Cody Stashak Promoted to Twins?

[Tom Froemming]

While there hasn't been anything officially announced, several sources have shared on social media that Cody Stashak will be joining the Minnesota Twins bullpen. Here's a quick package of highlights I put together from his time in Triple A:

 

 

The closest I could find to a confirmation is Dan Hayes of The Athletic wrote "Reports Sunday suggested the Twins will next turn to Triple-A Rochester right-hander Cody Stashak." 

 

Stashak has a 3.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 12/6 K/9 over 50 2/3 innings between Pensacola and Rochester this season. He's struck out 71 batters and has walked just nine, an eye-popping 7.89 K:BB ratio.

 

*Zack Littell, who has pitched the last three consecutive days, is being sent back down to Rochester to make room on the 25-man roster.

[TNTwinsFan]

I like it. Let's see what he can do. Go get 'em kid! Best of luck!

[Squirrel]

I think this is a good thing to do.

 

But I hope they still make a trade (or two), too.

[stringer bell]

Uses up a 40-man roster spot. Not sure if it makes much sense.

[jokin]

 

Wow, was I wrong. I thought Romero or Thorpe. Assume that optioning Cave is the corresponding move?

 

IL for May, maybe?

[jokin]

 

 

Uses up a 40-man roster spot. Not sure if it makes much sense.

 

Neither does the current pen contingent make much sense.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Wow, was I wrong. I thought Romero or Thorpe. Assume that optioning Cave is the corresponding move?

Zack Littell, who pitched three consecutive days, is being sent back down.

[David HK]

I wouldn't be opposed to a Cave/Davis Rochester swap, either.

 

That kid deserves a cuppa.

 

Unless, he ain't on the 40 yet...

[rdehring]

Cave will go down today when they activate Buxton.

 

Exciting to see how Stashak will do.  Maybe, just maybe Stashak will be that lightening in a bottle that will come up and do a great job out of the pen.  As for Littell, really liked what I saw from him (most of the time) and expect he will be back and will be a very good bullpen arm in 2020.

[wabene]

Uses up a 40-man roster spot. Not sure if it makes much sense.

With four spots open I'm sure this was part of the plan. This FO doesn't sit on underperformers like the last. That is welcome. I wager at least two of the remaining spots will be filled be players from outside the organization.

[David HK]

 

With four spots open I'm sure this was part of the plan. This FO doesn't sit on underperformers like the last. That is welcome. I wager at least two of the remaining spots will be filled be players from outside the organization.

I think so, too.

 

I feel for Messrs. Morin and Magill, they were good all-around guys, and they did the job more often than not. But I think those moves are a precursor to a trade. Please, God, make it soon, before we dip behind the Tribe in the standings.

[Tom Froemming]

Still no official word on this move from the team, but Darren Wolfson of KSTP reported on Twitter that the "Twins will announce multiple moves across levels today with Cody Stashak joining the bullpen here." So it seems this is definitely happening.

 

Stashak was the focus of an article I wrote this winter on potential bullpen help from the prospects. I'm excited to see he's gained even more momentum since then and that he's getting a shot. Stepping in as the Yankees come to town and the bullpen is a bit beat down is not ideal, but it is what it is. I'm excited for him.

[SwainZag]

 

I think so, too.

 

I feel for Messrs. Morin and Magill, they were good all-around guys, and they did the job more often than not. But I think those moves are a precursor to a trade. Please, God, make it soon, before we dip behind the Tribe in the standings.

 

Well it will be in the next 9 days, that's for sure.  And it takes two to tangle, it's not like a flurry of trades are being reported.  Once the first move or two are made I am guessing things will start moving quickly.

[Jham]

I think so, too.

 

I feel for Messrs. Morin and Magill, they were good all-around guys, and they did the job more often than not. But I think those moves are a precursor to a trade. Please, God, make it soon, before we dip behind the Tribe in the standings.

But why do it now? Why not when we actually make trades? To try to squeeze a waiver fee? Could have used the arms last series and certainly this series.

[nicksaviking]

Great news, he's one of my favorite minor leaguers. He's averaging nearly 2 IP per appearance since his promotion to Rochester, they need to find someone who can go multiple innings in non-garbage time situations to take some of the pressure off of Rogers.

 

Though unfortunately for Stashak, he's probably first, maybe second to be sent down if/when the Twins get more relief help.

