2014 Rotations

[Pitz]

I was thinking over the weekend about the 6 young arms in rookie ball this year that many people have been excited about around here. These young guys offer some hope of some high upside arms that might pan out to be more than 'back end starters' that Twins fans are far too familiar with. I know that there is only a small chance that all of these guys make it to the bigs and an even smaller chance that they all become front end starters, but for now they give us something to be excited about.

I was wondering if there is any chance that these 6 make up the rotation for the Kernels in 2014. I'm sure there are people out there who are more familiar with the typical progression the Twins put their pitchers on and will be able to give a little more insight, which is why I'm putting this out there:

 

CR - Stewart, Gonsalves, Jorge, Rosario, Landa, Thorpe

Thorpe is probably the biggest jump, as he's a year younger than the rest. He has been terrific in the GCL. It will be interesting to see if he and Stewart see any time in E'town this year, which would go a long way in helping their chances for full season ball next year. Another issue will be managing innings for these young talents, but I would like to see the Twins be aggressive in promoting talent, allowing them to face better competition. A 6-man rotation will already help limit the innings, and they should be able to find other ways to keep innings in check as well.

 

FtM - Berrios, Eades, Slegers, Lee, Melotakis (Atherton, Gruver)

I think Berrios, Lee, and Melotakis have all shown enough this year in CR to move to high A next year. Eades and Slegers may be the key cogs in determining the fate of the younger guys. Baxendale started this year in FtM, and I'd rather see these college starters pushed. I don't really understand why they are in rookie ball right now, other than it's probably easier to manage when they get into games.

 

NB - Wimmers, Duffey, Taylor Rogers, Baxendale, Tomshaw, Summers, Wheeler

AA and AAA is where there's a log jam of the back end guys. Maybe Wimmers shows enough in the fall and spring and they move him to Rochester, or maybe Baxendale finishes strong this season and proves ready for AAA.

 

Roch - Meyer, May, Darnell, Dean (Albers, Vazquez, Hendriks)

 

What do you all think of these rotations and their likelihood?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Seems pretty likely, though I'm surprised Thorpe hasn't been moved to E-town yet... wonder given his age if they will keep him back at EST and pitch him in E-town next year. Gonsalves has already gotten promoted with less innings and it sounds like Stewart is a couple of starts behind him (due to injury).

[Badsmerf]

Looks pretty close to me. Albers and Worely might be in the mix for Rochester too. I wouldn't consider them a lock for the Twins.

[Mike Sixel]

agree with the blue one.....

[Chance]

I don't see Berrios moving up to start the year. I think that Thorpe will be in E-Town until about this time next year. I don't see why Wimmers would not be in AAA to start next season if healthy. Duffey and Wheeler will probably stay back in Ft. Myers to start the year and will stay there until they earn a promotion.

 

Seems to be almost too many potential starters in the minors, some may have to pitch in a long relief role and rotate in to starts here and there. I like the arms and the potential.

 

If there is anything this list shows, it's that we can not afford to have 5-6 filler arms in AAA. I know it is standard to have veteran 4A players in AAA to help fill spots but the Twins need to start allowing some players to advance to AAA like Pinto this year. Too many players are being asked to make the jump from AA to the majors because they were never given the opportunity to be promoted to AAA with all the filler that is there.

 

Am I ranting? I feel like I'm ranting.

[Chance]

Oh, and Gibbons should be in E-Town right now also.

[Joe A. Preusser]

I don't see Berrios moving up to start the year. I think that Thorpe will be in E-Town until about this time next year. I don't see why Wimmers would not be in AAA to start next season if healthy. Duffey and Wheeler will probably stay back in Ft. Myers to start the year and will stay there until they earn a promotion.

 

 

Seems to be almost too many potential starters in the minors, some may have to pitch in a long relief role and rotate in to starts here and there. I like the arms and the potential.

 

If there is anything this list shows, it's that we can not afford to have 5-6 filler arms in AAA. I know it is standard to have veteran 4A players in AAA to help fill spots but the Twins need to start allowing some players to advance to AAA like Pinto this year. Too many players are being asked to make the jump from AA to the majors because they were never given the opportunity to be promoted to AAA with all the filler that is there.

 

Am I ranting? I feel like I'm ranting.

 

Agree to a point, but don't undervalue the possession of 2-3 AAAA type arms to supplement the MLB rotation for injury/lack of success. Even if the Twins were sending 5 talented MLB pitchers out there every 5 days, you still need backups, every team does. That being said, you are absolutely correct that the presence of those backup guys CAN'T impede the progress of more talented arms.

[strumdatjag]

The Twins are clearly going to need to go to the free agent market to fill out their rotation next year. It looks like Antonio Bastardo may be available and probably for a cheap price.

Otherwise, it looks like Correia, Gibson, Deduno, and Albers will join Bastardo.

[Kwak]

The Twins are clearly going to need to go to the free agent market to fill out their rotation next year. It looks like Antonio Bastardo may be available and probably for a cheap price.

Otherwise, it looks like Correia, Gibson, Deduno, and Albers will join Bastardo.

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that the Twins sign Bastardo!

[nicksaviking]

The Twins are clearly going to need to go to the free agent market to fill out their rotation next year. It looks like Antonio Bastardo may be available and probably for a cheap price.

