Jack Cust, Oak (OF) (1 Viewer)

[Buckfast]

With Piazza out for 4-6 weeks, the A's traded for Padre's minor league prospect Jack Cust, who will play everday at DH. Cust is a former first round draft pick who has been called up to the bigs several times over the past 5 years, but hasn't really had a chance to play everday for an extended period of time. It seems like he has the potential to breakout at age 28 with an everyday starting job at DH. In AAA this year, he batted .295 with 8 HRs and 19 RBIs in 24 games with a .429 on-base percentage. Last year in AAA, he batted .293 with a .467 OBP and hit 30 HRs. Since his call-up with the A's, Cust has hit 3 HRs in 15 at-bats with 4 runs, 5 RBIs, and a .421 OBP. He went yard twice last night. It looks like he might be a strong AL-only addition for those in need of HRs and RBIs. Although his high strikeout numbers might hurt his batting average, Cust tends to draw a lot of walks (143 last year in AAA and 4 in 4 games in the majors so far this year) and looks as if he could also be a strong contributor in leagues that use On-Base Percentage. I think that Cust is a very strong pickup in AL-only leagues that use OBP and a good pickup in AL-only leagues that use batting average if you are in need of HRs or RBIs.

 

[ThisGuy]

He can hit. He'll tell you about it too, if you give him a chance. His father will also let you know how good he is, in case you don't believe Jack himself.

 

[RedRaiders]

I remember when this guy was a hot prospect 5 years ago. He was re-hyped when he landed in Colorado some years back also. Can't play the field at all. Seems like a good spot for him right now.

 

[Funkley]

Wish I'd taken him a little more seriously a week ago. Cannot imagine he'll be more than yesterday's fluke but he'll get a chance.

 

[Your Mother]

He mashed through AAA and he's apparently over his wrist injuries.

 

[Buckfast]

Another HR for Cust tonight. That gives him 4 HRs in 5 games. You can't ask for much hotter of a start.

 

[Your Mother]

Babe Ruth is a #### compared to this guy.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

The guy is on fire.

I am in big need of a DH, put a nice size bid for tonight's waivers, hope I get him

 

[eoMMan]

Just picked him up and dropped scrubby Stephen Drew.

 

[Buckfast]

Cust has been unbelievable since his call-up. 6 HRs in 7 days?! A walk-off HR in the bottom of the 9th today! Amazing stuff.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Love Rotoworld's write up

Jack Cust hit a three-run homer off Fernando Cabrera with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the A's a 10-7 win over the Indians on Sunday.Barry Bonds, David Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero... There are some major league hitters you just can't let beat you in the late innings of a close game. Chief among them all, however, is almost certainly Jack Cust. Cust would have gotten his chance years ago, but every GM in baseball knew that to use him was to risk shaking the very foundation of the game. That Cust has had to wait until 28 for regular playing time will probably prevent him from reaching 1,000 career homers, which is a shame. Still, 500 is very much in reach, perhaps by the end of the season.