Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/14): Great Graterol!

[2wins87]

 

I'm impressed with the control for someone as young as he is and will be watching to see if that continues.  How's the movement on his FB, obviously when we're talking 100+ we're talking icing on the cake, but if he throws that hard with any kind of movement--wow.  

 

Or is that kind of thing where it flattens out at when he's touching 99-101 and when he's at 95-98 it's got a little bit more movement to it. 

 

What's his best secondary pitch?  Can he control it yet? 

 

From the two videos of parts of his start that I can find: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0vU8SYUFR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuvyKtNB22Y

 

I don't think my eye for this stuff is that great, but his fastball looks like it has a little run but is overall fairly straight.  I can't tell if he's mixing in any two seamers.  The slider command looked pretty great though.  Got at least two called strikes and two swinging strikes on it in the second video.

[Steve Lein]

 

All while keeping the same crazy good plate discipline numbers.  I'm more and more convinced that he can be a good major league hitter despite his lack of a carrying tool.

 

You mentioned his carrying tool right before that last sentence!

[John Kelsey]

I'm usually in favor of quick promotions, but I'm heading to Cedar Rapids to watch the Kernels over Memorial Day weekend. 

 

Hopefully all the big names are around for a few more weeks. 

[jokin]

 

Is it just me or does Graterol remind anyone of a young King Felix?

 

Not just you...

 

https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/996181584540766208 

 

Exactly what I was hinting at, but afraid to say out loud! ( I'm trying like crazy not to put the jinx on, but the guy does seem too good to be true).

 

Are his arm problems fully behind him? One big difference, and a reality check-

King Felix was throwing:

150 IP @ age 18

172 IP @ age 19 (84 IP @ MLB level)

190 IP @ age 20

[jokin]

 

 

. Wade will get up to AAA this year. 

 

As will Gordon and Wiel?

[jokin]

 

 

Cedar Rapids is Low A, so the move up with be High-A. Lewis and Kirilloff aren't going to AA this year.

 

How about both to Chatty for the September playoffs?

 

Who plays regular SS in Chatty when Gordon moves to AAA?

[Seth Stohs]

 

As will Gordon and Wiel?

 

Quite possibly. Gordon more likely. I'd think Wiel spends the full year in AA. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

How about both to Chatty for the September playoffs?

 

Who plays regular SS in Chatty when Gordon moves to AAA?

 

I'd be surprised if Lewis and/or Kirilloff get to Chattanooga.

 

SS for Chattanooga after Gordon moves up... Sean Miller, Alex Perez,