A native Californian, Acre pitched two no-hitters in high school, including one in a state championship game. Attending the College of the Siskiyous, the six-foot-eight right-hander made his mark on the school's basketball team before transferring to New Mexico State University where he also played baseball.

Acquired by the A's as an undrafted free agent in 1991, Acre spent the next several years bouncing between the AAA Edmonton Trappers and the varsity team in Oakland. Groomed as a reliever in anticipation that he would one day replace Dennis Eckersley, Acre fell short of expectations while compiling a 9-6 career record with 2 saves and a 5.17 ERA.

Reportedly, Acre has a 145 kph (92 mph) fastball which has been clocked as high as 152 kph (95), a decent forkball and a sharp breaking slider. Though he's had trouble in the past, he appears to have all the essential tools. With Japan's best catcher, Atsuya Furuta, behind the plate, Acre should get good help mixing up his pitches (assuming he has the patience to let Furuta do the thinking).

Acre also may potentially find himself in hot water with skipper Katsuya Nomura over his fielding. Nomura bashed former Yakult pitcher Terry Bross for his allegedly poor fielding and lousy pick-off move. Though Acre can field OK, there's some uncertainty about his ability to hold runners.