Otherwise, it looks like Correia, Gibson, Deduno, and Albers will join Bastardo.

 

Bastardo is alread being pencilled in?! Wow, looks like another long offseason, the big free agent pitcher for the Twins will be a Biogenesis releiver they will convert into a starter..

[strumdatjag]

Sorry, but I couldn't resist posting something on Bastardo - just a great name for someone sanctioned in the Biogenesis scandal. Actually, all of the Biogenesis guys are Bastardos!!!

[old nurse]

Sorry, but I couldn't resist posting something on Bastardo - just a great name for someone sanctioned in the Biogenesis scandal. Actually, all of the Biogenesis guys are Bastardos!!!

I guess you need icons so people will know when you are joking. What is obvious to you may not be to others.

[Pitz]

Seems pretty likely, though I'm surprised Thorpe hasn't been moved to E-town yet... wonder given his age if they will keep him back at EST and pitch him in E-town next year. Gonsalves has already gotten promoted with less innings and it sounds like Stewart is a couple of starts behind him (due to injury).

 

 

Agree with you on Thorpe. It really seems like he should be moved up. Another very strong outing today - 5 IP, 2 unearned runs, 4 hits, 1 BB , 8 Ks.

Age is just another number. All of his pitching numbers suggest he's ready to face more advanced hitters.

[jimbo92107]

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that the Twins sign Bastardo!

 

I won't buy another Twins jersey with a name on the back...except Bastardo.

[clutterheart]

Unless either become super dominate, I would be a bit surprised if Stewart and Thorpe start the year in CR. But I would expect Stewart to end the year there.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Agree with you on Thorpe. It really seems like he should be moved up. Another very strong outing today - 5 IP, 2 unearned runs, 4 hits, 1 BB , 8 Ks.

Age is just another number. All of his pitching numbers suggest he's ready to face more advanced hitters.

 

He's younger than Stewart.

[Pitz]

He's younger than Stewart.

 

Yes, I know. I think my comment was aimed more at the Twins decision makers (I realize they aren't paying any attention to me). I am not one who is super critical of the FO and I try to trust that they know more about what they are doing than I. However, sometimes it appears to me that they are more concerned with a player's age than his performance. Not saying it's necessarily true, just the way it appears at times.

This could all be a moot point if word comes down that they've promoted Thorpe to E'town.

I would just like to see him challenged, but hopefully the Twins are doing what is in the best interest of him as a player and person.

[Pitz]

Unless either become super dominate, I would be a bit surprised if Stewart and Thorpe start the year in CR. But I would expect Stewart to end the year there.

 

I'm thinking that you are referring to dominating at E'town?

I'm not sure how much more dominant Thorpe can be in the GCL. Stewart has also pitched very well, although he's seen limited action due to the foot injury.

[Thegrin]

Can anybody tell me what happens when a player is on the 40 man roster but is in the minor leagues. Are they Free Agents when the season is over ? Does the Twins control them ?

 

We know Worley is a FA next year, but are all these guys FA also ? [TABLE=class: tablehead]

[TR=class: oddrow player-10-29434]

38

Cole De Vries

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

R

R

28

6-1

180

Eden Prairie, MN

[TD=align: right]$500,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow player-10-30985]

58

Scott Diamond

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

L

L

27

6-3

220

Guelph, Canada

[TD=align: right]$530,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow player-10-30272]

5

Eduardo Escobar

[TD=class: sortcell]SS[/TD]

B

R

24

5-10

175

Villa de Cura, Venezuela

[TD=align: right]$495,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow player-10-31755]

62

Liam Hendriks

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

R

R

24

6-1

205

Perth, Australia

[TD=align: right]$495,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow player-10-32593]

--

B.J. Hermsen

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

R

R

23

6-5

239

Masonville, IA

[TD=align: right]N/A[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow player-10-32040]

60

Pedro Hernandez

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[drjim]

Can anybody tell me what happens when a player is on the 40 man roster but is in the minor leagues. Are they Free Agents when the season is over ? Does the Twins control them ?

 

We know Worley is a FA next year, but are all these guys FA also ? [TABLE=class: tablehead]

[TR=class: oddrow player-10-29434]

38

Cole De Vries

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

R

R

28

6-1

180

Eden Prairie, MN

[TD=align: right]$500,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow player-10-30985]

58

Scott Diamond

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

L

L

27

6-3

220

Guelph, Canada

[TD=align: right]$530,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow player-10-30272]

5

Eduardo Escobar

[TD=class: sortcell]SS[/TD]

B

R

24

5-10

175

Villa de Cura, Venezuela

[TD=align: right]$495,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow player-10-31755]

62

Liam Hendriks

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

R

R

24

6-1

205

Perth, Australia

[TD=align: right]$495,000[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow player-10-32593]

--

B.J. Hermsen

[TD=class: sortcell]SP[/TD]

R

R

23

6-5

239

Masonville, IA

[TD=align: right]N/A[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow player-10-32040]

60

Pedro Hernandez

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Worley is not a free agent after the year. It has to do with options - a player can spend up to three seasons on the 40 man roster and in the minor leagues. All of those players will remain with the organization until they are taken off the 40 man. A good chance Hermsen and possibly one or two other guys on that list get taken off the 40 man in the offseason.