Front Page: Could Brusdar Graterol Be The Twins' David Price?

[Andrew Thares]

A prospect is promoted late in a season and impacts a team's championship aspirations. It is the stuff of an overly romantic novel. But baseball is a romantic game for a reason: stuff like this happens. Which brings us to the excitement surrounding Twins pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, and his similarities to former Rays pitching prospect David Price.I think by now, we all know how great of a prospect Graterol is, so I won’t spend too much time talking about his 1.53 ERA across three minor league levels in 2019, to go along with the 2.74 ERA he posted in 2018, and the 2.70 ERA he posted in 2017. Not to mention his electric fastball that has been clocked as high as 103.8 MPH just last weekend. On Monday he will turn the ripe old age of 21. It is safe to say that Graterol has a promising future.

 

Why can’t the present look equally as bright? Several pitchers have made an accelerated jump between AA and AAA to pitch for contending teams in need of their services, and have done so without that move jeopardizing their careers. One such player is David Price, whose promotion to the bigs in 2008 so far parallels Graterol's year.

 

From their first year in 1998 through 2007, the Tampa Bay Rays were the laughingstock of major league baseball, compiling a meager .399 win percentage across that span. In fact, only once did they reach the 70-win mark. However, before the season, they changed their name from the Devil Rays to the Rays, and instantly went from bottom-feeders to AL East champions, winning 97 games.

 

In September, the Rays made a big move to bolster their pitching staff by calling up their top pitching prospect David Price, despite him having thrown just 75 combined innings between AA and AAA. He was just the spark the Rays needed to take them all the way to the World Series. Price made five appearances (one start) before the end of the regular season. Over those five appearances, Price had a 1.93 ERA, with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 14 innings.

 

During that Rays postseason run, Price made five more appearances, all in relief. In those five games, Price gave up just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings. He did this while pitching in high leverage situations, helping him collect a win probability added of 0.459 in that relatively small amount of work. In 2009, Price was moved back into the starting rotation, and has put together a strong career.

 

It is possible that the Twins are planning on using Brusdar Graterol in a similar manner this season. Ever since he has returned from the shoulder condition that kept him sidelined for two months, Graterol has made seven strong outings, all of which having been two innings or less. In those seven outings, Graterol has pitched 11 1/3 innings without giving up a single run while striking out 12 batters and holding opposing hitters to a staggeringly low .382 OPS. With his recent call up to AAA, it appears the Twins are ramping him up to help out in their bullpen down the stretch.

 

If Graterol is to help the Twins this postseason, he must first be placed on the Twins 40-man roster before the end of August. With the Twins currently having just 39 guys on their 40-man roster, there is already an open spot. For those of us hoping that the Twins can get a spark to jolt their pitching staff down the stretch, Brusdar Graterol might just be that guy.

 

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[AlwaysinModeration]

I think he’s getting the call, and it will either be Tuesday, Aug 27 in Chicago or Friday, August 30 against Detroit. He didn’t pitch Sunday, and only has two appearances for Rochester, so I imagine they would like to see him get 1-2 more chances before the call-up.

 

Price is a bit of an odd comp for him, but I get the premise. I think we should temper expectations for him a bit.

[Aerodeliria]

I expect he'll be called up in September along with a gaggle of other players. Let's see if the buzz is real. The 103 fastball is nice, but can he really rely on other pitches to keep hitters off balance? And, call-ups have to throw strikes. It is much easier to fire strikes in the minors...just ask Vasquez and Romero. Don't get me wrong. I want to see that blazing fastball bury some hitters, but it's a big adjustment for many pitchers.

 

 

[KFEY93]

No

[Doctor Wu]

Brusdar Graterol? Yes, by all means bring him up. But forget September. Either call him up this next week so he's eligible for the post-season or don't even bother. At this point I'd also consider giving him starts too, unless the rest of the starters turn it around and start putting up blanks.

