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Seth Stohs

It’s hard to believe that we are already nearly two months through the minor league season. However, it is time to hand out some awards. Today, I’ll name the choice for Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the month of May. There are less candidates this month, yet there were a couple of tremendous performances by relievers in May. The two at the top of the list actually ended the month with a promotion to the next step on their journey up the ladder.

 

Let's get to the Top 4 Relief Pitchers in May

 

Number 4 – New Britain – AJ Achter – 1.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 9 H, 5 BB, 9 K

 

Achter was my choice in 2012 as Twins Minor League relief pitcher of the year. He split the year, pretty evenly, between Beloit and Ft. Myers. This year, he began the season in New Britain. The former 46
th
round draft choice from Michigan State started the season slow, but came on very well in May. On the season, he has now given up 21 hits in 27.2 innings while striking out 26 batters. When Michael Tonkin was promoted to Rochester last week, Achter took over the closer job for the Rock Cats.

 

Number 3 – Ft. Myers – Zack Jones – 0.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 3 H, 11 BB, 16 K

Zack Jones was the winner of this “award” last month. His numbers were pretty close to identical. He throws gas, and he’s still working on a hard slider. He is really hard to hit. I mean, 98 mph heat is tough to square up. He doesn’t give up hits and he gets strikeouts. However, the difference between April and May for Jones was the walks. Likely the reason he remains with the Miracle is to continue to work on the slider and his control of the strike zone.

 

Number 2 – New Britain/Rochester – Michael Tonkin – 0.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 12.1 IP, 12 H, 3 BB, 20 K

 

Tonkin is the brother-in-law of former Twins OF/DH Jason Kubel, but in the past 12 months, he has certainly made a name for himself. He split 2012 between Beloit and Ft. Myers. He was runner-up to Achter in my reliever of the year balloting. He moved up to New Britain and after not allowing an earned run all month, he earned a promotion to Triple-A for the end of the month. He came into two games for the Red Wings. In the first, he threw one pitch and gave up an RBI single before leaving. In his second AAA game, he came on and threw two pitches before giving up a game-winning single to Gordon Beckham. Tonkin is a very good bullpen prospect. He throws hard and gets a bunch of sink on his pitches. He gets ground balls and strikeouts. That’s exactly what you’re looking for in a reliever. Not bad for a 30
th
round draft pick.

 

And the Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month is:

 

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Photo by Greg Wagner/Fort Myers Miracle

Ft. Myers/New Britain – Cole Johnson – 0.68 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 13.1 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 14 K

 

Johnson was born in Wisconsin and went to college at Notre Dame. He was the Twins 44
th
round pick in 2011. One year ago, he was still waiting for an assignment in Extended Spring Training. It was not until the short-season teams started that Johnson was assigned to the Beloit Snappers. He pitched well and actually was one of their starters in the playoffs. He was assigned to Ft. Myers this spring where he has been overshadowed, but has been nothing short of remarkable. In fact, despite nothing having as much publicity as others in the Miracle bullpen, it was John that was promoted to AA first this year. He was charged with one run in his final update of the month, but he’s shown that he can pitch.

 

Again, we wonder how the Ft. Myers Miracle has been so good this year. They have the hitting prospects in Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario and Kennys Vargas surrounded by solid players. But they also have good starting pitching and a dominant bullpen. While Zack Jones and Corey Williams get a lot of the credit, Johnson has been steady and consistent all season. Matt Hauser started the season on the DL, but he pitched well in his return and has joined the Rock Cats.

 

Hopefully June will be a very good month for the relievers in the Twins minor league affiliates. As always, please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

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