Neal: Deduno firmly in mix for rotation spot

Twins notes: Filling out the starting rotation | StarTribune.com

I'm pulling for Samuel Deduno to win a spot in the rotation, but had viewed him as something of a long shot since he's not in camp and not on the 40-man roster. It sounds like the Twins have taken notice of his impressive WBC performance though.

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And if you were wondering what limiting Team USA to one run over four innings on five hits, a walk and seven strikeouts did for Deduno on Thursday, it did a lot.

“He’s definitely got his hat in the ring,” Gardenhire said. “Probably more toward the center of the ring. That was pretty good what he’s done.’’

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At the start of spring training, I had Hendriks as nearly a lock for the rotation. This was assuming Diamond wouldn't be ready. If Deduno keeps pitching well he could very well pass up Hendriks. Honestly, DeVries may be passing him up also. There were some interesting comments from the coaching staff following Hendriks' last start.

So this means what?

Worley
Pelfrey
DeVries
Corriea
Deduno

--Then Diamond when he's ready?
Ugh. I hope we score lots of runs.

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Originally Posted by twinscowboysbulls

Worley
Pelfrey
DeVries
Corriea
Deduno

--Then Diamond when he's ready?
Ugh. I hope we score lots of runs.

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I wouldn't be against this for now given what we have. We just need to finish filtering through what is on hand. Presumably, at least 2 will flop and we've got Diamond to go with Gibson/Hendriks as replacements in May/June.

I had assumed Hendriks would be in the majors all year this year, so they could see what they have or don't.....but now I'm less sure of that.

It's kinda going in reverse order for the "non-locks"--Gibson, Hendriks have drifted down while the former long-shots (Deduno, Walters, De Vrieze) have moved up. I'm too confident that they'll all get their shot if they perform OK at Rochester, but Hendriks now has to pitch his way into the rotation (IMHO) or have D, W, D pitch their way out. I am in favor of a sixth guy beginning the season as the Twins long man, because with that staff there will be many opportunites to go multiple innings--besides if either De Vrieze or Walters doesn't make the rotation, they probably deserve a shot to go north. Besides the bullpen guys haven't covered themselves in glory anyway.

Up to this point, I would like to see Samuel Deduno as the teams fifth starter. He possess a no fear attitude when he is out there. One question I have is, what is currently going on with Rich Harden?

''Hendriks threw the ball good,'' Gardenhire said. ''But didn't really change his speeds much. All fastballs tonight. Really weren't many spinners in there, changeups, nothing. I mean, it's pretty impressive that you can throw all fastballs, but it doesn't really work. You've got to mix in your other stuff. We noticed that quite a bit. His fastball, he located it and it was down, which was a good thing. Made one mistake to Salty. He killed it. But for the most part, he was efficient.''

Is that the quote you're referring to? Spring training stats mean little right now. Sounds like Hendriks was focusing on mostly mechanics to me (he referenced it with his bullpen session with Andy). I'm not too worried about Hendriks. He has nothing to prove in AAA and a demotion would delay his progress.

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Originally Posted by Hoosier_Twinsfan

Up to this point, I would like to see Samuel Deduno as the teams fifth starter. He possess a no fear attitude when he is out there. One question I have is, what is currently going on with Rich Harden?

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His timetable got pushed back. I bet he starts in extended spring training and begins the year with Ft. Myers. I wouldn't bet on seeing him before May at the earliest.

And he's starting the championship game tonight against Puerto Rico. Good luck, Samuel.

I'm really starting to wonder what we have in Deduno.

He has been selected to start against USA and now the championship game against PR.

Doesn't this make a pretty loud statement about his talent from a comparison standpoint. At least a loud statement about what Tony Pena thinks of Deduno.

I realize that certain starters like Cueto and Ubaldo are not on the team but this is a team with Wandy and Volquez on it as starting options to choose from.

