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  • MIN 5, MIL 3: Smeltzer Shines in Emotional MLB Debut


    Seth Stohs

    If Devin Smeltzer was nervous on the mound as he made his Major-League debut for the Twins on Tuesday night against the Brewers, it didn't show. Smeltzer, who began the season at Double-A Pensacola, provided the first-place Twins with one of the best starts by a pitcher making his MLB debut in Twins history. No, he wasn't awarded with the Win, but the Twins had a big seventh inning against the Brewers bullpen and held on to the lead to split the two-game series with the Crew.

    Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson, USA Today

    Twins Video

    Box Score

    Devin Smeltzer: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 76.8% strikes (53 of 69 pitches)

    Home Runs: Eddie Rosario (17)

    Multi-Hit Games: Jorge Polanco 2-for-4

    WPA of +0.1: Devin Smeltzer (.365), Willians Astudillo (.159),

    WPA of -0.1: Jonathan Schoop (-.110),

    (chart via FanGraphs)

    The Devin Smeltzer Show

    Hey, when a guy makes his MLB debut, it is always going to be a story. But as we know, with Smeltzer, there’s always a bigger story. The fact that he made his major league debut as a 23-year-old when he was diagnosed with cancer as a nine year old is remarkable. The fact that he has been cancer-free for several years is remarkable. His willingness to give back and support others who are dealing with what he has dealt with is, yes, remarkable.

    Catch Cancer Looking

    Katie’s Krusaders

    And his major league debut was, in fact, remarkable. Six shutout innings with just 69 pitches, and 53 of them were strikes. He struck out seven batters. And as easy as he made things look in the first, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, he really had to do some work to get through the second and third inning. The second began with a leadoff triple, but he was stranded at third. In the next inning, a leadoff double was stranded.

    It was an emotional night for Smeltzer's family, friends and long-time supporters…

    https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1133537488037801984

    And for Jack Morris…

    https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1133540812480847877

    And for Devin Smeltzer too…

    https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1133569549154918400

    Buxton vs The Wall (Part)

    Advantage, the Wall. Yasmani Grandal led off the second inning with a blast to the wall in left center field. Byron Buxton raced toward the bullpens, leapt, and just missed the ball. And then, he slammed into the wall. His glove flew one direction. His body was five feet in the air, parallel to the ground. And he landed hard.

    Fortunately, the initial diagnosis was “right knee bruise.” It could have been much worse.

    Zach Davies Is No Romantic

    Despite such a nice MLB debut, Smeltzer got a No Decision because Brewers starter Zach Davies was also very good. Like Smeltzer, Davies doesn’t throw hard. He topped out maybe at 90, sat at 88 most of the time. But he was equal to the task, as he has been for much of the season for the Brewers. He used an impressive two-seam fastball most of the night and hit his spots throughout the night. Like Smeltzer, Davies threw six shutout innings.

    Another Big Inning

    The Twins have found a way to have a big offensive innings at least once in most games the last several weeks. On Tuesday night, that inning came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lefty Alex Claudio came in. He’s been very tough on left-handed batters. So, of course, Jason Castro blooped a single to left. Willians Astudillo then grounded to second, but Keston Hiura threw toward second and hit the back of Castro’s helmet. The ball ricocheted into center field which allowed Castro to go to third base and Astudillo to hustle into second. Max Kepler, who has been crushing lefties of late, provided a big line drive double off the wall in right field to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.

    https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1133556346924675072

    A couple of batters later, CJ Cron doubled in a run, and then Eddie Rosario stepped to the plate with two runners on and uncoiled for his 17th homer of the season to give the Twins a 5-0 lead.

    https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1133558888001785856

    A Possible Storyline for Discussion

    I think we can all agree that Rocco Baldelli has done a nice job of not overusing his relievers. However, on Monday night, Taylor Rogers struggled and gave up an eighth-inning, go-ahead, two-run homer to Orlando Arcia. On Tuesday, Blake Parker came in for the eighth inning and gave up a two-run homer that cut the lead to 5-2. Taylor Rogers, pitching for the third straight game, started the ninth inning by giving up a solo home run. He got the next two outs before Ryne Harper came on and got the final out.

    As I said, I think that we all agree that the long-term benefits of rest for key bullpen arms is important. But in the short-term, might that mean some rust? Might that potential cause some short-term heartburn? Or, do we just give credit to a strong Brewers lineup in this case and realize that even the better guys aren’t going to be perfect every time?

    Bullpen Usage

    Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

    ccs-19-0-00261700-1559099404_thumb.png

    Next Three Games

    Wednesday - Day Off

    Thursday - 6:10 @ Tampa Bay- Martin Perez (7-1, 2.95 ERA) vs TBD

    Friday - 6:10 @ Tampa Bay - Jose Berrios (7-2, 3.20 ERA) vs TBD

    Saturday - 12:10 @ Tampa Bay - Kyle Gibson (5-2, 4.08 ERA) vs TBD

    Last Game

    MIN 5, MIL 4: Hader Closes the Door on the Twins Win Streak

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    Putting the Smetlzer stuff aside (its an amazing story and I got choked up when they talked to his parents, but I have nothing new to add to it) that was a fun ball game to watch. Both teams had chances, both pitchers locked down with RISP. Twins got a lucky bounce (off of Castro's helmet) and took advantage of it. Brewers tried to come back, but couldnt. It was just a fun game to watch. I like #Bombas as well, but sometimes a tense, close game is a nice change of pace. 

