Article: Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month - April 2015

[Seth Stohs]

Each month here at Twins Daily, we will be posting choices for Twins minor league relief pitcher, starting pitcher and hitter of the month. First, I want to share with you some of the top relief pitchers in the Twins minor league system in the month of April. I'll follow up over the next 24 hours with the starting pitcher and hitter of the month.

 

There were a lot of very strong April performances out of the bullpen at the Twins affiliates. Below you’ll find the Top 6 relief pitchers in April.First, a few relievers worthy of mention:

• RHP Michael Tonkin – 8 G, 0-1, 5 S, 2.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 10 K
• RHP Todd Van Steensel – 7 G, 0-2, 1.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 13.1 IP, 8 H, 8 BB, 22 K
• RHP Randy LeBlanc – 5 G, 1-0, 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 15 K
• RHP Zach Tillery – 5 G, 1 GS, 2-0, 1.88 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 14.1 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 14 K

THE TOP SIX RELIEF PITCHERS

 

Number 6 – Cedar Rapids – LHP Cameron Booser - 6 G, 0.90 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 10.0 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 18 K

 

 

The Twins signed the left-hander as a non-drafted free agent late in 2013. In a recent Twins Daily story on Booser, we learned that he’s had a lot of injuries and is now finally healthy. He’s also blessed with an upper-90s fastball and a very good slider. And, he’s still learning. Once he shows that the control he’s shown so far this season is legit, he could move quickly. He turns 23 on Monday.

 

Number 5 - Rochester – Lester Oliveros - 6 G, 1.69 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 10.2 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 21 K

 

The 26-year-old appears to be completely back after having Tommy John surgery and missing the 2013 season. He was very good in 2014, and he’s off to a great start in 2015. Oliveros came to the Twins from the Tigers in August of 2011 in the Delmon Young trade. Oliveros made his first start since he played in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2006. He went four innings and struck out nine. He is good at missing bats! He should be up with the Twins, or at least he should be soon.

 

Number 4 – Ft. Myers – Brandon Peterson - 7 G, 0.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 10.2 IP, 5 H, 7 BB, 14 K

 

Peterson was the Twins 13^th round pick in 2013 out of Wichita State. He went to Burnsville High School. In his first full season, he was the choice for Twins Minor League Reliever of the Year for what he did with Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers. In 40 games and 57.1 innings, he posted a 1.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP. He also walked 19 and struck out 84. The 23-year-old returned to the Miracle to start this season and is experiencing the same success.

 

Number 3 – Chattanooga – Zack Jones - 7 G, 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 13 K

 

Jones was the Twins fourth-round pick in 2012 out of San Jose State. An aneurysm near his shoulder and a blood clot cost him most of the 2014 season. However, he did return in time to be the Miracle closer for their championship run last year. The hard-throwing righty had a great first month as the closer in Chattanooga. He is 5-5 in save opportunities. The problem he has had in his young career has been throwing strikes, but he did a great job of that in the season’s first month.

 

Number 2 – Cedar Rapids – Trevor Hildenberger - 5 G, 0.90 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 10.0 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 13 K

 

Hildenberger was the Twins 22^nd round pick a year ago out of the University of California (Berkeley) where he was a very good closer. He throws from a three-quarter arm slot and throws a lot of strikes. For the Kernels, he has thrown in various roles already. Sometimes it’s just one inning, but he has been stretched out and thrown as many as three innings already. He should be the first Kernels reliever promoted to the Miracle when there is a need.

 

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

 

Ft. Myers – Tim Shibuya - 6 G, 0.66 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 13.2 IP, 9 H, 1 BB, 13 K

 

Shibuya was the Twins 23^rd round pick in 2011 out of UC-San Diego. That season, he was the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year. Since then, he has continued to pitch well, when healthy. He returned to the Miracle to start the 2015 season. He pitched really well in April with the team, and as soon as there was a need in Chattanooga, he was the one promoted.

He has missed at least some time with an injury each of the last three seasons. However, he has had the right mindset in his rehab and come back strong.

He told Twins Daily, “It is always frustrating to get hurt, no matter how the results turn up on the field. But it is something you have to get over quickly so it doesn't affect your physical rehab. Having a good mindset each day is vital to being able to get all of your work in each day. ”

Shibuya is a tremendous athlete and fields his position very well. A year ago, his manager Doug Mientkiewicz touted him as the best defensive pitcher he’s ever seen. Shibuya takes a lot of pride in his defense and continues to work on it.

