Image courtesy of Seth Stohs (photo of John Curtiss)
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First, a few relievers worthy of mention:
- RHP Raul Fernandez (Ft. Myers) – 7 G, 0-0, 1.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 12.2 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 10 K
- RHP Todd Van Steensel (Ft. Myers) – 8 G, 0-0, 1.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9.0 IP, 3 H, 6 BB, 6 K
- RHP Trevor Hildenberger (Ft. Myers/Chattanooga) – 7 G, 1-1, 3 Saves, 0.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 11 H, 0 BB, 10 K
- LHP Luke Westphal (Ft. Myers/Chattanooga) – 7 G, 1-0, 1.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 8.1 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 12 K
THE TOP FIVE RELIEF PITCHERS
Number 5 - Cedar Rapids – RHP Nick Anderson - 6 G, 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9.0 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 10 K
The Twins signed Anderson last August out of independent ball and sent him to Cedar Rapids where he was very good as the team’s closer the final month and through their playoff run. The Brainerd native and Mayville (ND) alum is back with the Kernels this year and off to a strong start again. He has been sharing duties, but with the John Curtiss promotion, the 25-year-old will see more late inning opportunities.
Number 4 – Rochester – LHP Buddy Boshers - 8 G, 0.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 11 K
27-year-old Boshers pitched in 25 games for the Angels in 2013. However, he spent 2015 in independent ball, striking out 71 in 54 innings in the Atlantic League. He continued to pitch well in Venezuela this winter. The Twins signed him to a minor league deal and invited him to camp. He had a solid showing, and he has been very good for the Red Wings in the first month.
Number 3 – Chattanooga – RHP JT Chargois - 8 G, 1.12 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 11 K
If this award would have been handed out 10-12 days ago, Chargois would have been the easy choice for winning. In his first five outings, he went five innings and got all 15 batters he faced out. His last three outings are a good reminder of sample size, but Chargois is arguably the top relief pitching prospect in the system (with apologies to a few others). After missing two seasons with injury, the former second-round pick came back strong last year. He’s got a good three-pitch mix and could be summoned to the big leagues any time.
Number 2 – Cedar Rapids – RHP CK Irby - 7 G, 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 11.2 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 11 K
Irby began the 2015 season in Cedar Rapids as well, but he really struggled with his control, walking 14 (and striking out 20) in 14 innings before being sent back to Elizabethton. At least for April, the 23-year-old seems to have improved his control. He allowed only an unearned run and few base runners helping to set up for Anderson and Curtiss.
And the Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month is:
Cedar Rapids/Ft. Myers – John Curtiss - 7 G, 0.00 ERA, 0.44 WHIP, 9.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 18 K
2015 was a very difficult season for RHP John Curtiss. He began the season as a starter, got hurt, came back, got hurt and struggled when he was able to pitch.
Curtiss said, “2015 was pretty horrible, from the concussion to the hurt elbow to the poor performance.” However, he looked to 2016 and continued, “(I’m) just trying to move on from it and improve.”
Based on his April, it’s safe to say that 2016 is starting out much better for the Twins sixth-round pick from 2013 out of the University of Texas. When you’re striking out two batters per inning and not even allowing a base runner every other inning, things are going well. He was splitting time with Nick Anderson in the Kernels closer role. Late in the month, he earned a promotion to Ft. Myers.
Curtiss noted, “So far, I’ve been locating my pitches better, and my stuff has been livelier. The biggest deal for me so far has been having a healthy arm.”
This is not the first time he has pitched out of the bullpen. Following Tommy John surgery in college, he came back and was the closer for Texas as they advanced to the College World Series. It is a role that he really enjoys and thrives in.
“I really like being in the pen. The innings are late in the game where the game is on the line, and you get to impact more games. Also the pen camaraderie is pretty neat.”
Curtiss has a pitch mix that could lend itself well to success in the bullpen. He throws a fastball that sits 94 to 96 mph. He also throws a sharp curveball and a good changeup. “I can use them all as out pitches, depending on who’s at the plate, and what I trust in that moment.
Late in the month, he was promoted to the Miracle where he pitched a clean inning. His goals for 2016 are simple. “I just want to get better every day and help the team win.”
JP Martinez was the Twins ninth-round pick in 2004. He was in the organization through the 2007 season when he peaked at AAA. After coaching in high school following his career, he has been a pitching coach in the Twins system the last two years. Last year he was with the GCL Twins. This year, he is in Cedar Rapids where he has worked with Curtiss all spring.
Martinez said, “John came into camp healthy and ready to go. He was sharp, focused and attacked the zone which is why we trusted him in the late innings. He’s got a live fastball and a plus-slider. His promotion was well deserved.”
Curtiss is out to prove that, when healthy, he can be a very effective reliever.
Off the field, Curtiss says, “I’m really into Texas Country Music. Red Dirt. There are a lot of songwriters I’m a big fan of, too many to list. I play the guitar a lot in the off-season, and in season, I mostly read and write songs.”
There were several very strong relief pitcher performances in April. Feel free to agree or disagree with the order, if you like, but congratulations to each of these individuals on a great start to their 2016 season.
Congratulations to the first Twins Daily Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month for 2016, John Curtiss.
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