It’s Time to Start Noticing Brent Headrick

[Matthew Lenz]

You won’t find Brent Headrick on any prospect lists (for now) but it's time to start noticing and appreciating what he's doing at high-A Cedar Rapids. Consider this your introduction to the up-and-coming Twins prospect.

Headrick was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of the 2019 draft out of Illinois State. Coming out of college, the southpaw had a 3.47 ERA striking out 115 batters over 96 innings pitched earning him Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. The college Junior signed with the Twins just a few days later and was assigned to the Elizabethton Twins for his first cup of coffee in Minor League Baseball.

Like many, he was a victim to the canceled Minor League season in 2020 but had a strong 2021 campaign with low-A Fort Myers striking out 86 batters over 61 1/3 innings and sporting a 3.82 ERA. Entering the 2022 season he was promoted to high-A Cedar Rapids and has started turning heads on one of the best pitching staffs across all of Minor League Baseball. When asked what he wants to continue improving on, Headrick spoke of building on what he's done in the two years he's been part of the Twins organization. Things like tinkering with his repertoire, adding velocity to his fastball, and staying healthy over the long minor league season.

And for Headrick, part of staying healthy both physically and mentally is getting away from the ballpark with his teammates and hitting up the links for a round of golf. There’s no doubt that if Brent Headrick continues dominating the Midwest League, he’ll start showing up on some prospect lists. After all, what’s not to like about a 6’ 6” left-handed pitcher who can miss bats and limit walks? The future is bright for the former Redbird and it's time for Twins fans to start noticing.

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[HrbieFan]

Is he a hard thrower? Have noticed he has started out hot this year. 

[4twinsJA]

Really like Headrick, been able to watch a few of his games, he has been overpowering at CR. Will be interesting how Twins handle midseason promotions, would think Headrick would be on that list. Twins midseason prospect list will definitely have some changes with so many no longer qualifying and some definite risers and fallers.

[RJA]

This kid is a great story.  I don't believe he was really on many teams'  draft radar in 2019, but the Twins must have seen some projectability they liked, and now he is turning some heads.  What is not to like about a 6 foot 6 lefty with a smooth delivery and the ability to generate swings and misses?  I suspect he will be moved up soon.

[mikelink45]

I love to learn about these young and determined prospects. 

[roger]

Thanks, Matt.  Agree that he should show up on some mid-season prospect lists.

As Hrbie Fan above asked, how hard does he throw?

[bunsen82]

Headrick topped out at 91 mph out of college. I don’t see specifics but I would guess he is working in the low to mid 90’s now. Where it gets interesting his current stats.  He has over 13 k/9, and also over 7k/bb. That means his stuff is very potent while having excellent control. He has a 6’6” frame, so that low 90,s to mid 90’s pitch is getting pitched closer to the plate and coming from a higher angle allowing for more deception and missed bats.  This is another potential arm from that 2019 class.  It appears the twins draft strategies are starting to pay dividends. 

[bunsen82]

13 hours ago, HrbieFan said:

Is he a hard thrower? Have noticed he has started out hot this year. 

In the video he states he gained 3 mph this year, along with developing a third pitch.  

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Certainly expect him to move up to Wichita soon. But he's definitely not going to appear on prospect lists unless he keeps pitching like this up to at least St. Paul this year. He's pretty old for A+.

[nicksaviking]

The questionable pick of Cavaco in the first round is providing good cover for the rest of the 2019 draft class. We've been talking about Canterino and Wallner for a couple years now, but Headrick, Varland, Gipson-Sawyer and Legumina look like promising arms too. 

And someone must have done some good homework on the college infield prospects, because while Spencer Steer is looking like he could make the jump from AA to the majors right now, Anthony Prato along with late round picks Alex Isola and Eduard Julian are looking really good with excellent on base skills, which seems to me to be one of the better indicators of future success.

[bunsen82]

26 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

The questionable pick of Cavaco in the first round is providing good cover for the rest of the 2019 draft class. We've been talking about Canterino and Wallner for a couple years now, but Headrick, Varland, Gipson-Sawyer and Legumina look like promising arms too. 

And someone must have done some good homework on the college infield prospects, because while Spencer Steer is looking like he could make the jump from AA to the majors right now, Anthony Prato along with late round picks Alex Isola and Eduard Julian are looking really good with excellent on base skills, which seems to me to be one of the better indicators of future success.

There are about 7-8 arms from that class that have the potential to possibly make it to the big leagues.  3 years after a draft that is pretty damn impressive.  

Canterino is the highest level arm, followed by Varland.  Lawyerson, Gipson Long, Headrick Legumina, Gross and Mooney   are all having various levels of success.  

As of this point Cavaco is not finding his bat.  There were 3 big swings on players with high upside to improve their plate discipline and hit tool, Cavaco Holland and Julien.  Julien appears to be a success and Holland is quietly improving.  At high A ball for the last month he has an OPS in the 800's.  Holland has as much upside as Cavaco so if he somehow he continues to improve that might negate Cavaco most likely busting out.  Steer looks like the stud bat of this class, with Wallner who looks pretty good but defensively not really a position,  and then Gray Prato and Julien all doing fairly well this year.   

Alex Isola in the 29th round could be a very nice find.  

[bunsen82]

4 hours ago, Alex Schieferdecker said:

Certainly expect him to move up to Wichita soon. But he's definitely not going to appear on prospect lists unless he keeps pitching like this up to at least St. Paul this year. He's pretty old for A+.

He may not be on a top 20 list, but he will definitely be on a top 40 list.  The depth of the Twins organization is very very good.  Now if he continues to do this in AA which I think he likely can, then he will easily be on the top 20 list.  He is making High A ball batters look silly, I don't anticipate that to be falling off by going up a level,  and AA ball is generally the make of break level whether you have the potential or not to play at the big leagues.  

Edited May 16, 2022 by bunsen82
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