He said, “Playing defense has always been my favorite part about baseball, and I enjoy being the fifth infielder. My parents constantly hit me ground balls at short so I am very grateful for their commitment over the years. Our coaching staff in the Twins organization also stresses fielding. We typically have some sort of PFP a few times per week to stay sharp.”

Shibuya put up great numbers in April. Asked what his keys to success were, he said, “I didn't do anything too much different than my normal pitch plan. I tried to work in and out with the fastball and get quick outs on the ground. I'd use some off-speed in certain situations, but for the most part I located well down in the zone. Our catching core in the organization are phenomenal all around and call a great game so it was nice working in sync with them.”

In April, Shibuya pitched in various roles. He can pitch one inning, or as he did more often, pitches two or three innings. It’s a role that he enjoys. “I go into the game with the mentality that my job is to get outs, whether that is in the third inning or ninth inning. I feel like I can be pretty versatile and enjoy the different situations.”

He is continuing to work on pitches and just wants to get innings. “I have located my fastball and cutter well so far. I would like to continue to improve my breaking ball to be able to get more comfortable with it in different situations. That will come with time and reps I believe. ”

As the calendar turned to May, he was promoted to Chattanooga and threw two scoreless innings in his Double-A debut. If the trend continues, the 25-year-old could keep marching up the organizational ladder.

 

So what do you think? I’ve ranked the top six bullpen arms in the Twins organization in April, along with a few more than deserve to be recognized for their great start to their 2015 season. Who would your choice be? How would you rank these guys (and feel free to include others)?

 

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[Shane Wahl]

Shibuya could be the long reliever pretty soon for the Twins.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Looking forward to the Starting Pitcher of the Month article

[Cap'n Piranha]

Oliveros is basically at 18 k/9. If he's not in a Twins uniform soon, I say we riot.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Oliveros is basically at 18 k/9. If he's not in a Twins uniform soon, I say we riot.

 

I used to get annoyed by such things too. I've been proven wrong so many times that I now don't get so worked up about such things any more. That said, I'm sure if he keeps striking out 17.7 per nine (or anywhere near that), I'm sure we'll see him fairly soon.

 

So I don't disagree that he should probably be up, but I probably won't riot. 

[Mauerpower]

Great writing, as usually, Seth! I'm looking forward to these through out the season. This goes a long way in giving one perspective during a long season. Hopefully this one won't be as long as the last few.

[Thrylos]

Interesting to see Shibuya's travel through the organization as a mid-low lever starting prospect plagued with arm problems to his more than decent transition to a pen role.  Watched him pitch a few times this spring and he does have a rubber arm.  Could be a very useful piece out of the pen, but he will never be a star.

 

That said,  gee.  If 2 out of 3 outs you record are strikeouts, at least you should be Seth's minor league pitcher of the month, if not having your ticket to Minnesota punched over people like Tonkin and Pressly...

 

Shame.  Oliveros should had been it...

[Seth Stohs]

Fair point/comment: I guess I'll ask readers what you think here. Is it just about the strikeouts? WHIP? BB/K rate? ERA? What would your stats be for an award like this?

[drivlikejehu]

Statistical dominance is a factor, but role should be as well. Having Shibuya over Jones makes zero sense to me... Jones was more dominant while pitching in higher leverage situations. I don't see why Shibuya made the top 6 at all, honestly. Seems like a 'nice guy' type of award.

[Halsey Hall]

When I read the title my first thought was it would be Shibuya, but I don't keep up as closely as some do.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Statistical dominance is a factor, but role should be as well. Having Shibuya over Jones makes zero sense to me... Jones was more dominant while pitching in higher leverage situations. I don't see why Shibuya made the top 6 at all, honestly. Seems like a 'nice guy' type of award.

 

So Saves is the most important stat? Shibuya had twice as many innings, and I guess I think the game can be "on the line" in any inning, not just the ninth. 

 

And, Zack Jones is a nice guy too. 

[clutterheart]

 

Fair point/comment: I guess I'll ask readers what you think here. Is it just about the strikeouts? WHIP? BB/K rate? ERA? What would your stats be for an award like this?

 

Oliveros has 10.2 IP with 21 strike outs,  in AAA.  That is just plain domination.  

Shibuya has a nice start and is getting outs but Oliveros is just killing it!

[drivlikejehu]

 

So Saves is the most important stat? Shibuya had twice as many innings, and I guess I think the game can be "on the line" in any inning, not just the ninth. 

