Oakland Athletics
Brett Anderson / LHP / starter
Anderson has shown good control at all levels of the minor leagues and continues to throw strikes in the Bigs. He uses a good fastball and has the confidence to spot it on the inner half of the plate. He’ll then attack hitters with an excellent slider he can back-ankle RHs with, or sweep away from LHs. His changeup is fairly standard, but is thrown with plus control. Anderson mixes in a slow 12 to 6 curveball as his fourth pitch, usually in the first pitch of an at-bat. Because Anderson doesn’t have dominating velocity, he’s been banged around a bit in the major leagues. However, Anderson seems to know what he’s doing on the mound, which will give him a good chance of succeeding. Unfortunately, any loss of velocity would spell his doom. Anderson also performs the most bizarre water bottle ritual between innings, reminiscent of the great Turk Wendell. 7/31/09 CSJ
[fastball(87-95), slider(79-85), changeup(79-84), curve(73-77)]
Grant Balfour / RHP / closer
Balfour is an intense dude. He throws hard, challenges hitters, and swears at himself on the mound even if things are going well. The Australian owns a tight slider and a curveball, but has been known to go multiple outings without throwing anything but fastballs. 8/13/11
[fastball(90-96), curve(79-83), slider(84-87), changeup]
Bartolo Colon / RHP / starter
Colon is putting together a ridiculous comeback season in 2011. He's still out of shape and a bit injury prone, but his arm has returned excellent results so far.
Colon's fastball is a tick slower than it was in his Cy Young days, but he's getting incredible movement on his 2-seamer and occasionally touches 95 mph with his 4-seam. He appears to be using his fastballs over 75% of the time. He has good control and stays on the corners with everything. Bartolo uses a slider as his #2 pitch. He will often backdoor LHs with it and spin it away from RHs. Colon also brought back his old changeup, but will use it sparingly. When he does go off-speed, he's not afraid to throw it to RHs. Lastly, I've noticed Colon use a cutter a couple times per game. He'll try to bust LHs inside with it in typical cutter fashion, or even go away from a tough right-hander. 7/25/11
[2-seam fastball(90-93), 4-seam fastball(91-95), slider(83-85), changeup(82-85), cutter(88-92)]
Jerry Blevins / LHP / reliever
Blevins has a solid four-pitch repertoire for a reliever. His fastball seems to rise as it approaches home plate and he owns a big breaking curve that he can drop in for strikes. Blevins spins a glove side slider to LHs and pulls the string on a changeup to RHs. Blevins pitched collegiately at Dayton. 4/6/11
[fastball(88-92), curve(70-74), changeup(79-82), slider(83)]
Jarrod Parker / RHP / starter
Jarrod Parker is a highly touted prospect from Indiana. He was a 1st round pick out of high school and reached the major leagues after 70 minor league starts. Parker skipped AAA and made his first big league appearance in late September of 2011.
Parker whips a low-90s fastball and sinking changeup. He releases the ball over-the-top but his arm comes through really late, which screams arm injury to me. Jarrod has shown me a curveball for his breaking pitch. At this point, Parker doesn't own the fastball velocity or movement to make a big impact as a starter. 10/7/11
[4-seam fastball(90-93), curve(76), changeup(79)]
Ryan Cook / RHP / closer
[fastball(94-97), slider(85), changeup(89-91)]
