A’s 2019 projections: Why Blake Treinen will duplicate historic 2018 season

Editor's note: Over the next few weeks, NBC Sports California will be analyzing a different A's player each day to project their numbers for next season.

In 2018, Blake Treinen put together one of the best seasons a closer has ever had.

Treinen went 9-2 with 38 saves, a ridiculous 0.78 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP. He recorded exactly 100 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings, becoming the first pitcher in Major League history to notch 30 saves and 100 strikeouts with an ERA under one.

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It's hard to imagine Treinen matching his 2018 performance next season, but don't put it past him. The 30-year-old features a high-90s sinker, which may be the most unhittable pitch in baseball today. He compliments it with a nasty slider and a four-seam fastball.

Treinen was named an All-Star for the first time in his career last year and tied for sixth in the American League Cy Young Award voting, the highest of any reliever in either league. Now that he's on the national radar, expect him to make a return trip to the All-Star Game in 2019.

For some reason, Baseball Reference projects Treinen to take a major step back in 2019. They predict a 5-3 with just 17 saves and a 2.84 ERA. With all due respect, we think they might want to alter their algorithm.

Treinen is right in his prime and shows no signs of slowing down. He has always had terrific stuff and last season he put it all together. We expect more of the same in 2019.