Chavez: The Future is Exciting!

Chavez: The Future is Exciting

ESPN SportsZone Chat

Give the Oakland A's two to three years and then look out, says the team's third baseman of the future Eric Chavez.

The organization's top minor leaguer told Zone users in chat he is planning to crack the team's starting lineup next season at the hot corner. He also touched on what part of his game needs improvement and what the A's recent acquisition of third baseman Ed Sprague means to his future.

An edited transcript from his August 18 chat follows.

HuskerRed: What areas do you feel you need to work on in order to be the starting third baseman for the A's next spring?

Eric Chavez: There isn't one area, but I need to stay consistent through the long season. I need to stay focused all year and not part of the time.

I do need to work on my throwing. It has been a bit of a problem since I started playing third base in the pros. But I have gotten some great coaching and have been working on it. It should come pretty easy to me.

Andy Newberry: What will be your biggest concern when you join the big leagues? What do coaches warn you about?

Eric Chavez: The biggest thing will be trying not to be in awe of my surroundings and just have fun. The coaches have warned me about staying focused and not wandering away from the game. There are a lot of outside distractions, but if I stay focused on playing the game, I will be alright.

Elenda: Are you scheduled to come up during the September call ups? I have been following your career since you were drafted. I was wondering if we were going to be able to see you this year in Oakland?

Eric Chavez: That is a tough question. You never know what the organization is thinking. I think there is a pretty good chance I will because they have told me I will have a shot at competing next year, so I think I will probably get a call up. It probably won't be to play but to get the experience. I am not over anxious and I like where I am at right now in Canada. They have told me they want me to bring me up similar to they way they handled Ben Grieve. They want me to follow in his footsteps. So I just need to be patient.

P4Pete: Congrats on your success, it's great to see such great talent coming from the San Diego County area. So what was the most difficult adjustment you had to make from the switch to pro baseball? Go Mount Carmel!

Eric Chavez: The biggest adjustment is being away from home. With baseball, it is a grind and there are so many games and I have to get through it all. But this is just my second year and I think I will be OK next season. But I will adjust.

A's Fan: What do you think you can offer the A's, both defense and offensively? Do you think you can continue Oakland's Rookie of the Year legacy?

Eric Chavez: What I can contribute, and have had success with in the minors, is driving in runs. I have had two 100 RBI seasons so hopefully that is a sign of things to come. I am not a big home-run guy, so I just try to drive in runs.

Defensively, I think I have all the tools but I still need to work on my throwing. I think if I can work on that, I think I can be one of the best.

The Rookie of the Year is about the last thing I am thinking about. I just want to get to the big leagues.

Scotsmn: How did the acquisition of Ed Sprague effect your timetable to reach the majors? Do you feel you'll have the chance to compete for a job next spring when a veteran with a hefty salary is already on the roster?

Eric Chavez: The Sprague deal doesn't effect me at all. Next year I will have a real good chance to compete for the job. I have a feeling that Mike Blowers and Ed Sprague won't even be around in Spring Training. I think defensively if I can prove to the A's I can play, I will have a real good chance of being the starting third baseman next year.

(Blowers has just a one-year contract and I think they added Sprague to finish this season strong.)

Those guys don't block my future. They have told me I am the future at third base, so I just try and play my best.

Athletics Fan: How long do you think it would take you and the rest of the young talent the A's have stocked piled to get to the postseason? Also, would you consider playing any other position if you had to?

Eric Chavez: The timetable would be about 2-3 years. Our young guys just need a little experience and some time to adjust to the big leagues. We need a little help with the pitching and if we get that, you never know what our ceiling will be. We are all really excited about the future. It is exciting to know that you are going to be a part of a great future. This is just the beginning.

I wouldn't mind playing another position. If someone is better than me, I am not an egotistical guy. Whatever it takes to play in the big leagues.

Steve: What player, not necessarily a third baseman, do you try to pattern your game after?

Eric Chavez: Not any one particular guy. But my favorite player and idol is Barry Bonds. I can't really pattern my game after him, but I just love the way he plays and goes about the game. He always plays hard and gets the job done. He is my favorite player.

MTG: One of the things that the Oakland organization is becoming famous for is developing plate patience in its minor leaguers. Is this something everyone thinks about and works on?

Eric Chavez: Yes, especially me. Coming into this year I was always a free swinger. I am an aggressive hitter but I am working on my patience. I feel it takes a little away from my hitting because I like to put balls into play and that is how I get a lot of RBI.

But it is a big emphasis in the organization. It has been pretty tough for me, but I have good coaching and it will come around.

YankeesFan: What do other players think about the magnificent season the World Champion Yankees are having?

Eric Chavez: I pay so much attention to what is going on in Oakland that I haven't really followed it too much. But it is good for the game and so is the Maris Chase.

The Yankees are a great example that you don't need superstars to win. They have nine guys that play the game hard and feed off each other. Winning is contagious and the game is a lot more fun to play when you are winning.

Boilermaker96: What pitcher(s) are you excited about being able to bat against once you make it to the majors?

Eric Chavez: Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez.

Mac: Who's your pick to win the World Series?

Eric Chavez: I am going to say the Padres. I have to go with the hometown boys. But with their pitching staff, I think they can get it done.

Thanks for the questions and glad to know people are interested in what I am doing. I hope to make it to the big leagues soon and be someone that can contribute and not be up and down between the minors. We have a great future and I am excited to be a part of it.

Take care and we'll talk again soon.

CHAVEZ'S FILE

Chavez, who began the season in Class AA Huntsville, has been on the fast track to the majors since being selected with the 10th overall pick in the 1996 free agent draft.

He hit .271 with 18 HRs and 100 RBIs in his first pro season at Class A Visalia of the California League last season. This year, he got off to a fast start with Huntsville, clubbing 22 HRs with a .612 slugging percentage. He still ranks in among the Southern League leaders in several offensive categories despite the fact that he has been playing in the Pacific Coast League with the Edmonton Trappers for the past month.

Since being promoted to Class AAA, Chavez is hitting .269 with 7 HRs and 22 RBIs. On Sunday, Chavez blasted a two-run shot to give the Trappers a 7-5 victory over the Oklahoma Redhawks.