ... from power numbers to stolen bases to RBIs, everything,” he said. “My goal is to get out there and help the team win and hope that will help me for next year. I’m tired of jumping teams. I’m hoping I’ll be in Mesa next spring and right back in the mix.”
Pridie was in center field and drew a walk in four plate appearances.
Another nonroster call-up, catcher Carson Blair, was added, along with three returning relievers: right-handers Dan Otero, R.J. Alvarez and Arnold Leon. To create spots, Jesse Hahn and A.J. Griffin went on the 60-day disabled list and reliever Angel Castro was outrighted to Nashville.
Melvin said that the team is likely to add another player or two when Nashville’s season ends next week. Second baseman Joey Wendle is a good possibility.