Exams have been holding back my postings lately, but they’ll all be over, thank god, by Opening Night.

Two more A’s draft prospects have been signed to the system since the last post by Oz, and they’re two of the most sought after ones.

3rd rounder Petey Paramore and OF Rashun Dixon (top left) from the 10th round, which is huge considering Dixon had a Division I Football Scholarship that he’s willing to give up for baseball. 

Paramore is a catcher with all of the tools, and is projected to be in the Majors very quickly, thanks to his defensive abilities.  He can also hit the ball too.  Look for him to go straight to Kane County with their catchers struggling as of late.  The Cougars top catcher, Dusty Napoleon, is hitting just .235.  Dante Love was promoted to Illinois this week, but doesn’t have a hit in 10 at-bats, striking out twice.

Dixon is expected to go to Phoenix for the summer, where he’ll work on his defense, which will look to compliment his speed on the bases, and consistent bat in the box.  Power, however, doesn’t seem to be his game.

The biggest news, however, out of C’s camp today was a Coaching change.  Out (for the second straight year) is Craig ‘Lefty’ Lefferts, and in, once again, is Jimmy Escalante.  Lefferts found out today he has to have surgery for ‘Mallet Finger’, and will miss the upcoming Northwest League season.  Escalante was scheduled to be at Papago Park in Phoenix, working with the young players with the Arizona A’s.

Best of luck to Craig.

Well, with less than 48 hours until Opening Day, the only thing left that’s needed is a roster, and players for that matter.  Only the first batch of players arrived tonight, at YVR, with the rest slated to arrive later in the week.  A member of the C’s Front Office pointed out that the C’s won’t know the roster, until hours before the Opening pitch. 

I can, however, spoil some names for you (this is collected from other websites including minorleaguebaseball.com, and word from players in Phoenix).  The Opening Day Outfield is expected to include JD Pruitt, back to re-write the NWL HBP record, David Thomas, a 14th rounder out of Catawba College and Jeremy Barfield, son of Blue Jays great Jesse Barfield.

The infield is rumoured to include SS Jason Christian (5th round, Michigan) and 2B Jareck West (AZL A’s last season). 

Behind the dish, Julio Rivera is expected to come back, along with potentially Dante Love, who has, like I said, struggled in his first three games in Kane County.

On the hill, things aren’t as clear.  It could be anyone the A’s have signed, and only a few names have been released.  One is 25th rounder LHP Trey Barham, along with some returning C’s.  Brent Lysander is one of those returnees, after being demoted from Kane County this morning.  Joining him from last year’s staff are LHP Fabian Gomez, along with the likes of Deaza and Figueroa.  Again, this isn’t official, it’s just stuff gathered from other sites, and I’m not spoiling anything. 

If you want to know the official Opening Day roster, I’m sorry, you’ll have to go to Nat Bailey Tuesday, and watch some Opening Day baseball, which is going to be the start of the ‘08 Northwest League season.  I can’t wait.