Power Outage: Oakland Athletics Search for Power
By Dan Fappiano
Mark Canha, First Base/Outfield
Mar 6, 2015; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Mark Canha (20) at bat during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Canha is not a well known name. He doesn’t have any 30 home run seasons. He doesn’t even have any experience in the big leagues. But Canha’s minor league stats, mixed with incredible potential — and an opportunity — may turn Canha from a no-name prospect, to a viable bench piece for the A’s in 2015.
Canha was acquired by the A’s this offseason for minor leaguer Austin House. He was coveted by the A’s for his power and production at the minor league level — he has a career .285 hitter, 68 home runs, and 303 RBI’s over five seasons. When he has played at least 100 games in a season he has had at least 58 RBIs. He is a big, powerful guy, and has proven himself at the minor league level.
"“He’s done everything you can do in the minor leagues. There’s nothing left to do but prove it in the big leagues” – Athletics assistant General Manager, David Frost"
Canha provides the A’s with the type of positional versatility that they enjoyed with both Moss and Josh Donaldson. Canha has played not only first base, but also left field, third base, and right field. He even played a single game at catcher where he gunned down a runner trying to steal a base. As a bench player with Oakland, his positional versatility will allow him to see more at-bats.
The A’s have had a multitude of players who saw themselves swapping their starting jobs for a spot on the disabled list multiple times throughout 2014. Collectively, the A’s sent a player to the DL 18 times in 2014 — and of those 18 times, 11 of those assignments was for an offensive player.
Having a guy like Canha on the bench will help in case when a spot start is needed. He provides the A’s with a great piece who they should feel comfortable bringing off the bench — or start if need be.
Canha has been overlooked, much like bench players usually are. But his role in the offense in 2015 can take the A’s from a mid-level AL West team, to an AL West contender.