There are a lot of overdue promotions in the Twins org right now but there is one that stands out above the rest for me. It is absolutely egregious that Hildenberger hasn't at least gotten promoted to Rochester. 

 

He has posted a 0.72 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, .160 AVG against, 44 Ks in 37.2 IP and is 25 years old. Seriously, WHAT DOES THIS GUY HAVE TO DO??????

I predict an Aug 3rd promotion....

 

I predict an Aug 3rd promotion....

 

Twins or Red Wings?

 

Twins or Red Wings?

 

Red Wings, Twins in September.

 

I'd bet money on that.

 

Red Wings, Twins in September.

 

I'd bet money on that.

 

ill-advised bet

 

I hope that Nick Greenwood and Sean Burnett go away from Rochester for good.  That will open 2 spots on that roster.   I suspect that one of them goes to Melotakis (and it should.  They need a lefty and after returning from his injury, he has been very good.)  As far as the other spot goes, check out what Zack Jones has done since returning.   So there is competition for spots in Rochester and with people with more seniority than him.

 

As far as making the Twins' roster, lots of things will need to fall in place, including the Twins trading Boshers, Kintzer and Abad, which might or might not happen.  And there still will be competition by players already on the 40-man roster, like Chargois and Melotakis and players not on that roster, like Baxendale (check out what he is doing as a reliever in Rochester,) the aforementioned Zack Jones, and even Alex Wimmers.

 

Not.a.good.bet. 

Good point on the 40 man issue.....ok, but I'll stick with Rochester. 

Good call Mike.  I saw him pitch in the Arizona Fall League Championship game.  He has an unusual sidearm delivery that seems to be quite deceptive.  He does not throw real hard but he might be one of those guys that is consistent at the back-end of the bullpen for years because hitters have a hard time dealing with delivery.  We could sure use it.  Not sure when we will see him.  There are just too many variables to predict his arrival on the Twins.

Edited July 26, 201610 yr by Major Leauge Ready

Hlidenberger isn't on the 40 man yet.  Not sure when he needs to be added, so at that I think that Melotakis and Chargois are ahead of him.  He should be able to move to AAA at some point.  Not expecting him in MN till next year though.

There seems to be something Anthony Slama-ish going on with Hildenberger. Outstanding numbers every year but not a lot of love from the Twins brass or from the vaunted legions of prospect rankers. HOpefully he turns out to be a lot better than Slama.

 

There seems to be something Anthony Slama-ish going on with Hildenberger. Outstanding numbers every year but not a lot of love from the Twins brass or from the vaunted legions of prospect rankers. HOpefully he turns out to be a lot better than Slama.

 

There seems to be something Anthony Slama-ish going on with Hildenberger. Outstanding numbers every year but not a lot of love from the Twins brass or from the vaunted legions of prospect rankers. HOpefully he turns out to be a lot better than Slama.

Just a guess but I think he does not get as much love because he does not throw very hard.  My memory from the one game I watched was that he cant break 90.  That's a distant memory so take it for what its worth.  (not much)

 

Hlidenberger isn't on the 40 man yet.  Not sure when he needs to be added, so at that I think that Melotakis and Chargois are ahead of him.  He should be able to move to AAA at some point.  Not expecting him in MN till next year though.

Hildenberger doesn't need to be added to the 40-man for Rule 5 protection until after the 2017 season.  So I wouldn't bother promoting him to MLB this year -- use that opportunity for Chargois, Melotakis, and Zack Jones instead.  Even Wimmers or Baxendale, I suppose.

 

There seems to be something Anthony Slama-ish going on with Hildenberger. Outstanding numbers every year but not a lot of love from the Twins brass or from the vaunted legions of prospect rankers. HOpefully he turns out to be a lot better than Slama.

Anthony Slama had a minor league career 4.1 BB/9. Hildenberger is at 1.2(!) BB/9. Plus, Hildenberger has the whole side-arm thing going for him.

 

Just a guess but I think he does not get as much love because he does not throw very hard.  My memory from the one game I watched was that he cant break 90.  That's a distant memory so take it for what its worth.  (not much)

Darren O'Day throws mid 80's, and that's worked out well for him, and I'm pretty sure I've seen Seth write that Hildenberger is more low 90's.

 

There seems to be something Anthony Slama-ish going on with Hildenberger. Outstanding numbers every year but not a lot of love from the Twins brass

It's a little early to say that.  Slama rose through the system at a acceptable rate, reaching AAA during his second full pro season and MLB during his third (he was drafted in 2006, but didn't sign until just before the 2007 draft).  It's just that he was mostly buried at AAA for the next 3+ years.

 

Hildenberger is on track to reach AAA in this, his second full pro season, and should hit MLB next year.  (No evidence yet of him getting mostly buried at AAA for 3+ years, fortunately!)

 

Plus, Hildenberger has the whole side-arm thing going for him.

 

That could be going for or against, depending on who is making the call.  (That's one step away from knuckleballer on the "normal" scale.)