[pierre75275]

What does he bring to the table in terms of pitches and speed and spin rate?

[nicksaviking]

 

But why do it now? Why not when we actually make trades? To try to squeeze a waiver fee? Could have used the arms last series and certainly this series.

 

Maybe they were just trying to keep Cleveland from claiming them? It looks like right before the Twins DFA'd Mejia, Cleveland had traded international bonus money for Phil Maton, then optioned him, filling their 40-man. Then right before the Twins DFA'd Morin and Magill Cleveland had recalled Zach Plesac who they had previously only sent down for the 10 day max just before the AS break so as they could have another bench bat.

[gunnarthor]

Good luck to him.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

What does he bring to the table in terms of pitches and speed and spin rate?

 

Same question I was going to ask.

[Jham]

Maybe they were just trying to keep Cleveland from claiming them? It looks like right before the Twins DFA'd Mejia, Cleveland had traded international bonus money for Phil Maton, then optioned him, filling their 40-man. Then right before the Twins DFA'd Morin and Magill Cleveland had recalled Zach Plesac who they had previously only sent down for the 10 day max just before the AS break so as they could have another bench bat.

Very interesting. Except why do we think they'd help Cleveland and not us? Love the theory!

[Oldgoat_MN]

There are reasons to be optimistic. Since turning pro in 2015, Stashak has never posted a WHIP of >1.165. Very unusual.

If he can keep himself from changing and suddenly 'nibbling' at the corners we are going to see the fielders have an opportunity to help him. His 12.6 K/9 rate this year will hopefully translate into an above average K rate in MLB.

Good luck Cody!

[nicksaviking]

 

Very interesting. Except why do we think they'd help Cleveland and not us? Love the theory!

 

Obviously we'd like to say that we should try to get our bad relievers to Cleveland. But that wouldn't be how the FO would view it; they'd just hate to have egg on their faces should Cleveland actually end up with one of those guys and they actually end up helping.

 

[jorgenswest]

But why do it now? Why not when we actually make trades? To try to squeeze a waiver fee? Could have used the arms last series and certainly this series.

They have one spot that Stewart is holding instead of Magill. They felt they needed Stewart for length after Magill’s last awful performance. Stewart’s performance against the middle of the A’s lineup was critical to the win.

 

They must have assessed that Duffey and Littell are better options than Morin and Mejia. That might be an incorrect assessment. They could have optioned the two and retained Morin and Mejia.

 

I don’t think the three were removed because they needed space. I think they were removed because the Twins assessed that they weren’t better than the players they can shuttle between AAA and the majors.

[obtusebanter]

 

What does he bring to the table in terms of pitches and speed and spin rate?

 

Based on the highlights above his breaking pitch looks live a curve.  Really liked how he set up that 2nd-to-last batter with a couple fastballs up before he froze him with that breaking ball for strike three.  

[Thrylos]

 

What does he bring to the table in terms of pitches and speed and spin rate?

 

 91-93 mph FB last season, a tick or two higher this season per reports, close to plus curveball and above average changeup, with plus to plus plus command and control of all his pitches.

[howeda7]

 

Very interesting. Except why do we think they'd help Cleveland and not us? Love the theory!

Why not DFA Parker and bait them into claiming him instead?

[SwainZag]

 

Why not DFA Parker and bait them into claiming him instead?

 

Parker has....dare I say it.....been pretty decent?  He has given up 1 R in his last 10 outings, 14K/5 BB in 11.2 IP since June 18th.  

 

 

[howeda7]

 

Parker has....dare I say it.....been pretty decent?  He has given up 1 R in his last 10 outings, 14K/5 BB in 11.2 IP since June 18th.  

I know. But how many of those have been multiple base runner tight-rope innings? I usually fast forward through his innings for health reasons, but I don't think there's been more than 2-3 123 innings.

[Tomj14]

 

Parker has....dare I say it.....been pretty decent?  He has given up 1 R in his last 10 outings, 14K/5 BB in 11.2 IP since June 18th.  

and IMO this move pushes him back into the main setup guy. Hopefully he keeps up what he has been doing and Stashak quickly emerges as a viable late inning guy.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

is not ideal, but it is what it is. 

"It is what it is." I wish I had copy righted that quote. It fits so many of life's challenging moments. We will never know who will rise to life's challenges, unless reasonably well thought out opportunities are given. Keep calm and carry on.