Article: MIN 5, MIL 3: Smeltzer Shines in Emotional MLB Debut

[oldguywithanitch]

Not only were the starting pitchers outstanding but so was the home plate umpire. He was very consistent and did a great job calling strikes on the edges. IMO

[rdehring]

What a wonderful first start for Smeltzer.  Need to see more, but he just might be part of the answer for 2020 and beyond.

 

Looking at that bullpen usage chart, it sure appears there is no reason for this team to not cut back to 12 pitchers when Cruz/Garver come off the IL.  

[BobAzar]

Putting the Smetlzer stuff aside (its an amazing story and I got choked up when they talked to his parents, but I have nothing new to add to it) that was a fun ball game to watch. Both teams had chances, both pitchers locked down with RISP. Twins got a lucky bounce (off of Castro's helmet) and took advantage of it. Brewers tried to come back, but couldnt. It was just a fun game to watch. I like #Bombas as well, but sometimes a tense, close game is a nice change of pace. 

[HrbieFan]

What a game he pitched! Some of his KO pitches were just downright nasty! I'm sure teams will make adjustments and back off those breaking balls, but it will be hard for batters to do so. Is it 7 runs he has given up across 3 levels this year, that is amazing!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Okay. That’s my favorite Twins game in years.

Mine too.

[wabene]

Fun game and crisp at 2:40. Smeltzer just goes to work and we may just have something there. I would like to see one more and give him another week with Wes. He is one guy I do not see using in the pen. For me he makes better sense as much needed rotation depth.

[jokin]

 

Fun game and crisp at 2:40. Smeltzer just goes to work and we may just have something there. I would like to see one more and give him another week with Wes. He is one guy I do not see using in the pen. For me he makes better sense as much needed rotation depth.

 

Yeah. And well, the entire Twins braintrust look like freaking geniuses right about now.

 

I mean, how can you write a script like this for Smeltzer, and then come out smelling like a rose for the weekend series with the Rays?

[stringer bell]

With Buxton exiting, Rocco put Gonzalez in left, Eddie in right, and Kepler in center. In previous games, with the same three outfielders, Rocco put Gonzalez in right. This was the configuration I expected (Gonzalez has very little experience in RF). Has there been any word why the moves were made last night?

[KFEY93]

Better game tonight. Especially with less Brewers fans in the stands. Hearing Lets go Brewers and MVP chants when Yelich was up was nauseating. I despise everything Wisconsin sports. 

[Moosa105]

Call me crazy, but I see a lot of Chris Sale in Smeltzer. Thoughts?

[twins1095]

 

Call me crazy, but I see a lot of Chris Sale in Smeltzer. Thoughts?

 

They are pretty much polar opposites in everything from pitching style to build.  I may be missing sarcasm because there probably couldn't be two pitchers more different.

 

The only thing they have some similarity in is maybe the pitching motion and the way that motion kind of hides the ball and slings around their body before reaching their release point causing hitters to struggle to time pitches well.

Edited May 29, 2019 by twins1095

[woolywoolhouse]

An early nomination for "Homerun Call of The Year" goes to Jack Morris's laugh and Dick Bremer's silent reaction to Eddie Rosario's two-run homer in the 7th tonight. Sometimes the crowd reaction is response enough.

[lukeduke1980]

 

Baldelli has done a fine job managing the bullpen. But honestly, the starters have made the job a lot easier in 2019. The Twins have the 2nd fewest IP by a bullpen this year.  Add another 40 IP for the RP and Baldelli's job gets tougher.

And no extra inning games this year to get through.  There were 21 extra innings by this time last year.

[Ebby Calvin Laloosh]

I think I noticed Smeltzer tipping pitches last night with men on. Didn't seem to matter at all as he pitched brilliantly. He kind of bounces his right foot before he gets set. Granted, I couldn't count every time because of the broadcast, but I got fastball/curveball right every time (maybe 10 pitches). 8 bounces for a curve, 9 for the cheese. I hope this was just coincidence and not a trend. Maybe it's a good sign...tipping pitches and they still can't hit it. Something to watch for his next outing. Let me know if anyone else sees it.

[rdehring]

 

Call me crazy, but I see a lot of Chris Sale in Smeltzer. Thoughts?

I don't see Sale, who throws much harder and if memory serves is much taller.  

