Article: Minor League Breakout Pitcher Candidates

[Cody Christie]

With the major league season already off and running, minor league action will follow suit in a matter of days. Many of the full season rosters are set and the focus can turn to making improvements and getting closer to reaching each player's ultimate goal of making the big leagues.

 

Every season, there are players who rise above the crowd to have breakout campaigns. Two seasons ago, Jose Berrios burst onto the scene on his way to be the first player in Twins history to win back-to-back minor league pitcher of the year awards.

 

Which pitchers should fans keep an eye on this season? Here are a few names to consider.Felix Jorge- SP

2015 Stats (Low-A): 2.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 114 SO, 32 BB, 142.0 IP

I've been one of the few members on the Felix Jorge fan club over the last couple years. He struggled in 2014 with his first taste of the Midwest League but he bounced back in 2015 with some very solid numbers. Most of his innings this years should be in the Florida State League which is a league that tends to favor pitchers. If he can continue to make strides with his secondary pitches, 2016 could see him become one of the Twins top 10 prospects heading into next season.

 

Mason Melotakis- RP

2015 Stats (N/A): Did Not Play

Melotakis missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Minnesota still felt highly enough about him to add him to their 40-man roster during the offseason. He will be monitored closely this year as he returns to the mound. His path to the big leagues will be as a relief pitcher even though he's done some starting in the past. With a fastball in the mid-90's and a curveball to keep batters on their toes, Melotakis could make it all the way to Minnesota this season if everything breaks right.

 

Yorman Landa- RP

2015 Stats (Rookie, Low-A): 2.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 40 SO, 16 BB, 36.0 IP

Like Melotakis, Landa was added to the team's 40-man roster during the winter. The flame-throwing relief pitcher can reach the high 90's with his fastball but he will need to work on his other pitches as he moves up the ladder. If his control improves, his fastball should help him to continue to overpower batters. Since he is on the 40-man roster, there's a chance he could get a September call-up but the most likely scenario has him reaching Double-A by season's end.

 

Fernando Romero- SP

2015 Stats (N/A): Did Not Play

Romero was on the fast-track before elbow issues led to Tommy John surgery. He made only three appearances in 2014 so he's really coming back after two years away from competitive appearances. His fastball can hit the upper-90's and both of his breaking pitches have a chance to be above average. He will likely return to Cedar Rapids at some point this season and he has the chance to be one of the Twins top pitching prospects if he comes back strong.

 

Randy Rosario- SP

2015 Stats (Rookie/Low-A): 3.06 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 54 SO, 20 BB, 61.2 IP

After missing most of 2014 due to Tommy John surgery, Rosario was back on the mound in 2015. Even though he missed a season, he was still almost a year younger than the competition in Cedar Rapids. The southpaw can reach the high 90s with his fastball and he will continue to refine his secondary pitches. The majority of his innings will come with Fort Myers but he has a chance to reach the upper levels of the minor leagues this season.

 

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[Tibs]

Will Romero be returning to starting?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Will Romero be returning to starting?

 

Yes. 

 

Per Jeff Johnson in Cedar Rapids, Jake Mauer said that Romero won't be likely returning to Cedar Rapids until May. 

[clutterheart]

Id like to go with Romero for a breakout candidate bu he is on his first year back after TJ so he will be treated with kid gloves. So I choose Rosario.

If all goes right with the kid he will be in the Twins bullpen mix at the end of next season.

 

[Thrylos]

Agreed on Melotakis.

 

Here are 3 picks (two under the radar)

Alex Meyer - in the Twins' Rotation before call ups.

Alex Wimmers & JT Chargois - in the Twins' pen before call ups.

 

That Chattanooga pen will be phenomenal this season.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Yes. 

 

Per Jeff Johnson in Cedar Rapids, Jake Mauer said that Romero won't be likely returning to Cedar Rapids until May. 

If you talk to Romero he'll tell you he's ready now!  The impressive part was that he was still popping 95-96 mph in his fifth inning of work the other day.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Would Lewis Thorpe be considered a break out candidate due to him coming back from Tommy John surgery? I have a feeling if he has good control and has improved his secondary pitches he could be special.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think Thorpe technically already broke out.  Definitely one to keep an eye out for.  I think another break out candidate is Stewart... not that he's been bad, but he hasn't been what we had hoped for.  I'm curious if we will see a nice bump in his peripherals if he repeats the FSL.

[bird]

There are a lot of reasons that this is a nice list. For one, it's just a nice list. Every one of these prospects appears to have a real chance. For another, it's an additional group to get excited about beyond the half-dozen names we're hearing most often: Burdi, Chargois, Reed, Meyer, etc. And for another, it excludes some sleepers who have a chance to arrive as contributors yet in 2016, guys like Graham, Rogers, Wimmers, etc. I wonder if there are any other organizations who can rattle off the names of twenty relief pitching prospects of similar quality.

Edited April 5, 2016 by birdwatcher

[dxpavelka]

Have the Twins ever considered hiring Tommy John as a pitching coach?

 

[gunnarthor]

Of the names you mentioned, I like Melotakis the most.  I do think that Kohl Stewart will have a nice season for us but I'm not sure if a former top pick is a "break out candidate."  

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Of the names you mentioned, I like Melotakis the most.  I do think that Kohl Stewart will have a nice season for us but I'm not sure if a former top pick is a "break out candidate."  

Well Stewart better "break out" this year because it's getting close to his make or break status as a legit prospect.  He should benefit from repeating at High A but if one of his secondary pitches doesn't develop into a swing and miss pitch, he's looking at a backend starter at best.  Still disheartening that the club seemingly has him concentrating more on harnessing his sinker ball than using his high octane fastball (that he still has somewhere in there).

[Lonestar]

Lachlan Wells?

[jsteve96]

Lewis Thorpe gonna get to start at all this year? should be pitching by May? throw him in 10-15 pitches first couple outings then 3 innings/40 pitches for a couple games then I'd start him and have him throw 65 pitches/5 innings each start until august then get him 5-6 solid 80-85 pitch starts.. Is that close to what they plan on doing you think?

[jsteve96]

I agree with Rosario on this board tho. Jorge pry will have a good year but he's had a couple good ones already, Rosario hasn't had much on his resume