by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/22/2013) Read some of the reactions to Dan Straily's gem Tuesday at Texas, and you'll have a pretty good idea how much his Athletics coaches and teammates believe in his potential.
"The best pitching performance we've seen out of him to date," manager Bob Melvin said. "I think he just gained confidence as the game went along."
"I think this can be a jumping off point for him," reliever Sean Doolittle said. "That was pretty impressive."
It's not like Straily was doubting himself after a series of rocky starts since returning from the minors. He only backs up what the numbers say. "The last few times out, I walked people, hit people, hurt myself. I wasn't getting hit hard. I was hurting myself. The whole goal today was go out and fill up the strike zone."
Like I said on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today, this is the real Dan Straily. He isn't the first high-upside hurler to have a rocky transition to the majors. He also wouldn't be the first to take off once he found his groove. With Brett Anderson potentially out another two months, I'm willing to ride the wave.
Confidence key to Dan Straily's success
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily had arguably the best start of his career Tuesday at Texas, tossing seven scoreless innings and needing only 88 pitches to do so. Straily said not "hurting himself" was the key to his success.
"I was really myself out there," Straily said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. "It felt different. I had confidence to start the game. I was not going to let 'hurting myself' be what happened in the ballgame. The last few times out, I walked people, hit people. I wasn't getting hit hard. I was hurting myself. Tonight, my goal was to fill up the strike zone."
Straily didn't issue a walk and allowed just two hits, and afterward said he's never been more confident in his big-league career.
"Any time you're a young player and not having the type of success you would like to have, yeah, you want to have one of these games where you go out and believe," manager Bob Melvin said. "It would've been nice to give him three, four, five runs for a little breathing room. But who knows? Maybe that's what he needed, an outing where he had to be borderline perfect."
Dan Straily masterful over seven shutout innings
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/21/2013) Despite giving up 10 runs in back-to-back losses in his two previous starts, Athletics pitcher Dan Straily was masterful Tuesday in a win at Texas.
Straily shut out the Rangers' offense over seven innings on just two hits and no walks and the Oakland bullpen did the rest in the 1-0 win. Straily struck out five batters and threw just 88 pitches before he was removed. His ERA drops to 5.73 from 7.27.
Straily had not gone seven full innings this season before Tuesday and the win runs his record to 2-2. It was his first win since his first start on April 5 at Houston. Straily will look to start a winning streak when he next gets the ball Monday against San Francisco in interleague action.
Dan Straily has a splits problem
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (5/20/2013)Dan Straily's 7.27 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through five starts have been painful for his Fantasy owners to absorb, but when you take a deeper look at his stats, it seems as if there's hope for a rebound. He's thrown strikes at a decent 63 percent rate and has only allowed three home runs, but Straily has let more than half of his baserunners score.
While Straily is due to strand a higher proportion of runners going forward, there may not be much hope for him to reduce a 4.2 BB/9 rate that has also put a damper on his value. The Athletics rookie has walked 22 batters in 26 career innings against lefties. He uses his changeup much more frequently against lefties, but he hasn't commanded the pitch well.
While Straily can continue to provide strikeouts, he'll be like a right-handed Felix Doubront -- too wild to provide any real benefit from his high K-rate. He's worth stashing in deeper leagues in the event that he resolves this issue, but there aren't signs of Straily turning his season around in the immediate future.
Giving up on Dan Straily
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily struggled yet again Wednesday, and it is fair to start wondering how much longer Fantasy owners can justify keeping him on the roster.
Straily's ERA ballooned to 7.27 after his fifth start of the season, and he has failed to toss a quality start in any of his outings since he debuted with 6 2/3 strong innings. He struck out 11 batters in that first start, but has fanned just 10 in his three most recent starts, with 11 walks.
Straily still seems to have a ton of upside, but he has not been able to figure out the majors through his first 12 starts. If it weren't for the fact that I have him for $1 in a keeper league, I would have already dropped him. In yearly formats that are not restricted to AL-only player pools, Straily should be jettisoned immediately.
Dan Straily struggles with control
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Athletics pitcher Dan Straily battled control issues in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers, hitting back-to-back batters in the fourth inning and walking four more batters in the game. He allowed five runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings while striking out just two.
The loss dropped Straily to 1-2 and gave him 10 earned runs in 9 1/3 innings over his last two starts, pushing his ERA up to 7.27 through 26 innings this season. If he takes his regular turn in the rotation, he'll face the Rangers again next week, this time in Arlington.
Dan Straily downed by homers again
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily continued to struggle with home runs Friday against the Mariners, as he took the loss in 6-3 game.
Straily ran into trouble early, as he gave up two runs in the first inning, but the big blow came in the third. Facing Raul Ibanez, who was making just his second start in 14 games, Straily gave up a three-run home run that blew the game open.
