Shortstop Grant Green is considered to be one of the best defensive players in this years Major League Baseball player draft. In fact, he was projected to be selected with one of the top three picks.

Oakland got him at #13. They got lucky.

But Vancouver baseball fans, who eagerly watch Oakland’s draft results to see who will be parked with the A’s-affiliated Single-A Vancouver Canadians each season, will be even luckier to get a glimpse of the USC standout.

The last time a first rounder made it to Vancouver was in 2004 when Landon Powell turned out for the C’s on his way to the majors.

2008 1st round draftee second baseman Jemile Weeks skipped Vancouver and shot directly up to Kane County of the Midwest League, while 2007 top pick James Simmons went straight to Double-A Midland.

2006 top pick, 2nd-rounder and now major league hurler Trevor Cahill, started out a level below Vancouver in the Arizona League before jumping to Kane County the following season, while 2005 1st round slot Cliff Pennington stepped up to the Midwest League due to Oakland’s shortage of middle infielder.

That middle infield problem is still an issue, which makes the likelihood that Green will bypass short season Single-A ball a nigh certainty.

That’s not to say you won’t find quality prospects at a Vancouver Canadians game this summer. Currently on Oakland’s 40-man roster you’ll find a host of one-time C’s who have made their way up the system, including catcher Kurt Suzuki, outfielder Travis Buck, shortstop Gregorio Petit, and pitchers Jeff Gray, Dallas Braden, Andrew Bailey and Santiago Casilla (then Jairo Garcia).  

And then there’s those former Canadians who have moved on to other major league teams, including Victoria native Rich Harden, Joe Blanton, Nick Swisher, Andre Ethier, Mark Teahen, Jeremy Bonderman, Neal Cotts, Omar Quintanilla…

Bottom line: Get your Nat Bailey Stadium ticket packs here.

The MLB.com scouting report on Green says: "Premier college shortstops don’t come around all that often and when they do, they get drafted early. That should be the case for Green, who has the potential to shine on both sides of the ball with all five tools. He shook off some early struggles to perform up to expectations, though his lack of energy at times has bothered scouts. Even with that, he’s a confident and accomplished college player who shouldn’t wait long to hear his name called."

The next Oakland A’s pick comes in the 3rd round at slot #92.

Meanwhile, Pacific Northwest baseball fans will be celebrating the three first round picks of the Seattle Mariners.

#2 pick centerfielder Dustin Ackley is considered the best pure hitter in the draft, while #27 pick Nick Franklin is considered a solid gamer in the middle infield with decent 9if not stellar) tools across the board. At the #33 spot, Seattle took high school catcher Steven Baron.

The Toronto Blue Jays took right handed workhorse pitcher Stephen Kenkins at the #20 spot and lefty power-slider thrower James Paxton with the #37.