Do we have ANY hard throwers

[greengoblinrulz]

First off, I know its not ONLY mph but movement,hence Felix's top speed of only 93 tonite but we have NO strikeout type pitchers

 

Using Fangraphs

ROC starters with MLB IP & average fastball speed

Scot Diamond 39IP 88.9mph

PJ Walters 51IP 88.0mph

Darryl Thompson 17.1IP 91.6mph

Samuel Deduno 5.2IP 89.6mph

Luke French 155IP 86.7mph

no MLB data on Cole DeVries

 

Is there nobody here who can throw over 90

I know at one time David Bromberg did, & he has thrown back to back scoreless 5 inning stints with 13 total Ks

[glunn]

It is a sad comment on our farm system that there have been no responses to this thread.

 

Aaron Hicks threw 94 mph in high school, but wanted to play outfield. He has not been a great hitter, and if he does not do well this year, maybe he should be asked to try pitching.

[whydidnt]

Well, what's there to say, but the farm appears to be as devoid of strike out type starters as the big league club. They have tried to bring in some harder throwers over the last could years but have failed miserably. They are all way too wild or seem to get hurt. The philosophy has been so ingrained into the organization that it seems like they don't know what do with hard throwers when they get them??

[greengoblinrulz]

Im guessing David Bromberg is still the hardest throwing minor league starter but he is still in AA after having success in AAA TWO years ago. Believe (Seth knows for sure) he hits 92/93 regularly, which makes him about as good as we got. He has been sharp his last 3 starts.

[glunn]

Im guessing David Bromberg is still the hardest throwing minor league starter but he is still in AA after having success in AAA TWO years ago. Believe (Seth knows for sure) he hits 92/93 regularly, which makes him about as good as we got. He has been sharp his last 3 starts.

How sharp? Bromberg's AA stats don't look great -- his WHIP is 1.35 and his era is 5.29 with only 17 innings pitched, per MLB website for New Britain.

[greengoblinrulz]

gotta look farther into Bromberg's numbers. He started in pen, & was rocked given up 10hits & 9ER in his first 3 appearances....2IP w/2bb oK.

Since, 5gms 3 starts 15IP 7h 1er 15k 4bb....pretty sharp to me. 3rd season in AA after having AAA success in 2010, hopefully can move up soon.

[Seth Stohs]

gotta look farther into Bromberg's numbers. He started in pen, & was rocked given up 10hits & 9ER in his first 3 appearances....2IP w/2bb oK.

Since, 5gms 3 starts 15IP 7h 1er 15k 4bb....pretty sharp to me. 3rd season in AA after having AAA success in 2010, hopefully can move up soon.

3 years, and yet he missed about 4 months of last season with the broken forearm. Glad he's tarting again!

[Shane Wahl]

AH, there are a bunch of pitchers who throw 90+ in the system. Is this a serious question? Alphabetically, here are a bunch:

 

Madison Boer, Ricky Bowen, Hudson Boyd, Josh Burris, Jhon Garcia, Kyle Gibson, Deolis Guerra, Matt Hauser, Liam Hendriks, Brett Jacobson, Cole Nelson, Lester Oliveros, Ryan O'Rourke, Marty Popham, Bruce Pugh, Adrian Salcedo, Manuel Soliman . . . . and the alphabet keeps going.

[nicksaviking]

Boer and Boyd are hard throwers but they were only drafted last year. Boar just got lit up for 9 ER in 2 innings last night in Beloit. Seems like he is having a hard time developing secondary pitches. It might only be a matter of time before he's moved back to the bullpen. Gutierrez throws hard but it hasn't really translated into a lot of strikeouts. Anthony Slama on the other hand doesn't throw hard but has strikeout history.

[Mchans24]

It has always been my contention that we baby these pitchers way too much in the twins system. They get to 100 pitches and they are shut down. That doesn't build arm strength!! Look at what Nolan Ryan has done at Texas, these guys go 130-140 pitches regularly and aren't breaking down at the rate the twins pitchers are. Take off the diaper and let guys build the arm strength and you will see guys improve or at least maintain velocity.

[Mchans24]

And Shane, over 90 is not a hard thrower, we are talking 95 mph plus, that is a plus plus big league fastball

[SweetOne69]

It has always been my contention that we baby these pitchers way too much in the twins system. They get to 100 pitches and they are shut down. That doesn't build arm strength!! Look at what Nolan Ryan has done at Texas, these guys go 130-140 pitches regularly and aren't breaking down at the rate the twins pitchers are. Take off the diaper and let guys build the arm strength and you will see guys improve or at least maintain velocity.

No pitcher for Texas is averaging over 110 pitches per outing and none have gone past 121. For the most part, Washington takes the starters out between 100 and 110 pitches.

[2003freak2003]

Agree with the 95+point Mchans24, but in Shanes defense I thought the question was who can throw over 90 and he simply stated who threw over 90. The thread starter was the one who asked if any one could throw over 90, not Shane.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

My adopted prospect Angel Mata is said to be throwing 96mph in rookie ball.

[Shane Wahl]

Even though "over 90" was the question actually asked, a few of those guys can throw around 95.

[Mchans24]

Ah my fault, we need guys who are 95 plus in bullpen and one dominant starter who can get there! I know it is a lot to ask for! Seems we get guys who throw gas in rookie and A ball then they get to big leagues and they are 88-91! I think the difference is most notable with a guy like Liriano. He got away with a lot of mistakes when he was 95-97 that he doesn't get away with now that he is 89-92

[Mchans24]

Sweet one, it's early in the year. Look at disparity at the end of the year and you will notice a huge difference. Nolan Ryan has made a conscience effort to change that mindset in Texas. I would be interested to hear where they compare to the rest of the league?

[greengoblinrulz]

I started the thread & by re-reading it, I shoulda phrased it by asking for guys who throw a 'plus' fastball....93+.........and really I was looking at starting pitchers mainly. Some soft tossers get strikeout while some hard throwers lack strikeouts, so I was mainly looking at arm strength.

Bruce Pugh/Dakota Watts are considered 2 of the hardest throwers in the organizations but they cant get anyone out.

What are the reports on Caleb Theibar.....looking great but not sure of how he throws.

[twinswon1991]

The Twins have had hard throwers but have preached pitch to contact which has prevented them from striking out guys. Gardy loves the crafty vets who buy into his stupid philosphy which is why all they have at the bigs are a bunch of 88 mph strike throwers who get bombed.

 

The minors have few guys with good fastballs but not good "stuff". With just a straight heater you have no chance in the bigs outside of a relief role. It will be impossible to sign any FA pitchers with plus fastballs or draftees with plus fastballs for that matter with the TERRIBLE medical staff the Twins have. I would rather go back to college than get misdiagnosed like every Twins pitcher has been for years. If you aren't ruined by the medical staff, you are ruined by Gardy - pick your poison.