Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

  • Brusdar Graterol Hits 103+ MPH, Is Promoted To AAA

    John Bonnes

    By John Bonnes

    In his last appearance as a AA-Pensacola Blue Wahoo, Twins #3 prospect Brusdar Graterol hit 103.8 MPH on a pitch and then was promoted to AAA-Rochester along with fellow fireballer Jorge Alcala. The move aligns with recent news that Graterol could be promoted to the Twins bullpen for their postseason run.

    Image courtesy of courtesy of Pensacola Blue Wahoos

    Twins Video

    The 20-year-old Graterol started the year as a starting pitcher and posted a 1.89 ERA with 46K in 47.2 IP, but suffered from a shoulder impingement condition in early June, and was shut down until late-July. Since his return to Pensacola, he’s been used as a reliever, throwing five innings, holding opponents to a 0.71 ERA, though he’s only struck out four batters. His outing yesterday versus Chattanooga was when he threw the 103.8 MPH pitch.

    He is being joined at Rochester by Jorge Alcala. Like Graterol, Alcala also has a triple-digit fastball and started the year at AA-Pensacola as a starting pitcher, but he has posted a 5.87 ERA. He also was recently moved into a relief role and has posted a 1.69 ERA, and held opponents to a .179 batting average and struck out seven in 10.2 IP.

    The move to Rochester gives both time to build on their move to the bullpen, while facing a higher level of competition and using the more homer-friendly major league baseball, which AAA adopted this year. Both could help the Twins bullpen for the stretch run and help the team in the playoffs. Rosters expand on September 1st, and both are eligible for the postseason roster.

    Both would also likely shatter the previous records for “fastest pitch ever thrown by a Twins pitcher.” The top five are:

    Juan Morillo 100.3

    Trevor May 99.8

    Ryan Pressly 99.0

    JT Chargois 98.9

    Fernando Romeo 98.7

    John cofounded Twins Daily and co-hosts the Gleeman and the Geek podcast. 
    Follow John Bonnes on Twitter: @TwinsGeek

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
    — Become a Twins Daily Caretaker

     Share
     Share
    Go to articles

    Community Blogs

    • How many games will the Minnesota Twins win in 2023?
    • Gopher Preview (Week 3)

    Forum Topics

    • PVTEST
    • Hey, look here
    • This is an exceptionally long title to test how various points look on a phone and smaller devices
    The Ultimate Minnesota Twins Gift Ideas Shopping Guide

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Featured Comments

    Eris

    Eris 611

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    “Rosters expand on September 1st, and both are eligible for the postseason roster.”

     

    The requirement is that both would need to be on the 40 man roster by August 31 to be eligible for the postseason roster. Currently neither are on the 40 man roster.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Seth Stohs

    Seth Stohs 23,732

  • Owner

    • Posted

     

    Can anyone comment on the other radar gun readings from this game? Those stadium ones aren't always the most accurate.

     

    The Twins installed the Trackman system in all of their minor league facilities several years ago. That's where they get their velocity (and everything else) readings. I don't know if the scoreboards are necessarily linked to that. That said, the board said 103 and the Blue Wahoos tweet said "Actually 103.8" which is what the trackman system would have told them.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,320

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

    The Twins installed the Trackman system in all of their minor league facilities several years ago. That's where they get their velocity (and everything else) readings. I don't know if the scoreboards are necessarily linked to that. That said, the board said 103 and the Blue Wahoos tweet said "Actually 103.8" which is what the trackman system would have told them.

    I assume most baseball radar guns would produce a decimal reading, but the scoreboard could simply drop the decimal part. So having a 103.8 value doesn't necessarily imply it was from Trackman.

     

    If they connected the new Trackman system to the stadium scoreboard, should they have programmed it to round 103.8 up to 104? :)

     

    Not trying to be conspiratorial, just curious about the setup. Obviously he is throwing hard, no one disputes that!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Doug Y

    Doug Y 42

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Players are definitely thrower harder in the last 15 years, because of better training techniques and an emphasis on velocity, but radar gun readings from 15 years ago can't be compared to today. 