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    What a game he pitched! Some of his KO pitches were just downright nasty! I'm sure teams will make adjustments and back off those breaking balls, but it will be hard for batters to do so. Is it 7 runs he has given up across 3 levels this year, that is amazing!

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    Fun game and crisp at 2:40. Smeltzer just goes to work and we may just have something there. I would like to see one more and give him another week with Wes. He is one guy I do not see using in the pen. For me he makes better sense as much needed rotation depth.

     

    Yeah. And well, the entire Twins braintrust look like freaking geniuses right about now.

     

    I mean, how can you write a script like this for Smeltzer, and then come out smelling like a rose for the weekend series with the Rays?

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    With Buxton exiting, Rocco put Gonzalez in left, Eddie in right, and Kepler in center. In previous games, with the same three outfielders, Rocco put Gonzalez in right. This was the configuration I expected (Gonzalez has very little experience in RF). Has there been any word why the moves were made last night?

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    Call me crazy, but I see a lot of Chris Sale in Smeltzer. Thoughts?

     

    They are pretty much polar opposites in everything from pitching style to build.  I may be missing sarcasm because there probably couldn't be two pitchers more different.

     

    The only thing they have some similarity in is maybe the pitching motion and the way that motion kind of hides the ball and slings around their body before reaching their release point causing hitters to struggle to time pitches well.

    Edited by twins1095
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    Baldelli has done a fine job managing the bullpen. But honestly, the starters have made the job a lot easier in 2019. The Twins have the 2nd fewest IP by a bullpen this year.  Add another 40 IP for the RP and Baldelli's job gets tougher.

    And no extra inning games this year to get through.  There were 21 extra innings by this time last year.

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    I think I noticed Smeltzer tipping pitches last night with men on. Didn't seem to matter at all as he pitched brilliantly. He kind of bounces his right foot before he gets set. Granted, I couldn't count every time because of the broadcast, but I got fastball/curveball right every time (maybe 10 pitches). 8 bounces for a curve, 9 for the cheese. I hope this was just coincidence and not a trend. Maybe it's a good sign...tipping pitches and they still can't hit it. Something to watch for his next outing. Let me know if anyone else sees it.

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    Call me crazy, but I see a lot of Chris Sale in Smeltzer. Thoughts?

    I don't see Sale, who throws much harder and if memory serves is much taller.  

     

    What I am hopeful, is that we have a modern day Glaven.

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    I think I noticed Smeltzer tipping pitches last night with men on. Didn't seem to matter at all as he pitched brilliantly. He kind of bounces his right foot before he gets set. Granted, I couldn't count every time because of the broadcast, but I got fastball/curveball right every time (maybe 10 pitches). 8 bounces for a curve, 9 for the cheese. I hope this was just coincidence and not a trend.

    Watch a little closer -- he may have been tapping out the pitch names in Morse code too! :)

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    Yeah. And well, the entire Twins braintrust look like freaking geniuses right about now.

     

    I mean, how can you write a script like this for Smeltzer, and then come out smelling like a rose for the weekend series with the Rays?

     

     

    Yes. Some things may be dumb luck, but plucking a struggling reliever from the Dodgers, listening to and agreeing with him that he deserves another shot as a starter, putting him on the right program to do that? Getting him prepared to dominate, really dominate, in AA and then in AAA? And then to have THAT debut?

     

    Doesn't seem like luck to me. Feels like the professional scouts weighed in on Smeltzer and Raley, the FO extracted a major haul (although their BEST decision was to not SIGN Dozier in the first place), and the field staff executed the development plan.

     

    Just in time, too, given that Stewart, Littell, and maybe Mejia are our next best depth options now. 

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    Congrats to Smeltzer!  Great debut, great game, great feel-good story.  I watched most of the game and was impressed that he never seemed to be flustered and stuck with his game plan.  Having Castro behind the plate certainly helps.  Give up a lead-off double or triple, no big deal.  Just keep doing what you are doing.  This guy certainly has the grit to make it in the big leagues.

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    They are pretty much polar opposites in everything from pitching style to build.  I may be missing sarcasm because there probably couldn't be two pitchers more different.

     

    The only thing they have some similarity in is maybe the pitching motion and the way that motion kind of hides the ball and slings around their body before reaching their release point causing hitters to struggle to time pitches well.

     

    They're not that different.

     

    Sale has the height, but Smeltzer is actually bigger. It has always fascinated me how Sale can throw 95+, because he's one of the skinniest guys you'll ever meet.

     

    Their deliveries are very similar, and I imagine the change in mechanics Twins coaches implemented with Smeltzer had some influence from Sale.

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    An early nomination for "Homerun Call of The Year" goes to Jack Morris's laugh and Dick Bremer's silent reaction to Eddie Rosario's two-run homer in the 7th tonight. Sometimes the crowd reaction is response enough.

    Nice memory. Thanks for your post.

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    Smeltzer looked good overall, I know Cane sure had no clue what was coming.  He does not throw with velo expected these days, which could hurt him, but getting good movement and changing speed is more important.  Does not matter if you throw 100, if it is straight and that is all you throw eventually someone will hit it.  

     

    I agree the bullpen needs to be upgraded.  The guys we have are working for now, but as season moves on, and games get more intense I am not sold on any of the guys we have to shut the door.  It is nice to have the leads we have to not have those nail biting end of games, we had one on Monday and see how that ended up.

     

    I am not saying sign Kimbrel to 5 year 100M deal, but look for some possible trades most likely.  

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