Article: Get To Know: LHP Lachlan Wells

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins have a long history of signing players from Australia. From Grant Balfour to Luke Hughes. From Liam Hendriks to James Beresford. From Michael Nakamura to the subject of today’s Get to Know ‘Em Q&A, Lachlan Wells.

 

Wells was signed by the Twins in August of 2014. This summer, he made his pro debut with the GCL Twins. He pitched well, especially for an 18-year-old. He was 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. In 47.1 innings, he walked 11 and struck out 49. As the season came to an end, Wells left and pitched for Australia in an international tournament. Sound familiar? Two years earlier Lewis Thorpe did the same thing. In fact, Wells was on that Australian team two years ago when Thorpe beat Team USA. This summer, with Thorpe rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, the two roomed together at the Twins academy in Ft. Myers.Recently, Wells was gracious enough to answer a series of questions for Twins Daily. Continue reading to get to know Lachlan Wells.

 

 

Seth Stohs (SS): As an amateur, how much contact did you have with MLB teams and what was it that caused you to decide to sign with the Twins?

 

Lachlan Wells (LW): As an amateur, I had a few teams interested in me. The reason I chose the Twins was that it was a good system and there have been plenty of Australian boys that have been through the system and well looked after.

SS: What was the adjustment like for you last spring moving from Australia to Florida? What were the biggest challenges?

 

LW: The adjustment from moving to Fort Myers was pretty big. Moving halfway around the world was tough. The time difference and not knowing many people were challenges I faced.

SS: What was the highlight of your 2015 season, your first year in the Twins organization?

 

LW: My highlight from my first season would be throwing my first outing of the season.

SS: You had a successful first professional season with the GCL Twins. What were your keys to your success?

 

LW: My keys to success were working hard and keeping my pitches down in the zone.

SS: What pitches do you throw? What is your best pitch, and what is the pitch that you really want to improve?

 

LW: The pitches I throw is fastball, curveball and change up. My best pitch is my change up.

SS: After the GCL season, you were impressive while representing Australia in an international tournament. What’s it like to pitch for your country?

 

LW: There is no greater feeling to pitch for your country. Words cannot describe it.

SS: Away from baseball, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

 

LW: I like to play golf and hang out with my family and mates.

SS: Growing up, who were some of your role models in the game of baseball?

 

LW: My role model growing up was Grant Balfour.

SS: You are following a similar path, and roomed this year with Lewis Thorpe. He's still young, but what have you been able to learn from him?

 

LW: I learnt a lot of Lewis, little things here and there, on the field and even off the field.

SS: Your twin brother signed with the Orioles. How happy are the two of you for each other to get signed?

 

LW: We are both very happy that we are both signed. The feeling when it happened was indescribable.

SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

LW: A lot of people have helped me to get where I am today. The support from people back home is awesome!

SS: What are some of your goals for the 2016 season? Are there certain statistics that you focus on?

 

LW: My goals for the 2016 season are to move up out of rookie ball and to work on making my pitches better.

SS: What would it mean to you and your family to be able to reach the major leagues and put that uniform on for the first time?

 

LW: It would mean a lot. Words can't describe how good it would be to reach the major leagues.

 

We would like to thank Lachlan Wells for taking time to respond to our series of questions, and a couple of follow up questions. Feel free to ask questions and discuss in the comments below.

 

Photo by Jim Donten

 

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[clutterheart]

I want to know how to pronounce that first name.  

 

LOCK-lan?

That was my assumption.  

But I was told it was la-chlan by my pal who spent time in FM  

Edited November 17, 2015 by clutterheart

[Seth Stohs]

 

I want to know how to pronounce that first name.  

 

LOCK-lan?

That was my assumption.  

But I was told it was la-chlan by my pal who spent time in FM  

 

I can find out. I have gone by how you have gone, so we'll see.

[nytwinsfan]

I know he was only 18 this year, so it is not as important as it is for a 21-yo, but what is his fastball generally at? Do you expect him to be at Elizabethton next year Seth? Only 11 BB in 47 innings for a 18-yo is particularly impressive.  Will be one to watch. Seth, Fangraphs says he is a rightie. Is that right?  http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa877857&position=P

Edited November 17, 2015 by nytwinsfan

[Seth Stohs]

 

I know he was only 18 this year, so it is not as important as it is for a 21-yo, but what is his fastball generally at? Do you expect him to be at Elizabethton next year Seth? Only 11 BB in 47 innings for a 18-yo is particularly impressive.  Will be one to watch. Seth, Fangraphs says he is a rightie. Is that right?  http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa877857&position=P

 

When he signed he touched 92... I'm still checking in to find out where he was at this year, but in that area.

[TRex]

 

When he signed he touched 92... I'm still checking in to find out where he was at this year, but in that area.

I know you said that the 5'8" mark is no longer in play, but I can't remember what you said his current size is. Could you remind us? Thanks!

[nytwinsfan]

 

I know you said that the 5'8" mark is no longer in play, but I can't remember what you said his current size is. Could you remind us? Thanks!

Ok, I was wondering about that too. Also, the LH v. RH thing.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I know you said that the 5'8" mark is no longer in play, but I can't remember what you said his current size is. Could you remind us? Thanks!

 

6-0, 185.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Ok, I was wondering about that too. Also, the LH v. RH thing.

 

I promise, he throws left-handed.

 

UPDATE - I added a photo of Lachlan Wells pitching from this year... just to prove it.

[TRex]

I love his photo on the front page... is he a fan of The Sandlot, and can we call him 'Specs'?

[nytwinsfan]

 

I promise, he throws left-handed.

 

UPDATE - I added a photo of Lachlan Wells pitching from this year... just to prove it.

 

Ok thanks, and generally I would trust you over Fangraphs or Baseball Reference or whatever, especially for someone who is still in the Dominican or Gulf League. Strange that they all have his attributes wrong. I can sort of understand that they have not updated his height by 4 inches he presumably grew, but it isn't like he switched which side he was pitching from, right?

 

Even MiLB.com has it wrong. Very very strange. http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=649143#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

[TRex]

Is his twin brother a RHP? Maybe they dressed up as each other for picture day! That would be a great ruse!

[ashbury]

I've just sent a note to b-r.com about the lefty-right mixup. We'll see if they respond. The fact milb.com has it wrong too suggests there's an error in the database the Twins provide.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Is his twin brother a RHP? Maybe they dressed up as each other for picture day! That would be a great ruse!

LOL. That would be awesome.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I've just sent a note to b-r.com about the lefty-right mixup. We'll see if they respond. The fact milb.com has it wrong too suggests there's an error in the database the Twins provide.

 

Friend of Twins Daily, Hans Van Slooten will take care of it. he's good.