Article: Matt Magill Making His Improbable Case

[Seth Stohs]

Coming into the Twins afternoon game on Sunday, relief pitcher Matt Magill had been pitching well out of the Twins bullpen. He had an ERA of 3.55 and had earned more opportunities in higher-leverage situations. In 45 2/3 innings, he had allowed just seven homers. On Sunday, he worked an inning against the A’s and gave up three homeruns in one inning of work.

 

Baseball guys are superstitious, right? I'll blame myself. Before the game, I spent some time talking with the 28-year-old reliever about his decision to sign with the Twins during the offseason, transitioning to the bullpen and more. It's really been quite the story that Magill has written for himself in 2018.During the offseason, the Twins were quite active in the free agent market. They signed Fernando Rodney, Zach Duke, Addison Reed, Lance Lynn and Logan Morrison to major league deals. In addition, they signed the likes of Ryan LaMarre, Gregorio Petit, Bobby Wilson, Jordan Pacheco, Myles Jaye, Nick Buss and Erick Aybar to minor league contracts with spring training invitations.

 

And then they also signed several minor leaguers to minor league contracts without an official MLB spring training invitation. That group included LHP Casey Crosby, RHPs Omar Bencomo and Ryne Harper, OF James Ramsey, IF Jermaine Curtis, and catcher Wynston Sawyer (who was later given an official invite).

 

Such is the nature of free agency, and as you can see, it is impossible to guarantee which move will be deemed successful as the season progresses.

 

As you can assume from the first paragraphs and this article’s title, we’ll spend a little time talking about another free agent the Twins signed this past offseason, RHP Matt Magill.

 

Matt Magill was drafted out of high school in the 31st round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. In late April of 2013, Magill made his MLB debut for the Dodgers and recorded a quality start. He made six starts for Los Angeles and went 0-2 with a 6.51 ERA before being sent to the minor leagues.

He made a return to the big leagues for five games in 2016 with the Cincinnati Reds. He spent the entire 2017 season in the San Diego Padres minor leagues.

 

Magill was again a free agent, and he decided that signing with the Twins was the right thing for him to do. When Magill was asked about what went into the decision for him to sign with the Twins, he provided a couple of good reasons before acknowledging the biggest reason.

 

“I knew that they had a good foundation intact, and I knew they really liked bringing guys up from within their organization. They really like to bring those guys up. I felt like they were going to be contending this year for sure too, and honestly, this was my only option this year too.” Magill continued, “This offseason, they were the only team that called me. So this was my option. That was the main reason. It made it more easy going into the situation knowing that they were contending for a playoff spot going into it. Also, I’ve heard only good things about this organization.”

 

Magill is a great example of a lot of journeymen players who love the game and want to play until the uniform gets ripped off of their back, or until all options have been exhausted.

 

Magill notes, “Honestly, they offered me the minor league spring training. I told them I would love to go just because I wanted a job. I wanted to pitch. I wanted to play. So when they gave me that opportunity, I was just excited. I wasn’t really worried about getting a big league camp invite. I just wanted to pitch. I wanted to play baseball, wherever that meant I was going to go play. They told me I would have some opportunities to go over and pitch on the big league side, so I was very excited for that. I just tried to make the most of the opportunity I was given.”

 

The Twins kept their word. He pitched five innings over six games for the Twins in spring training. He gave up just one earned run. Most of his spring work came on the back fields of the Twins spring facilities. However, he was impressive, flashing a big fastball to go with a sharp slider.

 

He began the 2018 season in Rochester, but he quickly impressed. Reports indicated that he was consistently hitting 96 and touched 98 at times.

 

As we all recall, the Twins bullpen struggled early this season and with weather affecting so many games, the Twins had to make several moves. After just five outings (and 8 2/3 innings) in Rochester, Matt Magill was added to the 40-man roster and called up to the Twins in late April. Even he admits to being surprised.

 

“I was very, very, very surprised. Honestly. Knowing that I wasn’t on the roster, I kind of came out of nowhere. I knew that it was going to be hard for me to get up to the big leagues. I would have to do everything I could. Not saying I don’t believe in my ability, but I know the business side of baseball sometimes prevents some guys who are really good at playing baseball to get to the big leagues.”

 

In addition, he looked around during spring training and it added to his thoughts that it would be difficult for him to get a shot in the big leagues.

 

“When I went to spring training, I saw the arms we had in our bullpen in Rochester. I thought it was going to be triple as hard because we have so many talented guys down there still. The future of the Twins, I just, it’s only going to look up because the arms they have down there are unbelievable.”

 

Tyler Duffey, Alan Busenitz, Gabriel Moya, and John Curtiss have had some time in the big leagues this year. Nick Anderson and Jake Reed still have not had a big league opportunity (but should after Labor Day).

