Graterol

[Crackedfungo]

How long do the Twins wait for Graterol to get his 'seasoning' in AA?  I ask, as he seems to be continuing to blow through the competition.  I get that he is only 20, and has very limited experience at each level.  However, he has only so many 100 MPH bullets in that arm, and he looks to have at least two ++ pitches, and at least an average change.  If he continues his current pace, do you call him up in September, or give him a legit shot in Spring Training 2020?  I see no point in having him bother with AAA.  What say you?

[goulik]

One of the biggest concerns on Graterol has been the development of the third pitch to make him a legitimate candidate to be a starter instead of a dominant reliever type. I don't want him coming up and becoming the next Romero. I want him (and Romero) to develop the 3rd and 4th pitches and be dominant starters.

[nicksaviking]

Other teams, the Cardinals come to mind, have no problem letting a guy like Graterol develop in the pen then moving him to the rotation the following year.

 

I'd guess the Twins will leave Graterol alone for awhile, but someone needs to start getting creative with the MLB pen.

[Mike Sixel]

Other teams, the Cardinals come to mind, have no problem letting a guy like Graterol develop in the pen then moving him to the rotation the following year.

 

I'd guess the Twins will leave Graterol alone for awhile, but someone needs to start getting creative with the MLB pen.

Especially since we know odorrizi is bad third time thru the order....

[nicksaviking]

 

Especially since we know odorrizi is bad third time thru the order....

 

He can still go 6 innings each game.

 

Assuming he always has a perfect game going when he gets the hook.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Graterol needs a 40-man roster spot by November 2019 anyway.

 

But he also has a max of 102 IP so far. I'm guessing he is capped at 140 this year, which would make it hard to span 3 levels and pitch through September, unless he misses some time midseason or comes up for bullpen duty.

 

Alcala and Jax also need 40-man spots by November and are 3-4 years older, although their max innings so far aren't much higher than Graterol's (109.1 and 108.2, respectively).

[Mike Sixel]

 

Graterol needs a 40-man roster spot by November 2019 anyway.

 

But he also has a max of 102 IP so far. I'm guessing he is capped at 140 this year, which would make it hard to span 3 levels and pitch through September, unless he misses some time midseason or comes up for bullpen duty.

 

Alcala and Jax also need 40-man spots by November and are 3-4 years older, although their max innings so far aren't much higher than Graterol's (109.1 and 108.2, respectively).

 

 

sounds like a perfect opportunity for piggy backing starts with their best pitching prospects.....

[DocBauer]

I think the Twins were pretty aggressive starting him at AA right out the gate. I was hopeful, but surprised. Is his great start to 2019 pure stuff? Or are his 2nd and 3rd pitches truly becoming refined? That will be the biggest determination.

 

And yes, he absolutely can skip AAA. My best guess? Monitor his IP without babying him in order to stretch him out for as long of a season and as many IP as possible. He jumps to Rochester mid year or a bit after.

[DocBauer]

Other teams, the Cardinals come to mind, have no problem letting a guy like Graterol develop in the pen then moving him to the rotation the following year.

 

I'd guess the Twins will leave Graterol alone for awhile, but someone needs to start getting creative with the MLB pen.

Like Romero? I really think that is the plan. Just hasn't worked the way they hoped/planned yet.

 

Mejia to a little lesser degree as well, but out of options, he was going to make the roster regardless.

[gunnarthor]

I think if a team aggressively puts a 20 year old in AA and that kid dominates in AA, the team is actively considering him for the majors this year. It might not happen for a number of reasons but I think we can be pretty confident that the FO knows that he's a special talent.

[nicksaviking]

If the Twins starting pitching options in 2020 boils down to Berrios, Mejia and the AA/AAA guys, I’d prefer most of the candidates got themselves 60+ MLB innings this year so we’re not going in so blind next year.

[Mike Sixel]

If the Twins starting pitching options in 2020 boils down to Berrios, Mejia and the AA/AAA guys, I’d prefer most of the candidates got themselves 60+ MLB innings this year so we’re not going in so blind next year.

Concur.