Article: BREAKING: Harper, Austin, Astudillo Make Opening Day Roster

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Possibly, but probably not this early in the year. Perez is going to be the 5th starter when we need one.

until then, why not keep him on a 4th/5th day rotation and throw 4 innings? Edited March 26, 2019 by Sconnie

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'm impressed if they are going with 11 pitchers. Even with all the off-days early in the season, the default seems to have become 12, going to 13 when the games begin to bunch up. This is lean and mean, allowing a chance for a more productive bench. It means no pitcher gets a long leash, if not ready to produce right out of the gate. I like this.

I'm intrigued -- and I certainly prefer this over the recent "12 pitchers including a random Rule 5 guy" configurations we've seen -- but I wonder if they can actually leverage these bench guys well?

 

Also, why would you say it means no pitcher gets a long leash? On a game level, they may get more of a leash since there's 1 fewer pen option available. On a season level, I'm not sure it means anything about pitcher leashes -- they'll almost certainly be subtracting a position player and adding a pitcher when Perez moves to the rotation, so I'd think the bench player leashes might actually be shorter.

[Aerodeliria]

This looks like the best case scenario from my point of view. There aren't any perfect solutions, but weighing everything, I think this looks about right.

[PseudoSABR]

THAT BENCH!

 

that bullpen

[PseudoSABR]

 

I'm intrigued -- and I certainly prefer this over the recent "12 pitchers including a random Rule 5 guy" configurations we've seen -- but I wonder if they can actually leverage these bench guys well?

 

Also, why would you say it means no pitcher gets a long leash? On a game level, they may get more of a leash since there's 1 fewer pen option available. On a season level, I'm not sure it means anything about pitcher leashes -- they'll almost certainly be subtracting a position player and adding a pitcher when Perez moves to the rotation, so I'd think the bench player leashes might actually be shorter

I think it means that there's no long leash to stick with the club; not in terms of staying out on the mound.  But ash will be here to correct both of us in short order.

[Han Joelo]

 

I'm intrigued -- and I certainly prefer this over the recent "12 pitchers including a random Rule 5 guy" configurations we've seen -- but I wonder if they can actually leverage these bench guys well?

 

 

Although "this" has become overused, if it is possible for an article (?) to get overused,..THIS.

 

Also this--The only thing that has stood out to me in national coverage of the Twins this spring is the widespread love for Astudillo.  Falvey's twenty and thirtsomething peers over at the Ringer would lambast him if he sent him to Rochester.  While few of us can aspire to be an athlete like Buxton, there can't be a beer leaguer in America who can't see themselves in El Tortugo.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Great news on the roster decisions, in my view. Fun to see ask Tortuga make the team. Worthwhile to see Austin stick around. A nice story to see Harper make it. Makes sense the Adrianza and Cave made it too.

 

Rocco will have his work cut out keeping everyone fresh.

 

Also glad that Magill and Reed aren’t on the roster, frankly.

[blindeke]

 

I think it means that there's no long leash to stick with the club; not in terms of staying out on the mound.  But ash will be here to correct both of us in short order.

 

Don't worry. Our pitching is so solid we don't have to worry about anybody cracking up...

[PseudoSABR]

 

Although "this" has become overused, if it is possible for an article (?) to get overused,..THIS.

 

Also this--The only thing that has stood out to me in national coverage of the Twins this spring is the widespread love for Astudillo.  Falvey's twenty and thirtsomething peers over at the Ringer would lambast him if he sent him to Rochester.  While few of us can aspire to be an athlete like Buxton, there can't be a beer leaguer in America who can't see themselves in El Tortugo.

fyi

http://partofspeech.org/what-part-of-speech-is-this/

[jkcarew]

Theoretically three of these position players are gone in May. Two pitchers are added and Sano returns. Of course that assumes no injuries in the interim, which seems seldom happens.

[Boognish]

Happy to see some of the best spring names/stories make the line-up! Ride your coaching! Good Luck Twins!

[DocBauer]

If you know me, then you know I have options and I can be long winded, lol. Doesn't mean I'm wrong!

 

1] This initial roster makes sense! Mildly surprised they found a way to keep/audition Austin, but pleased they did so. They found a way because they don't need the extra arm, in theory, for the first few weeks. (Weather and performance will also dictate). It's up to Rocco to find a suitable way to play/audition everyone involved. Barring injury, sorry to say, the best outcome for Austin is to go to AAA for a time, passing through waivers, or move to another team.

 

2] Astudillo belongs here. He had a solid but not great ST. But ST doesn't mean everything/anything and we all know that! But his milb track, and what he showed last season can't be dismissed. He's not just a fun story. He's not just a fan favorite. It may sound trite, but this guy is a BALLPLAYER! He is versatile and solid at various positions, and brings a unique and good bat. His only "curse" to a roster spot may be having an option available and being sent down when Sano is ready.

