Matt Guerrier vs. Jeff Manship

[Nick Nelson]

Just a little comp that went through my head earlier today. Can Manship follow Guerrier's path to becoming a solid relief arm?

 

The similarities aren't hard to see: Both fairly ordinary prospects and failed starters with similar numbers in the minors (Guerrier: 3.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.4 BB/9; Manship: 3.54 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.3 BB/9), both broke into the majors in their mid-20s, both throw a decent ~90MPH fastball and complement it with solid breaking stuff that plays up in relief.

 

One of Guerrier's best attributes was his durability, as he was among the league leaders in appearances almost every year, and that's an area where Manship has to prove himself. Still, I can see the Twins envisioning the same type of future for the 27YO Manship.

 

Thoughts?

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

I would say Guerrier is his ceiling. I'd be very happy if he reached that.

[Seth Stohs]

That (the comparison with Guerrier) was basically what got him the opening day job last year. The coaches talked about that all the time last offseason. 100% agree with the comparison. Great curveballs. Same fastball. Manship's change and slider are better. I guess I'd argue some semantics with saying that Manship is a "failed starter." I'm not sure he's been given a shot as a starter, except for a couple of spot starts at the end of '09. But I think Manship can be every bit as good out of the bullpen as Guerrier... We don't know for sure that he will, but I like the odds.

[Thrylos]

I guess I'd argue some semantics with saying that Manship is a "failed starter." I'm not sure he's been given a shot as a starter, except for a couple of spot starts at the end of '09..

2010 Rochester.

 

That said, Guerrier's numbers were superior to Manship's at every MiLB stop by far.

Can he be an effective 7 inning guy? Maybe. Do the Twins have better options for that job? Probably. We will see how it plays out.

[John Bonnes]

I actually made this comparison to Gleeman, though I can't remember if it was on the podcast or not. Of course, a lot of guys match this comp. I think even Joe Nathan matches this comp. Let's see....

 

Manship: 3.54 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.3 BB/9

Nathan: 4.90 ERA, 1.518 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 4.6 BB/9

 

Oh - Manship is GOLDEN! :-)

 

I keed, but I do like Manship.

[mikeee]

I don't like manship today....

[Seth Stohs]

If I recall, Guerrier had a few outings like Manship had today during his Twins tenure.

[mikeee]

Seems like those tended to be more to the end of the season when he was getting a bit of dead arm from overuse!!