Veteran righty Scott Atchison has joined the Indians organization in a non-playing role, the team announced today. As MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian explains, Atchison took the gig after deciding to put an end to his playing career.
Atchison only worked in parts of three big league seasons before his age-34 season, but earned new opportunities after a nice run with Japan’s Hanshin Tigers. He ultimately racked up another 278 2/3 innings of 3.52 ERA ball in the bigs from 2010 onward, with a 3.55 SIERA to support the results.
There were some sterling campaigns mixed in along the way. In 2012, he worked to a 1.58 ERA in a 51 1/3-inning effort for the Red Sox. And in his strong 2014 season with the Indians, Atchison logged a 2.75 earned run average in 72 frames.
Never a big strikeout pitcher, Atchison nevertheless limited the free passes (especially in his second run through the majors) and generated a lot of grounders. For his career, he averaged 6.6 K/9 against 2.3 BB/9 to go with a 49.7% groundball rate. In addition to his time in Cleveland and Boston, Atchison appeared in the majors with the Mariners, Giants, and Mets.
According to Bastian, Atchison will function in a variety of roles as a “Major League advance coach and staff assistant.” He is expected to assist in advanced scouting as well as to work with the club’s pitching coach (Mickey Callaway) and bullpen coach (Jason Bere).
MLBTR congratulates Atchison on his productive career and wishes him the best of luck in his new position.
Loved him when he was with the Sox, even though the team kept trying to DFA him. Great team player, great attitude. I bet he’ll do well if he winds up coaching.
Never understood why Cherington tried so hard to get rid of this guy, he was pitching great and there were plenty of relievers on that 2012 squad that couldn’t play…. Cough cough Andrew Bailey
He seems to be a very hard-working guy, maybe he will end up Managing in the future….
Scott Atchison left behind guaranteed money in Japan to return to the US in 2010. His daughter needed medical care that could only be had in the States, so he basically gave up his lucrative contract with the Hanshin Tigers and returned home with no prospects, no contract and no offers, all so he could be near his daughter in her time of need. Right then and there I knew Scot Atchison was worthy of admiration and he has been my favourite player ever since. And obviously, Tito Francona’s favourite too