Graterol

[Doubles]

The thought of a true 'fireballer' coming to the Twins pitching staff is indeed very exciting.  But pitching takes a lot more than just throwing hard.  Just saying that there's a very high likelihood that Graterol will have some issues when he makes his debut and his first several appearances.  There's a great chance he will not whiff the majority of batters he faces.  Almost all pitchers struggle during their fist big-league go-round.  I may be just stressing some patience and that we extend Graterol some room for growing pains that are expected of all rookies.  Granted, his ceiling is higher than most and with that comes upped expectations, but I suspect his first time through the league will not be lights out.  It usually doesn't work that way, even with the most talented of pitchers.    

[Seth Stohs]

 

The thought of a true 'fireballer' coming to the Twins pitching staff is indeed very exciting.  But pitching takes a lot more than just throwing hard.  Just saying that there's a very high likelihood that Graterol will have some issues when he makes his debut and his first several appearances.  There's a great chance he will not whiff the majority of batters he faces.  Almost all pitchers struggle during their fist big-league go-round.  I may be just stressing some patience and that we extend Graterol some room for growing pains that are expected of all rookies.  Granted, his ceiling is higher than most and with that comes upped expectations, but I suspect his first time through the league will not be lights out.  It usually doesn't work that way, even with the most talented of pitchers.    

 

Of course. Over time, the continued development of his secondary pitches will remain important. Yes, he's throwing 99-103 (and 104 last night), but what I like about him from when I've seen him in person or on milb dot tv is that he's got the makings of a good changeup and a good slider. If he's going to remain a starter, and that's certainly still the plan going forward, he'll need both of them. If he is just fastball slider, he can be a dominant reliever. If he's just fastball, he can still be a good reliever.

 

But yes, even an Aroldis Chapman 102-105 mph fastball got hit once in awhile. I do hope people's expectations are somewhat tempered, but I also hope people realize the big picture of what he can be and not base anything on what happens in a month (good or bad). But I would hope that with any pitcher (or hitter). 

[Riverbrian]

Call him up

 

Put him on the mound. 

 

Let's find out. 

 

I imagine that Graterol has some question marks. 

 

However, we have questions marks on the current 25 man roster so I'm not going to hold the kid responsible. 

 

Let's find out. 

 

 

[Squirrel]

 

Call him up

 

Put him on the mound. 

 

Let's find out. 

 

I imagine that Graterol has some question marks. 

 

However, we have questions marks on the current 25 man roster so I'm not going to hold the kid responsible. 

 

Let's find out. 

I think that is the absolute wrong call. Coming off a stint on the IL with a shoulder impingement, I don't want him to press, as he would if called up. I want to see how he handles AAA this month. If it's going great, then we add him to the 40 (he has to be added anyway in the off-season, yes?), in time so we can use him in the playoffs if we want to, but give him the September call up to see how he does in the majors. I think patience is warranted here because of his summer injury. A shoulder impingement is a bit more concerning than bicep tendonitis and I don't want to cause more damage.

[Utah Twins Fan]

I think all twins fans are intrigued by the thought of a power arm in the bullpen especially after this season and the results we’ve seen! But as much as it kills me I think they are playing it right here and making sure he’s all the way back from the injury. Bring him up in a few weeks when rosters expand and make a strong push in Sept.

On a side not I wish the Twins would think outside the box somewhat and place Rogers and Jose on the IL for a week for “ dead” arm aka rest the schedule let’s up here a bit and need fresh arms for playoffs and playoff push.

[Mr. Brooks]

I think that is the absolute wrong call. Coming off a stint on the IL with a shoulder impingement, I don't want him to press, as he would if called up. I want to see how he handles AAA this month. If it's going great, then we add him to the 40 (he has to be added anyway in the off-season, yes?), in time so we can use him in the playoffs if we want to, but give him the September call up to see how he does in the majors. I think patience is warranted here because of his summer injury. A shoulder impingement is a bit more concerning than bicep tendonitis and I don't want to cause more damage.

I don't think the Twins would have him firing 104 mph at AA if the shoulder wasn't healthy.

 

It's hard to imagine that anyone can throw a baseball that fast at anything less than max effort, so I don't see how "pressing" at mlb level would risk re injury.

[Mr. Brooks]

I think all twins fans are intrigued by the thought of a power arm in the bullpen especially after this season and the results we’ve seen! But as much as it kills me I think they are playing it right here and making sure he’s all the way back from the injury. Bring him up in a few weeks when rosters expand and make a strong push in Sept.

On a side not I wish the Twins would think outside the box somewhat and place Rogers and Jose on the IL for a week for “ dead” arm aka rest the schedule let’s up here a bit and need fresh arms for playoffs and playoff push.

The playoff push is right now.

I can see maybe skipping a Berrios start, since he only pitches every five days, but they need Rogers available.

 

Is there a specific reason you think Rogers needs an IL stint?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Yes, he's throwing 99-103 (and 104 last night)

Source? Was that from an accurate radar gun? I know some games, those velocity reports are pretty suspect, especially in spring training and the minors.

[jimbo92107]

Gotta believe Twins FO isn't stupid enough to bring up their best pitching prospect if they aren't sure he's fully healthy. If we can stipulate that assumption, then the reasoning for sticking Graterol in the pen is simply to find out where he's at mentally to cope with the show. Could be that he'll scatter high-velocity crap everywhere but the strike zone. Could be that he looks good one day, terrible the next. Like any rook pitcher, at some point they have to jump in the water and see if they can swim. 

