Sean Nolin

Nolin was one of the key pieces obtained by the A's in the Josh Donaldson trade. The left-hander entered last spring in competition for a rotation spot, but an early groin injury ended any chance he had to win a rotation spot and cost him the first six weeks of the season. After making a number of minor league starts, Nolin spent another six weeks on the DL with a left shoulder injury. Nolin found his way to Oakland in September, making six starts. It is tough to think Nolin was completely healthy for that stretch in September as his fastball averaged just 86.9 mph. He struggled in that stretch with ugly ratios (5.28 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) and a bad 4.7 K/9. The Brewers claimed him off waivers during the offseason and he is expected to serve as their second lefty out of the bullpen, which will greatly limit his fantasy potential.

What Nolin lacks in dominant swing-and-miss stuff, he makes up for with pitchability, keeping hitters off balance with a four-pitch mix from the left side. He also appears to be in the discussion for a rotation spot out of camp with the A's in 2015 after coming over from Toronto in the Josh Donaldson trade. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Nolin has the prototypical size to hold up over a full season in a big-league rotation. After posting impressive strikeout totals in the lower levels of Jays' minor league system, Nolin managed just 85 strikeouts in 105 innings at Triple-A Buffalo, and that rate could dip further against big-league hitters. However, he also boasts a 3.17 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over his stops in Buffalo from 2013 to 2014, which demonstrates how effective he can be without relying on strikeouts.

Nolin's excellent run through the minor leagues continued in 2013, as he produced a 3.01 ERA and 10.0 K/9 over 17 starts for Double-A New Hampshire. He got hammered in a May spot start for the Blue Jays, and was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo at the very end of the season. Standing at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, the left-handed Nolin has size and stuff that should translate to the majors. He'll likely open 2014 at the Triple-A level, though given the Blue Jays' lack of reliable starting pitchers, an Opening Day roster spot can't be entirely ruled out. Either way, Nolin figures to spend some time in Toronto before the end of 2014.