Notebook: More Probable Pitchers Announced, Thorpe Turns Heads

[Allen Post]

With the first Spring Training game now just two days away, the Twins have set more probables, and Lewis Thorpe has a hot start to his spring.Twins Set Pitchers for First Two Spring Training Games

Yesterday, we learned that Devin Smeltzer has been pegged as the probable starter for spring training game one. Today, two days away from the first pitch against the Red Sox, we learned who else will take the mound to start the preseason.

 

It should come as no surprise that the more established major league pitchers will be pitching in the home game against the Red Sox, rather than the game against Tampa Bay 45 minutes away, but it’s interesting to note that Devin Smeltzer and Ian Hamilton are set for that game as well. This almost surely means nothing, but a little unnecessary speculation never hurt anybody.

 

In Monday’s game, Lewis Thorpe, one of the Twins more interesting young arms (and not always in a good way), will get the start. This will be Thorpe’s first chance this season to prove that he’s got the ability to be a major league pitcher. Speaking of...

 

Lewis Thorpe Hype Train!

After last year’s disappointing spring, the Twins were looking for two things from Thorpe: a stronger commitment to the game, and the return of velocity on his fastball. It seems, based on early indications from Fort Myers, that Thorpe listened.

 

While everyone always says they’re in great shape at camp, Thorpe has the weight room numbers and the velocity to back it up. It probably won’t be enough to get the Australian lefty on the MLB roster out of camp because he’s been given a fourth option year, but it’s a good sign nonetheless. Even with the addition of that fourth option, at 25, Thorpe needs to capitalize on his talent soon. Hopefully, this is the start of his career heading back in the right direction.

 

Royce Lewis Has Surgery

The Twins revealed Wednesday that their #2 prospect, Royce Lewis, had a torn ACL in his right knee. Lewis underwent reconstructive knee surgery today in the Twin Cities. He is expected to miss nine to twelve months.

 

You can read more on Lewis from Twins Daily here. We at Twins Daily send him our best wishes.

 

MLB Posts Impressive COVID-19 Test Results

Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association announced the results from their second round of COVID-19 testing today. And there’s good news: out of 20,742 tests since the start of spring training, only 20 have come back positive.

 

This is undeniably good news as it means that, for the time being, baseball activities can continue as scheduled. Unfortunately for the Twins, one of those 20 (or 0.1% of all tests) was J.A. Happ, who has been away from workouts after testing positive last week.

 

Picture Day!

 

 

SEE ALSO

Twins Daily 2021 Top Prospects: Recap

A Good Comp for Jhoan Duran and His Splinker

Projecting the Saints' Opening Day Roster

 

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[dbminn]

I'm so happy for Thorpe. I was worried about his mental and emotional health. He seems to be finding his bearings. A side benefit seems to be we're going to see him at his best on the mound.

[h2oface]

It sure would be nice to see Thorpe blossum. We need a lefty starter badly. Well, make that a real good lefty starter......

[TopGunn#22]

Nice pictures for picture day !!

[jmlease1]

I'd love for Thorpe to figure it out. Lucky for the Twins to get that 4th option to work with him in Saint Paul this season; I would expect him to get 3-5 starts in MLB this season as guys miss time due to injuries. (Dobnak will be the first option out of AAA I think, then Thorpe (if he shows that he's got the velocity and mind-set right), then Duran) Guys are going to miss a turn, get dinged up. You'll need a guy for a double-header. It's just a reality that you need to run out 7-10 different guys to start a game in a full season...hopefully Thorpe can be one of them and set himself up to compete for a rotation spot in 2022

[mikelink45]

I have to admit that I see Smeltzer, Thorpe and Dobnak as fill ins and I am anxious for the Duran/Balazovic duo in 2022.  

[puckstopper1]

Any update on Andrelton Simmons?

[rdehring]

Having been a long-time fan of Thorpe, these comments could not make me happier. More important, they seem to be making Thorpe and the Twins staff very happy as well.

 

There are several pitchers battling for that #5 spot in the rotation. Looks like Thorpe has tossed his hat in the ring with Shoemaker, Dobnak, Smerltzer and a couple of the young guns. With so many hats in the ring and only one spot (at this time), it is likely he will begin in St. Paul, or not.

 

I am beginning to understand why Falvey made that comment about liking what the Twins had in house for the starting rotation.

 

 

[bobs]

 

I'd love for Thorpe to figure it out. Lucky for the Twins to get that 4th option to work with him in Saint Paul this season; I would expect him to get 3-5 starts in MLB this season as guys miss time due to injuries. (Dobnak will be the first option out of AAA I think, then Thorpe (if he shows that he's got the velocity and mind-set right), then Duran) Guys are going to miss a turn, get dinged up. You'll need a guy for a double-header. It's just a reality that you need to run out 7-10 different guys to start a game in a full season...hopefully Thorpe can be one of them and set himself up to compete for a rotation spot in 2022

My thoughts exactly.

[Fatbat]

At best, we get 120 starts out of our top 4. That leaves 42 or more for guys 5thru10. That's alot of innings to pitch. It would be awesome to see 30 starts from any given lefty in those games. I bet Thorpe or Smeltzer is on the opening day roster.

[gunnarthor]

Thorpe could be something. I think the rest of the guys battling for #5 are meh but Thorpe could be better than that. Hopefully he has it all together.

[Nine of twelve]

While I hope for the best this year for Happ it would certainly be great to see Thorpe blossom into a legitimate MLB starter. Very few teams win a world championship without at least one lefty in the rotation.