your using a stereotype?? I myself am an A’s fan and have no problem admitting when someone is over the line like this post, but to say A’s fans annoy you is, well, annoying. Most real A’s fans are quite knowledgeable and enjoy all facets of the game, not just the A’s and what is happening in Oakland.

I’m sure we can come up with another original way to phrase it.

There are only a handful of lefties— hell, there are only a handful of starters, period— who consistently hit that kind of velocity. It’s obviously the world’s smallest sample size, but his 94.6 MPH fastball would put him third in baseball right now, and almost a full MPH higher than the next-highest lefty, CC Sabathia.

With that said, I think we have to assume that his velocity in a starting role is not going to be that high until he proves otherwise. If he’s merely good and not amazing, the question then becomes how effective his offspeed stuff is and whether his fastball has sufficient deception, which are not questions I can answer at this point.

I do think he’s worth talking about. I’d say his upside is probably a #3 starter, his 85th percentile or so is as a setup guy(if he can really maintain mid to high 90’s in the pen), 70th percentile a 4th or 5th starter, his 60th percentile a LOOGY, 50th a long man, and a AAAA guy below that. I think he’ll be a solid piece to the A’s pen unless he’s traded, because he’s probably the 10th guy or so in the starting pitching pecking order. I think he could be part of a trade package this offseason as well, the A’s-Brewers deals mentioned in the Delmon/Garza thread are very interesting ideas I think, and Outman could be helpful in MIlwaukee.