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MLBDepthCharts Mailbag

MLBDepthCharts Mailbag: Questions on the A's 2B battle and the eventual role for Cubs pitcher Arodys Vizcaino

BP subscriber AndersonAdams1 asks this question about the 2013 Oakland A's, "What's your prediction on Grant Green this year? I believe I read he'll be in competition with Jemile Weeks and Scott Sizemore for the starting 2B job in spring but he played plenty of outfield last year as well. What would you say his odds are on making the opening day roster? Thanks for all your hard work!

Thanks for the question, Anderson! Here's what we know so far ...

After a strong rookie season in 2011 (.303 BA, .340 OBP, 26 2B, 8 3B, 22 SB), Weeks appeared to be locked into the second base job in Oakland for the next several years. But he was struggling last season with a .220 batting average and on-base percentage of just over .300 when he was sent to the minors in late August. The 25 year-old went 15-for-45 with six walks in ten Triple-A games before getting called back to Oakland in September, where he played sparingly.

Sizemore, a former second base prospect who was never given much of a shot while with the Tigers, was acquired in May 2011 and eventually took over as Oakland's starting third baseman later that season. He impressed them enough (.778 OPS, 11 HR, 52 RBI in 93 games) that he was penciled into the starting job in 2012. But he blew out his knee in Spring Training, missed the entire 2012 season, and now the A's have announced that he'll be moving back to second base in 2013.

A former 1st Round draft pick out of USC, Green remained at shortstop during his first full pro season in 2010 where he made 37 errors in 120 games for Hi-A Modesto. In 2011, he started the season as Double-A Midland's shortstop, where he continued to struggle (21 errors in 79 games), before the A's finally did the inevitable and moved him to another position -- center field. Instead of keeping him there, however, the A's appear to be getting Green ready for an all-out super-utility role after he played games at 2B, 3B, SS, CF, and LF in 2012 with Triple-A Sacramento.

BP Unfiltered

Daily Draft Video: Rafael Devers

Daily exclusive video series designed to familiarize you with the names you need to know leading up to the 2013 amateur draft.

2013 international free agent Rafael Devers (3B/SS), out of Samana (Dominican Republic), boasts a left side profile and a strong offensive foundation for a developmental staff to build upon. Devers shows solid hands in the field, decent fluidity in his lower half, and a strong arm, making him a natural fit at third base, long term.  In the box, the young Dominican is already showing an ability to create leverage without sacrificing his ahead-of-the-curve bat-to-ball skills and could project to above-average hit and power tools. Today’s video is from the 2013 Perfect Game World Showcase, held at Terry Park in Ft. Myers, Florida, and features Devers in a 16 pitch at bat.

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