Starter or Reliever Series: Ronny Henriquez

[Cody Christie]

The Twins have added depth to the starting rotation, pushing some players down the organizational depth chart. Today we start a series looking at young pitchers that might need to shift to a bullpen role to impact the big-league roster in 2023.

Image courtesy of Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Entering last season, Jhoan Duran had been a starting pitcher for his entire career. A lengthy injury history made the Twins reconsider his long-term role with the club. He was shifted to the bullpen and became one of the team's most valuable assets. Only some players can be as successful in transitioning to the bullpen, but there are multiple players the Twins may consider shifting to a bullpen role during the upcoming season. 

The Twins acquired Ronny Henriquez and Isiah Kiner-Falefa last March from the Rangers for Mitch Garver. Texas had initially signed Henriquez as a teenager from the Dominican Republic. He pitched well in his professional debut with a 1.55 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP with 12.3 K/9. In 2019, he made his stateside debut and saw his ERA rise to 4.50, but he struck out 99 batters in 82 innings. 

The Rangers were aggressive with Henriquez coming out of the pandemic. He pitched at High-A and Double-A in 2021 and posted an impressive 105-to-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 93 2/3 innings. He was over two years younger than the average age of the competition at each level and only faced younger batters in 10 plate appearances. Most of the damage against him came via the long ball, but he held opponents to hitting .220/.277/.421 (.697) in 21 appearances (16 starts).

Season in Review: 2022
Last season marked Henriquez's first in the Twins organization, and they followed the Rangers' aggressive development plan. Henriquez started in extended spring training before being assigned to St. Paul. He split time between the rotation and bullpen with the Saints while posting a 5.66 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP across 95 1/3 innings. He made 14 starts and 10 relief appearances with a 106-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. For his minor league career, he has posted a 10.6 K/9 and a 2.5 BB/9 while being used primarily as a starter.

He made three brief appearances for the Twins last season, all in a long-relief role. He pitched well in a small sample size with a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 9-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 11 2/3 innings. Henriquez pitched three innings or more in every appearance. All three earned runs came in his big-league debut at Cleveland in four innings. There were positives to build off of as he headed toward the 2023 campaign. 

Projections for 2023
Henriquez is dealing with right posterior elbow soreness this spring. The right-hander underwent an MRI, and the plan is to reevaluate him a week after receiving an injection. This likely means he won't have an opportunity to make the Opening Day roster, but he was likely scheduled to start the year in St. Paul. He's the second youngest pitcher on the 40-man roster, so the Twins may want him to continue to get opportunities to start. Those starting opportunities might be tough to find with the Triple-A starting rotation scheduled to be packed with higher-profile pitching prospects. However, a bullpen role might be his best path to the big leagues in 2023.

Depending on the severity of his elbow injury, it seems likely for the Twins to continue to use the 22 year old as a starter. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with a high spin rate that can be deceptive in the upper part of the zone. His slider and changeup already have shown flashes of being plus pitches. His age and pitch mix make it hard to give up this early on him as a starter.  

Summary
For 2023, expect Henriquez to continue to make starts in St. Paul and be ready for either role with the Twins when needed. 

Long-term, the assumption should be that he will pitch out of the bullpen. Much will depend on his third-pitch consistency. However, with his small frame, and some history of minor injuries, it probably makes sense. There are plenty of examples in MLB history where a player who stands under 6-0 and under 170 pounds being great starters. Pedro Martinez wasn't any bigger. It can work, and Henriquez's whip-like arm action is intriguing. Either way, expect Henriquez to be a multi-inning pitcher. 
 

The Twins will likely need every pitcher on the 40-man roster during the 2023 season. Does Henriquez need a longer look as a starter or is it time to shift him to a bullpen role? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[Cornholio]

I feel that he will be a reliever long term. Many similarities to Alcala. For now though he should probably start at St. Paul to gain innings and experience. You never know what role the MLB team will need him for. Jmo.

[specialiststeve]

Given his stature .. listed at 5'10 and 155 he is most likely to be headed to the bullpen for short but "big" stuff. It appears as he would be what they call "high effort" and that leads to injuries if his arm is not used right. 

Saw Baldelli say somewhere that his goal was to get as many guys throwing 100 .... umm... Goal should be getting guys that have great stuff and can locate and change speeds. Drives me bonkers the throw it hard and nothing else mentality!!  a majority of Major league hitters will catch up to ANY fastball if they know it is coming.. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

Henriquez should start in St. Paul if we can find a way to get regular starts for Ober, Varland, SWR, and Dobnak as well. that leaves Winder and Sands out but each may be a reliever at the MLB level. Henriquez is young, has velocity and is developing his secondary pitches. We should let him start as long as we can. Let's not forget, we only have 2 of the projected 5 starters signed for next year. 

