Article: REPORT: Twins to Promote Kohl Stewart for His MLB Debut

[Riverbrian]

 

Watching it for what? He's already below the super 2 cutoff. Unless they plan to hold him in the minors a bunch next year (like until mid-June), there is nothing more to be gained by holding him back now.

 

Yeah... that's right... I keep forgetting that. 

 

I'm out of control tonight. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

At first I assumed Stewart was up for the year so they don’t burn an option. From reading it sounds like he can go down at some point as long as it is fewer than 20 days. Is that correct?

 

I am encouraged that he received the call. I hope they don’t use an option.

Correct. They could let Stewart start Sunday (say that 3 times fast ), then send him back down and recall him Sep. 1st and he wouldn't burn an option this year (that would only be 19 days on optional assignment, Aug. 13-31).

 

Of course, they may keep him up longer, but whatever they do, they probably won't burn an option at this point.

[David HK]

I'm really happy for the kid. I hope he does well, and doesn't get an early hook if he runs into a spot of trouble.  

 

That said, it kind of smells like a showcase for a package trade...

[Squirrel]

Yeah... that's right... I keep forgetting that. 

 

I'm out of control tonight. 

Tonight?

[108Stitches]

Whut.

[yarnivek1972]

Molitor will never let this happen. He doesn't trust Stewart yet.

 

I'm just being goofy like I usually am, of course...

 

But... in all seriousness... doesn't this kind of illustrate how absolutely misguidedly stubborn Molitor is.

 

Hear me out... Think about this. Molitor will keep new players freshly arrived from Rochester on the bench because... whatever... they ain't vets or something.

 

But the rotation... at a position that is by far more important than one individual offensive position among 8 others. Into the game they go. He'll throw the rookie starting pitcher but it'll take a gun with a threatening note to put anybody else at the DH position.

Falvine controls who’s in the rotation by the players they put on the roster.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Whut.

At the least Thorpe deserved it more, he has had a far better season than Stewart.

[FormerMinnasotan]

they've already seen Romero, Gonsalves isn't available for Sunday......and Stewart needs to be on teh 40 man next year, or will likely be claimed.

 

I fail to see the downside. Gonsalves and Thorpe will get their chances. I'm just super excited it is not a 34 yo veteran with no future with the team.

I am not sold on Thorpe getting the chances he deserves. I mean he should already be in AAA, and I have a gut feeling he’ll repeat in AA next year just like Gonsalves did this year despite being the organization’s best minor league starter since July (since Bailey Ober is out now with injury). I feel if anything Thorpe should be excellerated towards the Twins as I find it hard to find a starting pitching prospect with better control AND command with real strikeout capability. Just my two cents worth, I hope I am proven wrong next year and Thorpe is starting for the Twins by June.

[notoriousgod71]

Dear God. I don't have much hope for this to work out based on his history, our history, and everything in between.

Edited August 11, 2018 by notoriousgod71

[tvagle]

 

Imagine how pumped he must have been to get called into the coach’s office. I assume his whole family will be there. A really great moment for this young man.

You can make all the arguments in the world why others should be starting in his place. There are a lot of considerations with a big baseball organization. Glad that a few breaks went his way and they made this decision. Hope he takes the opportunity and runs with it!

I just hope his family can find tickets

[MikeW]

Five years through the farm system. A lost season. Good time to reward Kohl and recognize his dedication to his craft. Let’s see what he can do. I wish him every success.

[Squirrel]

I am not sold on Thorpe getting the chances he deserves. I mean he should already be in AAA, and I have a gut feeling he’ll repeat in AA next year just like Gonsalves did this year despite being the organization’s best minor league starter since July (since Bailey Ober is out now with injury). I feel if anything Thorpe should be excellerated towards the Twins as I find it hard to find a starting pitching prospect with better control AND command with real strikeout capability. Just my two cents worth, I hope I am proven wrong next year and Thorpe is starting for the Twins by June.