[howieramone2]

I expect he will be used in enough low leverage situations, to be ready to make the staff next season out of ST.

[Mr. Brooks]

Brusdar Graterol? Yes, by all means bring him up. But forget September. Either call him up this next week so he's eligible for the post-season or don't even bother. At this point I'd also consider giving him starts too, unless the rest of the starters turn it around and start putting up blanks.

He doesn't need to be on the active roster to be eligible for the postseason roster.

He just needs to be on the 40 man roster by 8/31.

Theoretically, they could add him to the 40 man roster on 8/31, then call him up in September, and he'd still be eligible.

[PDX Twin]

I'm all for winning, but there are costs to this strategy. If I remember correctly, he doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this winter, so he would displace someone who would be lost to the organization. Granted, the lost player would be a lot less valuable than Graterol, but Graterol would not be lost if not added this fall.

 

I think that the FO would have to be pretty confident that he would make a big contribution to take the risk.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'm all for winning, but there are costs to this strategy. If I remember correctly, he doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this winter, so he would displace someone who would be lost to the organization. Granted, the lost player would be a lot less valuable than Graterol, but Graterol would not be lost if not added this fall.

 

I think that the FO would have to be pretty confident that he would make a big contribution to take the risk.

Graterol does need to be added to the 40 man this offseason. He signed in 2015.

[diehardtwinsfan]

It's an interesting gamble... I do hope they keep him as a starter, but I woudln't mind letting him have a shot in the pen this fall. We could use someone like that. 

 

The question is whether or not they trust a rookie with 1 month of MLB experience in the post season. 

[USAFChief]

 

It's an interesting gamble... I do hope they keep him as a starter, but I woudln't mind letting him have a shot in the pen this fall. We could use someone like that. 

 

The question is whether or not they trust a rookie with 1 month of MLB experience in the post season. 

starting isn't an option for this fall. He hasn't been a starter since May. He hasn't gone longer than 2 innings or 29 pitches since returning from injury. He actually has only 11 IP since coming back in late July.

 

I would be skeptical he'd be someone trustworthy in the postseason, but they do have some time to give it a shot now, if they get him up here. Find a few low leverage situations to give it a shot after Sep 1.

[gocgo]

Have we not learned anything over the past umpteen years?  Think about how many minor league prospects were touted as the next great <fill in the blank>.  Now, how many of those reached the expectations that you had for them?

 

Comparing Graterol to David Price is just <fill in the blank>.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

starting isn't an option for this fall. He hasn't been a starter since May. He hasn't gone longer than 2 innings or 29 pitches since returning from injury. He actually has only 11 IP since coming back in late July.

I think "hope they keep him as a starter" refers to 2020 -- not to fall in love with him as a reliever long-term this fall. (Although I think we'd all be happy with the level of performance to make us consider it!)

[Thrylos]

I really do not see many similarities with Price.  Price made the majors in his first pro year, after 3 years of being  a College starter, including an 11-1 record senior campaign.  He was 23 years old.  

 

Graterol's 21st birthday is today and was signed 5 years ago as a 16 year old.  More importantly he has had 4 trips to the DL.  Unlike Price, he is a righty.

 

If the Twins call him up and perform like Price did with the Rays, this will really be their only common thing.  

[Riverbrian]

If he is the best they have down on the farm. 

 

They have no choice but to kick that clock into gear. 

 

Call him up and hand him the ball. He will not help us if he is not allowed to help.

 

Now if you are convinced that the roster spots currently occupied by Stashak and Thorpe are the best we can do. Well then... there is no point messing around with Graterol. 

 

If you are convinced that Rogers, Romo, Dyson, May and Duffey and a couple of guys who will get the ball when it's 10-0 is enough... Well then... there is no point messing around with Graterol. 

 

If you are convinced that Rogers, Romo, Dyson, May and Duffey are enough to work with and that they are all guaranteed to be healthy for the playoffs. Well then... there is no point messing around with Graterol. 

