Devin Smeltzer Deserves a Longer Look

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota’s pitching staff has started the year off strongly, but multiple unexpected arms have contributed this season. Devin Smeltzer is on the road back to prove he belongs at the MLB level.

Minnesota acquired Devin Smeltzer as part of the Brian Dozier trade back in 2018. At the time of the trade, he was a middling prospect who had yet to post a sub-4.00 ERA in any professional season. Smeltzer made some adjustments with the Twins and became one of the team’s biggest surprises during the 2019 season.

At Double- and Triple-A, the 23-year-old combined for a 2.76 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 104 1/3 innings. His first taste of the big leagues went well as he posted 118 ERA+ with a 1.27 WHIP. One of the most significant issues in his rookie campaign was that he allowed eight home runs in 11 games, but he limited other damage, and it looked like he might fit into the team’s future plans. 

The 2020 season was strange for many reasons, and Smeltzer’s numbers in seven appearances don’t tell the whole story. He allowed five earned runs on six hits in two innings of work in his first outing. Five of the six outs he recorded were on strikeouts, but he surrendered two home runs. It was a disastrous start to his season, but he made six more appearances and never allowed more than two earned runs in any outing. Smeltzer also didn’t allow a home run during that stretch. All of 2020 was a small sample size, but there were positives to improve upon for 2021. 

Unfortunately, Smeltzer couldn’t build off those successes during the 2021 season. During spring training, he lost feeling in three fingers on his pitching hand, which impacted his control. He was limited to one appearance for the Twins in April, but multiple injuries kept him out for the remainder of the year. By season’s end, he dealt with elbow inflammation, a herniated disc, and long-term side effects from his childhood chemotherapy. In November, the Twins removed him from the 40-man roster. 

Now 26-years old, Smeltzer entered spring training this year with a clear goal of making it back onto the team’s roster. He made four appearances and didn’t allow a run in 11 innings. His velocity was back into the 90s, and his command and control were back to his pre-injury form. Smeltzer didn’t crack the Opening Day roster, so he went to St. Paul with something to prove. 

In his first four starts (19 IP), Smeltzer posted a 1.42 ERA and limited batters to hitting .194/.260/.254 (.514). In his last Triple-A appearance, he allowed six earned runs on eight hits in two innings. It was his first hiccup since spring training started, but the Twins needed another arm at the big-league level, and the team added him back to the 40-man roster. 

Earlier this week, Smeltzer made his first MLB start since August 7, 2020. He pitched five innings and limited the Guardians to one earned run on three hits. In that start, he showcased a pitch mix change similar to his breakout 2019 campaign. Smeltzer used his fastball over 46% of the time, with his curveball (31.2%) being used the most out of his secondary pitches. It’s only one spot start, but it was a long journey back to the big-league level for Smeltzer. 

In the last week, Chris Archer and Dylan Bundy returned from the injured list, and Bailey Ober is nearing a return. Some assumed Smeltzer was out of minor league options, but his demotions in 2020 were too short to count. As the rotation starts to look crowded, the Twins need to decide the best role for Smeltzer. 

Following Thursday's off-day, Minnesota is entering a portion of their schedule with 18 games in 17 days. This schedule quirk includes a scheduled doubleheader in Detroit and no off-day until June 6. The Twins will need plenty of pitching depth to make it through the upcoming weeks, and Smeltzer deserves the opportunity to keep pitching at the big-league level. 

Can Smeltzer provide value out of the MLB bullpen, or should he continue to start games at Triple-A? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

View full article

[mikelink45]

Yes. Players who earn the opportunity need to be rewarded. Our allegiance should be to our own prospects and young players over the vets that we pick up. He has shown so much heart that it would be a real let down for him to not be able to stay in the majors.

 

[Riverbrian]

In my world... If you play well.... you get the chance to show that you can keep doing it. He threw a real solid 5 innings last time out.

Eager to see what he does tonight. 

 

 

[Mark G]

While I don't argue with the premise of taking a look at anyone who appears solid, just how many guys can a team "take a look at" in a season?  We have already trotted out 23 different guys at one time or another, and while it is true 6 of them are on one IL list or another, at some point I would say you have to dance with the girl you brought; we appear to have come stag and want to dance with everyone.  All the up and down swapping really doesn't help anyone, at least in my extremely humble opinion.   I think it is time to settle on a staff and hold our options on the guys we want to keep in reserve.  If Smeltz is one of those guys great, but make up our minds.  

[The Mad King]

As long as the starters aren't going deep into games the bullpen is going to keep being stretched thin. I'm of the mind that he stays until he shows he can't pitch at this level. 

[Dave The Dastardly]

28 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

In my world... If you play well.... you get the chance to show that you can keep doing it. He threw a real solid 5 innings last time out.

Eager to see what he does tonight. 

 

 

I live in the same world. That's why I'm still baffled by the Lewis move.

[specialiststeve]

Hopefully he does well... that being said AAA batters vs the show... night and day. Has to hit his spots and keep the ball down... 

