Hildy optioned

[Seth Stohs]

Doogie mentions Austin Adams as a possibility. Makes sense more (probably) in part because they can DFA him when he isn't needed and he'll clear. Has the Falvey/Cleveland tie. And, 28 K in 18 IP works... The Twins are in a win-now phase. 

 

 

https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/1128805986670645256 

[yarnivek1972]

Is it legal to DFA Reed while he’s on the IL?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is it legal to DFA Reed while he’s on the IL?

 

Maybe? But they can just 60-Day DL him. 

[yarnivek1972]

Maybe? But they can just 60-Day DL him.

 

Hmmmm. He’s pitching on a rehab assignment. Clearly he isn’t injured.

 

Not sure “I just don’t have it anymore” qualifies as a medical reason to keep him on the DL. If some other team wanted to make a stink about it (which is probably not likely), I think they would have a hard time justifying it.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Hmmmm. He’s pitching on a rehab assignment. Clearly he isn’t injured.

 

Not sure “I just don’t have it anymore” qualifies as a medical reason to keep him on the DL. If some other team wanted to make a stink about it (which is probably not likely), I think they would have a hard time justifying it.

if he’s on a rehab, wouldn’t you activate, DFA then select another contract or trade?

[DocBauer]

For all of you complaining about Hildenberger’s inherited runners scoring, I hope you realize a 75% strand rate is actually just fine. It’s almost exactly average.

I think this is smart and important to remember.

 

Of course it does nothing to excuse the past week and a half or so. He has simply been missing the zone and offering up some very hittable pitches.

 

There have been complaints about Duffey getting another shot. And I get it. But he's still the guy performing the best at this point, whether at Rochester or his even SSS with the Twins. I don't expect him to perform daily like be did last Saturday, but if his new found velocity is legit, to go along with his curve, he could, potentially, surprise and help.

 

Kimbrel or someone else, this pen needs another anchor to go along with Rogers.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I think this is smart and important to remember.

 

Of course it does nothing to excuse the past week and a half or so. He has simply been missing the zone and offering up some very hittable pitches.

 

There have been complaints about Duffey getting another shot. And I get it. But he's still the guy performing the best at this point, whether at Rochester or his even SSS with the Twins. I don't expect him to perform daily like be did last Saturday, but if his new found velocity is legit, to go along with his curve, he could, potentially, surprise and help.

 

Kimbrel or someone else, this pen needs another anchor to go along with Rogers.

Nope, no excuses at all for the past 7-10 days. He has been awful and needed to be demoted.

 

But to start the season 5-of-19 inherited runners scoring isn’t something to be ashamed of, particularly given how Baldelli kept throwing him out there in bases loaded situations.

[twinsguy45]

Good. I just looked at the box score to see the final score. I came here specifically to complain and say "look at the ERAs in the box score...one of these things ain't like the others".

[blindeke]

 

Yeah, I’m not a believer in gimmick pitchers. Hildenberger is far from the only sidearmer to see this happen. Moya’s herky jerky delivery doesn’t work anymore, if it ever did. Duffey’s arsenal of magic curves got figured out quickly and just about every knuckleballer has about a year and a half shelf life tops.

 

Pat Neshek called. He says hi.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Nope, no excuses at all for the past 7-10 days. He has been awful and needed to be demoted.

But to start the season 5-of-19 inherited runners scoring isn’t something to be ashamed of, particularly given how Baldelli kept throwing him out there in bases loaded situations.

 

Exactly.  People focus on 5 runners scored, but somehow can't see that he's leading the league with having 19 on base when he came in.  His April, you could argue, saved us 2-4 games.  (And blew one) The situations he was put in were extremely tight.  

 

He was also very good in May and most of June last year too.  So, as I see it, Hildy's real problem is that he pitches well enough for stretches to earn manager trust and then spectacularly collapses.  And his managers don't seem to see that and keep rolling him out there even though he's lost what he had.