 

Through the majority of his career, Magill has been a starter. He feels that experience has helped him in his time in the bullpen.

 

“It helped me when I was doing the long role. It helped me set up hitters and feel like I could go length. I was very comfortable throwing multiple innings. I also was very comfortable coming in early in the game. That made it easier for me. I think it also helped me appreciate both sides of the game and both sides of the pitching aspect of it.”

 

However, he has become much more comfortable coming out of the bullpen and gained confidence along the way.

 

“Out of the bullpen is nice. You just go in and attack hitters. There is game plan, but you’re going in to get that one guy out at a time. Starting is a whole different mindset for me. I thought it was trying to build up to getting as many innings as you can for your team. (In the bullpen), it’s just about getting outs.”

 

And for the most part, Matt Magill has done a real nice job of getting outs for the Twins. (Again, I’m accepting the blame for Sunday!) The Twins will certainly continue to evaluate Magill, along with those Rochester pitchers, over the final month to see determine potential roles for 2019

 

But when you consider that Magill didn’t have offers from other organizations and didn’t even get an invitation to big league camp, it has been a great story. And not just a feel-good story, but a story about a journeyman who throws 95-97 mph and has helped the Twins bullpen. Still just 28, he has a chance to stick around for a while.

 

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[Blackjack]

Nice write-up!!

 

Good luck to Matt!!

[Otto von Ballpark]

His 4.05 ERA is exactly MLB average for relievers right now. 5.21 FIP, mostly due to the HR, but still a 4.58 xFIP when normalizing the HR rate.

[SF Twins Fan]

If the Twins want to make a serious run in the playoffs players like Magill shouldn't see the field. He has no place on a championship team.

[MN_ExPat]

That's a wee bit of the Primacy Effect there... 

 

Magill could be useful and possibly a valuable piece moving forward (note: I said could be).   He's got good 'stuff' and stranger things have happened. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

If the Twins want to make a serious run in the playoffs players like Magill shouldn't see the field. He has no place on a championship team.

That's a little harsh. Just looking at last year's champs, the Astros claimed Will Harris off waivers at age 28. Magill may not turn out that good, and even if he is the front office still needs to find more and better relievers, but Magill still may be worth a look right now.

[mike8791]

Seth, much as I appreciate your writeups, you have to take off your rose-colored glasses sometimes.  Guys like Magill do not belong on a contender.  As a reliever, you cannot be yielding more than one HR/5 IP.  It's like adding oil to a fire at this rate. The real point here is that except for Rodgers the BP as it is now constituted is horrific!  A top team has 3 shutdown relievers.  The Twins have a 1/2 - Rodgers the LOOGY.  

The FO must do a much better job going forward.  The upper minors are devoid of standout relievers(with a possible exception now of May who is still very unproven).

 

The FO tried this last off season with decidedly mixed results.  They must aim higher, spend the money on at least 2 top late inning relievers before we can even think of competing.  As constituted, the current bullpen(even when buttressed in September) is a disaster.  Please, Seth, let's look at reality, not a feel-good story.

[ashbury]

On Sunday, he worked an inning against the A’s and gave up three homeruns in one inning of work.

 

Baseball guys are superstitious, right? I'll blame myself.

Like the legendary Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx, do we have a Seth Stohs jinx brewing?

 

[SF Twins Fan]

 

That's a little harsh. Just looking at last year's champs, the Astros claimed Will Harris off waivers at age 28. Magill may not turn out that good, and even if he is the front office still needs to find more and better relievers, but Magill still may be worth a look right now.

 

That's the thing he hasn't been good. Below are his numbers on the season.

 

ERA: 4.05

BA:   .272

OBP: 337

SLG: 500

OPS: 837

 

[scottz]

"...the business side of baseball sometimes prevents some guys who are really good at playing baseball to get to the big leagues.”

 

This is something every fan should always remember. Every player that goes through a streak when they can't seem to get a single batter out or when they can't hit their way out of a paper sack is still really, really good. 

[Mike Sixel]

I'm not sure how this sentence is supposed to make me feel good:

 

In 45 2/3 innings, he had allowed just seven homers.

 

That rate puts him 132nd among RPs.....now he's nearly the worst among qualified RPs at 155 (Reed is 156 out of the 158 qualified RPs this year).....when I looked, I saw three Twins in the bottom of the rankings....I wonder what that means?

 

edit: more like 125th or so, I think....but whatever....

Edited August 28, 2018 by Mike Sixel

[mikelink45]

I like good stories.  Of course I like my team to also have really good relief pitchers.  Sometimes the two stories are not always equal.

[USAFChief]

 

"...the business side of baseball sometimes prevents some guys who are really good at playing baseball to get to the big leagues.”