I'd like to see them use Sands and/or Aaron Sanchez in the multi inning bullpen role. That may create some issues with 40 man spots but I think both could be effective. I would start with Sanchez and Sands as a multi-inning guy in AAA, knowing that there will be movement in that role.  

[roger]

Haven't given it any thought, but would guess that a reliever is all that will be available to him.

Reading this, however, got me thinking.  The Twins have signed some good position players from the D.R., Venezuela, etc.  But there have been few pitchers.  Or at least pitchers who have advanced toward the big club.  Yes, a few Latin pitchers were acquired in trades.  But who have they signed as a 16 year old and developed into either a starter or reliever?

[sun]

I like his live arm and comparing his stature to Pedro Martinez, Henriquez is still young and may eventually pan out as a starter. But if being a long reliever keeps him healthy & effective, then let him work multiple innings to maximize his assets as soon as possible. If he can shine in that role then that's just as good as being a starter if not better for the Twins. It will be like calling in the cavalry. Let him get some K's without the wear & tear of high pitch counts, and instead of worrying about the weak links when resorting to a chain of multiple single inning relievers.

 

[nicksaviking]

He should have been prepped as a reliever the minute the Twins acquired him. And I'm looking forward to seeing him in the pen once he's adjusted to being a reliever full time.

[Chaz1966]

5 hours ago, specialiststeve said:

Given his stature .. listed at 5'10 and 155 he is most likely to be headed to the bullpen for short but "big" stuff. It appears as he would be what they call "high effort" and that leads to injuries if his arm is not used right. 

Saw Baldelli say somewhere that his goal was to get as many guys throwing 100 .... umm... Goal should be getting guys that have great stuff and can locate and change speeds. Drives me bonkers the throw it hard and nothing else mentality!!  a majority of Major league hitters will catch up to ANY fastball if they know it is coming.. 

Amen Steve, give me guys with 3 pitches and control/location and I won't wear down my bullpen as fast as using 4 or 5 pitchers a game. 

[Seth Stohs]

As Cody and I were talking about this series, we talked about looking at it for 2023 and also more long-term. With 6 starters (and a few others in consideration), it may make more sense for some of these guys to come up in the second half and help the bullpen, or provide some late innings. Then long-term, that can certainly change. 

[DocBauer]

I have doubts Henriquez is still 155lbs as sites tend to just re-post things like height and weight based on original reports from signing or early milb days. But the kid isn't big, that's for sure. Martinez is a good comp. So are Berrios and Strotman. At his age, I'd still want to keep him as a SP for a while. While everything seems to suggest he should eventually be in the pen, maybe even a dangerous back end piece, I wouldn't just make him a reliever yet, despite his solid debut with the Twins last year. Not only might he surprise, but a little more time at AAA will allow him additional IP to just work on developing his stuff, and his approach. 

Unfortunately, even though his injury appears to be minor, it probably takes him out of the running for a Twins BP spot, for NOW. And the pen will PROBABLY be his destination. But nothing wrong with gaining some additional AAA experience to work on things and be a potential contributor in a few months. And potentially, a long term one.

[DocBauer]

6 hours ago, roger said:

Haven't given it any thought, but would guess that a reliever is all that will be available to him.

Reading this, however, got me thinking.  The Twins have signed some good position players from the D.R., Venezuela, etc.  But there have been few pitchers.  Or at least pitchers who have advanced toward the big club.  Yes, a few Latin pitchers were acquired in trades.  But who have they signed as a 16 year old and developed into either a starter or reliever?

I hear ya, Roger. Even as someone who follows the milb system with deep interest, I still forget at times about the international signings until there is a post about them, or they come state-side. What's ironic is they have traded for a few young arms, and a couple catchers as well, that were international signings, but have also traded away more than a few such arms in deals the last couple of years. A strange dichotomy to be sure.

While there is ZERO DOUBT international signings have produced some excellent arms, and quality catchers....which you didn't mention but which I've wondered about....if you take a step back and examine the 6-7yrs of the FO, an obvious pattern has developed. It's very hard to draft HS arms and protect them, much less expect them to turn out. Now, imagine doing so for a 16-18yo international kid? Same with catchers, which are almost as hard to find as an arm. MEANWHILE, you can grab the very best athletes at various other spots and feel "safer" for their future projection, even if they change positions. 

Again, look at who they've traded for...kids already state-side...vs kids not yet or barely come up. They've basically been playing the game of averages. And I don't think they are necessarily wrong in doing so. It's pretty smart, actually.

But I do wonder if they aren't missing out here and there. If you trust your developmental system, then I would like them to "gamble" a bit more, here and there, to toss $ at an arm or two, a catcher here and there, instead of the "safe" choice of an OF and projectible SS who might move. The entire ML draft is a crapshoot to begin with, compared to other sports. But I think a "gamble" here or there on the international front would be really smart.