I know that Pena and the other managers are going to try to keep the rotations and days of rest in order because the MLB Squads will scream if he doesn't... But... I'm sure the manager started planning his rotation on who would start the championship if they got that far when putting together the rotation at the beginning.

Doesn't Deduno starting this game tonight make a statement about what kind of talent he has.

In consideration of our rotation... Based on this... I can't see a reason why Deduno would not open up the season in the Twins Rotation.

Just a matter of getting him on the 40 man and who gets released to make room for him.

//insert name here// firmly in mix for rotation spot.

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Originally Posted by Badsmerf

''Hendriks threw the ball good,'' Gardenhire said. ''But didn't really change his speeds much. All fastballs tonight. Really weren't many spinners in there, changeups, nothing. I mean, it's pretty impressive that you can throw all fastballs, but it doesn't really work. You've got to mix in your other stuff. We noticed that quite a bit. His fastball, he located it and it was down, which was a good thing. Made one mistake to Salty. He killed it. But for the most part, he was efficient.''

Is that the quote you're referring to? Spring training stats mean little right now. Sounds like Hendriks was focusing on mostly mechanics to me (he referenced it with his bullpen session with Andy). I'm not too worried about Hendriks. He has nothing to prove in AAA and a demotion would delay his progress.

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I think it's a matter of telling him to mix up his pitches and then he goes out there and doesn't mix up his pitches. It's also a matter of location. He's got good velocity and a deceptive delivery makes him "sneaky fast". But he need to hit his spots. When he doesn't, he gives up 4 homer runs in four innings.

I'm not convinced he's progressed since last year. He is falling into the same habits that got him demoted three times last year. Recall the last time he got demoted, it was because Anderson was exasperated that he threw 95% fastballs and gave up 6 runs. I don't think a couple of months of AAA will hurt him. He's still very young (younger than Gibson).

Could say the same about Worley. He threw a few nice sliders in hish last start but I think I counted 3 changups / splitters / splangeups. The rest were all 2 and 4 seem fastballs (which look to be as good as they're going to get). Its like someone needs to remind these guys that ST games don't count.

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Originally Posted by cmathewson

I think it's a matter of telling him to mix up his pitches and then he goes out there and doesn't mix up his pitches. It's also a matter of location. He's got good velocity and a deceptive delivery makes him "sneaky fast". But he need to hit his spots. When he doesn't, he gives up 4 homer runs in four innings.

I'm not convinced he's progressed since last year. He is falling into the same habits that got him demoted three times last year. Recall the last time he got demoted, it was because Anderson was exasperated that he threw 95% fastballs and gave up 6 runs. I don't think a couple of months of AAA will hurt him. He's still very young (younger than Gibson).

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This may sound like a dumb question, but doesn't the catcher call the pitches? If the pitcher isn't shaking him off, then the catcher should get blamed for pitch selection, correct? Isn't it as simple as Anderson telling Hendricks to just throw what his veteran catchers are calling for??

the difference is worley is a lock in the rotation, he has the luxury of working on things in games, hendriks should not be working on things in games he should be worried about results, i think that may be some of his problem, he has been given his spot & has not earned it...with deduno TR said it best just nobody wants to hear it, you cant throw him out there every 5th day & hope you get 4-5 innings, that would kill the pen & you cant have that for a whole season ...and i have seen where some have said let him throw 120 pitches, that is never going to happen...the best thing for deduno is throw the slider 30 times for a inning or two out of the pen....

If Deduno completes 4 or 5 strong innings tonight against what is essentially an all-star level lineup, then I am hoping that some people might reconsider their thinking about him.

He's certainly the best Dominican starter on the team.

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Originally Posted by glunn

If Deduno completes 4 or 5 strong innings tonight against what is essentially an all-star level lineup, then I am hoping that some people might reconsider their thinking about him.

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All star level lineup? Um no

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Originally Posted by worm33

All star level lineup? Um no

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OK, maybe a bit of exaggeration, but at the very least he is facing some of the top MLB players from a number of teams.