Neal: Deduno firmly in mix for rotation spot

[Nick Nelson]

Twins notes: Filling out the starting rotation | StarTribune.com

 

I'm pulling for Samuel Deduno to win a spot in the rotation, but had viewed him as something of a long shot since he's not in camp and not on the 40-man roster. It sounds like the Twins have taken notice of his impressive WBC performance though.

 

And if you were wondering what limiting Team USA to one run over four innings on five hits, a walk and seven strikeouts did for Deduno on Thursday, it did a lot.

 

“He’s definitely got his hat in the ring,” Gardenhire said. “Probably more toward the center of the ring. That was pretty good what he’s done.’’

 

[Physics Guy]

At the start of spring training, I had Hendriks as nearly a lock for the rotation. This was assuming Diamond wouldn't be ready. If Deduno keeps pitching well he could very well pass up Hendriks. Honestly, DeVries may be passing him up also. There were some interesting comments from the coaching staff following Hendriks' last start.

[twinscowboysbulls]

So this means what?

 

Worley

Pelfrey

DeVries

Corriea

Deduno

 

--Then Diamond when he's ready?

Ugh. I hope we score lots of runs.

[jay]

Worley

Pelfrey

DeVries

Corriea

Deduno

 

--Then Diamond when he's ready?

Ugh. I hope we score lots of runs.

 

I wouldn't be against this for now given what we have. We just need to finish filtering through what is on hand. Presumably, at least 2 will flop and we've got Diamond to go with Gibson/Hendriks as replacements in May/June.

[Mike Sixel]

I had assumed Hendriks would be in the majors all year this year, so they could see what they have or don't.....but now I'm less sure of that.

[stringer bell]

It's kinda going in reverse order for the "non-locks"--Gibson, Hendriks have drifted down while the former long-shots (Deduno, Walters, De Vrieze) have moved up. I'm too confident that they'll all get their shot if they perform OK at Rochester, but Hendriks now has to pitch his way into the rotation (IMHO) or have D, W, D pitch their way out. I am in favor of a sixth guy beginning the season as the Twins long man, because with that staff there will be many opportunites to go multiple innings--besides if either De Vrieze or Walters doesn't make the rotation, they probably deserve a shot to go north. Besides the bullpen guys haven't covered themselves in glory anyway.

[Hoosier_Twinsfan]

Up to this point, I would like to see Samuel Deduno as the teams fifth starter. He possess a no fear attitude when he is out there. One question I have is, what is currently going on with Rich Harden?

[Badsmerf]

''Hendriks threw the ball good,'' Gardenhire said. ''But didn't really change his speeds much. All fastballs tonight. Really weren't many spinners in there, changeups, nothing. I mean, it's pretty impressive that you can throw all fastballs, but it doesn't really work. You've got to mix in your other stuff. We noticed that quite a bit. His fastball, he located it and it was down, which was a good thing. Made one mistake to Salty. He killed it. But for the most part, he was efficient.''

 

Is that the quote you're referring to? Spring training stats mean little right now. Sounds like Hendriks was focusing on mostly mechanics to me (he referenced it with his bullpen session with Andy). I'm not too worried about Hendriks. He has nothing to prove in AAA and a demotion would delay his progress.

[Badsmerf]

Up to this point, I would like to see Samuel Deduno as the teams fifth starter. He possess a no fear attitude when he is out there. One question I have is, what is currently going on with Rich Harden?

 

His timetable got pushed back. I bet he starts in extended spring training and begins the year with Ft. Myers. I wouldn't bet on seeing him before May at the earliest.

[Craig Arko]

And he's starting the championship game tonight against Puerto Rico. Good luck, Samuel.

[Riverbrian]

I'm really starting to wonder what we have in Deduno.

 

He has been selected to start against USA and now the championship game against PR.

 

Doesn't this make a pretty loud statement about his talent from a comparison standpoint. At least a loud statement about what Tony Pena thinks of Deduno.

 

I realize that certain starters like Cueto and Ubaldo are not on the team but this is a team with Wandy and Volquez on it as starting options to choose from.

 

I know that Pena and the other managers are going to try to keep the rotations and days of rest in order because the MLB Squads will scream if he doesn't... But... I'm sure the manager started planning his rotation on who would start the championship if they got that far when putting together the rotation at the beginning.

 

Doesn't Deduno starting this game tonight make a statement about what kind of talent he has.

 

In consideration of our rotation... Based on this... I can't see a reason why Deduno would not open up the season in the Twins Rotation.

 

Just a matter of getting him on the 40 man and who gets released to make room for him.

[Guest USAFChief]

//insert name here// firmly in mix for rotation spot.

[cmathewson]

''Hendriks threw the ball good,'' Gardenhire said. ''But didn't really change his speeds much. All fastballs tonight. Really weren't many spinners in there, changeups, nothing. I mean, it's pretty impressive that you can throw all fastballs, but it doesn't really work. You've got to mix in your other stuff. We noticed that quite a bit. His fastball, he located it and it was down, which was a good thing. Made one mistake to Salty. He killed it. But for the most part, he was efficient.''

