Twins Call Up Edwar Colina for Season's Final Weekend

[Seth Stohs]

On Friday afternoon, the Minnesota Twins announced that they had Designated Homer Bailey for Assignment. It opened up a spot on the roster which they used to select the contract of Edwar Colina who will be able to pitch out of the Twins bullpen this final weekend.If you haven’t heard much about Edwar Colina, that’s OK. Twins Daily has enjoyed covering the right-hander for a few years now.

 

Colina signed as an 18-year-old in late September of 2015 from Venezuela. He spent a season in the Dominican Summer League. He moved up to Elizabethton in 2017 and was named the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year. In 2018, he spent most of the season at Cedar Rapids where he went 7-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 98 innings. He finished that season with two starts in Ft. Myers.

 

In 2019, he started in Ft. Myers and pitched very well in both Ft. Myers and Pensacola. In 92 2/3 combined innings, he posted a 2.23 ERA and recorded more than a strikeout per inning. He also pitched in two games in Triple A.

 

He earned his first invitation to big-league spring training this year and was impressing the coaching staff at that time. He stuck around Ft. Myers throughout the quarantine. Unfortunately, he came down with Covid-19, so he was unable to join the Twins immediately at the start of Summer Camp.

 

However, he quickly passed the tests and was able to do some rehab work at the Twins facilities in Ft. Myers before joining those players working at the Twins alternate training site in St. Paul.

He said, “After everything started, I was in Ft. Myers. I kept working, never stopped. So I was ready for this.”

 

Ready for this? Yes.

 

Expecting this? No.

 

Sure, earlier this week we learned that Colina was on the team’s 12-player playoff taxi squad, but when Colina woke up this morning, he had no idea what news was coming his way.

 

“I was coming down to the breakfast room (when he found out). I was not expecting this. It was a big surprise and I was very excited.” Colina added. “It’s hard to explain how I feel right now. It’s something I’ve been waiting for my whole career. I don’t have the words to explain how I feel right now.”

 

While it may have surprised Colina, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that it was something that they have been thinking about for a long time.

 

“We’ve talked a lot about Colina throughout the year. He’s a very exciting young arm. The kind of guy that has the stuff that can potentially be dominant in a shorter stint-type of role.”

 

 

It is fun to think about what Colina could do for a bullpen in the future. It’s exciting to think what he could do in a role yet this season.

 

Baseball is for people of all shapes and sizes. Jorge Alcala is tall and thin and uses a whip-like arm action to reach into the upper-90s. Edwar Colina stands just 5-11 and weighs in around 250 pounds. He hits triple-digits by driving with his massive lower half.

 

That’s right. Triple digits. And not “just” 100. There are some reports that he’s reaching that number that Brusdar Graterol reached in a start in Pensacola last year that got everyone excited.

 

Colina didn’t want to verify that report, but said humbly, and with a smile, “I don’t know about that.”

 

But what is really exciting is that his fastball may not even be his best pitch.

 

Colina noted, “I think my best pitch right now is my slider. I’ve been working so hard on it.”

 

What has he been working on with that pitch? I’ve been trying to be more aggressive with my slider. Throwing it more, getting it better. That is basically what I’ve been working on.

 

More from a former minor league teammate, Nick Brown:

 

 

It will be interesting to see how Colina is used through this final weekend of the season. Is he just another arm available in case they need one? Could he be a potential bullpen arm in the playoffs?

 

Baldelli only said that he would be used, “We have an excellent group in our bullpen, so we probably have these innings covered for a period of time. You want to use all your bullets, and he is certainly a guy that can miss a ton of bats and has great stuff. Get him activated. Get him into a game or two. Evaluate at that point if what we’re looking at is a good option.”

 

Who knows? If he handles his opportunities this weekend well and is able to keep cool and calm while displaying a potentially dominant pitch mix, he could be part of the playoff bullpen.

 

Colina isn’t concerned about what role he will be used in this weekend or going forward. He feels ready and prepared for anything.

 

“I’ve been working a lot of different spots in the bullpen since spring training, so I will be ready for anything.”