     

    There used to be fast radar guns, that would take the highest velocity and slow radar guns that would measure the slowest speed or the speed "over the plate," and then radar guns that would avg those 2 speeds. Teams, scouts, and stadiums could all be using different radar guns. A player might throw 90 at the Metrodome, and 95 in Fenway.

     

    Now the trackman and statcats data is all the "fast gun" speeds. The fastest speed of the pitch. This makes it seem like everyone is throwing harder today compared to past players.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    laloesch

    laloesch 1,383

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    In his last appearance as a AA-Pensacola Blue Wahoo, Twins #3 prospect Brusdar Graterol hit 103.8 MPH on a pitch and then was promoted to AAA-Rochester along with fellow fireballer Jorge Alcala. The move aligns with recent news that Graterol could be promotedto the Twins bullpen for their postseason run.The 20-year-old Graterol started the year as a starting pitcher and posted a 1.89 ERA with 46K in 47.2 IP, but suffered from a shoulder impingement condition in early June, and was shut down until late-July. Since his return to Pensacola, he’s been used as a reliever, throwing five innings, holding opponents to a 0.71 ERA, though he’s only struck out four batters. His outing yesterday versus Chattanooga was when he threw the 103.8 MPH pitch.
     


    Click here to view the article

     

     

    Wow!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    jkcarew

    jkcarew 3,876

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Does anyone else wonder why Graterol's K/9 isn't higher with his velocity and his slider? 

    Really good question, right? Has to be lack of command of one or both. I guess we'll find out...or hopefully not ! :)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    howieramone2

    howieramone2 1,198

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

    If Graterol comes up to see the Big City and to meet his future teammates, I have no problem with that. I can see giving him throw away innings. Anything more than that, we have others more ready to perform in a playoff situation.

     

     

    Edited by howieramone2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Dantes929

    Dantes929 4,529

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Really good question, right? Has to be lack of command of one or both. I guess we'll find out...or hopefully not ! :)

    His walk rate in the minors has been a very respectable 2.7.    I care more about run prevention and he has been very good at that.    I have been on his bandwagon for a while now.   I really hope he lives up to the hype keeping in mind every one gives up runs..   

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    MMMordabito

    MMMordabito 3,585

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    If Graterol comes up to see the Big City and to meet his future teammates, I have no problem with that. I can see giving him throw away innings. Anything more than that, we have others more ready to perform in a playoff situation.

     

    That blows my expectations then .... I was expecting 7 shutout innings in game 7 of the World Series from Dobnak and six up/ six down via strike out from Graterol to finish it off ... Arraez can take care of the single run against Kershaw with a perfectly placed inside-the-park home run in the top of the 9th

     

    Anything less, and I'm never watching the Twins again.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    kenbuddha

    kenbuddha 147

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    That blows my expectations then .... I was expecting 7 shutout innings in game 7 of the World Series from Dobnak and six up/ six down via strike out from Graterol to finish it off ... Arraez can take care of the single run against Kershaw with a perfectly placed inside-the-park home run in the top of the 9th

     

    Anything less, and I'm never watching the Twins again.

    ditto.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    SwainZag

    SwainZag 5,031

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

     

    Does anyone else wonder why Graterol's K/9 isn't higher with his velocity and his slider?  

     

     

    He's only 20.  Really this is only his 3rd year in the system after his very short 2015 and missing 2016, he's still learning how to pitch.  The stat I like is how few HR he has given up.  7 in his minor league career 208 IP.  

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    LimestoneBaggy

    LimestoneBaggy 341

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    Does anyone else wonder why Graterol's K/9 isn't higher with his velocity and his slider? 

     

    I've never watched him pitch, but if I had access, I'd like to see the horizontal movement on his fastball and location of the same. Then how it compares to the horizontal/vertical movement of his off-speed offering. 

     

    I agree with Swain though, he's really young, with limited reps, adjusting to the bullpen, and probably needs to see some pitch design work.

     

    All that said....I'm excited (please don't be Jim Hoey, please don't be Jim Hoey...)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    Loading...
    ×

×
×
  • Create New...