 

This is something every fan should always remember. Every player that goes through a streak when they can't seem to get a single batter out or when they can't hit their way out of a paper sack is still really, really good. 

Really, really good in comparison to all baseball players, world wide, professional and amateur, sure.

 

Which is fine, but if you want a winning MLB team, really really good in comparison to other MLB players is the relevant standard.

 

I also am skeptical that the business side of baseball very often prevents guys who are really good from getting to the big leagues. At least not for long, and those guys are usually young players whose MLB career is delayed for monetary and control reasons, not MiLB contract reasons.

[MN_ExPat]

 

That's the thing he hasn't been good. Below are his numbers on the season.

 

ERA: 4.05

BA:   .272

OBP: 337

SLG: 500

OPS: 837

No one is profoundly disagreeing with you SF.   Your initial post just came across a wee bit harsh(?), that's all.   My thought , and I believe the basic point of Seth's story, is it's ok to root for the guy.   Magill does have good stuff, good velo, etc.   Yes, the results haven't really shown that, and of course he may never fully "figure it out" and become a staple or even stick.

 

But at the end of the day, our wishes and desires will have little effect on what the team does.   Would Magill be my choice to be on the team in the future?   Probably not, but that doesn't mean I personally won't pull for him to "figure it out".  

Edited August 28, 2018 by MN_ExPat

[SF Twins Fan]

 

No one is profoundly disagreeing with you SF.   Your initial post just came across a wee bit harsh(?), that's all.   My thought , and I believe Seth's story, is it's ok to root for the guy.   Magill does have good stuff, good velo, etc... ,yes the results haven't really shown that and of course he may never fully "figure it out" and become a staple or even stick.

 

But at the end of the day, our wishes and desires will have little effect on what the team does.   Would Magill be my choice to be on the team in the future?   Probably not, but that doesn't mean I personally won't pull for him to "figure it out".  

 

Maybe it was a bit harsh but it doesn't change the fact that he's been bad this year. I'm not rooting for him to be bad and in fact I would love it if he turned out to be a great pitcher. I'm just stating the obvious and if the Twins want to take the necessary steps forward players like Magill shouldn't see the field. At least not for extended periods of time. Sure he strikes out roughly a batter per inning but that's really the only thing he has going for him. To take the next step the Twins are going to need at least 1 more shut down BP piece and realistically 2 to go with Rogers, May and Hildy.

 

Edit: Maybe it's fine the Twins have given him a good look this year since it's basically a lost season but he isn't someone I would want as a main bullpen piece going into next season if the Twins are serious about contending. Maybe if he's the 25th man and the FO is willing to drop him if he isn't performing or there is someone better coming up from the minors.

[Brandon]

Im curious as to what would make Magill better? His control has improved and his fastball speed is legit. Is it too straight? Does he have a viable 2nd pitch? Would love to see a scouting report on him.

[jkcarew]

 

Would love to see a scouting report on him.

"Above average exit velocity"

 

Just kidding.  I like the stories on the long-shots.  Keep them coming...I pull for these guys.  The harsh reality is that they are long-shots for a reason and will 'fail' 9 times out of 10.

 

But I have no problem toggling between by 'Twins' perspective and my 'big-picture' perspective.  For 95+ percent of young men that commit to professional baseball, never getting to the majors...or failing at that level, is the reality.  Through that lens, Magill is doing great and I'm happy for him.  It's an understatement to say that guys playing in AAA are good players and accomplished a lot in their career.  These are true statements.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, much as I appreciate your writeups, you have to take off your rose-colored glasses sometimes.  Guys like Magill do not belong on a contender.  As a reliever, you cannot be yielding more than one HR/5 IP.  It's like adding oil to a fire at this rate. The real point here is that except for Rodgers the BP as it is now constituted is horrific!  A top team has 3 shutdown relievers.  The Twins have a 1/2 - Rodgers the LOOGY.  

The FO must do a much better job going forward.  The upper minors are devoid of standout relievers(with a possible exception now of May who is still very unproven).

 

The FO tried this last off season with decidedly mixed results.  They must aim higher, spend the money on at least 2 top late inning relievers before we can even think of competing.  As constituted, the current bullpen(even when buttressed in September) is a disaster.  Please, Seth, let's look at reality, not a feel-good story.

 

Reality, Magill is getting a well-deserved opportunity. He is still young enough. He has plenty of fastball. He has OK secondary, ,and he's deserving of getting this time to find out what he can be given more high-leverage opportunities. 

 

I wrote in the final paragraph that it is a feel good story, but he's also got a mid-90s fastball and has more than held his own. He's also been in the big leagues for 5 months.

