After sending star third baseman Josh Donaldson to Toronto for three prospects and Brett Lawrie, general manager Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics were clearly heading into another rebuilding stage of the franchise. So, while 2015 has been brutal to fans in the Bay Area that were getting used to their team being in the MLB postseason, like the San Francisco Giants, today they will get a glimpse of the future as one of the young pitchers from the trade, Sean Nolin, will make his organizational debut against the Seattle Mariners.
Although Nolin, who made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013, has had three months stolen away in his recovery from sports hernia surgery and a strained left shoulder, the southpaw has been very impressive with a 2-2 record and 2.66 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) with Triple-A Nashville.
While suiting up for the Sounds, Nolin had the privilege of being teammates with 14-year veteran Barry Zito, who took him under his wing for the duration of their time in the Music City. As a matter of fact, the 25-year-old gives much credit to the sharper break of his curveball to the 2002 American League Cy Young award winner.
Despite this afternoon not being Nolin's first appearance in the Majors, his past experiences at the level have not been positive as he surrendered a whopping six earned runs in 1 1/3 innings versus Baltimore (2013) and a home run to Chris Denorfia during one frame against Seattle last season. Nevertheless, the New York native is excited to "just get out there on the mound" since he has been waiting for this opportunity all season.
Coming into today, the 58-78 Athletics are not only in the basement of the AL West but the whole American League as well.