 

Is that the quote you're referring to? Spring training stats mean little right now. Sounds like Hendriks was focusing on mostly mechanics to me (he referenced it with his bullpen session with Andy). I'm not too worried about Hendriks. He has nothing to prove in AAA and a demotion would delay his progress.

 

I think it's a matter of telling him to mix up his pitches and then he goes out there and doesn't mix up his pitches. It's also a matter of location. He's got good velocity and a deceptive delivery makes him "sneaky fast". But he need to hit his spots. When he doesn't, he gives up 4 homer runs in four innings.

 

I'm not convinced he's progressed since last year. He is falling into the same habits that got him demoted three times last year. Recall the last time he got demoted, it was because Anderson was exasperated that he threw 95% fastballs and gave up 6 runs. I don't think a couple of months of AAA will hurt him. He's still very young (younger than Gibson).

[Willihammer]

Could say the same about Worley. He threw a few nice sliders in hish last start but I think I counted 3 changups / splitters / splangeups. The rest were all 2 and 4 seem fastballs (which look to be as good as they're going to get). Its like someone needs to remind these guys that ST games don't count.

[Blackjack]

I think it's a matter of telling him to mix up his pitches and then he goes out there and doesn't mix up his pitches. It's also a matter of location. He's got good velocity and a deceptive delivery makes him "sneaky fast". But he need to hit his spots. When he doesn't, he gives up 4 homer runs in four innings.

 

I'm not convinced he's progressed since last year. He is falling into the same habits that got him demoted three times last year. Recall the last time he got demoted, it was because Anderson was exasperated that he threw 95% fastballs and gave up 6 runs. I don't think a couple of months of AAA will hurt him. He's still very young (younger than Gibson).

 

This may sound like a dumb question, but doesn't the catcher call the pitches? If the pitcher isn't shaking him off, then the catcher should get blamed for pitch selection, correct? Isn't it as simple as Anderson telling Hendricks to just throw what his veteran catchers are calling for??

[3up3down]

the difference is worley is a lock in the rotation, he has the luxury of working on things in games, hendriks should not be working on things in games he should be worried about results, i think that may be some of his problem, he has been given his spot & has not earned it...with deduno TR said it best just nobody wants to hear it, you cant throw him out there every 5th day & hope you get 4-5 innings, that would kill the pen & you cant have that for a whole season ...and i have seen where some have said let him throw 120 pitches, that is never going to happen...the best thing for deduno is throw the slider 30 times for a inning or two out of the pen....

[glunn]

If Deduno completes 4 or 5 strong innings tonight against what is essentially an all-star level lineup, then I am hoping that some people might reconsider their thinking about him.

[Brad Swanson]

He's certainly the best Dominican starter on the team.

[worm33]

If Deduno completes 4 or 5 strong innings tonight against what is essentially an all-star level lineup, then I am hoping that some people might reconsider their thinking about him.

 

All star level lineup? Um no

[glunn]

All star level lineup? Um no

 

OK, maybe a bit of exaggeration, but at the very least he is facing some of the top MLB players from a number of teams.

[worm33]

OK, maybe a bit of exaggeration, but at the very least he is facing some of the top MLB players from a number of teams.

 

Beltran and Molina yes. They have 4 major league starters and 1 utility guy...Pretty compareable to a spring training lineup.

[TNTwinsFan]

4Ks through 2IP! And some are still calling for more tune up in AAA!? I guess I might be able to get behind a bullpen stint, but only if the Twins' starters were better quality. We'll see how he does the rest of this game and ST, but, man....its hard to argue against what he's done in the WBC! Go Deduno!

[worm33]

Off-speed stuff looks really good and he has good control of it...If he just had a little fastball command....

[Riverbrian]

The guy looks fantastic. Strong from the start. Big stage... Ceremonies before the game... WBC Championship and he's under control.

 

The Twins rotation shouldn't be in his way. He should have a job.

[DaveW]

Short and arguably one notch above string training sample size or not, color me impressed with him. I don't think he will ever be anything amazing, but he could be a nice #4/#5 for a couple years for us which would go along ways towards competeing.

[Linus]

At this point, he has to be given some consideration. His stuff and the stage on which he has displayed it really have to be noticed. Just hope 40 man issues don't deny him a chance to be in the rotation.

[jorgenswest]

Deduno won't be helped by AAA. The Twins can afford to give him a long look. Let's put him out there opening day against Verlander.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I'm not that surprised that he's doing well. He showed some electric stuff last year. It just wasn't consistent. If he has managed to tighten up his control a little bit, he could be very effective. He could the be the "Diamond-type" surprise of 2013.

[Physics Guy]

They need a couple of "Diamond-like" surprises this year. I'm hoping Hendriks figures it out and can be included.

[DaveW]

If Hendriks and DeDuno can find a way to stick, then we could actually have ourselves a real rotation in 2014 with Meyer and Gibson at the front.