Front Page: Reason to Believe Brusdar Graterol Could Start 2020 in Twins Rotation

[Musk21]

Resign Pineda, offer Odorizzi the QO and hopefully he accepts or signs an extension, and sign one of Bumgarner/Wheeler/Keuchel/Ryu.

 

Out of ST, two of Graterol/Smeltzer/Dobnak/Thorpe round out the rotation, with Pineda replacing whichever one is struggling when he is in game-shape.

 

[nicksaviking]

 

More likely than Dobnak and Gaterol both being starters, leaving nothing ready in AAA..... They can't start the season that way, not if they are serious about contending.

 

As much as I enjoyed watching him, I don't think Dobnak is much of a long term answer. 

 

But a high end pitching prospect vs. a 30-year-old mid level free agent starter? The odds of the veteran being good is probably higher, but I don't think it's significantly higher. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

As much as I enjoyed watching him, I don't think Dobnak is much of a long term answer. 

 

But a high end pitching prospect vs. a 30-year-old mid level free agent starter? The odds of the veteran being good is probably higher, but I don't think it's significantly higher. 

 

I agree on the first line.....which is my point. No way a serious contender can start the year with Dobnak and Gaterol in the rotation. With what? Thorpe and ? in AAA behind them?

 

They need to bring in three veterans.

[bighat]

Interesting to see the Braves letting guys like Soroka and Acuna play (and reaping results).

The Twins have a bad rep about letting young players stew too long in the minors, but let's not forget that Luis Arraez will still be just 22 years old on Opening Day this year.

 

The weird thing about the Twins is that they'll gladly call up guys like Arraez - players who they didn't anticipate would be that good. But when it comes to the juicy prospects, they are super hesitant. We all know it's mostly about service time, but I think they're also way too over-cautious with their high draft picks.

 

Let 'em play! Start Brusdar and call up Royce, give Kiriloff a look. Rooker should have already had his first cup of coffee. I know the Twins don't operate like this but I'd love to see them change their style.

[jorgenswest]

I think the rep is no longer true.

 

The old regime started bringing up players quicker but the results were not very good for many. It was still a failure but it became a failure of not recognizing that players weren’t ready or a failure of not developing them.

 

Arcia, Hicks, Sano and Buxton were not near ready with pitch recognition and approach. Hicks couldn’t recognize when to attack a pitch and the others couldn’t lay off pitches.

 

I think it is much more critical that the players arrive prepared than arrive quick.

 

If Graterol needs more time to work on an adequate change up so his fastball will be more effective he should start in AAA. It is on the Twins to have the right staff in place to develop him.

[Twodogs]

So, go into the season coming off 100 wins with two massive question marks to start the year? I hope not.

If you re-read what I said, I believe that I said give him a legit shot in spring training, not just go into the season with him, only if ye earns it in spring training. Give him a shot I think is different than give the spot to him?

[Mike Sixel]

If you re-read what I said, I believe that I said give him a legit shot in spring training, not just go into the season with him, only if ye earns it in spring training. Give him a shot I think is different than give the spot to him?

If you don't sign, or otherwise acquire, a veteran you expect to start, then two rookies will be there. If you do sign a veteran to start, he'll get the start unless he gets hurt. They won't have an open competition for the fourth spot if they bring in three veteran starters.

[Twodogs]

If you don't sign, or otherwise acquire, a veteran you expect to start, then two rookies will be there. If you do sign a veteran to start, he'll get the start unless he gets hurt. They won't have an open competition for the fourth spot if they bring in three veteran starters.

If you go out and somehow sign a #1, which the Twins won't, but I can hope. But if they sign a #1, and Berrios is the #2, and Odorizzi accepts the QO, now you either get a Hamels or Pineda, or a Gibson type for the #4 and then Grateral can compete for the #5. I like Grateral more than Dobnak, I really don't think Dobnak is for real and Grateral throws 100. I kinda like that in the rotation. It would be possible for him to be the #4 for awhile if Pineda ends up coming back. But I really think he could be the 5. You'd rather have a veteran like Perez as the #5 more than giving Grateral a shot at it?

[Mike Sixel]

If you go out and somehow sign a #1, which the Twins won't, but I can hope. But if they sign a #1, and Berrios is the #2, and Odorizzi accepts the QO, now you either get a Hamels or Pineda, or a Gibson type for the #4 and then Grateral can compete for the #5. I like Grateral more than Dobnak, I really don't think Dobnak is for real and Grateral throws 100. I kinda like that in the rotation. It would be possible for him to be the #4 for awhile if Pineda ends up coming back. But I really think he could be the 5. You'd rather have a veteran like Perez as the #5 more than giving Grateral a shot at it?

That wasn't the discussion.... It was Gaterol and Dobnak we were discussing, which better not happen. I'm indifferent which one of those two gets first shot at the number five spot.... Because there will be movement. Frankly, I think Gaterol is a RP long term....

[Twodogs]

That wasn't the discussion.... It was Gaterol and Dobnak we were discussing, which better not happen. I'm indifferent which one of those two gets first shot at the number five spot.... Because there will be movement. Frankly, I think Gaterol is a RP long term....

Maybe he is an RP long term, but I feel he has to get a shot at starting first. A guy with his velo if he can handle starting duties it will in the long run potentially give the twins an ace. So that is what I'm saying, give him a legit shot in ST, because Dobnak will most likely never be an ace whereas Grateral has the potential, and if he doesn't hack it, then throw him in the BP.

[jkcarew]

It’s easy to imagine Graterol beginning the season in the rotation. But, if he does...it’s all but impossible to envision him finishing the season in the rotation, unless he’s shut down for an extended stretch. That’s the catch. If you want to ‘count’ Graterol as a starter in 2020, the best you can hope for is about 3/4 of a starter...probably something more like 2/3. Still, that might be the call to make if you feel he’s a starter in the long run. But, if so, I would want the FO to consider him a number 5 (ish) option at least for 2020...and invest on the top and middle accordingly.

[Jham]

Do we have pitch fx and statcast data on 2019 compiled regarding league velocity? Studies showed the ball had less drag which should mean greater velocity although some guns measure straight outta the hand. I'm wondering if velo readings are sort of skewed last year like the HR numbers.