Straily allowed six runs in five innings of work, with six hits and four walks allowed. He also struck out four batters, as he lost his first decision of the year. Straily is 1-1 with a 7.06 ERA in four starts. He has allowed three home runs in 21 2/3 innings, while striking out 25 and walking eight.
Straily is set to make his next start Wednesday against the Rangers.
Dan Straily settles for no-decision
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Athletics starter Dan Straily spent most of his Sunday in New York out-dueling Andy Pettitte and the Yankees. In the end, however, he settled for a no-decision.
Straily put a couple runners on base in the sixth inning and his bullpen allowed them all to score. He started the inning with a 4-1 lead and it ended with the score tied at four.
The young starter allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and threw 85 pitches, 60 for strikes. His ERA is now at 5.94 after his third start for the A's.
Straily (1-0) has made two solid starts and had one hiccup in his last outing against the Angels. He gave up six runs over 4 2/3 in that start. He's given up five over 12 innings in his other two outings with 21 Ks over his first 16 2/3 innings on the year.
Straily will make his next scheduled start Friday in Seattle.
Athletics recall Dan Straily
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) The Athletics have recalled pitcher Dan Straily from Triple-A Sacramento, the club announced Wednesday.
Straily takes the roster spot of the injured Brett Anderson. Straily has already started two games at the major league level with eight runs allowed on 12 hits over 11 1/3 innings.
Now what with Dan Straily?
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/30/2013) Only a day after his much-anticipated return to the majors, Athletics right-hander Dan Straily was back in the minors. It's not too surprising considering he allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Angels. The Athletics can get that from Jarrod Parker.
But I wouldn't be quick to drop Straily because it didn't work out for him this time. He's clearly next in line for the Athletics, and between Parker's struggles, Brett Anderson's bum ankle and Bartolo Colon's age (39), that line figures to keep moving.
You wish you had beaten the rush to Tony Cingrani on the waiver wire? Well, Straily is the next best thing in terms of immediate impact. He had 11 strikeouts in a spot start earlier this year, so we've seen what he can do.
Dan Straily shipped back to minors
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) The Athletics optioned pitcher Dan Straily to Triple-A Sacramento Tuesday following his subpar start against the Angels, the team announced. Straily served as the substitute for Brett Anderson, who later pitched in relief during Monday's 19-inning game, and managed just 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision.
The right-hander has a 6.35 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in two starts with the parent club this season. His strikeout rate has been his most impressive attribute, with 17 to one walk over 11 1/3 innings.
Dan Straily lucky to get no-decision
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Getting the start Monday against the Angels with Brett Anderson being skipped, Athletics starter Dan Straily didn't make a good impression.
Straily won his first start for the Athletics back on April 5 at Houston. He struck out 11 in that outing with two runs allowed over 6 2/3 innings. On Monday he could muster just 4 2/3 as he gave up six runs on seven hits and a walk.
The 24-year-old gave up homers in the first and second innings to Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo, respectively, and things didn't get better. He struck out six but his ERA is 6.35. He earned a no-decision as the A's managed to come back from a five-run deficit in the later innings.
The Athletics have not promised Straily will make another start and he could be optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento.
Dan Straily starting vs. Angels
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/29/2013) Athletics pitcher Dan Straily will get a chance to build on his promising first start of the season against the Angels Monday.
Straily has been striking out batters more often than usual to begin the year. He struck out 11 during his first start in the majors, but has continued to strike out more than a batter per inning in three minor-league starts. With A.J. Griffin, Brett Anderson and Jarrod Parker all struggling, Straily could make a case to stay in the rotation with a strong start.
Dan Straily to start Monday
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) The Athletics have tabbed Dan Straily from Triple-A Sacramento to start Monday against the Angels in place of injured and ineffective starter Brett Anderson, CSN Bay Area reports Sunday. Straily is expected to be recalled officially Monday prior to the start.
Straily has already made one start for Oakland this season. That came on April 5 at Houston. He earned the win as he went 6 2/3 innings allowing only two runs on five hits with 11 strikeouts.
Down at Sacramento, Straily has gone 3-0 over three starts with two earned runs allowed over 18 2/3 innings with 20 Ks.
Dan Straily starting in Triple-A Monday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Athletics pitcher Dan Straily will start for the team's Triple-A club in Sacramento Monday.
Straily was scratched from his Sunday start, and would have taken Brett Anderson's place in the major-league rotation if Anderson couldn't start Wednesday. While there's been no update on Anderson yet, this news indicates that the team feels good about him making his scheduled start. Straily remains the team's first option to be called up if there are injuries at the major-league level.
Dan Straily pulled as a precaution
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) A's pitcher Dan Straily was scratched from his start for Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. The move was made as a precaution in case Brett Anderson (sprained ankle) is unable to start Wednesday's contest against the Red Sox.