[Trov]

I have always liked him when healthy.  I think he will need to stay on the 40 man now as he has shown enough that any team will be willing to snag him.  I think he could be one that fills in during some injuries and showcases himself to either stick with team, or be a trade piece at deadline.  I think now he is entering his prime he will have a couple of decent years. It was just we could not count on him at all after last year. 

[Swing Batter-Batter]

With Paddock gone for the year, Ober still out, Bundy not pitching well and Archer can't seem to get past 4 innings, why not give Smeltzer a shot?

[Dman]

Smeltzer has worked hard for this opportunity.  He has been successful in the past and we don't have much for left handed pitchers.  I really hope he succeeds and makes the starting 5 or 6 pitchers in the rotation.  If not I still think he could be a really good pen arm as well.  We will know more by the end of the month.  We sure could use him right now as our depth in thinning out.

[KBJ1]

Maybe he can develope a herky-jerky motion like Kershaw, who only throws 88mph, but yet is unhittable.

The only reason they should consider him is the fact they have no lefties.

[Shaitan]

It's good to have a swingman with options. 

And it's good to have too many worthy players. That's how you win over 162 games.

[Blyleven2011]

Smeltzer in my opinion has been  a better starter than relief pitcher ... 

His mental preparation for starting is alot different than his bullpen outings ....

He sees himself as a starter and has pitched some good games in the past and it's always nice to have a lefthander in the rotation  ....

Cotton was dfa'd the other day and again passed through waivers and back in AAA ... twice now ,,, 

Does anyone know what happened to thorpe  after the twins released him    ?????

.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Swing Batter-Batter said:

With Paddock gone for the year, Ober still out, Bundy not pitching well and Archer can't seem to get past 4 innings, why not give Smeltzer a shot?

Ober will pitch at KC I believe. Honestly my current trust level is 1) Ryan 2) Gray 3) Ober 4) Winder 5) Smeltzer 6) Bundy 7) Archer. 
 

I noticed Smeltzer’s velo consistently in the low 90s. Much better than the 86-88 that he had before. The separation in speed between the heater and breaking stuff should make him more effective. 

[Chachi]

49 minutes ago, Shaitan said:

That's how you win over 162 games.

This changes everything, the magic number algorithm is going to need some adjustments ASAP.

[Rosterman]

Being lefthanded is his plus. And that he can face a line-up, potentially more than once.

Like so many of the rotation arms, he will be questionable for 25-30 starts, so it might be best to use him in the pen as much as possible, or that arm that comes out for a double-header. Heck, I would make him an opener if we are only getting 3-4 innings out of Archer or Bundy right now.

But I think he had the mentality to be able to work out of then pen. Something that we shouldn't be mlooking for in, say, Winder, who is a starter - and I fully expect him to be back in St. Paul (Winder) come June 1 and making regular six-day starts for most of the rest of the season.

Any team could've grabbed Smeltzer, and surprised they didn't. Now the Twins can't afford to lose him.

[MN_ExPat]

2 hours ago, KBJ1 said:

Maybe he can develope a herky-jerky motion like Kershaw, who only throws 88mph, but yet is unhittable.

The only reason they should consider him is the fact they have no lefties.

[4twinsJA]

I am a Smeltzer fan, great story. In past, seems he had hard time getting past 4 innings. Why not piggy back him with Winder, each pitch 4 innings, let someone come in to close. Winder on innings limit anyway this year (4 IP every fifth game would be 120 IP), bullpen would get day off except for closer. 

[Walser]

I'm convinced Smeltzer can bring more value to the team than Bundy or Archer. 

[h2oface]

Smeltzer is left handed. There is that........

None of the rotation has gone a healthy starter's number of innings last year. If this team goes to the playoffs, that will be a huge problem. I am not concerned about low number of innings for starters because of that, It will not bode well for the bullpen, however.

[Swing Batter-Batter]

6 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Ober will pitch at KC I believe. Honestly my current trust level is 1) Ryan 2) Gray 3) Ober 4) Winder 5) Smeltzer 6) Bundy 7) Archer. 
 

I noticed Smeltzer’s velo consistently in the low 90s. Much better than the 86-88 that he had before. The separation in speed between the heater and breaking stuff should make him more effective. 

That ranking looks right to me. I might switch Bundy & Archer but, that's about it.

 

[rwilfong86]

Looked good again tonight.

[Aichiman]

Just got sent down.  Two earned runs in two starts, a no-decision and a win, why send him down?  Bad move; bad message, bad management, and it leaves a bad taste.

 

 

[jorgenswest]

Ober is ready. Send him down. Keep him in the rotation. There is stretch coming up later in June where they have 17 games in 16 days. They will need him to be stretched out to contribute during that stretch.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

20 hours ago, rwilfong86 said:

Looked good again tonight.

Interesting to see him keep dropping that 75 mph curve right in the middle of the zone and watch KC batters keep looking at it. Wonder where they think it's going?

[SirLoin]

At this point, the I feel the optimal rotation should be....

1. Ryan (COVID notwithstanding)
2. Gray
3. Ober
4. Smeltzer
5. Archer/Bundy combo

 

[Riverbrian]

7 innings of 2 hit - shut out ball tonight. ERA down to 1.04

Smeltzer wants to stay. 

Someone should prepare a snack tray and make him feel at home.