Twins Spotlight: Episode 14 (Tyler Wells)

[Seth Stohs]

On Friday at noon (central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins Orioles RHP Tyler Wells on a new episode of Twins (Orioles?) Spotlight just a day after he was taken in the Rule 5 draft.

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

Tyler Wells has been a guest on several of my podcasts in the past, always willing to talk about his journey or baseball in general. Today, we will chat with him about being selected in the Rule 5 draft, get updated on his rehab from Tommy John surgery and much more.

Wells was the Twins 15th round pick in 2016 out of Cal State-San Bernadino. He immediately began pitching well. In 2018, he was the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year when he went 10-6 with a 2.49 ERA between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga. In 119 1/3 innings, he walked just 31 and struck out 121 batters.

Unfortunately in the spring of 2019, he felt the pop that no pitcher wants to hear. A few months later, he underwent Tommy John surgery and rehabbed through that season and into the 2020 season. On Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles made him a Rule 5 draft pick so he will now head to Orioles spring training hoping to make their big-league roster.

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Please watch LIVE at noon (central time) today on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them.

Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts.

Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show.

More on Tyler Wells :

• Twins 2018 Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year (Sept 2018)
  
• Episode 5: Get to Know RHP Tyler Wells, OF Jaylin Davis (Oct 2020)
  
• Follow Tyler on Twitter at @tylerw13.
  
• Follow Tyler on Instagram at @twells_34.
  

Previous Episodes

Episode 1: Tom Hackimer

Episode 2: Matt Canterino

Episode 3: Aaron Whitefield

Episode 4: Spencer Steer

Episode 5: Travis Blankenhorn

Episode 6: Cody Laweryson

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

Episode 9: Bailey Ober

Episode 10: Talkin' Torii (with Jacque Jones, Royce Lewis, Niko Guardado)

Episode 11: Top 60 Twins Players in 60 Seasons in Minnesota

Episode 12: Charlie Mack

Episode 13: Edwar Colina

Episode 14: Tyler Wells

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[Brandon]

I thought he would be a darkhorse candidate to be in the rotation or bullpen by the end of the year with a chance at being a starter long term here.

[tony&rodney]

Big boy.

[jrod23]

 

Big boy.

 

...and a GREAT guy.

[tony&rodney]

Followed Wells and like his competitiveness - hope he has a fine career. He needs to be healthy and just get an opportunity to pitch.

[rdehring]

Got to this one a bit late, Seth. Thanks again for another fantastic interview. What a wonderful young man. Enjoyed all the conversation about books, SEALS, his now being an Oriole. Especially enjoyed the discussion about his relationship with Kirilloff and others.

 

I don't view losing Tyler and Baddoo as a bad thing for the Twins. I don't believe anyone can second guess their decision about who was added to the 40-man and who wasn't as they need those five open spots for holes that need filling prior to spring training. And the fact that they lost these two fine young players tells us all how strong their organization is. And for me, that's a good thing.