4 Candidates to be This Season's Cody Stashak

[Matthew Taylor]

For the Minnesota Twins in 2019, only two of their seven opening day relief pitchers finished the season in the Twins’ bullpen. Each year the Twins rely on depth from within the organization to fill holes in their bullpen, and 2020 will be no different.By nature, baseball bullpens are extremely volatile. This comes from the randomness that results from one inning appearances as well as the fact that relievers typically aren’t as talented as their starting pitcher counterparts. Bullpen rosters ebb and flow every season, and without a doubt the Twins will need to rely on pitchers down the organization

 

In April last season, Tyler Duffey and Zack Littell were in AAA while Cody Stashak was in Pensacola with the AA affiliate. None of these pitchers were in the Twins’ bullpen plans for 2019, but each of them played crucial roles with the Major League squad down the stretch and even made playoff appearances. Whether by injury or poor performance, the Twins needed to dig into their organizational depth and ended up finding some gems as a result.

 

With the inevitable call ups and bullpen re-shuffling that will come, especially in a compressed season, who will be this year’s Tyler Duffey, Zack Littell or Cody Stashak? Let’s look at the top candidates:

 

Caleb Theilbar

While he hasn’t played Major League ball since he was designated for assignment by Minnesota in 2015, Thielbar has put up great numbers at each stop he has made since leaving the Twins. After dominating the Independent League with the St. Paul Saints in 2016 and 2017, Thielbar has put together back-to-back quality seasons with the Detroit Tigers organization. In 2019, Thielbar pitched 76 1/3 innings for the Tigers’ AAA affiliate, posting a 3.30 ERA with a 10.8 K/9. The Northfield native is 33-years-old, but if given a chance to return to the Majors once again could be a contributor for the Twins in 2020.

 

Jorge Alcala

The Minnesota Twins traded away an excellent relief pitcher when they dealt Ryan Pressley to the Houston Astros, but they may have gotten a really good pitcher in return with Jorge Alcala. As a starting pitcher, Alcala has not shown the control or consistency you’re looking for, but with the nasty stuff he possesses, he still has what it takes to be a potentially dominant reliever one day. With a fastball that can get into the upper-90s, Alcala has flamethrower setup-man potential, and if given the chance could make a name for himself in the Twins bullpen this season.

 

Sean Poppen

Another guy who came up through the organization as a starting pitcher, the bullpen may also be where Poppen eventually finds his place on the Minnesota Twins’ roster. While his 3.84 ERA across 61 innings in AAA in 2019 were impressive, what sticks out most with Sean Poppen are his strikeout numbers. Across his three seasons in the Twins’ organization, Poppen has consistently posted a K% north of 25, and has the stuff to miss bats consistently in the big leagues with his sharp fastball and slider. As stated by Twins Daily’s Seth Stohs, “If (Poppen) is able to tunnel his pitches at all, the combination of (his fastball and slider) could be a nightmare for opposing hitters. Don’t be surprised at all to see Poppen get a bullpen shot this year.

 

Edwar Colina

Although he’s just 23-years-old, Colina has impressed more in a short period of time than just about any other prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization. Last season, Colina dominated his way through A+ and AA ball and worked his way up to AAA. Colina has a plus-fastball and plus-slider and has the demeanor of a pitcher that isn’t afraid of any moment. While nominally a starting-pitcher prospect, could Colina get a call up in 2020 and grab hold of a bullpen spot like Zack Littell did last season? Absolutely.

 

Which of the four guys above do you think has the best chance to be this year's Zack Littell or Cody Stashak? Or do you think it will be somebody not listed? Leave a comment below and start the conversation?

 

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[Danchat]

I'm hoping Alcala can be that guy, though if things go right, he shouldn't be pitching too often. I think it's been rather clear that he's not going to make it as a starter, so hopefully they will work on him as a reliever.

[theBOMisthebomb]

It sure would be nice if Alcala turned into something. That Pressley trade really stings and it would be nice to see some return from Alcala.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm hoping Alcala can be that guy, though if things go right, he shouldn't be pitching too often. I think it's been rather clear that he's not going to make it as a starter, so hopefully they will work on him as a reliever.

 

He is 100% a reliever now... no more plans for starting. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

It sure would be nice if Alcala turned into something. That Pressley trade really stings and it would be nice to see some return from Alcala.