 

He needs to be in AAA, he's been terrible lately.  Why that causes people to completely misrepresent how well he pitched in April is baffling.  You can hold both thoughts in your head - he needs to go and we need to upgrade, but dude was a major help in April.  If you're somehow one of the people denying that I implore you to look at the stats.  It's just a very misguided stance to have.

[Thrylos]

 

Pat Neshek has been pitching quite well at the MLB level for about 12 years. He hasn’t been terribly effective in 2019, but he’s also 38 years old.

 

Pat Neshek did not have an 87 mph fastball like Hildenberger does...  He could hit 93-94 before his injury and 91-93 after.

[Thrylos]

I will be surprised if Hildenberger's spot is not take by either Thorpe or Littell...

[DocBauer]

Good. I just looked at the box score to see the final score. I came here specifically to complain and say "look at the ERAs in the box score...one of these things ain't like the others".

And I also think that is important to note. I get ERA for a pitcher is not the be all, tell all. Just like BA for a hitter doesn't tell the entire story. But it remains a viable statistic to look at and work with. Some argue about inherited runners scoring, and that is also very important to look at. But some inherited runners are going to score, period. It's going to happen. To me, it's akin to unearned runs for a SP due to errors and the such. There is such a plethora or statistics in baseball it's almost mind boggling! And different factions weigh certain stats over other stats, etc. Again, almost mind boggling. At the end of the day, over a full season, a lot of statistics end up evening out.

 

But looking at today's box, as you did, there is one glaring number. It's unfortunate, but the guy responsible for that number is in AAA now looking for re-set.

[DannySD]

can't be Romero yet, so hopefully Reed to the 60-day DL and bring up Mason or Stashak. 

[PseudoSABR]

Are there any interesting pitchers on the waiver wire?

[Danchat]

 

Are there any interesting pitchers on the waiver wire?

Eh, I didn't see much. If you're interested in trying to fix Jerry Blevins or Tyler Lyons, then they're available.

[twins_89]

 

I will be surprised if Hildenberger's spot is not take by either Thorpe or Littell...

 

Littell threw 97 pitches yesterday, so I doubt he gets the call.

[Shaitan]

Hildenberger is an odd one to me. He goes on streaks of being lights out, then being completely unable to retire a batter. Does he tip pitches or why is it so hit/miss instead of falling somewhere in the middle?

 

That said, I think he'd be best as a specialist, along the lines of LOOGY usage or 6th inning on a well-built pen. Use him as a changeup instead of a fireman.

 

Here's to hoping he puts it together. I expect a short-term pitcher call-up in the meantime just to have a rested arm in the pen. Probably a one-and-done candidate to burn on the 40-man since Romero and Stewart and ineligible for another couple of weeks.

 

Maybe we haven't seen the last of De Jong.

 

[Vanimal46]

Are there any interesting pitchers on the waiver wire?

Jesse Biddle could be an interesting project. Out of options, but controllable until 2023 if he's fixed.

 

Biddle, 27, gave the Braves 63 2/3 innings of 3.11 ERA ball with 9.5 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 0.85 HR/9 and a 55.6 percent ground-ball rate in 2018, but virtually nothing has gone right for the southpaw so far in 2019.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/05/braves-designate-jesse-biddle-assignment-dfa.html

[Mike Sixel]

Where are the reinforcements? This is supposed to be a top minor league system....

[Thrylos]

 

Are there any interesting pitchers on the waiver wire?

 

Not waiver wire, but I suspect that the Oakland A's would not mind to part with Yusmeiro Petit for Trevor HIldenberger 1:1...

[jimbo92107]

Hildenberg's problem seems difficult to analyze, until you realize the essence of throwing a baseball the same way that you skip stones on a lake.

 

It's all about relaxation and rhythm. 

 

If you've ever actually skimmed stones on a placid, tranquil lake, you know what I mean. The entire purpose of the exercise is to clear your head of all troubles, let your arm become a big, wet noodle, then fling stones with careless disregard. After a while, you naturally hone in on a certain snap that maximizes the efficiency of your throw, but it's not a matter of fretting about it. Just the opposite, it's an exercise in careless excellence. 

