Article: Twins Option Six Players to Minors

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1444-Twins-Option-Six-Players-to-Minors

[SweetOne69]

Well, my prediction was pretty close. I didn't have Herrmann and I had Hernandez instead of May. For some reason I didn't think May was on the 40-man.

[John Bonnes]

Herrmann surprised me some, but Tonkin surprises me more. It seemed like he had some buzz going on about him this spring. I didn't think he would make the leap out of spring training, but I'm surprised they didn't want to see more of him.

[roger]

Nothing about these assignments should surprise any of us. All are on the 40-man roster and unless there is a real chance the player may make the 25-man roster, they are sent out early. This is done as protection against getting injured and the effects of then getting paid the major league minimum and I believe accumulating service time.

[SweetOne69]

Herrmann surprised me some, but Tonkin surprises me more. It seemed like he had some buzz going on about him this spring. I didn't think he would make the leap out of spring training, but I'm surprised they didn't want to see more of him.

 

True, they have to weigh the value of seeing a player more to the risk of possibly losing a year of service to to injury.

[righty8383]

There is absolutely nothing for Tonkin to prove in the pitcher friendly FSL. I don't agree with you Seth that he may start in Fort Meyers. If he does, that is just plain stupid.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

I hope Pedro Hernandez can somehow get a spot in the rotation. Provided it's not by other players failing miserably and getting hurt obviously. He could probably use a few months in AAA again though since he didn't finish strong.

[Shane Wahl]

Tonkin should be in New Britain.

[fairweather]

Pedro Hernandez finished last season on the disabled list didn't he? Is he healthy now? How well has he pitched this spring? I don't think I've read a single thing about him.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Herrmann surprised me some, but Tonkin surprises me more. It seemed like he had some buzz going on about him this spring. I didn't think he would make the leap out of spring training, but I'm surprised they didn't want to see more of him.

 

As a reliever, I couldn't agree more. What's it hurt to have him face big league competition for one-inning stretches?

 

Obviously, Tonkin took off in 2012, but he had been a starter before that. Would it hurt to stretch him out and see if he could succeed in a starting role? That's what I am hoping for... Worse case scenario he ends up back in the bullpen.

[jun]

Pedro Hernandez finished last season on the disabled list didn't he? Is he healthy now? How well has he pitched this spring? I don't think I've read a single thing about him.

 

7 innings, 0 ERA

[Seth Stohs]

Regarding Tonkin - 1.) If you think he should start at New Britain, I assume you also think that AJ Achter should start at New Britain because in their half-seasons at Ft. Myers, Achter was a little better. 2.) if they're going to stretch him out to start, that should absolutely be done in minor league camp, not big league camp. 3.) He's like 100 yards away in big league camp. They can and will still see him.

[righty8383]

Regarding Tonkin -If you think he should start at New Britain, I assume you also think that AJ Achter should start at New Britain because in their half-seasons at Ft. Myers, Achter was a little better.

 

Well sure, I guess. But Achter was not a subject in the article so I never brought him up. Not sure why you brought him up to be honest. I guess its probably a moot point regarding Tonkin. In another thread started by Parker Hageman, He says that (according to Dustin Morse) Tonkin will start in New Britain. So it sounds like its been decided.

[Seth Stohs]

You make a good point. Achter has nothing to do with this. What I think I was trying to say was, if Tonkin wouldn't have been in camp, or if he would have had a bad outing or three, would it be so obvious that he should go right to New Britain after a half season at High-A. Achter was better than Tonkin last year, but people aren't clamoring for him to start at AA. Just trying to make the point that in spring training, people do get excited about things, and they should... but what's best for Tonkin is what should be done.

[Nick Nelson]

You make a good point. Achter has nothing to do with this. What I think I was trying to say was, if Tonkin wouldn't have been in camp, or if he would have had a bad outing or three, would it be so obvious that he should go right to New Britain after a half season at High-A. Achter was better than Tonkin last year, but people aren't clamoring for him to start at AA. Just trying to make the point that in spring training, people do get excited about things, and they should... but what's best for Tonkin is what should be done.

I don't know why you're assuming that the sentiment is based solely on performance in a handful of spring training innings. Tonkin established himself as the best relief prospect in the organization last year and it wasn't solely because of his stats. The guy has big-league stuff.

[Shane Wahl]

I assumed that Achter would be with him in New Britain. They're like Watts and Pugh round two.

[clutterheart]

Herrmann

I'm surprised he played so poorly in spring. He must have really been pressing.

 

Hermsen

I "watched" one of his innings via mlb gameday. He pitched high in the zone with seemingly limited stuff. I was not too impressed in the very small sample I saw. Anyone see him pitch live? I would be interested in hearing how he looked.

[beckmt]

It sounds like the Twins have a glut of pitching in the upper levels, not all prospects, but just pitchers they need to sort through. Some will move up as spring training advances. If Tonkin starts at Ft. Meyers, he will probably make New Britian by June and hopefully Rochester by August. Twins seem to be conservative, that may be the wrong approach depending on the mental makeup of the players. I feel that sometimes you have to push the players and see how they react to failure.

[Mike Sixel]

Given that most of these AAA guys are not really all that good as starters, why aren't more being turned into relievers that are cheap at this point? If they need to stretch back out due to injuries, oh well.

[Shane Wahl]

Regarding Tonkin-as-starter, I said this elsewhere:

 

"Converting him to a starter again could really throw a kink in his development. And it isn't like he could become a starter for the 2013 or even 2014 Twins anyway. But by 2014 the Twins may be needing quality relievers (well they do now, but that's another matter) and Tonkin (and Achter) look suited to challenge for spots along with Watts and Pugh. I say their might be a need because A: who knows ifJared Burton isn't traded at the deadline, B: Casey Fien might turn into a pumpkin, C: Lester Oliveros' health is in doubt in general, D: Deolis Guerra might simply be a pumpkin, E: The Slama era (ha!) appears probably over, F: Alex Burnett might have peaked a few years ago!, and G: The Twins nonsense with bringing in "veteran" MR pitchers who aren't very good (Gray, Maloney, Wood, Roenicke) has got to stop sometime."

 

I think it is true that pitching need is about to turn towards the bullpen instead of the rotation pretty soon (Gibson, Worley, Hendriks, May, Meyer, 2013 draft pick, and a few others like Hermsen, Wimmers, Stuifbergen, etc. could all be relevant in 2014 or 2015).

 

With regard to Herrmann, it is important to establish himself as being versatile (C-LF-1B-can RF be assumed?) while being capable defensively. That's what Gardy is going to want, and I think his bat will come around. Unless there is an injury to Doumit or Mau (er, not going to even say that) very early in the season, I expect Herrmann to be guy they call on to fill in as needed instead of Butera.

[Mike Sixel]

great post Shane......