 

Celestino is the exciting prospect that came from that deal, but Alcala can be Pressly with a year or so if given that opportunity. 

[John Bonnes]

I kinda hope it isn't Colina. I'd like him to advance as a starting pitcher. 

[rdehring]

Great read, Matt. I expect, however, that Duffey was in the Twins plans for 2019 and the fact he started at AAA was a disappointment. But he sure as heck turned it around and was great down the stretch.

 

Listened to the Romo interview yesterday. He raved about what to expect from Alcala. Got me as excited as I was last year for that guy who now wears Dodger blue. What was his name again?

 

Will second the comments above that I am hopeful that Colina can stick as a starter.

[ashbury]

5 Prospects Who Could Be the Next Cody Stashak

 

We're down to 4 now?

[Doctor Gast]

 

I kinda hope it isn't Colina. I'd like him to advance as a starting pitcher. 

Totally agree, he needs to perfect those pitches that`ll make him a great pitcher as a starter. We could use Pressley especially last year but in the near future that trade will pay off nicely, Alcala has my vote also once he gets his control down. Sorry I haven`t forgotten Graterol yet

[Channing1964]

What have we heard about Duran? Is he still slated to start. I haven't really heard what the ultimate plan for him is.

[Matthew Taylor]

 

What have we heard about Duran? Is he still slated to start. I haven't really heard what the ultimate plan for him is.

 

The Twins definitely view Duran as a long-term starting pitching option for them. That's not to say that he couldn't get called up as a reliever for part of this season, but they want him to be a starter for sure.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

 

 

 

Listened to the Romo interview yesterday. He raved about what to expect from Alcala. Got me as excited as I was last year for that guy who now wears Dodger blue. What was his name again?

 

 

LaTroy Hawkins chose Alcala as his pick to excel in an interview during the scrimmage broadcast earlier this week. . I'm going with LaTroy's and Romo's predictions..

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Fun article Matt. Thank you.

 

[DocBauer]

Poppen has always intrigued me. He just turned 26 I believe and was a 19th round draft choice. No handbook handy in front of me, will refer to Seth's comment above about FB/slider combination. To my best recollection he has never made a top 20 list and not sure hes even made a top 30 one either. And while his milb numbers aren't eye popping, they are solid across the board from ERA to BA, WHIP, BB/SO, with a career K rate of almost spot on at a K/9. I think he's always flown under the radar. I'm not sure why, but suspected it was pure velocity, or absence of a reliable 3rd or even 4th offering. But the K's are there, his velocity seemed good in his brief 2019 debut, and again, Seth speaks above about a good FB.

 

I think, universally, those in the know would state that Alcala's pure stuff is better. Better control...which Hawkins alluded to...and ANY kind of even semi-decent 3rd offering, even as a look-see pitch, could vault him towards an important bullpen role, and sooner rather than later. I also agree the Twins could still ultimately "win" the Pressly trade in a season or two, but that's beside the current point.

 

But right now, I'm betting on Poppen contributing 1st, followed by Alcala. Just have a feeling Poppen is more ready.

 

Agree with John and others that I really, really hope Colina is kept as a SP for as long as possible. I view Chalmers and Colina with the same eye. (Was actually surprised not to see Chalmers in this OP). While different arms and somewhat different aspects to work on, they are much the same to me. There are control issues and 3rd pitch offerings to find. But both have tremendous stuff that could hopefully find both as rotation pieces in the next couple of years. (Damn but I hate not having an actual milb season)! And both seem to have the stuff to be dangerous BP arms. But I want both stretched out and working on starting for as long as possible.

 

Thielbar would be a fun story. But it's not a story I'm buying in to. On a staff already crunching about 15 arms, where could he possibly fit unless injury/illness decimates? He might even be behind the much younger Clay in pecking order at this point. Congrats to him for keeping his dream alive. And maybe he didn't want to stick with the Tigers or they didn't like him for some reason. But if one of the most talent strapped teams in baseball doesn't keep you around, I'm just not sure the writing isn't on the wall.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

 

(Damn but I hate not having an actual milb season)! 

 

Me too. I think I miss the minor league season as much, or more, than I miss the 102 MLB games which will not be played.