There's a wonderful thread showing much deserved love to Luis Arraez going on Twins Daily right now, and I wanted to show love to another somewhat underappreciated Twins today as well. Devin Smeltzer takes the mound today and I think he deserves some praise. He's never going to be Santana or Liriano, but Smeltzer is the kind of guy we should point to and tell our kids to strive to be. 

For those that don't know Devin Smeltzer was diagnosed with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma when he was 9. He had to have a tumor removed from around his prostate and bladder followed by chemo to defeat the cancer and went into full remission in 2012. It's not the most horrific childhood cancer story anyone has ever hear, but cancer at the age of 9 is cancer at the age of 9. I'm not going to go into his whole life story, but beating cancer before working his tail off to become an MLB draft prospect is inspiring and the type of story we should be promoting to the youth of today. 

Smeltzer was drafted in the 33rd round in 2014 after graduating high school, but attended Florida Gulf Coast University instead of signing with the Padres. Smeltzer then transferred to San Jacinto College where he had a great season (1.18 ERA and 128 Ks in 91 2/3 innings) before looking to transfer to Texas Tech. Instead the Dodgers took Smeltzer in the 2016 in the 5th round and he agreed to sign with them instead of going to Texas Tech. Smeltzer was traded to the Twins in the Brian Dozier-Logan Forsythe deal in 2018. 

Smeltzer earned his way to Minneapolis in 2019 where he made 6 starts and 11 total appearances with a 3.86 ERA in 49 innings. We all know what the pitching situation looked like for the Twins that October and it allowed Smeltzer to make his postseason debut as well. Smeltzer made 1 appearance, going 3.1 innings and allowing 0 runs against the Yankees. Smeltzer has dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness the last couple years, but looks to be getting back on track this year. He's thrown 21 innings in St Paul and 10.1 in Minneapolis this year. He's likely not a major difference maker, but his ability to bounce back and forth between St Paul and Minneapolis, and the pen and rotation, should be recognized as the very useful role it is. It lengthens the Twins pitching staff and gives them 1 more weapon who can go out and get outs when needed.

He'll likely never be a star, but we need to show love to the "little guys" who just go out and do their job when called upon, even if it's not flashy and out of this world production. I, for one, appreciate Devin Smeltzer and what he brings to the Twins organization. Now let's hope he shreds the Royals today!

Lineups:
Royals:
Merrifield, RF
Benintendi, LF
Witt Jr, SS
Dozier, DH
Melendez, C
Santana, 1B
Rivera, 3B
Lopez, 2B
Hicklen, CF

Twins:
Buxton, CF
Correa, SS
Garlick, LF
Sanchez, C
Urshela, 3B
Arraez, 2B
Miranda, 1B
Jeffers, DH
Celestino, RF

Pitchers:
Royals:
Daniel Lynch, LHP

Twins:
Devin Smeltzer, LHP
 

Smeltzer is 100% and he'll give his 100%, I expect a good game from him. Polanco will be sorely missed again today, hope the rest of the line-up will take up the slack. Arraez will sub him at 2B and Miranda his bat. Wish Polanco a speedy recovery. Good luck Twins! Let's go!

Darn shame Sal Perez still isn't in KC's lineup...

 

 

Since Polanco has been out, makes me wish that Lewis was still on the active roster & playing.

18 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Since Polanco has been out, makes me wish that Lewis was still on the active roster & playing.

Ugh, if only playing 2B instead of SS wasn't so complicated! Just no way for the kid to adjust to such a position shift.

Great write-up on Smeltzer.  He's been answering the call, and I hope it continues tonight.  I'd love to see Ryan, Gray, Ober, Winder and Archer/Bundy be able to go six every fifth day for the rest of the season, but the reality is that won't happen. Smeltzer will be probably be needed all season as the 7th-man, and he just needs to keep giving the team a chance to win.

58 minutes ago, shortround81 said:

I'm gonna guess that's the ankle he has had multiple surgeries on. 

7 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

Great write-up on Smeltzer.  He's been answering the call, and I hope it continues tonight.  I'd love to see Ryan, Gray, Ober, Winder and Archer/Bundy be able to go six every fifth day for the rest of the season, but the reality is that won't happen. Smeltzer will be probably be needed all season as the 7th-man, and he just needs to keep giving the team a chance to win.

Having a lefty that can go multiple innings either as a starter or from the bullpen will be a great bonus down the stretch. 

45 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Darn shame Sal Perez still isn't in KC's lineup...

 

 

The bench is the best place for the opposing player with the most home runs in Target Field history ?

Smeltzer exceeds his strikeout total from his last start!

Ben Nintendo reminds the Twins yet again they ****** up royally when they took Tyler Jay one pick ahead of him in 2015.

2 hours ago, shortround81 said:

Good to hear that Alcala is progressing. It would be great to have him back (and effective) in a couple weeks. 

Jump on this team.

alka-Smeltzer

5 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Ben Nintendo reminds the Twins yet again they ****** up royally when they took Tyler Jay one pick ahead of him in 2015.

Ben Nintendo …..classic

I’ll just call him Luigi

1 minute ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

alka-Smeltzer

If he can give us 5 strong what a relief it'll be.

Not feeling great about this one.

 

Royals 5, Twins 3

 

I like the daily shortcuts to the game threads.

3 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

Not feeling great about this one.

 

Royals 5, Twins 3

 

What is your prediction record?

Carlos Santana Rosannadanna's 95th game at TF.

 

Seems like more. 

Every time i see a ball like Sanchez hit , 1st thought  single, wish the tv people would at least put a little box up at the start of a at bat on where players in the field are,  know im old school but is that asking to much ??

Donaldson doesn’t get that

Gotta give Gio some love!

Soft liner to third. 

Just now, LVTwinsfan said:

Donaldson doesn’t get that

His calf muscles won't do it.

2 minutes ago, mrtwinsfan said:

Every time i see a ball like Sanchez hit , 1st thought  single, wish the tv people would at least put a little box up at the start of a at bat on where players in the field are,  know im old school but is that asking to much ??

They want you to buy a ticket

Arraez for Gio is basically a wash. As far as being a base runner at first. 

In play, run(s)!!!!

JEFFERS!