The 2012 season for the Oakland Athletics has brought numerous pleasant surprises to the forefront of the Oakland faithful. Countless performances have allowed for this ballclub to soar to a unprecedented 19-17 record while claiming sole possesion of 2nd place in the American league west. Ranging from Yoenis Cespedes' monumental contributions in his initial MLB season, to Tommy Milone's dominance at the Coliseum, to Jarrod Parker's imprerssive outings, to Josh Reddick's 9 HRs, to Jonny Gomes and Seth Smith's blazing stretches, to Oakland's three walk-offs, to newly acquired 3rd baseman, Brandon Inge, getting cozy with Lou Gehrig, to Kila Ka'aihue's monsterous campaign, to Ryan Cook's 17 2/3 scoreless streak, and on, and on, and on... Despite these brilliant performances from the green and gold, one bullpen piece has flown decisively underneath the radar. His name, Jordan Norberto. His previous major league performances: Awful, disgusting, putrid, nauseating, forgetable (Choose your adjective). His 2012 thus far: Noteworthy.
Norberto, a native dominican, was scooped up by Arizona in 2004 as a NDFA and eventually clawed his way to a major league opprotunity with the diamondbacks over the course of 33 contests and 20 IP during 2010. To sum his stint in Arizona: Subject yourself to a gruesome horror flick and you'll achieve a similar effect to witnessing him that season. He accumulated a 9.90 BB/9 ratio, 13.0% HR/FB, 1.90 WHIP, 6.83 FIP, and a -0.5 WAR. He wouldn't recover while with the D-Backs, receiving a swift and prompt demotion to Reno where, as in his previous minor league campaigns, he excelled, amassing a 6-2 record and a 3.04 FIP before he was dealt to the green and gold in exchange for Brad Ziegler. Norberto, accompanied by his follow teammate, Brandon Allen (Now with TB) were bestowed with yet another opprotunity to succeed in major league baseball and were whisked away to baseball's land of prospect prosperity, Oakland, CA.
Norberto would ultimetely reestablish his major league reputation, as a mediocre reliever. While in a condensed and miniscule period of six and two-thirds innings pitched,Norberto essentially duplicated his 2010 statistics, 9.45 BB/9 and 5.43 FIP were his hallmark and fans' relationship with him adopted a striking parallel of their disdain directed at Brian Fuentes. However, determined to improve upon his frieghtening campaign of previous seasons, Norberto would enter the dominican winter league with Leones del Escogido and settle in towards his newly acquired starting position. Escogido would eventually claim the DWL title and Norberto started the championship bout, finishing with 3.1 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB and 4 K.
Norberto earned a opening day post within the Athletics bullpen and took full advantage of his opprotunity gifted to him. Norberto has evolved from a lowly, international relief piece to one of the premier bullpen residents in major league baseball's 2012 season. With a fully displayed mass of facial hair and a #77 worn upon his jersey (He stated he chose #77 for it's ability to provide him with luck), Norberto has whipped together a fantastic resume. He's pitched through 18.1 IP while permitting a mere 3.44 BB/9, manufacturing a slendid 0.3 WAR, and producing a 3.18 FIP. Norberto has allowed only 2 hits and 1 ER in his previous 8 IP for the Athletics including 8 K's to 1 BB over the current stretch. His most noticeable blemish came when he surrendered 3 ER in 0.1 IP in Boston, however, to Jordan's credit, he hadn't for six days prior to his miniature, and increasingly rare, meltdown.
In addition, Norberto ranks 6th amongst all major league relievers in WPA (Wins propability added) at 1.26. This statistic is truly a testament to Norberto's composure in situational scenarios, increasingly allowing Oakland to acquire chances to win contests. Norberto has essentially increased his slider velocity and completely cut curveballs out of his diet, while ramping up his changeup percentage to discover his newfound success.
Norberto, while widely unnoticed within the baseball universe, has dramatically boosted his numbers and stands today easily as the most improved player for the Oakland Athletics and is (actually isn't, but probably should) the most improved in all of major league baseball. His performance, coupled with Cook, have anchored a combustible bullpen and assisted the Athletics to one of the most suprising results in baseball.
