Two Major One Minor 052714

Here is my eighth Two Major One Minor segment of 2014. This is my fourth year of doing this series where I feature two Major League players and one minor league player each week. This week I am featuring Zach Britton, Jean Machi and Steven Okert.

LHP Britton of the Baltimore Orioles is transitioning from struggling starter to bull pen force in his fourth MLB season. This season he is 3-0, 0.65 ERA, 18 K, 0.87 WHIP, 3 SV in 27.2 IP over 21 games. While leftys traditionally aren't closers he has been perfect in his three chances. He wasn't a power pitcher when he started but has been effective in holding opposing hitters to an .161 average. He was originally drafted by the Orioles in the third round in 2006. Britton turned 26 on December 22. 

RHP Machi was a long time minor league journeyman before getting his first break in 2012 and is in his second season of proving himself a valuable member of the San Francisco Giants bull pen. This season he is 5-0, 0.37 ERA, 20 K, 0.86 WHIP, 2 SV in 24.1 IP over 23 games. While also not a power pitcher he has held opposing batters to an .188 average. He originally signed with the Phillies in 2000 as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. Machi turned 32 on February 1st.

LHP Okert is dominating in the California League for the Giants Class A Advanced team San Jose. This season he is 1-1, 1.35 ERA, 41 K, 1.05 WHIP, 13 SV in 26.2 IP over 24 games. He also has 3 holds to his credit. So far he has only given up nine walks while limiting opposing batters to a .194 average in the hitter friendly California League. He was originally drafted by the Giants in the fourth round in 2012. Okert will be 23 on July 9th.