Return of Alex Wimmers

[Boone]

Alex Wimmers started today for the GCL Twins. His line: 2 IP 1 H 0 ER 2K 0BB.

 

Looks pretty good, especially considering his control problems with the Twins. In my opinion, reports regarding velocity, command, etc. will be more important. Nonetheless, very good to see.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Good to see that he's back. People have basically written him off at this point but there's still a chance he can rebound and become a valuable pitcher in a couple of seasons.

[jokin]

Alex Wimmers started today for the GCL Twins. His line: 2 IP 1 H 0 ER 2K 0BB.

 

Looks pretty good, especially considering his control problems with the Twins. In my opinion, reports regarding velocity, command, etc. will be more important. Nonetheless, very good to see.

 

This appearance by Wimmers would make him a little ahead of the timeframe on Gibson's rehab schedule, I believe. Good news has been hard to come by of late, I welcome your report wholeheartedly.

[stringer bell]

When do the Twins have to protect him on the 40-man? Because of the 2+ lost seasons, he is way behind in his development, but I don't doubt that he could become a useful pitcher.

[MichiganTwins]

I know it depends on the reports moving forward, but what is a realistic timetable moving forward for Wimmers?

[jorgenswest]

Did Gibson return about this time last year?

 

Optimistic(that pitches well) timetable:

 

AFL this fall. A year in AA/AAA next year with some innings limit. Ready to go in 2015 with the Twins.

[jokin]

I know it depends on the reports moving forward, but what is a realistic timetable moving forward for Wimmers?

 

Is the Gibson timetable realistic for at least getting back on the mound and returning to competitiveness? Wimmers had his TJ last August 2. Gibson had his TJ on November 7, 2011- he was pitching rehab, Rochester and the AFL, all in 2012. If all goes well through to the end of the regular season, Wimmers could also go to the AFL and then be pitching on opening day in either Rochester or New Britain in 2014 with the Twins by 2015- good news (with fingers crossed).

[Boone]

Wimmers's timetable will be much different than Gibson's. Prior to Gibson's surgery, he had 21 starts at AAA. Prior to Wimmers's surgery, he had made 8 starts in A+ and 1 in AA.

 

What we can take away is that Gibson made 9 appearance in rookie ball before advancing to A+. I would expect Wimmers to do something similar. Expect his path to diverge from Gibson's at that point due to their vastly different amount of experience at the higher levels of the minors.

[Oxtung]

When do the Twins have to protect him on the 40-man? Because of the 2+ lost seasons, he is way behind in his development, but I don't doubt that he could become a useful pitcher.

 

Wimmers will be rule 5 draft eligible following this season. That will be an interesting decision for the Twins.

 

I think the biggest problem for the Twins is how little Wimmers has pitched. He has pitched a total of 62 innings in the last 3 years. How long will it take to build his arm strength back up to enable him to throw 200 innings/year? I stated this earlier in a different thread but I wouldn't be surprised if the Twins made Wimmers a BP/Swingman for 2014 which would allow him to pitch all season but control the number of innings he pitches.

[beckmt]

Twins will almost have to put him on the 40 man then. They would certainly lose him in the rule 5 and some bad club could stash him for a year. (Houston) would certainly take the flyer.

[ashbury]

Wimmers will be rule 5 draft eligible following this season. That will be an interesting decision for the Twins.

 

A trade or two may make this decision obvious, if not then cutting one depth options will free up the needed space for a guy they consider to have a high enough ceiling.

[greengoblinrulz]

With only 62 innings pitched, there is no reason to put a 25 yr old (in NOV) on the 40 man. Nobody is gonna take him & have him pitch all of next yr......think of all the better prospects that get thru Rule V. It may be different if he was a first round 22 yr old, but he's not.

Hopefully he'll be on the same timetable of rehabbing as Gibby's first game last summer was July 10

[diehardtwinsfan]

With only 62 innings pitched, there is no reason to put a 25 yr old (in NOV) on the 40 man. Nobody is gonna take him & have him pitch all of next yr......think of all the better prospects that get thru Rule V. It may be different if he was a first round 22 yr old, but he's not.

Hopefully he'll be on the same timetable of rehabbing as Gibby's first game last summer was July 10

 

I have to agree with you here. I have a tough time believing someone is going to use a rule 5 pick on him. Keep in mind the highest level he's pitched at was A+ due to "Blass disease".

 

I do think there's still potential there for him to be useful during his prime, but his career thus far (and the Twins handling of his injury) has been utterly disappointing. I think the Twins can get away with not protecting him (this year)... If he bounces back nicely next year, it will be a different story.

[Badsmerf]

He needs to see AA by the end of the year. He has enough time to build some arm strength up to about 60 pitches, and by then he should be moved. Especially if some of the AA pitchers get moved up, Wimmers will have an opening. I'd like to see him go to the AFL too, depending on innings. I think a great goal for him would be 80-100 innings.

[stringer bell]

I don't think the Twins should be blamed for the handling of his injuries. They reacted quickly when he couldn't find the strike zone, shut him down and got him on the mound late in the year. He suffered elbow pain during his first start at New Britain. He was shut down and finally found to need TJ surgery. Terry Ryan told me that Wimmers would be on the same program as Kyle Gibson. That would mean he moves up and likely would go to the Arizona Fall League in October. He only has one game above A+ so it would be a stretch to expect him to contribute next year, but he was a first round choice, so the team has already invested millions.