Introducing Tommy Everidge
Meet the newest member of the A’s, 26-year-old Tommy Everidge. Physically, Everidge looks like Eric Hinske plus about 50 pounds. As recently as last week Everidge was playing some third base in the minors, but he’s mostly a first baseman/designated hitter. Everidge debuted last night, smacking his first career hit, a double off the Green Monster, versus Jonathan Papelbon. Not a bad way to start your career in the majors.
Everidge isn’t even the most beloved hefty slugger with the addition of Brett Wallace last week, but he’s the one A’s fans get to take joy in watching first. Selected in the 10th round of the 2004 draft by the A’s out of Sonoma State University, it’s safe to call Everidge a bit of a local favorite. Since starting his majors career Everidge has hit well at just about every level, take a look at his numbers at the top two levels:
AAA (192 PA) .382/.432/.636
AA (903) .290/.358/.474
Everidge strikes out a fair amount and walks, although not at the levels you may be assuming, and his ISO is usually in the .180+ range. Truth be told, he lacks prospect status. His age, less than spectacular bat, and lack of a true position leave him in a bit of a limbo in terms of where he fits on a team; especially a team with Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jack Cust, and even the disabled Daric Barton floating around. Everidge is a right-handed platoon mate with defensive limitations that leave him stuck between first base and DH. T Or otherwise the player type that is about the easiest to find, right behind left-handed reliever.
Everidge makes for a nice local story and probably nothing else. At least he’ll always be able to tell his kids and grandkids about his double off Papelbon though.
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And at the rate Papelbon’s peripherals are evaporating it will not mean a whole lot.
Me last night:
NO DAMMIT WHY ARE YOU PULLING BARD PAPELBON WILL F IT UP.
And sure enough…
There might be a fit for everidge since giambi/nomar arent back next yr. Barton is no sure thing either. Everidge has power, cut his K rate, and usually crushes lefties. He’s limited to 1b,maybe emergency fill in at 3rd. Maybe the bat ends up like in a jonny gomes role.
He puts up a .460 wOBA in Triple-A in his first try at the level and you don’t think he has a shot at sticking? I strongly disagree…
192 PA in AAA is not really a reliable sample.
Even so, considering the other options are Giambi, Barton, Crosby, I think Everidge has a pretty good chance of sticking, at least until Chris Carter or Brett Wallace is up.
I grew up with Tom my whole life, and this has been his dream forever to play in the Majors. Mind you he might be a little overweight, but he is a great baseball player and he is player for one of the best teams in the league. He went up for his first hit and hit a double, that is better than what others can say for themselves. I am so proud of Tom and couldn’t be happier that he made it. Even if it is for one season or more, he still is able to say that he as least played for the Oakland A’s. Go A’s!