Atchison, Scott (Relief Pitcher, Bats: R, Throws: R, #: 48)

Age (4/1/11): 35

Size: 6' 2" 200 lbs

Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent, Dec 2009

Comments: Atchison was originally drafted by the Mariners back in the 1998 Amatuer Draft. He spent most of the early part of his career in the Mariners system as both a starter and reliever. He logged 36+ innings for the Mariners at the major league level in 2004/2005 then was let go as a minor league free agent. The Giants picked him up in 2006 and he logged 30+ innings in 2007 with them. The Sox then picked him up in Dec. of 2007 and subsequently released him a few weeks later. Atchison then signed on with Hanshin of the Japanese League. The Sox brought him back last year and he pitched decently out of the pen for the Sox. He was brought back on a 440K contract for 2011 with a 600K 2012 Team Option. While his 4.50 ERA in 2009 does not look great, when used in the right spots he was efffective.

Career Numbers:

Innings: 128

ERA: 4.29

FIP: 4.38

xFIP: 4.01

K/9: 7.80

WHIP: 1.33

K/BB: 2.52

Analysis: Atchison is a decent bullpen filler and that is the role he will likely fill in 2011. Pitching in low-medium leverage situations he provides a small value at a small cost. Not much separates him from a host of other AAAA/replacement level relievers so its quite possible that he becomes the odd man out if the Sox acquire some more pen arms.  

Tomorrow: Daniel Bard