Liking what I see from this guy more and more.  I know he's only had 8 starts in Cedar Rapids after tonight (his one 'relief' appearance was on Kohl Stewart's 1st game back and was planned as a split outing the entire time), but is there any chance this guy sees AA?  Or is he more likely to stay in Cedar Rapids and pitch in play off games?

I bet he starts 2015 in Fort Myers.

I bet he starts 2015 in Fort Myers.

I'd hope that at least.  His strike out numbers are doing well, his walk numbers are low.  About the only thing I can see to fault him on (with some minimal data) is his propensity to give up un earned runs.  Defenses are letting him down at the lower levels, but you like to see a pitcher pick his team up when he can.  Absolutely nit-picking here though.

 

Speaking of 2015 Ft Myers pitching staff....I think Stewart makes it to Ft Myers, keeping him on a similar pace as Berrios.  Has Thorpe done enough to work his way up there, or his he likely to stay in CR?  He'll be 19 at the start of next year, so there's absolutely no reason to rush him

Edited August 19, 201412 yr by naobermiller

I'd expect both Hu and Thorpe to return to CR to begin 2015, just based on the fact they started 2014 in extended ST and won't wind up with too many innings in full season ball. 

 

Both are dealing right now though. 

Hu is 2 years older than Thorpe/Stewart, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's pushed a tad bit harder.  In my opinion, he wasn't nearly the prospect dominating rookie ball b/c of that, but what he's done in CR puts him on the map.   I'd imagine that if he keeps it up, he starts in FM next season.  I do think that Thorpe will repeat CR and be angeling for a mid-season promotion.

Hu is 2 yrs older than Thorpe and a year older than Stewart, but he's a very mature 20 year old. Maybe it's the international ball he's played or something else, but he doesn't seem to be phased much by anything that happens on a MWL field.

 

Where guys start a season is dependent on more than just their own talent. The organization has to stack pitchers in a manner that assures they will get regular work, so whether he (or anyone else) starts 2015 in Ft Myers or not depends somewhat on who else the Twins have that needs to be in that rotation (and AA and AAA).

 

The Kernels are stacked right now with awfully good pitching. An improving (imo) Ryan Eades and Mat Batts are probably CR's 5th & 6th starters. The top 4 are Stewart, Thorpe, Gonsalves and Hu. Right now, I think you'd have to put Hu at the top of that list, not because the others are doing anything disappointing at all, but simply because he has been that effective.

 

Will be interesting to see how Stewart fares tonight in his 2nd start back from the DL. Guessing he'll be on a somewhat shorter pitch count again, with maybe Batts piggybacking with him (as Hu did last week in Beloit).

I think another question that needs answering about next season's rotations is when will the injured guys be ready to start in the rotation again?  When and where do Rosario and Romero (I thought there was a 3rd young guy that was hurt too, am I imagining things?) come back at?

I think another question that needs answering about next season's rotations is when will the injured guys be ready to start in the rotation again?  When and where do Rosario and Romero (I thought there was a 3rd young guy that was hurt too, am I imagining things?) come back at?

 

I am guessing they would start in the Appy league and I think Jorge and Curtis will get a chance at Cedar Rapids.  It is going to be a challenge to find room for all the pitchers.  I guess there are always a couple of guys that will get hurt so eventually there will room for everyone.  Nice problem to have too many good pitchers.