 

And, Zack Jones is a nice guy too. 

 

Maybe 'underdog' would have been the better way to describe it, but no, I don't think long relievers face the same degree of pressure as closers. 

[Thegrin]

Notable for his absence >>> Nick Burdi <<< Lets hope he has a better May. 

[Kanonen80]

 

Fair point/comment: I guess I'll ask readers what you think here. Is it just about the strikeouts? WHIP? BB/K rate? ERA? What would your stats be for an award like this?

Personally, I like to look at K/9, BB/9 (or K%, BB%) and then HRA and maybe consider inherited runners scored. My thought process is that if I need to bring in a guy in a jam to get out of it, I'm going go for the guy that won't put anyone on base for free, best chance to get outs without the ball getting put in play (an maybe advance runners), and if he does allow contact it should be weak.

 

I find ERA over 30 days for RP to not be overly helpful. A guy could have a sparkling ERA (lets say, only two ER on the month) and good K/BB ratio. But he came in with bases loaded twice and gave up two grand slams. His ERA only gets dinged for two ER, but he's allowed much more damage than that.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Maybe 'underdog' would have been the better way to describe it, but no, I don't think long relievers face the same degree of pressure as closers. 

 

Maybe not "pressure" but certainly the most important moments/situations in a game can happen in the 6th, 7th or 8th inning as often as in the 9th.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Personally, I like to look at K/9, BB/9 (or K%, BB%) and then HRA and maybe consider inherited runners scored. My thought process is that if I need to bring in a guy in a jam to get out of it, I'm going go for the guy that won't put anyone on base for free, best chance to get outs without the ball getting put in play (an maybe advance runners), and if he does allow contact it should be weak.

 

I find ERA over 30 days for RP to not be overly helpful. A guy could have a sparkling ERA (lets say, only two ER on the month) and good K/BB ratio. But he came in with bases loaded twice and gave up two grand slams. His ERA only gets dinged for two ER, but he's allowed much more damage than that.

 

I look at all that too. I agree that ERA for relievers isn't all that important because of the Inherited Runners situation that can help or hurt them. 

 

I tend to look at WHIP. How many people are getting on base against them. I hate free passes, but if they walk a few and give up less hits, that's good too. Strikeouts are great and show dominance, but ground balls are good, pop ups are good, double plays are good. 

 

Strikeout rate, to me, is a good indicator of being a "prospect" and often of long-term success, but for a monthly report, to me, the less base runners allowed is better. But again, that (WHIP) is just one factor.

 

[DocBauer]

At the risk of sounding a bit corny, it's a little bit like pornography; "I know it when I see it," to quote the now infamous line. Or in baseball terms, I know good defense or bad defense when I see it.

 

I think there is a distinct difference between dominance and effectiveness. I could throw 100 and striker a bunch he of guys out, but still walk and hit batters and allow crunch time hits that lose the game despite posting "dominate" numbers. On the other hand, I might K 8-9 per IP vs 12-13, and have aSO-BB that is 2 or 2.5-1 vs 3 or 3.5-1....but I don't allow homers or many extra base hits. I don't hit batters or throw wild pitches. I induce a lot of ground balls to kill a rally. Etc.

 

Personally, I think you could rank the whole top 6 by drawing the names out of a hat and still be correct. We're splitting awful fine hairs here.

 

Buuuuuut, there is a part of me that feels Oliveros is getting a raw deal. And just from the Twins but baseball fate. He came back so strong from his TJ surgery, then had a lousy couple of appearances in Sept before settling in. I honestly felt he was going to make the roster, and possibly challenge Fien for the setup role by mid season. Call it a hunch, but I really felt he was ready. Then he's slowed early in ST, gets sent down early, (which I don't get) and is passed over a couple times already despite his dominance.

 

There must be something that I and others are just missing here.

[TRex]

 

Maybe not "pressure" but certainly the most important moments/situations in a game can happen in the 6th, 7th or 8th inning as often as in the 9th.

Not to hijack the thread, but every time someone talks about using the 'closer' in the 6th, 7th or 8th inning to get out of a tough spot, I think about how apoplectic I am going to be to see Anthony Swarzak coming out for the 9th... and if he blows the save (it IS, after all, still a save) Perkins' outing will have been wasted. And if I am apoplectic, can you imagine how the players will feel (perhaps even Swarzak)?

[SarasotaBill]

How about WHIP + (IP/K) ?

 

Lowest sum is reliever of the month.