 

Now, transpose this carefree hobby onto professional baseball. Suddenly, you are being paid big bucks to be hyper-accurate with each throw. Suddenly, you are supposed to _care_ where the ball goes. Result: That totally relaxed, careless freedom goes away, replaced by frets and worries. The ball's natural bend starts to straighten out, and it gets harder to be precise about location. You lose your rhythm, you lose command. Boom. Opponents suddenly love everything you throw.

 

I'm just speculating, of course. Maybe there's a mechanical fix, or maybe Hildy has been working hurt. But I think it's also possible that Hildenberg needs to find his lake, that mental place of Zen that lets him separate the tense in-game situation from the physical, visceral enjoyment of just letting your arm whip a stone out onto a lake. 

 

And now, let us play a little Bob Marley. 

[jkcarew]

Methinks they’d love it to be a lefty. But Moya since he’s been back...Yuk. Thorpe? I doubt it. Adams...and the delay probably has to do with deciding on the 40-man move?

[MMMordabito]

 

Hildenberg's problem seems difficult to analyze, until you realize the essence of throwing a baseball the same way that you skip stones on a lake.

 

It's all about relaxation and rhythm. 

 

If you've ever actually skimmed stones on a placid, tranquil lake, you know what I mean. The entire purpose of the exercise is to clear your head of all troubles, let your arm become a big, wet noodle, then fling stones with careless disregard. After a while, you naturally hone in on a certain snap that maximizes the efficiency of your throw, but it's not a matter of fretting about it. Just the opposite, it's an exercise in careless excellence. 

 

Now, transpose this carefree hobby onto professional baseball. Suddenly, you are being paid big bucks to be hyper-accurate with each throw. Suddenly, you are supposed to _care_ where the ball goes. Result: That totally relaxed, careless freedom goes away, replaced by frets and worries. The ball's natural bend starts to straighten out, and it gets harder to be precise about location. You lose your rhythm, you lose command. Boom. Opponents suddenly love everything you throw.

 

I'm just speculating, of course. Maybe there's a mechanical fix, or maybe Hildy has been working hurt. But I think it's also possible that Hildenberg needs to find his lake, that mental place of Zen that lets him separate the tense in-game situation from the physical, visceral enjoyment of just letting your arm whip a stone out onto a lake. 

 

And now, let us play a little Bob Marley. 

 

Dude ... So like, send Hildy to Walden Pond or something ....  I don't know about me, but I bet Ralph and Henry abide.

[yarnivek1972]

Maybe it’s my imagination, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that before a player is moved to the 60 day DL, that player has to be notified.

 

Can anyone confirm?

 

That could certainly explain the delay in a roster move.

[Thrylos]

 

Hildenberg's problem seems difficult to analyze, until you realize the essence of throwing a baseball the same way that you skip stones on a lake.

 

It's all about relaxation and rhythm. 

 

If you've ever actually skimmed stones on a placid, tranquil lake, you know what I mean. The entire purpose of the exercise is to clear your head of all troubles, let your arm become a big, wet noodle, then fling stones with careless disregard. 

 

In that setting, the problem with Hildenberger is easy to conceive:  All the balls he is flinging with careless disregard with his big wet noodle, are coming back the opposite direction in anything but a placid , tranquil way... 

 

[Riverbrian]

I feel bad for Hildy but I'm happy that they made the move because that's the way this is supposed to work. It didn't work this way last year.  

 

If you got someone with options who is struggling... there is no reason to not use an option... none. 

 

I view this as a roster management upgrade in fundamentals to the positive. .But yeah, I feel bad for Hildy.

 

So,

 

Dear Front Office,

 

Thank You for demanding performance from your players... now bring on the next guy. If you don't have a next guy... that's your fault.  

[jud6312]

Austin Adams. Someone give me a reason to be at least optimistic.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/05/twins-demote-option-trevor-hildenberger-select-austin-adams.html

[Tom Froemming]

Here you go:

[twins_89]

I'm curious who gets bumped from the 40 man roster. My guess would be Addison Reed (either waived or 60 day IL). Other possible options seem like Torreyes, Duffey, or Moya.