 

Colina ranked #16 in Twins Daily's 2020 Prospect Rankings.

 

When Colina makes his MLB debut this weekend, he will be the 24th pitcher to throw for the Twins this season and the 44th player.

 

 

The Other Side

 

To add Colina to the 40-man roster, someone had to be removed. In this case, the Twins DFAd Homer Bailey.

 

Rocco Baldelli acknowledged that it wasn’t easy to do.

 

“Homer Bailey, unfortunately we had to Designate for Assignment. That was not an easy thing either. Obviously we’re going to use his spot and have an opportunity to watch Colina pitch. Homer was a real professional in every way for us. Didn’t get the opportunity to pitch as much as we wanted him to, as much as he wanted to. He handled everything the right way. He worked hard. He was able to get out there late in the season and helped us to win a game in an important time in the year for us. We’re thankful for everything he brought to the table, and we’re sad to see him go.”

 

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[Otto von Ballpark]

I'm not sure what kind of postseason role Colina could have, being called up so late. Even Graterol didn't see any meaningful innings in last year's postseason, and he was up for most of September.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm not sure what kind of postseason role Colina could have, being called up so late. Even Graterol didn't see any meaningful innings in last year's postseason, and he was up for most of September.

 

He may not have one. Or he might. But the expectation shouldn't be that he's getting called up with three games left and suddenly he's going to be pitching ahead of Duffey, Romo, May, Rogers, Clippard, Alcala... But if he's your last bullpen arm... that's not a bad thing. The expectation shouldn't be any more than that. He's capable, and maybe it'll play out that way, but yeah... keep the expectations low and the hopes high.

[denarded]

Great write up. I don't see how we can use him where every inning matters from here on out. If they do use him in anything remotely important I'll be excited because they obviously REALY see something in him now

[insagt1]

This is interesting...of the 18 starting players in the lineup, 12 are hitting .228 or less. that is a ton of very bad BA's. In and among them you do have production however.

 

How bad is Sano going? Last 15 games he has only 2 walks and is k'ing nearly once every two AB's. His BA over the last 7 is barely .100. In short, this is a legit slump and he has 3 games to battle out of it, or he may not be of much use in a short series. That may be harsh, but we all watch the games. He has looked lost at the plate. He has the talent...right now its a matter of confidence...clearly lack of it.

 

We need him. Hope someone is working with him.

[Danchat]

I didn't expect this, but I won't complain, since I think he has the stuff to be a major leaguer eventually. He was going to have to be added to the 40 man roster once the season ends, so it makes sense to give him a spot now. If he ever does pitch in important innings, teams won't have any scouting reports to go off of, so it could turn out for them. That likely won't happen if everything goes right.

[h2oface]

 

Great write up. I don't see how we can use him where every inning matters from here on out. If they do use him in anything remotely important I'll be excited because they obviously REALY [sic] see something in him now

 

Can you use Rogers where every inning matters? How about May? or Romo? Or any of the pen..... It is all a crap shoot, now, we will see who can be a star. Here we go.......

[DocBauer]

Very excited for Colina. My understanding has been for some time he could be a potentially dominate pen arm, but that they wanted to keep him as a SP as long as possible in hope of developing a 3rd pitch. I am wondering now if that is still the plan/hope and he's in the pen now for opportunity and to get his feet wet, OR, have they already made a final decision on him?

 

Guess I'm a little confused though by the Bailey move. With the potential of 5 and 7 game series beyond the first round, there is room for Hill as the 4th starter, but also room, potentially, for a 5th starter. It would appear they are set/comfortable/optimistic with Odorizzi or Dobnak in that potential role.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Great write up. I don't see how we can use him where every inning matters from here on out. If they do use him in anything remotely important I'll be excited because they obviously REALY see something in him now

 

Something like, maybe a 100 mph fastball and the best slider in the organization? 

[Seth Stohs]

 

This is interesting...of the 18 starting players in the lineup, 12 are hitting .228 or less. that is a ton of very bad BA's. In and among them you do have production however.