 

If you are convinced that a rookie could never show up and get people out... Well then... there is no point messing around with Graterol. 

 

I am convinced of none of the above things. 

 

Call him up and hand him the ball... if he isn't ready... he isn't ready but there is really nothing to lose here and everything to gain.

 

 

We have holes... we can either try to fill the holes or sit and complain that we have no one to fill the holes and not try. The choice between those two options is incredibly easy for me to make. 

[MMMordabito]

The Twins definitely need something like this to happen, but I'm not going to bank on it.  I'll be happy to see him called up, but I'm not going to get giddy about some possible Price or K-Rod-esque playoff performance.  

 

Asking for a 5-1 homestand against Chicago and Detroit seemed much more reasonable, and we can't even have something nice like that.

 

If I start wishing for a Graterol-led miracle, he'll probably come up and blow out his elbow two pitches in.  

 

This is all my fault.  I went to the one game that they lost to Detroit, and I lost Sale, Tatis, Lowe, Anderson and now probably Peralta to season ending injures in basically one week of fantasy baseball.  

 

Maybe I should start wearing palehose and pinstripes and putting feathers in my hair .... Then the Twins can start winning and all the rivals and other playoff chasers can get some of this evil mojo.

Edited August 26, 2019 by MMMordabito

[Danchat]

Have we not learned anything over the past umpteen years? Think about how many minor league prospects were touted as the next great <fill in the blank>. Now, how many of those reached the expectations that you had for them?

 

Comparing Graterol to David Price is just <fill in the blank>.

I think you’re missing the point, I think the article is trying to say that his 2019 could go similarly to Price’s rookie year. I don’t think it was the point to say that Graterol will be the next Price.

[Riverbrian]

 

Have we not learned anything over the past umpteen years?  Think about how many minor league prospects were touted as the next great <fill in the blank>.  Now, how many of those reached the expectations that you had for them?

 

 

 

It'll take a lot of research to answer your question and I don't have time for that. 

 

However... You can start with the Rookie of the year candidates in both the American League and National League each year and put them on the list. 

 

If you don't want to compare him to Price that's understandable but right now... It's a low bar... Can Graterol out perform Stashak? If the answer is yes... you put him on the roster and you don't think twice about it.  

[Riverbrian]

 

The Twins definitely need something like this to happen, but I'm not going to bank on it.  I'll be happy to see him called up, but I'm not going to get giddy about some possible Price or K-Rod-esque playoff performance.  

 

Asking for a 5-1 homestand against Chicago and Detroit seemed much more reasonable, and we can't even have something nice like that.

 

If I start wishing for a Graterol-led miracle, he'll probably come up and blow out his elbow two pitches in.  

 

This is all my fault.  I went to the one game that they lost to Detroit, and I lost Sale, Tatis, Lowe, Anderson and now probably Peralta to season ending injures in basically one week of fantasy baseball.  

 

Maybe I should start wearing palehose and pinstripes and putting feathers in my hair .... Then the Twins can start winning and all the rivals and other playoff chasers can get some of this evil mojo.

 

Why does it have to be "Graterol-led miracle". Do we have to have our expectations so high that we automatically hate life afterwards. 

 

Wouldn't it make sense to just see if he can simply improve a roster spot.

 

Make us a little bit better... If he makes a lot better... Bonus!!!  

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

I really do not see many similarities with Price.  Price made the majors in his first pro year, after 3 years of being  a College starter, including an 11-1 record senior campaign.  He was 23 years old.  

 

Graterol's 21st birthday is today and was signed 5 years ago as a 16 year old.  More importantly he has had 4 trips to the DL.  Unlike Price, he is a righty.

 

If the Twins call him up and perform like Price did with the Rays, this will really be their only common thing.  

This is crazy, but today is also David Price's birthday!

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

starting isn't an option for this fall. He hasn't been a starter since May. He hasn't gone longer than 2 innings or 29 pitches since returning from injury. He actually has only 11 IP since coming back in late July.