Thorpe lost two years of development time due to injury and illness. And he’s still only 22. I’m hoping we see him next year, and I’m hopeful his potential exceeds Stewart’s. Call ups aren’t about deserving it from fan perspective. We need to make decisions on Stewart at the end of THIS season. The time for Stewart is now, not because he’s ‘deserving’ but because we need to see what he can do. And it’s not like Stewart hasn’t worked hard and isn’t deserving of an opportunity to show what he can do. We’re out of it, let’s evaluate what he has. That’s what this is about.

[nater79a]

Yes, we can be somewhat disappointed that's it's Stewart that got the call over 

a Romero, Gonsalves, etc...

 

 

But at least the Twins didn't comb the waiver wire for a spot starter like Adam Wilk, Chris Heston or Tim Melville.  Stayed in house this time which is good

[Danchat]

We don't get to see post-hype prospects very often, so it'll be interesting to see how Stewart does. His minor league stats haven't been so great and I don't think he necessarily deserved the promotion to AAA, but they might as well give the guy a chance.

 

I heard LEN3 say a few weeks ago on the radio that the Twins were working with Gonsalves [this season] to try and strengthen his secondary pitches since his fastball doesn't go much past 90. It sounded like the FO wasn't that interested in his overall stats but rather if his secondary pitches was getting guys out. I wonder if this development is why he's taking longer to reach the majors - if so, then I'm fine with it.

Edited August 11, 2018 by Danchat

[jud6312]

We've been hearing about Kohl for so long I think some of us forget he's only 23 years old.

 

Good on him and good luck to him.

 

Gonsalves' time is coming, as is Thorpe's and Romero's. 

 

Can never have too many arms, and it's time to find out whether Kohl can be one of them or not.

[jud6312]

Now, having said that, watch as Molitor uses him as the "opener" on Sunday.

[Jham]

Thorpe lost two years of development time due to injury and illness. And he’s still only 22. I’m hoping we see him next year, and I’m hopeful his potential exceeds Stewart’s. Call ups aren’t about deserving it from fan perspective. We need to make decisions on Stewart at the end of THIS season. The time for Stewart is now, not because he’s ‘deserving’ but because we need to see what he can do. And it’s not like Stewart hasn’t worked hard and isn’t deserving of an opportunity to show what he can do. We’re out of it, let’s evaluate what he has. That’s what this is about.

But don't we have a pretty good idea of Stewart as a starter? And doesn't that make him completely expendable which is why he wasn't protected last off-season? If he's a 5th or 6th starter, what use is he to this team?

 

If we agree that his most likely role on this team is a shuttle-reliever with options, then shouldn't we have committed to that? I'd rather see him in that role. It's similar to river Brian's position flexibility argument. Why not get him experience in a role where he might actually be of some use?

[KirbyDome89]

I'm reading this as a 40 man tryout. Hopefully he gets a fair chance to stick with the team and show whether he needs to be protected. 

[FormerMinnasotan]

But don't we have a pretty good idea of Stewart as a starter? And doesn't that make him completely expendable which is why he wasn't protected last off-season? If he's a 5th or 6th starter, what use is he to this team?

 

If we agree that his most likely role on this team is a shuttle-reliever with options, then shouldn't we have committed to that? I'd rather see him in that role. It's similar to river Brian's position flexibility argument. Why not get him experience in a role where he might actually be of some use?

Exactly. I get Stewart’s numbers are better, but while his control is better, correct me if I am wrong but doesn’t Stewart own an opponents batting average against over .300 in both his AA and AAA stints and an overall ERA over 4? Sorry, I’m not impressed...

[mikelink45]

Free Gonsalves.  If the rotation does not match up for this game - okay, but why isn't he here along with Romero.  Has anyone noticed our record? 

[Dman]

I doubt Stewaert has a great debut but I will give the FO credit for checking out if he can handle getting MLB hitters out. We need to know what he has before we give up on him.  Personally  I think Stewart is better off as reliever but I am glad the Twins are giving him a chance to prove he can be a starter. Go Kohl.  I hope you do well in your first start at the MLB level.

[mngopherguy]

 

Does anybody still believe the Twins are not watching Romero service time? 

