Tyler Wells is a right-handed starting pitcher who began 2017 at Class A affiliate Cedar Rapids.

 

Wells was drafted in the 15th round of the 2016 draft, after his junior year at Cal-State San Bernardino.

 

Looking at his college stats, he appears to have really developed from his freshman year to his junior year. For example, his BB:SO ratio went from 23:28 in 46 innings his first year, to 38:89 in 92 innings his third year.

 

However, he also says he learned a lot his first pro season at Elizabethton also.

 

Despite his 6' 8" height and size, which writer Tom Froemming described as "cap tilted low and just looks kinda ornery," Wells seems very coachable and down to earth. More at the Q & A with Seth Stohs here. 

 

 

Here is a capsule of Wells's performance in April:

 

"Opponents hit just .193 (.545) off of him in April. He went just four innings in his first start, but his next three games were all quality starts. Over those three starts, he walked three and struck out 26 batters in 20 innings. The 22-year-old throws in the low-90s with a good slider and a good 12-6 curveball."

Wells also made his fifth start of the season earlier this evening, in a game Cedar Rapids lost in extra innings. 

 

Tonight's pitching line:

 

• 5.0 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, 89 pitches. 

 

Per the MiLB game log tonight:

 

Wells struck out the first five batters he faced; 

 

In the third inning, Wells committed a throwing error on a batted ball hit to him scored a single;

 

Wells allowed a two-run double in the fourth, and left the bases loaded in the fifth. After 89 pitches he did not come out for the sixth. 

 

Cedar Rapids loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but the next three batters were retired. Cedar Rapids then surrendered a go-ahead run in the top of the 11th but could not rally in the bottom of the 11th. 

 

 

nice game summary tonight in the minor league forum

 

Edited May 5, 20179 yr by Hosken Bombo Disco

Back on May 12, Tyler Wells was placed on the 7-day Disabled List.

 

His stat line up to this point: 34.0 innings, 27 hits, 10:45 BB:SO. Good for a 2-0, 2.65 ERA in 6 starts. 

 

More on the injury.

 

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported a shoulder impingement (link), while the Twins Daily Minor League Report from May 12 reported biceps tendinitis: 

 

  " ... Wells was placed on the 7-Day disabled list. He said that he’s been fighting a bit of biceps tendinitis. He noted that it didn’t affect his velocity, 'just discomfort.' He expects to miss just one start... " 

 

Link.

 

 

Tyler Wells was activated from the Disabled List on May 31, and pitched 4 innings against Quad Cities. 

 

Wells's line:

 

• 4 IP, 1 hit, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO

 

Yes you read that right, 10 strikeouts in four innings. The Twins Daily game wrap and discussion linked here. 

 

Catcher Ben Rortvedt got assists on three of those strikeouts, indicating swings and misses at balls in the dirt. Is Wells stuff that good?

 

However, Wells committed a balk and threw two wild pitches. Still knocking off some rust?

 

Wells has made four starts now since coming off the Disabled List back on May 31.

 

In these four starts, he has pitched 25.0 innings, given up 11 hits, 4 walks, and struck out 35 batters, for a Scherzer-ian K/9 rate of 13.7, and a Chapman-ian K% rate of 42.2%

 

Because of a minor biceps injury, Wells was passed over for the Midwest League all star game. 

 

 

link to Fangraphs game logs here

Edited June 21, 20179 yr by Hosken Bombo Disco

It's been a while since Wells last pitched. Does he have a serious injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season? I haven't heard much on the nature of Wells' injury. I hope he's ok, because he has looked quite impressive this year in Cedar Rapids.

 

It's been a while since Wells last pitched. Does he have a serious injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season? I haven't heard much on the nature of Wells' injury. I hope he's ok, because he has looked quite impressive this year in Cedar Rapids.

 

He's in Ft. Myers rehabbing. He's had two bouts now with biceps tendinitis. This most recent time, they brought him to the Cities to get it checked out, but he's deemed structurally sound. 

He's in Ft. Myers rehabbing. He's had two bouts now with biceps tendinitis. This most recent time, they brought him to the Cities to get it checked out, but he's deemed structurally sound.

Thank goodness it's nothing too serious. Wells seems to have a lot of potential and it would be a shame if his injuries were serious.

Yeah seeing Tyler Wells and Johan Quezada together down here watching GCL games is a sight to see, both look like basketball players more than baseball players.  But both do provide nice shade when standing by.

Tyler Wells is pitching in games for the GCL Twins.

 

Wells made his fourth rehab appearance this afternoon, entering the game in the 2nd inning. He pitched 5 innings, his longest outing since returning (again) from injury in late July.

 

In his four rehab games: 13.2 IP, 10 hits, 5 ER, 5 BB, 16 SO