Front Page: Twins Promote Trevor Hildenberger, Ryne Harper and Fernando Romero To Roster

[John Bonnes]

The Minnesota Twins announce they are promoting AAA relievers Trevor Hildenberger, Ryne Harper and Fernando Romero to their active major league roster. All three have spent time with the team this season. The press release reads:Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have recalled right-handed pitchers Ryne Harper, Trevor Hildenberger and Fernando Romero from Triple-A Rochester.

 

Harper, who spent the majority of the season with the Twins, appeared in 56 games out of the bullpen including making his major league debut on March 31. He went 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA (49.1 IP, 20 ER) while recording one save and 11 holds. Harper made three appearances (3.0 IP) while with the Red Wings.

 

Hildenberger split the season between the Twins and Triple-A Rochester, along with a brief rehab stint with the GCL Twins, making a combined 36 relief appearances overall. He started the season with the Twins and made 19 appearances before being optioned on May 15. Hildenberger, who missed over two months with a right elbow strain, finished the Triple-A season with 8.1 scoreless innings after being activated from the Injured List on August 20.

 

Romero, who will be making his fourth stint with the Twins this year, made 35 appearances (1 start) for the Red Wings this season, in addition to his eight appearances with the Twins. The 24-year old made his major league debut last season appearing in 11 games.

 

The Twins now have 36 active players on their roster.

 

Harper is the least surprising addition. He was sent down on August 24th and since players need to spend 10 days in the minor league before being recalled, was only just eligible to return. He actually still leads the Twins pitching staff in appearances this year, and opponents hit just .228 against him through July. But he posted a 7.36 ERA in August, which led to his demotion.

 

Hildenberger’s role on the team in September will be worth watching. Hildenberger was one of the most effective Twins relievers early in the season; he didn’t give up a single run in his first 11 appearances. But in May he had a series of disastrous outings and he was demoted to AAA. He similarly struggled in Rochester until he was shut down in mid-June with a right flexor mass strain. He returned in mid-August and has been nearly unhittable since: opponents are 2-27 against him in his five AAA appearances.

 

 

Fernando Romero at least gets to finish a disappointing season in the majors, but unless a major turnaround happens, he likely won't contribute much to the pennant race. Projected to be a high-leverage contributor to the Twins bullpen this year after being converted from a starting pitcher, the 24-year-old struggled with his control in spring training. He spent most of the season at AAA and was also shut down in June with an injury (lower back strain) in June. But unlike Hildenberger, the time on the injured list does not seem to have solved his struggles. Specifically, he has walked 19 batters in 28.2 innings, about double the rate of an average pitcher, since his return.

 

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[MMMordabito]

What's the over/under on quality starts from Twins starters the rest of the season? 2.5?

[Cody Pirkl]

 

What's the over/under on quality starts from Twins starters the rest of the season? 2.5?

At least we've got like a 30 man bullpen now lol

[stringer bell]

Well, that leaves three from the 40-man roster not promoted. Nick Gordon (injured list at AAA), Steven Gonsalves (rehabbing while on injured list at AAA) and Marcos Diplan (pitching for Pensacola). The final member of the 40-man roster not on the Twins' active roster is Kyle Gibson.

[rdehring]

That makes a very croweded bulpen.  Expect the one to see the most action could be Hildenberger.  All it will take is one great first outing for him to get back into the mix for the 5th or 6th innings.  Got a feeling it will be more of a coaching experience for Romero. 

Edited September 3, 2019 by rdehring

[puckstopper1]

I was hoping that the Twins would have sent Romero a message similar to what they sent Buxton last season. The slight of not being promoted seemed to work for Buxton. Perhaps Romero needed a similar kick in the pants, er - um motivation.

[stringer bell]

 

I was hoping that the Twins would have sent Romero a message similar to what they sent Buxton last season. The slight of not being promoted seemed to work for Buxton. Perhaps Romero needed a similar kick in the pants, er - um motivation.

It varies with the individuals--some guys produce best with a pat on the back. Others, a sharper blow a bit lower. 

 

I think a possible Romero non-recall would equate much more with treatment Brian Dozier received in his rookie year. Dozier was less than so-so in his debut season and sent down. He didn't play great in Rochester after being sent down and wasn't recalled when the Triple A season ended. This corresponds roughly with what has happened with Romero this year.

