The Minor League Relief Pitching Prospects

[goulik]

So as we look to the future and hope the younger Relief Pitchers start replacing some of the older MLB guys, who comes up first? Here are some contenders:

 

Nick Burdi is a favorite among many here on TD but he is still at AA, has never been higher than AA, and has only pitched 16.2 innings in the past 2 years combined due to injuries. In 13.2 innings this year Burdi has struck out 18 while walking 4 and allowing only 1 run for a 0.66 ERA. His 0.67 WHIP is also impressive. Burdi has a career 1.24 WHIP in the minors.

 

Mason Melotakis is also still at AA and also has never pitched any higher than AA after missing 2015 due to injury. Melotakis is repeating AA after 33 innings with a 2.97 ERA and 1.44 ERA there last year. In his second season in Chattanooga, Melotakis has pitched 15 innings with 11 K's compared to 3 walks. His WHIP is an impressive 0.60 with a career WHIP of 1.29. Melotakis has allowed two runs this year but one of those was unearned so his 0.60 ERA is even lower than Burdi.

 

Trevor Hildenberger is in his first year in AAA with 10.2 innings logged this year. Hildenberger has struck out 12 while only walking 3. He has allowed 3 runs for a 2.53 ERA. In his favor is a terrific career 0.85 WHIP that is hurt by his career high 1.22 WHIP so far this year. 

 

Alan Busenitz spent most of last year in AA but, unlike the three above, he pitched 20.2 innings in AAA last year so comes with more experience. He has pitched in 12.1 innings this year with 15 strikeouts offsetting the 4 runs and 7 walks. His 2.92 ERA is solid and a 0.89 WHIP is really nice but his AAA career ERA is still 4.91 because of his AAA time BEFORE coming to the Twins in a trade midseason. 

 

DJ Baxendale has also been mentioned on TD as someone to bring up instead of some of the free agent signings we have seen. This year he has an identical ERA to Busenitz (2.92) in the exact same number of innings (12.1) but he is repeating AAA with the most AAA experience of anyone on this list. Last year, in 35 innings, he had a 1.29 ERA with 40 K's to 8 walks for a 1.03 WHIP. His K rate is down this year with only 9 so far but the control is there with only 2 walks and a 0.89 WHIP

 

So, based on these numbers (and any others you would like to share with us in your responses), who do you think should be the first minor leaguer called up? Maybe it is someone not on this list...

[70charger]

I actually don't particularly care about experience when it comes to these guys. Building up a reasonable sample size in AAA so that you could scout Nick Burdi's stat line would require leaving him down far longer than I hope the front office would contemplate.

 

The results are there in a small sample, the heat is there, the scouting is there - he's just been derailed by injuries. Remember there were people who said when Burdi was drafted that he could be in the majors that same year. It's time to see what he can do in the big leagues and to show the same kind of patience we showed Buxton.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd call up Burdi now, partially because 

 

a: I'd like him here while healthy

b: I'd like a rotation of RPs with options that can go to AAA and "rest" after 3-4 weeks of usage (or if they are suddenly not effective).

 

I'd consider Hildenberger right now also.

 

Not sure about Melotakis, but I'd probably call him up too.

 

I don't expect any of these guys to stick all year, and I want them really ready for next year (and I think they are probably as good as some of the guys they have now, or will be).

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think they'd be wise to start rotating some of the younger ones into the pen. It's bad.  No reason why they cannot DFA/option one reliever and start rotating prospects through and see who sticks.

[Vanimal46]

I don't believe a reliever needs x amount of innings at AA or AAA in order to be successful in the MLB. Since their appearances are small samples I like rolling with the hot hand. And rotating out struggling players.

 

Burdi and Melotakis are the hot hands right now. I wouldn't hesitate to call up either of them.

[howieramone2]

 

I actually don't particularly care about experience when it comes to these guys. Building up a reasonable sample size in AAA so that you could scout Nick Burdi's stat line would require leaving him down far longer than I hope the front office would contemplate.

 

The results are there in a small sample, the heat is there, the scouting is there - he's just been derailed by injuries. Remember there were people who said when Burdi was drafted that he could be in the majors that same year. It's time to see what he can do in the big leagues and to show the same kind of patience we showed Buxton.

Who ever said that didn't even bother to draft him. He missed all last season with a mysterious ailment. We waited for Berrios, we can wait for Burdi.

[yarnivek1972]

 

It's weird, the head (stats and experience) says Baxendale and Busenitz, the heart says Burdi and Hildenberg. Baxendale first, then Burdi, then Busenitz.  Hildenberg's record is all based on a funky delivery so he's the big wild card. Wouldn't bring him up unless there was a series of circumstances creating a need. Better to include him in a trade package. Yes, Pat Neschek had a long MLB career, it just wasn't a particularly good MLB career. 

 

I know this invites nothing but ridicule, but what about the immortal Buddy Boshers? Last year he had a mediocre 4.25 ERA, but pitched to a 2.84 FIP (3.18 career FIP) on a team that treated every ball in play as an adventure. He also had a  1.167 WHIP and 9.4 SO/9 in 36 appearances, 37 innings. He was also effective in his brief appearance this year and he's left handed. He may be the best choice for immediate help. We should be auditioning more long term guys but he just turned 29 so why not Buddy? 

 

 

First of all, he's still pitching.  Second, I don't know what your standards are, but I guess I would call a 2.85 career MLB ERA with a WHIP a tick over 1 and a K per 9 a tick under 9 pretty good.

 

PS: I like Boshers.  If you break down his appearances last year, it's easy to see why his overall numbers were not impressive.  He pitched in a blowout game (a Jose Berrios 2 IP special) and gave up like 6 runs in an inning and a third.  Walked  a guy, hit a guy, HR.  Boom, there go your season stats.  Take that out of the equation and his numbers were pretty solid all around. Is it fair to simply ignore a pitcher's worst outing? Perhaps not.  But, Boshers had been asked to pitch more than 1 inning 6 times before the blowout.  He was scored on in 4 of those games.  Some guys are 1 IP at a time.  Doesn't mean he can't help.  He pitched very poorly in ST, so I don't know what to expect of him.  Personally I think he's better than Breslow for sure and maybe Rogers.