 

The downside of this experiment is just like with any rookie. If he throws strikes on the periphery of the zone, he stays. If he walks people and then throws cookies down the middle, he goes back to AAA to settle down and work on throwing strikes. Normally I would say the chances favor initial failure, but this particular kid has a very low ERA in the minors, so it could be that he already has good command, just waiting to be exploited at the highest level of human endeavor, the Central Division of the American League. 

[Utah Twins Fan]

The playoff push is right now.

I can see maybe skipping a Berrios start, since he only pitches every five days, but they need Rogers available.

 

Is there a specific reason you think Rogers needs an IL stint?

Ya it’s called they miss managed him all year and have used him way to much and I would hate for him to suck when it matters most

[Squirrel]

There's an article out on Graterol that you can access from the front page or in the Twins Minor League forum.

 

It shows him hitting 103mph.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/34517-front-page-brusdar-graterol-hits-103-mph-is-promoted-to-aaa/

[beckmt]

Question is can he control his fastball.  If he can throw high strikes consistently, bring him up now.  Fastball and either slider or changeup can be a devastating mix.  Let's find out if he can make it up here.

[stringer bell]

 

Ya it’s called they miss managed him all year and have used him way to much and I would hate for him to suck when it matters most

I don't think Rogers has been mismanaged. Yes, he's not been as sharp in some occasions as others, but that is the way it is for relievers. The total innings worked is not out of line and his number of back-to-back appearances isn't that high. He is just so vital to the bullpen that he has been used when they really wanted to rest him on occasion.

[Nine of twelve]

Second priority: Bring him up if he can help the team this year.

 

First priority: Keep him as valuable as possible over the course of his career. Don't take one step forward and three steps back by bringing him to the majors if it's not time yet.

[jorgenswest]

In the article on the minor league side John pointed out that AAA is using the major league ball this year. The AAA stop makes sense to see how he does with the ball in game conditions.

[Riverbrian]

 

I think that is the absolute wrong call. Coming off a stint on the IL with a shoulder impingement, I don't want him to press, as he would if called up. I want to see how he handles AAA this month. If it's going great, then we add him to the 40 (he has to be added anyway in the off-season, yes?), in time so we can use him in the playoffs if we want to, but give him the September call up to see how he does in the majors. I think patience is warranted here because of his summer injury. A shoulder impingement is a bit more concerning than bicep tendonitis and I don't want to cause more damage.

 

I have no idea what he can do. I've read some things... we've all read some things. 

 

My response is based upon the need to identify arms who can help us as quickly as possible and based upon what I've read. He might be our best arm. 

 

I'm not sure hitting 104 in Pensecola is less stress than hitting 104 in Minnesota. However... I have not been to med school.  

 

If the Twins want to wait until September or wait until May 2020. I'll leave that up to them. However, Berrios needs some rest, Perez is a question mark, Harper is a question mark and Thorpe seems to be placeholder who isn't being tested seriously. 

 

They didn't acquire enough arms at the deadline so they better start getting serious looks at someone from the system and they better start looking yesterday. 

[Squirrel]

 

I have no idea what he can do. I've read some things... we've all read some things. 

 

My response is based upon the need to identify arms who can help us as quickly as possible and based upon what I've read. He might be our best arm. 

 

I'm not sure hitting 104 in Pensecola is less stress than hitting 104 in Minnesota. However... I have not been to med school.

 

If the Twins want to wait until September or wait until May 2020. I'll leave that up to them. However, Berrios needs some rest, Perez is a question mark, Harper is a question mark and Thorpe seems to be placeholder who isn't being tested seriously. 

 

They didn't acquire enough arms at the deadline so they better start getting serious looks at someone from the system and they better start looking yesterday. 

Well, there is stress of being on a MLB roster for the first time, which is more mental than physical but can affect the physical. Heezy did a great article on shoulder impingements, btw, that I think is worth reading. I'm more wary of shoulder injuries and how it goes than a simple bout of tendonitis. I didn't suggest he not be added this year, but I did suggest we don't need to call him up NOW, TODAY, THIS WEEK as some seem to have implied in their posts. I said to give him some time at AAA and see how he does and see how his shoulder is. Then add him to the 40-man before the deadline and call him up in September. As long as he's on the 40-man by September 1st he can be used in the playoffs, I believe. I'm saying have a little patience and let him pitch some in AAA first and see how he does. If all goes well, perhaps we'll see him in the 3rd or 4th week of August, and for sure in September.

[Riverbrian]

 

Well, there is stress of being on a MLB roster for the first time, which is more mental than physical but can affect the physical. Heezy did a great article on shoulder impingements, btw, that I think is worth reading. I'm more wary of shoulder injuries and how it goes than a simple bout of tendonitis. I didn't suggest he not be added this year, but I did suggest we don't need to call him up NOW, TODAY, THIS WEEK as some seem to have implied in their posts. I said to give him some time at AAA and see how he does and see how his shoulder is. Then add him to the 40-man before the deadline and call him up in September. As long as he's on the 40-man by September 1st he can be used in the playoffs, I believe. I'm saying have a little patience and let him pitch some in AAA first and see how he does. If all goes well, perhaps we'll see him in the 3rd or 4th week of August, and for sure in September.

 

OK... But the clock is ticking. I'm ready to take a look at Ashbury to see if that 55 MPH (can't make it to the plate) sinker can help. 

 

The clock is ticking

[Brock Beauchamp]

On a side not I wish the Twins would think outside the box somewhat and place Rogers and Jose on the IL for a week for “ dead” arm aka rest the schedule let’s up here a bit and need fresh arms for playoffs and playoff push.

Cleveland is 2.5 games back. Now is not the time to take your two best arms out of the equation for ten days, particularly when roster size *won’t matter* in 12 days.

 

If the team is up six on Cleveland on September 20th, sure, start handing out lengthy rest stints to your best players a few days at a time.