 

I would be skeptical he'd be someone trustworthy in the postseason, but they do have some time to give it a shot now, if they get him up here. Find a few low leverage situations to give it a shot after Sep 1.

by hoping they keep him as a starter, I was referencing long term. I don't see him starting this season... and yeah, color me skeptical.. then again, I seem to remember a similar experiment with Jose Mijares that worked well at first. 

[MMMordabito]

 

Why does it have to be "Graterol-led miracle". Do we have to have our expectations so high that we automatically hate life afterwards. 

 

Wouldn't it make sense to just see if he can simply improve a roster spot.

 

Make us a little bit better... If he makes a lot better... Bonus!!!  

 

I agree, but the title of the article was definitely leaning toward the very high expectation.  I'm not going to do that, especially with my current string of luck.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I seem to remember a similar experiment with Jose Mijares that worked well at first. 

Mijares came up the same year as David Price, no less!

 

 

(Although Mijares was a reliever in the minors too.)

 

Edited August 26, 2019 by spycake

[AceWrigley]

MMMordabito:  << Maybe I should start wearing palehose and pinstripes and putting feathers in my hair .... Then the Twins can start winning and all the rivals and other playoff chasers can get some of this evil mojo. >>

 

We want pictures.

[gocgo]

 

I think you’re missing the point, I think the article is trying to say that his 2019 could go similarly to Price’s rookie year. I don’t think it was the point to say that Graterol will be the next Price.

Roger that...apologies...suffering from cranal rectosis today.

[mikelink45]

 

I'm all for winning, but there are costs to this strategy. If I remember correctly, he doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this winter, so he would displace someone who would be lost to the organization. Granted, the lost player would be a lot less valuable than Graterol, but Graterol would not be lost if not added this fall.

 

I think that the FO would have to be pretty confident that he would make a big contribution to take the risk.

If he can make a difference then the player we lose from the 40 is not what we should be concerned with.  We already have a number of players who will be lost unless there are a lot of trades ready to be made, but a chance for the post season is not a guarantee so we have to move when the chance comes.

 

[gman]

I don't know what Graterol will do this year. I assume he will pitch for the Twins at some point. I hope he pitches well enough to help them win some games down the stretch. If he makes the post season roster, I hope he has some big moments (good ones) in the playoffs.However, I expect him to have some rookie moments and won't be particularly disappointed if he does.

 

But what I would really like is for him to be the #2 starter behind Berrios by the end of next year and be part of the continued long term rebuild of the rotation.

[ashbury]

This is crazy, but today is also David Price's birthday!

Throws: Price, L, Graterol, R

Bats: Price, L, Graterol, R

Born: Price, USA, Graterol, Venezuela

Age at signing: Price, 22, Graterol, 16

Birth year: Price, 1985, Graterol, 1998

Birth date: Price, August 26, Graterol, August 26

Career: Price, has been good, Graterol, might be good

 

It's uncanny - like THEY ARE IDENTICAL!

[jorgenswest]

I read the article so much differently than some poking at the comparisons.

 

The opening sentence is about whether a minor league call up can impact the team in September and the playoffs and ends with that question about Graterol. Seems like a fair question. It has happened before with Price and K-Rod. They are very different pitchers but both had significant late season impact for their teams.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Throws: Price, L, Graterol, R

Bats: Price, L, Graterol, R

Born: Price, USA, Graterol, Venezuela

Age at signing: Price, 22, Graterol, 16

Birth year: Price, 1985, Graterol, 1998

Birth date: Price, August 26, Graterol, August 26

Career: Price, has been good, Graterol, might be good

 

It's uncanny - like THEY ARE IDENTICAL!

Jeez, I just noticed that they seem to have the same birthday. I mean what are the odds of that? 1 in 365 or something?

Edited August 27, 2019 by ScrapTheNickname