 

3] Eagerly ready to look up recipes for eating crow. Perez has looked surprisingly good. Over the weekend he pitched 5+ innings of very good ball before being removed and May coughed up 3 runs on ONE PITCH. Not bashing May, just re-interating how good Perez looked initially.

 

4] Harper. I mean, who the hell is this guy? I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what's wrong with him. Or at least give me an accurate and detailed scouting report. (And I've looked around). His milb numbers are beyond impressive, unless he's been betting by on smoke and mirrors all this time. It appears he throws a low 90 FB with one of the best CB I've seen in some time. A curve he not only throws for strikes, but changes speeds on. ANY successful pitcher mixes pitches to change a batter's timing and elevation. He seems to do that. Maybe, in a couple of weeks we will see ML figure his stuff out and "time" him. Maybe not. I'm glad he is getting a shot.

 

5] Bullpen. I want so much to like what I see. I just can't. Not at this moment. I think Rogers is for real. I think May can be outstanding despite a couple of poor outings recently. Looking at ST and the last couple of seasons, still not sure why the Angels just let Parker walk. He looks like at least a solid, experienced, productive arm to me. Mejia has the stuff, no question. Can he translate it and fulfill his potential? Can he come close? If so, he will be an excellent RP and a potentially solid backend SP. But we are still talking about talent vs potential. Hildenberger has an amazing track record through milb and his first season and a half of MLB before falling flat. Who is the real Hildy?

 

Reed belongs on the IR at this point. There is just nothing there. I was really hoping for a rebound, but....I was hoping Johnson would take Magill's mid 90FB and sometimes next breaking ball and find greater consistency. He also is on the IR.

 

I really like the potential of this team when I look at the lineup, and a rotation that is solid and could be "good" if not better. But as of now, I see a 92-93 win team who will only win about 82-83 games unless health/moves/surprise improves the bullpen.

[h2oface]

To me, a minor league 30 year old making the team is not a great story. Kimbrel in the pen..... now that would be something to get excited about. And I just never get the fascination with chubby ball players..... but then when I look at the audience..... maybe they just like to see someone more like the beefers watching. And Hildenberger? Seriously?

[wagwan]

Considering the flak received by the FO for not making changes, this is quite a roster. Eight guys who have never played for the Twins and another 6 that were late second half additions.  Only 11 of these guys were on the opening day roster last year.

 

Of the 8 new guys, I think Cruz, Pineda, Cron and Gonzales will be among the best players. Perez, Parker and Schoop could be solid and Harper is the feel good story guy.  

 

I think with Buxton leading the way this will be a very fun team to follow. 

 

[old nurse]

 

I think that Cave (he has options and the Twins have also) and Hildenberger (he has options and had the worst WPA in the majors last season) are probably the first men out when people start to get healthy

Barraclough and a half dozen  other relievers were ahead of Hildenberger e race for the worst WPA.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

To me, and minor league 30 year old making the team is not a great story. Kimbrel in the pen..... now that would be something to get excited about. And I just never get the fascination with chubby ball players..... but then when I look at the audience..... maybe they just like to see someone more like the beefers watching. And Hildenberger? Seriously?

I’m worried about the bullpen too. Hildy looks toast, I hope Harper is real, but hope is not a strategy, and Rogers is the only guy I really trust in high leverage situations.

[h2oface]

 

Barraclough and a half dozen  other relievers were ahead of Hildenberger e race for the worst WPA.

 

Half a dozen even worse. Swell. That is still so not encouraging.

[ashbury]

If you know me, then you know I have options and I can be long winded, lol.

Then we're sending you to Rochester. See you in September, maybe.

[bunt_vs_the_shift]

 

4] Harper. I mean, who the hell is this guy? I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what's wrong with him. Or at least give me an accurate and detailed scouting report. (And I've looked around). His milb numbers are beyond ipressive, unless he's been betting by on smoke and mirrors all this time. It appears he throws a low 90 FB with one of the best CB I've seen in some time. A curve he not only throws for strikes, but changes speeds on. ANY successful pitcher mixes pitches to change a batter's timing and elevation. He seems to do that. Maybe, in a couple of weeks we will see ML figure his stuff out and "time" him. Maybe not. I'm glad he is getting a shot.
.

 

X2 on this. You've got to love the "guy who wasn't supposed to be here" getting a shot. For whatever the reason, they don't fit the profile for what a professional should be and yet they persevere in spite of it. Sometimes they're drafted in the 37th round and sometimes they may bare a slight resemblance to younger, distant cousin of Bartolo Colon... Either way, I'll be pulling for Harper and Astudillo 

[ashbury]

Also, why would you say it means no pitcher gets a long leash? On a game level, they may get more of a leash since there's 1 fewer pen option available. On a season level, I'm not sure it means anything about pitcher leashes -- they'll almost certainly be subtracting a position player and adding a pitcher when Perez moves to the rotation, so I'd think the bench player leashes might actually be shorter.

