New hitting coach in Kane County

This is a bit of a surprise both because it so close to the start of the season and who it is

The Oakland Athletics have announced that former Cougars player and Oakland farmhand Haas Pratt has been named as Kane County hitting coach for the 2008 season. Pratt replaces Benny Winslow, who has resigned from the Athletics.

Pratt played with the Cougars in 2007.

Pratt ends his playing career and transitions into a coaching role after spending the last four seasons as a prospect in the A's system. Last season, Pratt spent time in the Cougars lineup as a designated hitter while also playing catcher, first basemen and even pitcher in emergency duty.

Pratt's ten home runs tied for second-best among Cougars players in 2007. A 2004 draft selection by the A's, Pratt ends his professional career with 19 home runs and 85 RBI.

He was 11-for-31 (.355) with a homer and six RBI in eight games against the Rattlers last season.