Evan Scribner

Scribner had an interesting year that saw him dominate the first two months of the season (2.20 ERA in April and May) and then completely fall apart over the final three months (6.32 ERA after June 1st). The home run ball was the major culprit behind Scribner's struggles as he allowed 14 bombs in his 60 innings. A closer look at Scribner shows a completely dominant season from a strikeout and walk perspective with a strong 9.6 K/9 and an elite 0.6 BB/9, which left him with a ridiculous 16.0 K/BB. Scribner may have actually thrown too many strikes which led to the homers, but if he can find a way to limit the homers, he could put together a really solid season in relief. The right-hander tore a lat muscle in his shoulder which ended his season in August, but assuming he is good to go for the spring, he will likely start the season as a setup man in front of Steve Cishek after his trade to Seattle.

Scribner had a few stints in the A's bullpen in 2014, but a large majority of his innings were with Triple-A Sacramento. He was very strong in his Triple-A work, finishing with an exceptional 13.8 K/9 and an 8.0 K/BB ratio. Scribner has always been a high-strikeout pitcher in the minors, but the 13.8 K/9 mark was the highest of his career. At this point, he has nothing left to prove in the minors, but Scribner has been the victim of a strong and deep A's bullpen. He will be in the mix to earn a bullpen spot during spring training.

Scribner was demoted to Triple-A in early May and spent most of 2013 in the minors. While he was with the A's, he was not particularly effective (4.39 ERA), although he was better after being recalled by the team in September (2.57 ERA). Scribner was very effective while in the minors in 2013, posting a 2.22 ERA in 44.2 innings with a very nice strikeout rate (11.7 K/9). If Scribner can carry over his work in Triple-A to spring training, he may have a shot to win a middle-relief role.

Scribner spent the second half of the year in the A's bullpen and pitched well, starting his season with 10 straight scoreless appearances. He was usually used in the middle of games or in mop-up situations, but ended the year with a solid 2.55 ERA. Scribner does not throw all that hard (his average fastball was 90.2 mph), but relies on his curveball, a pitch he threw 33.2 percent of the time last year. Scribner will be in a battle to make a deep A's bullpen, but will help in a similar role when he is called upon.