Park: Magill's Unique Curveball Key to Bullpen Spot

[Seth Stohs]

https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-magill-curveball-key-to-bullpen-spot

 

Do-Hyoung Park wrote about Matt Magill and his quest for a spot in the Twins bullpen. Not only has he been hitting 96 mph with his fastball, but the Twins coaching staff (and analytic group) really like his "Unique" curveball.

 

His key to success might be using that pitch more often. 

 

 

Magill's ability on the mound isn't in question. The Twins really like his arsenal, which is predominantly a hard fastball with life and a unique curveball that he throws at a higher velocity than most pitchers. Part of the pitching ideology that Hefner and Johnson have tried to impart upon Magill this offseason has been to push back against the prevailing baseball fixation on fastball usage and command.

 

There is little doubt that Magill has the physical stuff, but he spent a lot of time this offseason working on the mental side of the game.

 

 

"Physical ability is here for everybody in this room," Magill said. "There's no doubt. And on the Minor League side, too. It's just the mental side. That's what I've found over the years of being in baseball. My mental ability has kept me from being in the big leagues more than my physical ability."

 

[ashbury]

"My mental ability has kept me from being in the big leagues more than my physical ability."

 

That is ... I'm going to go with... awesome.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

"My mental ability has kept me from being in the big leagues more than my physical ability."

 

That is ... I'm going to go with... awesome.

Magill should post at Twins Daily -- no mental ability required!

[mike8791]

Love all the spring hype, but Magill's first BS against Pgh(4H/3ER/1-2/3Inn) shows he doesn't have his act together yet.  If this guy makes the 25 man, don't expect much bullpen improvement.  Wouldn't Kimbrel be a nice upgrade!!

[nicksaviking]

Magill's been on my short list of future DFA candidates, but I'm having second thoughts about him. 96 MPH fastballs and unique curveballs do tend to inspire me.

 

I may just move him from DFA candidate all the way to possible closer. If we're still doing the whole "closer" thing; I'm not sure this club is going to.

[jimbo92107]

 

"My mental ability has kept me from being in the big leagues more than my physical ability."

 

That is ... I'm going to go with... awesome.

My own mental abilities allowed me to achieve delusional heights of greatness. Drugs helped, too!

[Riverbrian]

Magill's been on my short list of future DFA candidates, but I'm having second thoughts about him. 96 MPH fastballs and unique curveballs do tend to inspire me.

 

I may just move him from DFA candidate all the way to possible closer. If we're still doing the whole "closer" thing; I'm not sure this club is going to.

I have no issues with Magill other than his severe under use once he was placed firmly into the long reliever box last year. Which of course wasn’t his fault.

 

The guy hung some zeroes and he deserves the chance to keep trying to hang them until he can’t hang them.

[LimestoneBaggy]

 

96 MPH fastballs and unique curveballs do tend to inspire me.

 

Ghost of Jim Hoey's splitter? I kid, I kid....

[dbminn]

I'm really impressed with the effort of the new Twins pitching coaches. Seems they visited many of the pitchers that could see innings. IIRC, I've seen stories about meetings with Gonsalves, Stewart, Parker, Perez and Magill. Great they introduced possible changes before the pitchers arrived at camp.