Straily started for Oakland on April 5 and allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings in the win. He also struck out 11.
Dan Straily dominating Triple-A
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) Athletics starter Dan Straily is overpowering Triple-A.
Straily already had a strong start in the majors, striking out 11 over 6 2/3 innings. Despite that performance, Straily was sent to the minors. In his two minor-league starts, Straily has struck out 16 in 12 2/3 innings. He has a 1.42 ERA. Given the talented, young players in the A's rotation, there's no pressure to promote Straily. But based on how he's pitched, he may force his way into a role soon.
Dan Straily sent down after 11-strikeout performance
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/6/2013) Athletics pitcher Dan Straily enjoyed a dominant performance in Friday's series opener against the Astros, but was sent back down to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Bartolo Colon after the game.
Straily (1-0) permitted two runs on five hits and struck out a career-high 11 batters over 6 2/3 innings of work in an 8-3 victory. He became the first Oakland pitcher to strike out 11 since Gio Gonzalez did it on September of 2011.
Straily knew after Friday night's start he'd be sent down to Triple-A.
"He admitted that it was weighing on his mind all day today," manager Bob Melvin said. "But he put that away and performed as well as we've seen him."
Dan Straily stays sharp in spring finale
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily was sharp in his final audition before the start of the regular season Saturday against the Giants at O.co Coliseum.
Straily threw five shutout innings and allowed six hits in a 4-3 victory. He struck out five and did not issue a walk. He finished spring training 2-2 with a 5.82 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP.
The right-hander is expected to open the season Friday night against the Astros. He has yet to face the Astros in his career.
Dan Straily hits bump out of bullpen
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily allowed four runs and eight hits over three innings of a 9-7 victory over Milwaukee in a Cactus League game Monday. Straily, slated to be the fifth starter for the first turn through the rotation, followed starter Bartolo Colon in the sixth inning. Straily struck out two and walked one and has six strikeouts against four walks over his past two outings. "I just didn't get enough outs," Straily said.
Dan Straily struggles again this spring
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) A's pitcher Dan Straily entered Tuesday's Cactus League start against the Dodgers with a 6.52 ERA through his first four spring outings. Straily struggled again as he allowed three runs on five hits over four innings of work. The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Yasiel Puig in the first before Jerry Hairston followed up with a solo home run. Straily, who is competing for a spot in the rotation, also struck out four while walking three.
Dan Straily looking off in spring
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013) Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily has been unable to get going so far in the spring. He allowed four runs -- two earned -- in three innings of work Thursday against the Rangers. Straily allowed three hits and walked one batter, while striking out three in a 6-2 loss. His ERA rose to 6.52, with 12 hits allowed in 9 2/3 innings. Straily is battling for a spot in the rotation, and has been mentioned as a possibility to return to the minors after the first week of the season, when Bartolo Colon is set to return from suspension.
Straily gives up a pair of runs
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/9/2013) Athletics pitcher Dan Straily turned in another decent Cactus League outing Saturday afternoon against the Rangers. Straily allowed a two-run single to Leonys Martin in the second inning for his lone damage of the day. He allowed just two runs -- one earned -- on three hits over three innings of work. He also struck out three and issued a walk to improve his ERA to 6.75 in the spring. "I felt actually in control and wasn't rushing," Straily said. "It's the first time I've felt like myself in three outings. I brought the slider out with the first inning and really threw it with convention. So I was happy to see it still was sharp and working for me."
Straily lowers ERA slightly
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/4/2013) Oakland starting pitcher Dan Straily, rated the No. 6 overall prospect in the organization by Baseball America, made a Cactus League start on Monday against the Angels. Straily allowed a run apiece in the first and second innings but limited the damage. He went 2 1/3 innings as he gave up two earned runs on four hits and no walks for the Athletics. He struck out two and his spring ERA is at 9.82. "I thought he pitched better than the numbers show," manager Bob Melvin said. "He hung a couple of pitches, maybe a couple of two-strike breaking balls he threw that got a little more plate and were up a bit, but I thought, overall, his stuff was good."
Straily gives up two in debut
(2/27/2013) A's pitcher Dan Straily is competing for a rotation spot this spring and made his Cactus League debut on Wednesday against the Padres. He allowed two runs on two hits over 1 1/3 innings in the 11-6 win. The right-hander also struck out one and walked one. "I had to knock the rust off out," he said. "It's been a long two weeks waiting to get out there. I threw a lot of good pitches. I wasn't trying to get ahead of myself."
(2/15/2013) A's pitcher Dan Straily enters spring training as one of the candidates for a rotation spot. After going 2-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts in the majors last season, the right-hander told MLB.com on Friday that he is focused on the task at hand. "I'm here for one reason, and that is to win a job," he said. "There are only five spots, and I can do the basic math. There are more than five guys. It's something that pushes all of us to be better each day."
