Huascar Ynoa 2016

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Huascar Ynoa

Signed for $800,000 in 2014

DOB: May 28, 1998

Ht: 6'3

Wt: 217lbs

B/T: R/R

Resides: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

 

Huascar was one of the very divisive prospects of 2014 as scouts were split on what he had to offer.  Some saw a potential frontline starter while others saw a minor league reliever.  The Twins were in the class of believers as they gave him $800K which was a far cry from the bonus his brother Michael got from the Athletics (4.2M) in 2008.  The Twins have taken it slow with Huascar as he spent the entire 2015 in the Dominican League.

 

 

While there he flashed ace material at times.  In 14 starts he went 56 2/3 giving up only 43 hits, 30 walks and striking out 47 with a line of 2.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and .207 BAA.  

 

Ynoa showcases four pitches, a fastball, slider, changeup and a curveball the team is dissuading him from throwing.  His fastball registers 88-92 mph while his slider is 81-85 mph and changeup at 82-84 mph.  Currently, Huascar is in extended spring training working on his control and harnessing command.  He'll likely report to the GCL for the duration of the season.  And he'll turn 18 in a couple weeks.

 

 

 

Here is some video that I took on 5/13/16 of Ynoa throwing in EXST:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV9lWcZ2WOc

[Bob Sacamento]

"Hector" as his teammates call him, pitched on 5/21 throwing one inning to start the game.  His fastball was 86-90 mph with a slider at 79 to 83 and nasty break.  Ynoa struck out two, walked one in his one frame.

[Bob Sacamento]

Huascar Ynoa (E-NOAH) pitched five strong innings on 7/9 against the GCL Red Sox, giving up only two hits, no walks, no runs, and striking out 8.  Ynoa's fastball was 90-94mph, with an 80-82 mph slider with sharp break and a changeup 86-87 mph.  Huascar is a fast worker on the mound, seeming keeping himself in the groove.  Here is some video from his 7/9 start:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ4L94118y8

[goulik]

I see he has given up 14 hits in 14 innings but is off setting that with 15 K's to 2 BB's for a 1.14 WHIP. With that type of command at age 18, it will be fun to see where that fastball tops out at when he fully grows into his adult body.

[HitInAPinch]

Young pitcher finding his way. 

[The Wise One]

 

I see he has given up 14 hits in 14 innings but is off setting that with 15 K's to 2 BB's for a 1.14 WHIP. With that type of command at age 18, it will be fun to see where that fastball tops out at when he fully grows into his adult body.

32.1 innings  27 hits, WHIP 1.08   36K

[Bob Sacamento]

On Saturday 8/13, Huascar Ynoa threw 5 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. His fastball was 91-97mph averaging 94, his slider was 81-83mph, his curve was 72-74 and the change was 81-83 mph.

 

For the season, in 9 starts Ynoa now has gone 42 1/3 innings giving up 35 hits, 9 walks, and 44 strikeouts.  Bringing his ERA for the season down to 2.13 with a 1.04 WHIP and .222 BAA. 

 

The team has him on a pitch count per outing (~80 pitches) so the longest outing he has this season is 5 1/3.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtCpwjiITw8

[Bob Sacamento]

Ynoa finished his 2016 season on 8/25 in his worst start, lasting only 2 2/3 IP, giving up 4 H, 5 ER,  2 BB, 5 K.  

 

For the year in 11 game starts he went 51.0 IP, giving up 44 H, 18 ER, 1 HR, 4  HBP, 12 BB, 51 K, 3.18 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .228 BAA.

 

By the end of the season, in the six starts I saw of his, he went from throwing 86-90 mph with his fastball to 93-95 mph with his fastball topping out at 97.  Additionally, his slider got sharper with better late break and his put more velocity differential in between his fastball and changeup.  All in all a good first season in the states for Huascar  (Way-scar).

 

 

[Shane Wahl]

Great job here in this thread. Fantastic game details, especially with regard to velocity.

 

2016 Summary

 

In 51 GCL innings pitched, a 3.18 ERA, with 51 strikeouts, 12 walks (9.0/2.1), 1.098 WHIP, and only one homer given up. 

 

From Bob's posts it is clear that Ynoa is getting stronger and coming with more heat, and has four pitches to use.

 

 

2017 Outlook

 

The Twins will want to keep the innings down to 80-90 this year, I would imagine, so I think he will go to EST and then they will decide what to do with him in June. I can see 2017 split between ELZ and Cedar Rapids with a plan to get him 115 or so innings in a full season of A ball in 2018. He will be just 19 at the end of next May.