The Emergence of Mark Canha
By Dan Fappiano
As the 2015 seasons begins to age, one thing is becoming apparent for the 2015 Oakland Athletics — the way they play and win games in 2015 is much different than how they played and won in 2014.
In 2014, the A’s were focused primarily on hitting the long ball and home runs. To that end, four players on their roster were in the top twenty in home runs among American League hitters. In 2015, the team looks much different with those four players — Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, Adam Dunn, and Yoenis Cespedes — no longer on the team. The 2015 team has to win games on the strength of their pitching and a steady offense, rather than an overwhelming one.
But while improved pitching does help a mediocre offense, the A’s must provide some power to compete in an a competitive AL West.
An earlier article detailed players who must step up in the power department, and one player on that list was a twenty-six year old rookie named Mark Canha. While most players on that list were players that have already established themselves in the MLB, Canha had yet to make his mark in the big leagues.
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Canha must’ve read that article as he has started off the 2015 MLB season on a tear. Through fifteen total A’s games Canha has played in twelve, compiling a batting average of .294 with one HR, seven RBIs, and nine runs scored. His .294 batting average as well as his seven RBI’s are tied for fifth on the team while his nine runs scored are tied for second on the team, and are tied for nineteenth in the American League.
The story of Mark Canha is a story of resiliency and a story of a player who fared well in the minor leagues, and was just waiting for his shot.
Canha was originally drafted by the Marlins in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. He was then selected by the Rockies with the second pick in the rule five draft in 2014, only to be traded to the A’s for pitcher Austin House and cash.
In five minor league seasons Canha was able to muster 68 total home runs, 303 RBIs, 293 runs, all while averaging a respectable .285. He has averaged double digit home runs and at least fifty RBI’s every season except one when having more than 100 at-bats.
Canha’s power has been evident by statistics alone. He has been extremely successful in the minor leagues and just needed his chance to perform at the major league level.
He was given that opportunity by the A’s in 2015 and has run with it. One reason A’s GM Billy Beane was so infatuated with Canha was not only for his bat, but his ability to man multiple positions across the diamond. As we have seen in Beane’s past, the A’s GM is enamored with dual position players such like Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, Chris Carter, and this year Ben Zobrist.
Canha’s ability to play not only first base but also both corner outfield spots, and even third base has given him an opportunity to not only make the A’s roster, but see some playing time so far in the short season.
"“In terms of the versatility, the important thing for me is to be ready for anything. I’m going to do all three [positions] and I believe that is going to keep me athletic. Infield stuff can help you with outfield stuff and the other way around, so I think I’m just going to be ready to do whatever it takes.”-Mark Canha"
When Coco Crisp and Reddick were injured to start the year, Canha was promoted from a bench role to a starting left fielder role. He has flourished in the role, starting a majority of the A’s games so far this season. Although when Crisp comes back from injury, Canha might lose some starts in left, but he has done more than enough to secure himself more at-bats throughout the season.
Canha is a special player, for more than just his power potential.
Being 26 years old, Canha is not the average age of a rookie. With prospects such as Kris Bryant (23), Carlos Rodon (22), and Addison Russell (21) all being called up to the major leagues, it’s clear that Canha is not of the typical “prospect” age. He was never really considered a top prospect, and he certainly wasn’t a player anyone was overly excited about upon his arrival.
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But that is what makes Canha resilient. Despite not being a player people expected to shine, Canha has done just that and exceled on the major league level.
Not many players taken in the Rule Five draft have made the Major Leagues, let alone been successful. Some well known guys such as Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton, and even Roberto Clemente were selected in the Rule Five draft. And while those players obviously have had successful big league careers, overall the Rule Five draft has been a swing and a miss in finding true All Star talent.
Since 2010, no Rule Five draft pick has made an All Star team, with the latest draft pick being current Orioles shortstop Everth Cabrera in 2009 — Cabrera made the All Star team in 2013 as a member of the San Diego Padres.
No Rule Five draft pick since 2010 has been a “household” name with only Arizona’s Ender Inciarte, Philadelphia’s, Odubel Herrera, and of course Mark Canha, becoming an offensive starter on their respective team in 2015.
What differentiates Mark Canha from those other three players is the minor league has been results.
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For Inciarte, he spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, racking up just twelve home runs, 176 RBI’s, and a .284 batting average. While Inciarte did have 161 stolen bases, Canha outperformed him on the offensive level in two fewer seasons.
Odubel fared almost equally as Inciarte with thirteen home runs, 251 RBIS and a .294 batting average. Odubel had 128 stolen bases, but Canha still outperformed Odubel on the minor league level in one less season.
A Rule Five draft pick hasn’t made much of an impact in a long time, but Canha can be that outlier. He has the track record to perform on a level that hasn’t been reached by a Rule Five pick in a long time. But he has the opportunity to add his name to the list of great players who have been selected in the Rule Five draft.
While the season is still young, Canha is doing everything he can to make his mark on the A’s, as well as on the Major Leagues. His power stroke will come in clutch for a team struggling to find the long ball.
Canha may be a rookie, but he is ready to show every team in the league that while he may not be a household name now, he is ready to break out in a big way — which could even culminate in a Rookie of the Year award in 2015.