 

What I am hopeful, is that we have a modern day Glaven.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think I noticed Smeltzer tipping pitches last night with men on. Didn't seem to matter at all as he pitched brilliantly. He kind of bounces his right foot before he gets set. Granted, I couldn't count every time because of the broadcast, but I got fastball/curveball right every time (maybe 10 pitches). 8 bounces for a curve, 9 for the cheese. I hope this was just coincidence and not a trend.

Watch a little closer -- he may have been tapping out the pitch names in Morse code too!

[bird]

 

Yeah. And well, the entire Twins braintrust look like freaking geniuses right about now.

 

I mean, how can you write a script like this for Smeltzer, and then come out smelling like a rose for the weekend series with the Rays?

 

 

Yes. Some things may be dumb luck, but plucking a struggling reliever from the Dodgers, listening to and agreeing with him that he deserves another shot as a starter, putting him on the right program to do that? Getting him prepared to dominate, really dominate, in AA and then in AAA? And then to have THAT debut?

 

Doesn't seem like luck to me. Feels like the professional scouts weighed in on Smeltzer and Raley, the FO extracted a major haul (although their BEST decision was to not SIGN Dozier in the first place), and the field staff executed the development plan.

 

Just in time, too, given that Stewart, Littell, and maybe Mejia are our next best depth options now. 

[minman1982]

Congrats to Smeltzer!  Great debut, great game, great feel-good story.  I watched most of the game and was impressed that he never seemed to be flustered and stuck with his game plan.  Having Castro behind the plate certainly helps.  Give up a lead-off double or triple, no big deal.  Just keep doing what you are doing.  This guy certainly has the grit to make it in the big leagues.

[Steve Lein]

 

They are pretty much polar opposites in everything from pitching style to build.  I may be missing sarcasm because there probably couldn't be two pitchers more different.

 

The only thing they have some similarity in is maybe the pitching motion and the way that motion kind of hides the ball and slings around their body before reaching their release point causing hitters to struggle to time pitches well.

 

They're not that different.

 

Sale has the height, but Smeltzer is actually bigger. It has always fascinated me how Sale can throw 95+, because he's one of the skinniest guys you'll ever meet.

 

Their deliveries are very similar, and I imagine the change in mechanics Twins coaches implemented with Smeltzer had some influence from Sale.

[denarded]

 

And no extra inning games this year to get through.  There were 21 extra innings by this time last year.

 

Is that true? I remember a lot, but that seems absurd

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Better game tonight. Especially with less Brewers fans in the stands. Hearing Lets go Brewers and MVP chants when Yelich was up was nauseating. I despise everything Wisconsin sports. 

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie !

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

An early nomination for "Homerun Call of The Year" goes to Jack Morris's laugh and Dick Bremer's silent reaction to Eddie Rosario's two-run homer in the 7th tonight. Sometimes the crowd reaction is response enough.

Nice memory. Thanks for your post.

[Trov]

Smeltzer looked good overall, I know Cane sure had no clue what was coming.  He does not throw with velo expected these days, which could hurt him, but getting good movement and changing speed is more important.  Does not matter if you throw 100, if it is straight and that is all you throw eventually someone will hit it.  

 

I agree the bullpen needs to be upgraded.  The guys we have are working for now, but as season moves on, and games get more intense I am not sold on any of the guys we have to shut the door.  It is nice to have the leads we have to not have those nail biting end of games, we had one on Monday and see how that ended up.

 

I am not saying sign Kimbrel to 5 year 100M deal, but look for some possible trades most likely.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Great article about a great game. I have read this article and watched the very emotional and moving clips 3 times. I am going to save this article after I send it to my son. Thanks Seth.

[MMMordabito]

 

Call me crazy, but I see a lot of Chris Sale in Smeltzer. Thoughts?

 

Haha ... Good joke.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Is that true? I remember a lot, but that seems absurd

The 16 inning game in Puerto Rico accounted for a third of those 21 extra innings. Plus a 14 inning game vs KC,and that's over half.

[Craig Arko]

I was thinking more like Terry Mulholland.

[JD Green]

Congratulations to Devin!!! Hope he gets another start. He deserves it. Hope he had another dream as a kid that he won the deciding game of the World Series!

[TheLeviathan]

Smeltzer's delivery looks like it hides the ball really well.  Has he made mechanics changes or how has he ascended so quickly?

[MABB1959]

That pitching was awesome.  As dangerous as Buxton's wall crash was it fun to watch back. Looked like a cartoon where the character splats up against the wall.