1. Here's a Thought: Possible Oakland September Callups: The Infielders

    Continuing what I began a few days ago in looking at possible pitching callups for the A's, I'm taking a look at infielders who could get a big league look come roster expansion on Sept. 1...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 328 reads 0 comments

  2. Here's a Thought: Possible Oakland September Callups—The Pitchers

    Back from a nearly two-week vacation hiatus, I'd like to take a look at some pitchers in the Oakland A's organization who are in the running for September callups...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 1 reads 6 comments

  3. Here's a Thought: Is Kurt Suzuki Really Much Better Than Landon Powell?

    Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki gets a lot of love from A's fans, and I certainly appreciate his playing. Suzuki is a competent hitter who rarely strikes out, and he's an excellent defensive catcher, ...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 432 reads 7 comments

  4. Here's a Thought: The Experience Of Being a Far-Away Fan

    Many of you know me as the Featured Columnist for the Oakland A's. I'm a dedicated fan to the team and watch most of their games...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 70 reads 4 comments

  5. Here's a Thought: Mickey Storey Emerges As a Dominant Relief Prospect

    Mickey Storey had a horrible senior season of college last year, posting an ERA above seven. Given that he was a senior with poor performance, Storey wasn't heralded at all, and the Oakland A's got him toward the end of the 2008 draft in the 31st round...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 437 reads 0 comments

  6. Here's a Thought: Wait, Hector Luna is a Power Hitter?

    Cardinals, Indians, and Blue Jays fans may remember Hector Luna. A utility player, Luna played parts of five seasons in the major leagues from 2004-2008. He hit .270/.324/...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 117 reads 5 comments

  7. Here's a Thought: Bryan LaHair Deserves Another Shot

    For years, first baseman Bryan LaHair always had power potential. A hulking first baseman drafted by Seattle in the 39th round in 2002, LaHair's bulky physique offered hope that he could have over-the-fence power...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 299 reads 28 comments

  8. Here's a Thought: How Can a Pitcher Succeed Against the Yankees?

    The Yankees lineup has lived up to its pre-season billing; the best in baseball. With a .362 Weighted On Base Average and OPS of ...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 270 reads 18 comments

  9. Here's a Thought: Kevin Jepsen, Jose Arredondo, and Deceiving ERAs

    As an A's fan, I'm always particularly interested in what the rival Los Angeles Angels are doing. I also often look through the FIP-ERA difference leaderboard to see who's getting lucky or unlucky...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 319 reads 2 comments

  10. Here's a Thought: Oakland Athletics Organization Signs Two Players

    If you haven't heard, the A's have added right-handed pitcher Brett Tomko to the roster of AAA Sacramento. They have also added first baseman Kala Ka'aihue to the roster of High-A Stockton...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 147 reads 0 comments

  11. Here's a Thought: MLB's 10 Most Effective Fastballs

    Based on the success of my articles on curves, sliders, changeups, cutters, and splitters, I decided to look at the 10 most effective fastballs this season...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 6 reads 19 comments

  12. Here's a Thought: MLB's 10 Most Effective Cutters

    Based on the success of my articles on curves, sliders, changeups, and splitters, I decided to look at the 10 most effective cutters this season...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 1,129 reads 12 comments

  13. Here's a Thought: MLB's 10 Most Effective Splitters

    Based on the success of my "MLB's 10 Most Effective Curveballs" and "MLB's 10 Most Effective Sliders" articles, I decided to look at the 10 most effective splitters this season...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 1,842 reads 21 comments

  14. Here's a Thought: MLB's 10 Most Effective Changeups

    Based on the success of my "MLB's 10 Most Effective Curveballs" and "MLB's 10 Most Effective Sliders" articles, I decided to look at the 10 most effective changeups this season...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 1,913 reads 40 comments

  15. Here's a Thought: MLB's 10 Most Effective Sliders

    Based on the success of my "MLB's 10 Most Effective Curveballs" article, I decided to look at the ten most effective sliders this season...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 884 reads 12 comments

  16. Here's a Thought: MLB's 10 Most Effective Curveballs

    I thought it would be an interesting idea to see who has the most effective curves in the major leagues this year. I'm measuring curve effectiveness by Pitch Type Linear Weights, which says ...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 2,102 reads 41 comments

  17. Here's a Thought: Is Paul Smyth the Next Brad Ziegler?

    In the 2003 MLB draft, the Phillies selected right-handed pitcher Brad Ziegler in the 20th round. Ziegler threw six nice innings in short-season ball and was cut the next season, heading to the independent leagues...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 263 reads 0 comments

  18. Here's a Thought: What Should The A's Do When Jason Giambi Returns?

    On Tuesday, Jason Giambi is eligible to come off the disabled list for the Oakland A's. Giambi claims to be healthy and expects to be activated once he is eligible to return...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 163 reads 16 comments

  19. Here's a Thought: Mariano Rivera's Weird Walk Rate

    When we talk about a pitcher's "control" statistically, one of the first things we often jump to is walk rate. Pitchers with better control walk fewer batters. Or so we think. Another way to measure "control" is by using plate discipline variables...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 370 reads 4 comments

  20. Here's a Thought: Analyzing the Orlando Cabrera Deal

    Today, the Oakland A's sent starting shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the Minnesota Twins for minor league shortstop Tyler Ladendorf...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 169 reads 3 comments

  21. Here's a Thought: Revisiting Matt Cain

    After I wrote this article on July 14, I caught a ton of heat from Giants fans. Basically, what I said was that Cain was getting really lucky stranding runners, and that statistically, he was ...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 390 reads 10 comments

  22. Here's a Thought: Looking At The Cliff Lee Trade

    As you probably know, the Cleveland Indians sent lefty starter Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday for prospects Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, Jason Donald, and Jason Knapp...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 348 reads 9 comments

  23. Here's a Thought: Analyzing the Robert Manuel/Wladimir Balentien Trade

    The Reds and Mariners swapped two very interesting players yesterday, with Cincinnati sending right-handed reliever Robert Manuel to Seattle for outfielder Wladimir Balentien. Manuel is a really strange pitcher...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 366 reads 4 comments

  24. Here's a Thought: Is Jason Bartlett The New Ben Zobrist?

    A few weeks back, I wrote about Tampa Bay second baseman Ben Zobrist's unlikely rise from minor league singles hitter to major league slugger. That article can be found here, for those who are interested...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 181 reads 2 comments

  25. Here's a Thought: Ryan Garko Isn't Worth a Top 100 Prospect

    Yesterday, the San Francisco Giants acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians for left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes...

    Nathaniel Stoltz Written by Nathaniel Stoltz about almost 4 years ago 837 reads 16 comments