Bryan Price

[jokin]

The Twins are reportedly looking around for more arms for the bullpen.  Brian Price was just placed on waivers by the Indians.  The 28-year old right-hander is a former 1st round pick of the Red Sox.  He primarily throws a FB, that averaged 93.5MPH and touches 96-7 for the Indians in 2014.  His pitching numbers at AA and AAA have really spiked up significantly after eventually settling into a relief role after 2011.  In the last two seasons with time spent at both upper minor league levels, here are his numbers:

 

K/9 11.0 BB/9 2.76 K% 30.6% BB% 6.3% BA .201 WHIP 1.00 H/9 6.71 ERA 2.18 FIP 2.86

 

There isn't anyone in the Twins organization among the RPs that has this two year track record in the minors of HIgh K/Low BB/Low Hits & Runs allowed.  Oliveros did it in 2014, but missed most of 2013, Achter and Johnson were closest over two years, but not as good as Price, overall. 

 

Another feature to this potential waiver claim pickup is the fact that Price still has two options remaining, so the Twins would have some roster flexibility with him, and aren't stuck with a dud trying to solve any problems while on the current 25-man.  

 

Since he's not listed as currently throwing either a cutter or a sinker, is that an area where the new pitching coach might be able to tweak Prices's repertoire a bit and force a little more guesswork in the minds of major league hitters when facing Price?

[jokin]

I just browsed some of the current rosterees.  Aaron Thompson is about the same age as Price, and similar minor league experiences over the last two years, Thompson's numbers aren't nearly as good as Price's.

 

Thompson (age 28)-  K/9 8.38 BB/9 3.36 K% 21.8% BB% 8.7% BA .252 WHIP 1.35 ERA 3.28 FIP 3.52

[jorgenswest]

Bryan Price is right handed so hard to compare to Thompson. His roster flexibility gives him some value. They picked up Casey Fien at a similar point in career. Seems worth a spot on the 40.

[The Wise One]

There is a reason Cleveland let him go. My best guess is that Price suffers from Hoey disease. It is similar to Gray's disease, although it differs in that the team figures it out much quicker.

[jokin]

There is a reason Cleveland let him go. My best guess is that Price suffers from Hoey disease. It is similar to Gray's disease, although it differs in that the team figures it out much quicker.

 

Yeah, the 13th round pick Hoey- who the Twins foolishly traded for a Gold Glove, All Star SS, with no control and extreme hittability and poor peripherals at the same age of development...

 

-or Jeff Gray, a 32nd round pick- whose peripherals spiked DOWN instead of UP at the same stage as Price's career track in his late 20s- 

 

are both very similar to picking up Price on a waiver deal....Just. Not. So.

 

But yes, it is a speculative deal, but there's no risk involved in finding out (free acquisition and 2 options remaining so he won't block anyone better). And the Twins new pitching coaches may have a fresh approach that will enable them to tweek something out of Price's live arm. (Allen does have a track record of doing just that).

[The Wise One]

5

Yeah, the 13th round pick Hoey- who the Twins foolishly traded for a Gold Glove, All Star SS, with no control and extreme hittability and poor peripherals at the same age of development...

 

-or Jeff Gray, a 32nd round pick- whose peripherals spiked DOWN instead of UP at the same stage as Price's career track in his late 20s- 

 

are both very similar to picking up Price on a waiver deal....Just. Not. So.

 

But yes, it is a speculative deal, but there's no risk involved in finding out (free acquisition and 2 options remaining so he won't block anyone better). And the Twins new pitching coaches may have a fresh approach that will enable them to tweek something out of Price's live arm. (Allen does have a track record of doing just that).

You might be right. The pitching coach in Cleveland must not know what he is looking at or very good at making pitchers better. Risk involved? I supose you can trade one poor pitcher on the 40 man for another, but I would think one of the better pitching coaches in the league knew what he was looking at for the last month of the season

 

When players were drafted really doesn't matter much after they are signed. A 95 or more fastball can be had in the later rounds as well as the first. At one point you have higher potential than someone else. That is reflected in draft position. At some point that draft number does not matter. I would think it comes in the high minors. Draft position=potential. Promotions means skills.

[goulik]

You never know what makes it click for a young prospect that just isn't working out. Sometimes they need that extra motivation of being sent back down or waived and claimed by another team... I say give it a shot, worst case scenario you end up with a better AAA pitcher than you had before. There's other roster spots that could be worth opening up as well as Colabellos spot was...