Now that he is fully in the organization and not under rule 5 guide lines are the Twins going to attempt to turn him back into a starter at AAA? He was pretty good in the pen last year but seems to have the stuff to start (decent heat and a nasty curve). I know it was talked about last year and bull pen spots are tough to come by at the moment considering how crowded it is down there.

Now that he is fully in the organization and not under rule 5 guide lines are the Twins going to attempt to turn him back into a starter at AAA? He was pretty good in the pen last year but seems to have the stuff to start (decent heat and a nasty curve). I know it was talked about last year and bull pen spots are tough to come by at the moment considering how crowded it is down there.

 

He was a total failure as a starter in AA. He was moved to relief, and blossomed. No reason to think he'd be any better as a starter now than he was before, and even if he did improve, he has very little upside--certainly would be behind lots of guys we have now. Let him keep doing for us what he's found success at.

The innings will be good for his development and moving back to a relief role is not difficult. This move will not hurt his development.

 

It does appear crowded, but there will be injuries and starters will be needed.

He was moved to relief, and blossomed.

 

 

Improved his ERA. Not "blossomed". And if you use FIP as performance measurement, he has been the same starting or relieving. Peripherals like K% or K/9 have decreased in relief and that is a red flag there...

I could see him stretched and starting to work on his stuff and approach, especially if Rochester would need a fill in starter or have an injury. And for different reasons, milb clubs sometimes use an occasional 6th SP. The extra innings might allow him time to work on his off speed stuff. His newly found results in 2012 in the minors as a reliever and last season n the Twins pen might see him turn a corner. He wouldn't be the first guy to move to the pen, find himself, and eventually move back to a SP role. His first few seasons in the minors weren't too bad. But from what we have seen, I'd still say his role is middle relief and possible long with the occasional start, similar to Swarzak.