Jorge Alcala is Beginning to Break Out

About two years ago on July 27, 2018, the Minnesota Twins sent Ryan Pressly to Houston in exchange for OF Gilberto Celestino and RHP Jorge Alcala. The Astros felt the impact of that trade immediately with Pressly becoming an elite bullpen arm. Through a third of the 2020 season, the Twins are starting to see the talent they acquired in that trade.

Since moving to the bullpen full time (minors and majors), Alcala has thrown 29.0 innings while giving up just 19 hits and 4 runs. He has also struck out 28 hitters and walked 8. He has been really good out there and we are now seeing it at the major league level.

When Brusdar Graterol was traded, the door opened much wider for Alcala to become the bullpen flamethrower for the Twins. This season he is averaging the 18th fastest four seamer in baseball at 97 MPH. Alcala and Trevor May are the only two on the Twins averaging at least 95 MPH on the Twins. He brings the elite velocity tool that the Twins just don’t otherwise have in the pen.

The best part is that he may have an even better pitch with his slider. He throws it 41.6% of the time at 88.6 MPH (16th fastest in MLB) and has a higher whiff% than his fastball. Hitters are slugging just .250 against it so far meaning he is yet to allow an extra base hit when he throws it.

Last night (August 18, 2020) was definitely his most impressive outing in a Twins uniform. Alcala was asked to pitch both the 11th and 12th inning without giving up a run despite a runner starting on second base. In the 11th he had to face the middle of the Milwaukee order but still retired Garcia, Hiura, and Gyorko with the help of some excellent defense. The 12th inning started out with a Ryan Braun single, resulting in 1st and 3rd with no outs. Alcala then got a pop out, a line out, and a cold blooded strike out to finish the inning and record his first career win. It was the highest leverage situation he had ever been in and he came through.

Just for fun, here is how Jorge Alcala compares to Brusdar Graterol so far in 2020. That three columns are their 2020 stats, their 2020 projections, and their all time stats.

What do you think about Jorge Alcala so far? Do you hope to see him in more high leverage situations as the season continues? Leave a comment and start the discussion!