JP Sportman watch

[BigBlue92]

Sportman is off to a great start with the Midland Rockhounds (AA, Texas League). In 77 ABs he has a team-leading 25 hits and 17 RBIs to go along with 3 HRs and a .325 average.

[hilltopper]

After playing 130 games at Double A Midland TX JP Sportman has compiled the following stats for 2017:
At Bats.......513
Hits...........141
Batting Avg..275
RBI............74
HR.............12
Respectable if not spectacular numbers. I don't know if that will warrant a promotion to AAA next year. It might if the Athletics have him pegged as a prospect, that is someone with a good upside. The problem is that his team is loaded with good hitters. There are seven of his teammates with over 100 at bats that have higher batting averages.

[CCSU4-3]

He put up slightly above average #s in that league, though 25 is pretty "old" for AA- and only a 6.5% BB rate won't instill confidence in a Billy Beane-run front office.

As a 27th round pick, he's probably more organizational filler than a true prospect (especially since he doesn't really do anything outstanding- power, speed, etc).

However, the A's are terrible, so maybe he has a shot to make the bigs.

EDIT: I found this write-up on fangraphs from 7/28. While not GLOWING, I'd say he has a shot if he can keep improving. The fact that he even made one of these write-ups should give hope.

J.P. Sportman, OF, Oakland (Profile)
Level: Short Season Age: 25 Org Rank: NR Top 100: NR
Line: 3-for-5, HR

Notes
Sportman is 25 and repeating Double-A, but went to tiny Central Connecticut State which has produced just two big leaguers (Evan Scribner and Skip Jutze) and was likely going to have to make technical adjustments at some point after he got by on sheer physicality early in his pro career. He added a big leg kick this year and is hitting .289/.345/.435 at Double-A Midland. While not suddenly a great prospect, he is hitting at the upper levels after making an adjustment and demanded re-evaluation. He might max out as a bench outfielder.[\quote]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagra ... 7-and-728/

[BigBlue92]

JP Update:
Batting .274 wth 61 hits, 27 RBI, 7 HRs at the break for the AA Midland Rockhounds.