 

How bad is Sano going? Last 15 games he has only 2 walks and is k'ing nearly once every two AB's. His BA over the last 7 is barely .100. In short, this is a legit slump and he has 3 games to battle out of it, or he may not be of much use in a short series. That may be harsh, but we all watch the games. He has looked lost at the plate. He has the talent...right now its a matter of confidence...clearly lack of it.

 

We need him. Hope someone is working with him.

 

I might be wrong,but this feels like it should be in a different thread?

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

 

Guess I'm a little confused though by the Bailey move. With the potential of 5 and 7 game series beyond the first round, there is room for Hill as the 4th starter, but also room, potentially, for a 5th starter. It would appear they are set/comfortable/optimistic with Odorizzi or Dobnak in that potential role.

 

Yeah, this surprises me too—it's not surprising that Odorizzi would slot ahead of Bailey if he's healthy, which seems obvious enough, but that the management is confident enough in their options for a potential 5th starter without Bailey around as at least emergency depth.

[Twodogs]

Very excited for Colina. My understanding has been for some time he could be a potentially dominate pen arm, but that they wanted to keep him as a SP as long as possible in hope of developing a 3rd pitch. I am wondering now if that is still the plan/hope and he's in the pen now for opportunity and to get his feet wet, OR, have they already made a final decision on him?

 

Guess I'm a little confused though by the Bailey move. With the potential of 5 and 7 game series beyond the first round, there is room for Hill as the 4th starter, but also room, potentially, for a 5th starter. It would appear they are set/comfortable/optimistic with Odorizzi or Dobnak in that potential role.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, seems like they could have found someone else to drop off the 40 man to keep Baily around just in case you need him in the playoffs?

[DocBauer]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, seems like they could have found someone else to drop off the 40 man to keep Baily around just in case you need him in the playoffs?

Agreed. But they apparently believe the cut/blister Odorizzi has is no big deal. You still have Dobnak, impressive in his "half" a season career thus far. But they apparently saw, or didn't see, anything in Bailey's last start to convince them he was actually ready to contribute.

[Otwins]

Bailey has 245 games pitched in MLB but zero in relief. I wonder if he refuses to be used out of bullpen which eliminates his value in the post season. Just speculating since I too am a little surprised that he would not be considered decent depth just in case a starter is injured

[jrod23]

Edwar is an underrated beast.  He's been a starter.  I wish I knew how bad his third pitch is in order for him to be moved to the pen.  I felt the same way about Graterol.  That being said, I understand that Edwar fits the profile of a power reliever.  I'm just really happy to see this bulldog up with the team.  Starters are hard to come by.  Let him fail as a starter before you throw him in the pen...not this year obviously.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Edwar is an underrated beast.  He's been a starter.  I wish I knew how bad his third pitch is in order for him to be moved to the pen.  I felt the same way about Graterol.  That being said, I understand that Edwar fits the profile of a power reliever.  I'm just really happy to see this bulldog up with the team.  Starters are hard to come by.  Let him fail as a starter before you throw him in the pen...not this year obviously.

 

He's got an OK changeup, but not great. When he had COVID, and his season was cut even shorter, might as well just develop him as a reliever. Also, they're developing Duran, Chalmers and Balazovic as starters, plus Enlow, Colina's a two-pitch guy who could be a great late-inning guy (when he relaxes!)... and if he develops that changeup, he could be Joe Nathan!

 

(which probably sounds a bit optimistic after a really tough debut tonight!)

[h2oface]

Well that debut was underwhelming, and that is being kind.

[tony&rodney]

Good to look at Colina last night, if Rocco needed to see him this season. The juxtaposition of Colina and Alcala was interesting though. Last year Alcala was nervous and struggled with command and he is looking better every time out there now. Colina featured some real promise in his short stint; he needs command of the arsenal. No way Colina is on the roster on Tuesday though. The spot will go to either Odorizzi or Dobnak.

[Thegrin]

Lol, Lol.  We got that stardust out of our eyes real quick.  but don't worry.  Another year, another time and he'll probably do just fine.  Remember Berrios' first outings? Hopefully you forgot them.  They were a disaster,, like Colina's appearance last night. Forget it. Next year he will probably be a star.