 

[ToddlerHarmon]

Well, if the Twins want everyone throwing 100, with a frisbee slider they throw half the time, then they are *all* gonna be relief pitchers.

In which case maybe just lean into it and piggyback 4 starters with 4 other starters, and have a 5-man one-inning pen. They actually have the personnel this year to do exactly that:

Ryan, Gray, PLopez, Maeda as primaries

Mahle, Ober, Varland, Winder as secondaries

Duran, JLopez, Alcala, Thielbar, Pagan as the pen

With SWR, Henriquez, Jax, Moran, Megill, Santana, Sands, and Balazovic in St Paul

Never gonna happen, but they aren't going to suddenly start stressing tricky 92 MPH fastballs that let pitchers go 7 innings, either. Le sigh.

[miracleb]

We are WAY premature on Roni right now.  He needs a couple of years at AA ball.  He will probably go to AAA to start but if he doesn't find success by the end of the year, AA is in his future.  Right now, it is hard to project him as a major league ball player......let's give him a couple more years before we start analyzing starter verses relief pitcher.......

[mikelink45]

I have no idea, I only know what the TD pages tell me.  I hate to see a bias against small guys - I remember the Blade - Tommy Hall pitching and starting for the Twins. Tom Was not a great pitcher but did win 52 - 33 and made a 10 year career in the majors.  

Bobby Shantz of the Yankees - "His lifetime record was 119-99, with a 3.38 ERA. He fanned 1,072 and won eight Gold Gloves."  and "5'6" and 139 pounds". Bleacher Report

Tim Lincecum and Johnny Cueto were also both under 6 feet. 

As I grew old and shrunk under six feet I started to wonder how six feet became the standard for tall and short.  Now 155 pounds is only 75 less than I weigh so perhaps he can duplicate the old fable about Stu Miller being blown off the mound by a gust of wind. 

But judgments are made and should often be ignored, for example, "Chicago Cubs’ scout Duffy Dyer said that Greg Maddux wasn’t “strong enough to be a starter” in his scouting report in 1985"  Check out this article - it is quite good. 

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

1 hour ago, ToddlerHarmon said:

Well, if the Twins want everyone throwing 100, with a frisbee slider they throw half the time, then they are *all* gonna be relief pitchers.

In which case maybe just lean into it and piggyback 4 starters with 4 other starters, and have a 5-man one-inning pen. They actually have the personnel this year to do exactly that:

Ryan, Gray, PLopez, Maeda as primaries

Mahle, Ober, Varland, Winder as secondaries

Duran, JLopez, Alcala, Thielbar, Pagan as the pen

With SWR, Henriquez, Jax, Moran, Megill, Santana, Sands, and Balazovic in St Paul

Never gonna happen, but they aren't going to suddenly start stressing tricky 92 MPH fastballs that let pitchers go 7 innings, either. Le sigh.

Interesting approach Toddler.  If they pull the starters early again this year, then I agree that this may be a strategy to try.  It would allow them to tell their starters to hold nothing to little back and maybe they make more quality pitches, just less of them.

The downfall to this is that if one or both starters for that day blow up, then it sure does not take long to burn out that bull pen.  Also, I'd keep Jax over Pagan even though Jax may still have options remaining.

[saviking]

The starting rotation is going to be pretty full in AAA. Maybe start him at AA to give him more innings in the big's and then move him up to AAA as a reliever. Whether that be long reliever or short .. As of now, I just view him as a wild card ..

[farmerguychris]

Let him try to continue to be a starter in St. Paul.  He can always go to the pen, but he can't always go back to being a starter.

[terrydactyls]

15 hours ago, Chaz1966 said:

Amen Steve, give me guys with 3 pitches and control/location and I won't wear down my bullpen as fast as using 4 or 5 pitchers a game. 

Keep on preaching!!!  I'm with you 100%.  It's why the position is called "pitcher" and not "flinger".  (That's actually a pretty stupid name, but I couldn't think of a better one.)

[twins_89]

I'll be surprised if he ever ends up starting games for the Twins. If he is in the rotation this season it likely means that things have gone off the rails for a number of the starters that are currently ahead of him (Ober, Winder, SWR, Varland, and Balazovic). My expectation is that he will get called up as a multi-inning reliever who will have a chance to earn higher leverage opportunities if he performs well.

[Mike Sixel]

On 2/27/2023 at 1:38 PM, nicksaviking said:

He should have been prepped as a reliever the minute the Twins acquired him. And I'm looking forward to seeing him in the pen once he's adjusted to being a reliever full time.

Agreed. Like Jax should have been.