Pseudo's response last night had the gist. "Long leash" wasn't a very helpful phrase to use because it carries multiple meanings.

 

In-game, yes, a pitcher likely won't be able to shrug off a poor beginning to his stint on the mound. "I just don't have a feel for my curveball today," if that's the kind of excuse that's given - "well, you'd better find it, because I don't have someone else I can bring in right now" would be the response to that inanity. A pitcher who is brought in had better produce, but if he doesn't, he may just have to gut it out.

 

But, from the medium-term perspective, a guy can't just be shoved to the more remote part of the bullpen and used only in blowout situations while he works out his problems. He has to be replaced by another pitcher, and either goes to the IL, or to AAA if he has options remaining, or else will have to be disposed of in some manner. Or else, a 12th pitcher is brought in, probably at the cost of losing a position player to waivers, or else at the cost of putting a useful position player like Cave or Astudillo at AAA.

 

We won't go with 11 pitchers for very long in any case, but when we go to 12 the same logic will apply, because the trend has been toward 13.

[Thrylos]

 

Barraclough and a half dozen  other relievers were ahead of Hildenberger e race for the worst WPA.

 

Indeed; I should have qualified with 65+ IP .  At least their teams were smart enough not to trot them out as much as the Twins trotted him out.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

 

Two pitchers are added and Sano returns.

 

Maybe not.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

To me, and minor league 30 year old making the team is not a great story. Kimbrel in the pen..... now that would be something to get excited about. And I just never get the fascination with chubby ball players..... but then when I look at the audience..... maybe they just like to see someone more like the beefers watching. And Hildenberger? Seriously?

Ouch ! It's the week of Opening Day. We're in first place. Spring is here. As the Tams used to sing: "Be young, Be foolish. Be Happy."

Edited March 26, 2019 by tarheeltwinsfan

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

Maybe not.

please elaborate

 

I agree with JKCarew, Twins will most likely add the 12th and 13th pitch in short succession. When they need a 5th starter, they'll move Perez into the rotation. 

 

Perez won't be fully stretched out, so short starts are to be expected (as well with Odorizzi and Pineda) they'll need to back-fill him with two pitchers.

 

I can't imagine Sano is gone too long, but then I thought that with Erv as well.

[Dman]

I really thought Austin was gone so a bit surprised he made it.  Hopefully by keeping him a little longer they get something better back in trade.  I just don't see him as long term fit on this team.

 

Harper was a surprise as well.  I fully expected that even though he earned the spot the Twins wouldn't want to put him on the 40 man and make him prove it for at least a month in AAA. Good for him and good for the Twins.  I have no idea if he will be good in MLB or not but he was the best guys we had out there this spring IMO.

 

I like the roster decisions they made knowing they are a short term solution as guys get healthy and I hope things work out well for everyone.  I am still concerned about the pitching on this club no one has seemed lights out this spring other than Harper.  I hope that changes with the start of season.

[jorgenswest]

Indeed; I should have qualified with 65+ IP . At least their teams were smart enough not to trot them out as much as the Twins trotted him out.

Isn’t WPA a counting stat? Wouldn’t it be far worse to have a poorer WPA in fewer innings?

 

Should we discount a home run title because a batter didn’t have enough plate appearances?

[bighat]

I'm worried about the bullpen but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Can Thursday get here already? These cold-weather, early season games look like a drag for players but they count in the W/L column. Hoping this team gets off to a good start. Clubhouse energy looks solid, for what that's worth. I think Rocco's going to have a good year.

[rdehring]

I know logic tells us that when they need to add a pitcher or when Sano returns Astudillo is sent down because, well, he can be.  

 

My prediction is that he will start one of the three games against Cleveland at third base.  Beginning with that start, he will be telling management that no, I am not going back to AAA.  He will be telling them he belongs in the big leagues and is here to stay.  Find some other way to open a spot on the roster for Sano and that pitcher.

 

I also think that the Twins will carry 12 pitchers for much of the season, not 13.  And I have a question for Seth.  When do we get the important news of this spring, the minor league rosters?

[cardsfan]

From what I've read it sounds like a sore thumb on his non-throwing hand. Basically he's sucked in spring training and rather than cut a guy making $8.5M they put him on the IR to see if with more time he can get back to being a serviceable major league pitcher.

[woolywoolhouse]

Is Austin on the Opening Day roster in the hopes that they can sneak him through waivers in a few weeks when all of the other MLB rosters should hopefully be set with no room for anyone to claim him? Unless Cruz or Cron go down or struggle mightily in April, his redundancy makes him the first on the chopping block come either Sano's return or Perez's move to the starting rotation.