 

IMHO, the non-recall of Buxton was at least 75% about service time. Service time is at best a small factor in whether Fernando Romero is or should be recalled.

[adjacent]

 

It varies with the individuals--some guys produce best with a pat on the back. Others, a sharper blow a bit lower. 

 

I think a possible Romero non-recall would equate much more with treatment Brian Dozier received in his rookie year. Dozier was less than so-so in his debut season and sent down. He didn't play great in Rochester after being sent down and wasn't recalled when the Triple A season ended. This corresponds roughly with what has happened with Romero this year.

 

IMHO, the non-recall of Buxton was at least 75% about service time. Service time is at best a small factor in whether Fernando Romero is or should be recalled.

Besides, a non call could work if the reason is a perceived lack of effort or unwillingness to pay attention to coaching. I don't know if this is the case with Romero. Apparently he just have poor control. Hopefully for the good of the team and himself they could find a fix

[Otto von Ballpark]

It varies with the individuals--some guys produce best with a pat on the back. Others, a sharper blow a bit lower.

 

I think a possible Romero non-recall would equate much more with treatment Brian Dozier received in his rookie year. Dozier was less than so-so in his debut season and sent down. He didn't play great in Rochester after being sent down and wasn't recalled when the Triple A season ended. This corresponds roughly with what has happened with Romero this year.

 

IMHO, the non-recall of Buxton was at least 75% about service time. Service time is at best a small factor in whether Fernando Romero is or should be recalled.

Also worth remembering that Romero already got stiffed on a September call-up last year -- likely due to innings, but still.

 

Also, unlike 2012 and 2018, this year's Twins are in a pennant race in September, so it's more of a "all hands on deck" situation.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm not sure I get promoting Harper. They've seen him. Isn't the goal to see the new pitchers?

[rdehring]

 

I'm not sure I get promoting Harper. They've seen him. Isn't the goal to see the new pitchers?

Without looking at numbers, I recall Harper being very good for much of the season, surprisingly good.  Don't know whether the league figured him out, or he was a little out of synch.  Makes sense to bring him back, work with him and see if he has found that first half stuff...hopefully, in low leverage situations.

Edited September 3, 2019 by rdehring

[Dman]

I thought they would call up Alcala especially since his stuff played up out of the pen in AAA.  I know he had trouble giving up HR's as a starter and that is the worst thing a reliever can do in a game so maybe they just don't trust him enough.  Or With May and Duffy coming on maybe they feel they have enough hard throwers.  Just seemed to me that if he performed fairly well he would be a better option than Harper and possibly Romero and Hildy as well.  

 

I am hoping Hildy can turn back into the strikeout weak contact pitcher he once was. After watching him give up hard contact and HR's it is going to be hard to trust him again but if he returns to dominant form that would really help us for the stretch run.

[Trov]

 

I'm not sure I get promoting Harper. They've seen him. Isn't the goal to see the new pitchers?

Umm why not call him up?  He is not taking space from anyone else, and when you in playoff push it is not about getting new pitchers time it is about winning.  If they do not call him up, he will be sitting at home figuring out his off season.  What good does that do?  At very least he can go in a blow out and not use up someone you want in a close game. 

[MNT1996]

Well I hope none of these 3 guys see action in a close ballgame 

[bighat]

 

Well I hope none of these 3 guys see action in a close ballgame 

 

Yeah that was my thought also. Innings eaters in blowouts, I hope.

[Richard Swerdlick]

I think part of having Romero here is that it gives the MLB staff a chance to work with him. It also sends him a message that management hasn't given up on him. This could be helpful and encouraging for him.

[yarnivek1972]

Trevor Hildenberger STILL ranks in the top 50 in the AL for inherited runners with 19. The only Twins who have more are Harper, who is top 5 in AL with 41 and Tyler Duffey with 21.

 

That’s 19 inherited in 14 IP. Duffey and Harper are both just shy of 50 IP.

[nicksaviking]

I'm not sure I get promoting Harper. They've seen him. Isn't the goal to see the new pitchers?

Heck no, unlike recent years we ain’t losing 90 games this season, woohoo!

[jorgenswest]

Glad that all three will be with the team for pennant race.

