Powers: Achter may be the best reliever you've never heard of

[Seth Stohs]

Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press wrote about Twins reliever AJ Achter. Now, if you've been following Twins Daily, you've obviously heard of Achter. I mean, he was my choice for minor league relief pitcher of the year 3-4 years ago. He's always put up numbers, but he's a smart guy who knows that he's had to work for everything he's got. 

 

He may remain a long shot for the opening day roster, but he has a chance and that's all he has ever asked for.

 

 

 

"Well, I was a 46th-round draft pick," Achter said. "You get used to the odds being stacked against you.
I do a lot of speaking to different teams in the off-season and that's kind of always my main point: I was drafted in a round that doesn't even exist anymore, so don't let people tell you it's not possible."
Yes, they only draft 40 rounds now. Anything beyond that was deemed a waste of time. But in 2010, there was a 46th round and the Twins used the pick to select Achter, a right-hander, out of Michigan State. Nothing has been handed to him. In fact, Achter once was rejected by the Cape Cod League, a kick in the pants to any aspiring young player.