 

This idea that he "can't be on a championship caliber team" is always one that annoys me. Even championship level teams have role players. Is Magill likely to be a guy that the team turns to in the playoffs? No. Even now he's probably #5 or 6 on an 8-pitcher bullpen. I just think making assumptions on guys in their 20 who are changing organizations or changing roles would be fool-hardy. Im glad the organization (and all organizations) continue to give opportunities to these kinds of guys. 

 

Do I think he's a core cog in the future? Probably not, but he deserves and has earned the opportunity. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm not sure how this sentence is supposed to make me feel good:

 

In 45 2/3 innings, he had allowed just seven homers.

 

That rate puts him 132nd among RPs.....now he's nearly the worst among qualified RPs at 155 (Reed is 156 out of the 158 qualified RPs this year).....when I looked, I saw three Twins in the bottom of the rankings....I wonder what that means?

 

edit: more like 125th or so, I think....but whatever....

 

The intent wasn't' to make you feel good. It was an acknowledgement that it was better than 10 homers in 46 2/3 innings. 

[Seth Stohs]

Note to Self: Avoid reading comments... Avoid reading comments... 

Secondary Note to Self: Avoid responding to comments... Avoid Responding to comments... 

[jkcarew]

 

Note to Self: Avoid reading comments... Avoid reading comments... 

Secondary Note to Self: Avoid responding to comments... Avoid Responding to comments... 

Oh, come on now...it's not that bad.

 

Think of all the clicking as we rush to disagree with you!

[Mike Sixel]

Note to Self: Avoid reading comments... Avoid reading comments...

Secondary Note to Self: Avoid responding to comments... Avoid Responding to comments...

Why? I mean, I like the conversation.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Note to Self: Avoid reading comments... Avoid reading comments... 

Secondary Note to Self: Avoid responding to comments... Avoid Responding to comments... 

 

Seth I appreciate how you almost always see the positive in a situation no matter how things are going. I guess for me it has become frustrating not being able to watch a Minnesota sports franchise win a championship.

 

[scottz]

 

Really, really good in comparison to all baseball players, world wide, professional and amateur, sure.

 

Which is fine, but if you want a winning MLB team, really really good in comparison to other MLB players is the relevant standard.

 

I also am skeptical that the business side of baseball very often prevents guys who are really good from getting to the big leagues. At least not for long, and those guys are usually young players whose MLB career is delayed for monetary and control reasons, not MiLB contract reasons.

I agree, especially with the first and second paragraphs, and I thought as much when I typed my comment. Like pretty much everything, there are many tangential and sometimes opposing concepts around a single thought.

 

As far as your last paragraph, I think players that are drafted high get longer leashes and therefore might keep an otherwise "really, really good" player from getting a chance. Similarly, when a player signs a big contract but doesn't perform, that can tend to keep some of those non-prospects from getting a chance. I'm not screaming "it's not fair" or anything like that, but those are business-related things that keep some guys from having a cup of coffee in MLB or even scratching out a year or two big league career. I don't think anyone has to stretch too far to think of those kinds of examples.

[MN_ExPat]

 

Maybe it was a bit harsh but it doesn't change the fact that he's been bad this year. I'm not rooting for him to be bad and in fact I would love it if he turned out to be a great pitcher. I'm just stating the obvious and if the Twins want to take the necessary steps forward players like Magill shouldn't see the field. At least not for extended periods of time. Sure he strikes out roughly a batter per inning but that's really the only thing he has going for him. To take the next step the Twins are going to need at least 1 more shut down BP piece and realistically 2 to go with Rogers, May and Hildy.

 

Edit: Maybe it's fine the Twins have given him a good look this year since it's basically a lost season but he isn't someone I would want as a main bullpen piece going into next season if the Twins are serious about contending. Maybe if he's the 25th man and the FO is willing to drop him if he isn't performing or there is someone better coming up from the minors.

Well said

[Otto von Ballpark]

I guess for me it has become frustrating not being able to watch a Minnesota sports franchise win a championship.

Here you go!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aQdU1L6CIA

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT_MODis138

[yarnivek1972]

To dream, the impossible dream...

[gil4]

 

If the Twins want to make a serious run in the playoffs players like Magill shouldn't see the field. He has no place on a championship team.

He would have been in the top half of the bullpen on the 87 Twins. Of course, they might have made him a starter and let him battle Straker for the #3 spot.  

 

I know - it was a different era and that team was among the worst championship teams of all time. (They were definitely built for a 7-game series, not a 162 game season.) 

[Platoon]

I thought the significant comment was the Twins were the only team that called. That makes the Twins either extremely clever, or extremely "not clever". Keep writing Seth, and don't worry about the comments. People who post on here are generally wrong anyway! :)

[Riverbrian]

They gave him a uniform. I like it when he gets a chance to keep it on.