Awards Continue; Carter, Cobb Honored

The post-season awards keep rolling in for Oakland A’s minor leaguers. In addition to the six A’s prospects named to the Texas and Pacific Coast League post-season all-star teams, the A’s had a prospect each named to the California League and Midwest League post-season all-star squads: Chris Carter of Stockton and Larry Cobb of Kane County.

Chris Carter, who was acquired as part of the Dan Haren trade this past off-season, was named as the California League’s post-season all-star designated hitter and Rookie of the Year. The 6’4’’ slugger is batting .259 with a Stockton Ports’ record 36 homers through 130 games. Carter has driven-in 99 runs and sports an impressive .563 SLG and 921 OPS.

This is the first season that Carter, 21, has spent at the High-A level. In 2007, Carter was in the Chicago White Sox’s farm system and he hit .291 with a then-career high 25 homers for Kaanapolis of the South Atlantic League. Carter was a post-season all-star in the South Atlantic League for his efforts. He has been well-decorated this season, having won the California League’s Player of the Week honors three separate times.

Larry Cobb was named to the Midwest League’s post-season all-star team. Although he began the year with High-A Stockton, Cobb has spent the majority of the season with the Cougars. In 100 games, the Florida native has hit .276 with 12 homers, 67 RBIs, 18 stolen bases and has posted an 801 OPS in a tough league for hitters. He was also a mid-season all-star.

The 2008 season has been a big comeback campaign for Cobb, who suffered through a scary groin injury in 2007. He hit only .211 with four homers in 80 games for the Cougars last season. Cobb was an outfielder in college, but he has seen time at second and in centerfield this season. The 23-year-old was a 27th round pick of the A’s in 2006 out of the College of Charleston.