Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month - July 2015

There were many terrific bullpen performances in June. I’ve ranked the top five, but before getting to them, here are some pitchers who deserve honorable mention.

• RHP Mark Hamburger – Rochester Red Wings – 10 G, 12.1 IP, 1-0, 1.10 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 8 H, 1 BB, 10 K
  
• RHP Matt Summers – Ft. Myers/Chattanooga – 9 G, 16.0 IP, 1-0, 0.56 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 11 H, 4 BB, 9 K
  
• RHP Kuo Hua Lo – Elizabethton Twins – 8 G, 14.2 IP, 1-1, 3-Saves, 1.23 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 5 H, 2 BB, 15 K
  

The Top 5 Twins Relievers for July 2015

Number 5 – GCL Twins – Johan Quezada – 8 G, 9.1 IP, 2-0, 3 saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K

Quezada signed with the Twins late in 2012. He spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and in 43.1 innings, he walked 74 and struck out 50. The 6-6, 20 year old from the Dominican is certainly showing good control so far in 2015. He’s also showing a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s. Overall, he is 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. In 15.2 innings, he has walked five and struck out 16. He’s a project, but a project with a very strong arm. That explains why hitters hit just .065/.147/.065 (.212) against him.

Number 4 – GCL Twins – Miguel Gonzalez – 6 G, 13.2 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 6 H, 3 BB, 14 K

Gonzalez signed with the Twins in 2011 out of the Dominican. He spent a season in the DSL. He pitched in 20 games out of the bullpen in the GCL in 2013 and posted a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 innings (9 BB, 33 K). However, after moving into a starting role in 2014 (also in the GCL), he was injured after just 13.1 innings. He returned this year, back to the bullpen. Overall, in 21 innings, he is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He has four walks and 23 strikeouts. In July, opponents hit just .128/.196/.255 (.451) off of him. Most important, the 20 year old is healthy.

Number 3 – Ft. Myers Miracle – Nick Burdi – 10 G, 16.1 IP, 2-1, 2 Saves, 1.10 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 10 H, 0 BB, 23 K

Number 2 – Rochester Red Wings – Michael Tonkin – 8 G, 15.0 IP, 2-0, 1 save, 0.00 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 6 H, 2 BB, 19 K

And the Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month is:

Cedar Rapids/Ft. Myers – Trevor Hildenberger – 9 G, 11.0 IP, 0-0, 6 Saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, 6 H, 0 BB, 16 K

So what do you think? Honestly, let me know how you would rank them. I’ve ranked the top five bullpen arms in the Twins organization in July, in my opinion, but I welcome your comments as well.