[yarnivek1972]

I'm not sure I get promoting Harper. They've seen him. Isn't the goal to see the new pitchers?

The goal should be to win games. Whether or not Harper can help with that is uncertain.

 

Non-contending teams use call ups to “see new people”. Contenders SHOULD be using them to help the team win.

[Mike Sixel]

 

The goal should be to win games. Whether or not Harper can help with that is uncertain.

Non-contending teams use call ups to “see new people”. Contenders SHOULD be using them to help the team win.

 

which clearly they didn't feel he was doing....so why call him up now? 

[MMMordabito]

which clearly they didn't feel he was doing....so why call him up now?

Maybe he will be of use in the Nats series. They haven't seen him live. They also need a pitcher to serve up a "we still love you" pitch to Dozier at some point in the series

[Crackedfungo]

I would never trust T. Hildenberger in a high-leverage situation in the MLB playoffs unless he has several weeks of total stability. I want to see that they haven't figured him and his pedestrian stuff out - as I fear that MLB always figures these types of pitchers out, those that have more windup/delivery deception tHan true "stuff"

[Doctor Wu]

 

At least we've got like a 30 man bullpen now lol

Which will come in handy for those 16-inning games this month!

[Don Walcott]

I don't see any reason why we wouldn't have these guys up. Rocco will have multiple options in most situations. If someone doesn't pitch well, he can pull them immediately. The pressure is on for the fringe bullpen guys, and some (I hope, all) of them will likely step up to the challenge, knowing it is a big moment for their careers.

 

Harper was really good for a while. He slumped. He has a chance to regain his mojo. He give us something very different.

 

Hildy was really good in several stretches with the Twins over the past few years. He slumped and was hurt. Now he seems to be back to form. He also gives us something very different.

 

Romero will only be used if we need to eat innings in a blowout. But he was really good at the beginning of last year as a starter. He knows he has the talent to pitch his way into the team for next year. And he can learn a lot about being a big league reliever just by being in the big leagues.

 

If they don't get many opportunities, we have plenty of other guys to use so we don't burn out the bullpen before the playoffs. If they do get opportunities, they are saving other arms for the playoffs.

 

It's good for the team. It's good for the potential development of each of these guys. How can this not be seen as a "win-win"?

[SpicyGarvSauce]

Having this depth also allows the Twins, if it happens, to not burn through their main guys if they don't have to. If you are allowed to expand your rosters, why not take advantage of it?

 

Although, having this many pitchers on the roster probably eliminates any chance of us seeing La Tortuga pitch.

[Rosterman]

Between Perez and the empty spot, that is 8 starts the Twins need pitchers to cover. Plus Odorizzi giving us 5 innings. Pineda won't be pushed for 7 ever. So lots of work. I liked the idea of using the opener now, too. Can screw up the opposing lineup to quickly switch to a lefty, let's say, after an inning, then abck to the righty. Look forward to lots of one inning usage.

 

Was a little sad that Baldelli pushed Thorpe into a fourth inning, especially with the lead. Ample chance to give MORE pitchers a shot...like get two innings out of Stewart, followed by Stashak, and then Hildenberger. There is no need to push pitchers right now, just control who is warming up and when, but would still like to see Joel's bullpen usage...if two men get on in an inning, let the new guy come in and give up the homerun insted of thinking the guy on the mound can work out of it. As, well, May proved Tuesday night. 

 

If the coaches can have a handle on who does what, it should be a joy to watch some of these new guys get some innings, espcially during the final 12 games. Seems the coaches have the offense figured out, just figuring out how to use Garver/Willians and Castro, and I would go more for giving Willians some time behind-the-plate as he might be the backup option for 2020.

 

The joy of all these young arms, they want to prove that they can be in the majors. Again, feel sorry for Thorpe who had a great three innings against a tough team, but the second time thru the order proved to be a hazard, Yes, you want to see the guys do this...but the twins are also a playof team and have to balance that factor more than player development at the moment.

[Rosterman]

No reason to not promote Harper and Hildey. You are paying them!

 

[yarnivek1972]

No reason to not promote Harper and Hildey. You are paying them!

Actually, if they had not promoted them, their paychecks would have stopped whenever minor league players stop getting paid. They do not have fully guaranteed MLB contracts. They have split MLB/MiLB contracts.