Chris Tritle Stats & Scouting Report

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A multisport star at his Iowa high school, Tritle ran in the state track meet and earned all-conference honors in basketball. He had several football scholarship offers as a wide receiver, which caused him to slide in the 2000 draft, but he signed with Oakland. He returned to the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer and was named the league's MVP and No. 1 prospect. Tritle is a five-tool player with a high ceiling. He led the AZL in homers and steals and has the potential to be a 30-30 player in time. He has the speed and ability to play center field, getting outstanding jumps on balls and showing fine instincts. Still a long way from the majors, Tritle will need time to develop. He has to make more contact, as breaking balls currently give him problems. More of a pull hitter at this point, he could use right field more effectively. Oakland hopes he proves ready for the California League in spring training. He's a player who really would benefit if the A's had a low Class A affiliate as opposed to two in high Class A.

A 19th-round pick of the A's in 2000, Tritle made little impression on managers a year ago when he hit .233-3-21. But he was a different story this season, leading the league in home runs, stolen bases (he was caught only once in 27 attempts) and slugging percentage (.565). "He was from a small school in Iowa and the pro regimen was new to him last year," said A's scout John Kuehl, who managed Tritle in 2000. "He took it a lot more seriously this year and he was a different player." Ricky Nelson, Tritle's manager this year, saw the same transformation. "He's really matured and now believes in his ability," Nelson said. "He's got the potential to be a consistent 30-30 player." "True to Oakland fashion, he's big, strong and athletic," Giants manager Keith Comstock said. "He's got a great power/speed package. His only weakness is with breaking balls, but the A's have a way of remedying that."