It's official. Congrats to Ryne! Who knows if he can keep it up all season, but for the time being he's been the best pitcher in the bullpen.

I feel a little burned by Tyler Duffey and his magic curveball so I'm less enamored with Harper than others seem to be. I will predict Harper will be better than Duffey has been the last three years, but I'm not going to put much weight on that prediction.

 

No matter though, there weren't a ton of other options and Harper is definitely a feel good story and a guy to cheer for.

He's been lights out. Watching him in a few hames, his breaking stuff is straight nasty. 

 

He's been lights out. Watching him in a few hames, his breaking stuff is straight nasty.

 

I see what you did there.

Congrats!

 

I see what you did there.

He sort of....threw us a curve with that statement, no?

 

I'll see myself out.

I really hope Harper can carry over his spring training production into the regular season. If the Twins are going to be successful they will need a number of their bullpen question marks to perform close to their best case scenario.

There have been many instances over the years where good bullpens emerge seemingly from nowhere. And there have been many instances where bullpens look like they should be good and aren't.  Hope the crap shoot works to our advantage this season.

 

I feel a little burned by Tyler Duffey and his magic curveball so I'm less enamored with Harper than others seem to be. I will predict Harper will be better than Duffey has been the last three years, but I'm not going to put much weight on that prediction.

 

No matter though, there weren't a ton of other options and Harper is definitely a feel good story and a guy to cheer for.

 

Duffey has two pitches. How many does Harper have?  (I'm asking, I really don't know).

Kudos to Harper. Was rooting for him and Astudillo, but the latter was almost a given unless the front office wanted a fan revolt, LoL. Wouldn't mind the Twins using him as an "opener" (like the Rays last year) especially pitching once through the order, then bringing in Martín Pérez to follow with his 95 mph fastball. That would be a deadly combo platter IMO.

Duffey has two pitches. How many does Harper have? (I'm asking, I really don't know).

I don’t know, but he really had the Yankee batters he faced yesterday off balance. Maybe between 10-12?

I’m happy for the guy but he is prima facia evidence that this front office completely dropped the ball in constructing a bullpen

I feel a little burned by Tyler Duffey and his magic curveball so I'm less enamored with Harper than others seem to be. I will predict Harper will be better than Duffey has been the last three years, but I'm not going to put much weight on that prediction.

 

No matter though, there weren't a ton of other options and Harper is definitely a feel good story and a guy to cheer for.

I can't figure out why duffey can't be a good reliever. Touch and feel of the curve can come and go. Especially if you throw multiple variations. I question Harper's st success but also still (foolishly?) hold out hope for Duffey.

I don't feel good about this "feel good story"

The more selective Baldelli is with using Harper, the better. I feel if he is over-exposed, his pedestrian fastball could become more hittable; same with his curveball (it's nasty, but the really good hitters over time will be able to sit on it and time it perfectly.) But for now: congratulations Harper! You've earned your spot, now do everything you can to keep your spot.

Harper is 30. He isn’t a developmental project. He needs to be trusted in some high leverage outings or he shouldn’t be on the roster. I wouldn’t try to protect him from those tough outings. That kind of role should go to a younger guy they are building up like they built up Pressly.