 

Regardless... I'll be watching Sunday... To Kohl Stewart... Congratulations... I'm pulling for you. I know you are excited... However... do your best and try to get some sleep. 

 

Absolutely.  I'd be surprised if Stewart is on the 25 man in a week, but great for him to get the call.  

[mngopherguy]

 

Free Gonsalves.  If the rotation does not match up for this game - okay, but why isn't he here along with Romero.  Has anyone noticed our record? 

 

I am torn at Gonsalves.  His numbers are good, but most people believe he's a AAAA pitcher with fringe stuff at best.  

[Squirrel]

But don't we have a pretty good idea of Stewart as a starter? And doesn't that make him completely expendable which is why he wasn't protected last off-season? If he's a 5th or 6th starter, what use is he to this team?

If we agree that his most likely role on this team is a shuttle-reliever with options, then shouldn't we have committed to that? I'd rather see him in that role. It's similar to river Brian's position flexibility argument. Why not get him experience in a role where he might actually be of some use?

Maybe all he’s good for is AAA depth; or maybe his ultimate role is as a relieve; or maybe he will be a back end rotation guy. I’d guess that the FO does have some idea of that, but before making decisions on his future want to see what he can do where he is right now. I don’t have any issue with that as it is most definitely decision time about his future one way or the other. I think the FO is more certain of the direction of the others. I don’t know, it’s just my guess. It’s not like Kohl hasn’t earned a start. Yes, I get that most of us would rather see one of the others mentioned ... so would I, especially Gonsalves ... but Gonsalves just pitched. We hear all the time you can never have too many arms and I’d like to see what Kohl can or can’t do. I’m more hopeful of the other pitchers, but I still want to see what Kohl does, good or bad.

 

But I really hope that Gonsalves is the next one up making the next open start.

[darin617]

This seems to be one of those cases where he will be given a couple of starts and if he fails big time DFA.

 

At least they are giving him a shot. It's up to him now.

[gil4]

 

I just hope his family can find tickets

That might have been more of an issue in Rochester

[gil4]

 

  Has anyone noticed our record? 

Those numbers in the right column won't stay still long enough to read them.

[TheLeviathan]

Yes!  More of this the rest of the way please!

[curt1965]

I get the feeling that most posters think Stewart is going to fail. The same attitude seems to be present in the “hidden” evaluations of Gonsalves’ ability. AAAA pitcher, poor secondary pitches, only throws 90, bad control guy. Personally, I’d like to see both Stewart and Gonsalves get more than just one start, or some token late September appearances.

The organization should want to know how these pitchers handle adversity. Very seldom does a rookie come up and blow everybody away. Some of our best pitchers over the years have had very poor beginnings.

(See Johan Santana).

We have more than a few pitchers on the staff currently who do not belong on a major league roster. One or two more wins or losses right now mean nothing in the overall picture. But we have been talking about Stewart and Gonsalves for years. They deserve a chance to show whether they can or cannot handle pitching in the big leagues.

Edited August 11, 2018 by curt1965

[Jham]

Maybe all he’s good for is AAA depth; or maybe his ultimate role is as a relieve; or maybe he will be a back end rotation guy. I’d guess that the FO does have some idea of that, but before making decisions on his future want to see what he can do where he is right now. I don’t have any issue with that as it is most definitely decision time about his future one way or the other. I think the FO is more certain of the direction of the others. I don’t know, it’s just my guess. It’s not like Kohl hasn’t earned a start. Yes, I get that most of us would rather see one of the others mentioned ... so would I, especially Gonsalves ... but Gonsalves just pitched. We hear all the time you can never have too many arms and I’d like to see what Kohl can or can’t do. I’m more hopeful of the other pitchers, but I still want to see what Kohl does, good or bad.

 

But I really hope that Gonsalves is the next one up making the next open start.

Oh don't get me wrong. I'm excited to actually see him pitch after all these years. I just don't see how we could possibly make a 40 man decision based off what happens in the next 6 weeks in a role I seriously doubt he'll stick in.