Lewis Thorpe

[2wins87]

Lewis Thorpe, LHP

Born: November 23, 1995 in Melbourne, Australia

Height 6'1", Weight: 175 lbs

 

 

Lewis Thorpe was signed by the Twins as an international free agent last year. His signing bonus of $500,000 was the second largest bonus awarded by the Twins, behind Amaurys Minier's $1.4 million. As a point of reference, $500,000 was the slot amount for the 95th overall pick in last years draft, and was just outside the top 30 bonuses given out by all teams last year.

 

Since Thorpe doesn't turn 18 until November this year it's going to be a while before the Twins really know what they got. Right now, we know that he's got a fastball that usually sits in the mid to upper 80's and has touched 91. His off-speed stuff is not too advanced yet, but he's said to have a good feel for the spin on his breaking ball. The Twins will hope that he learns to throw a good change-up as well, something the organization is good at developing.

 

Thorpe is in Fort Myers for extended spring training right now, and he hasn't been put on a roster yet, but if things go well we will most likely see him pitch for the GCL Twins later this summer.

 

He does have a Twitter account @lewisT18 where you can get updates on his Tiger Woods PGA Tour competition with fellow prospect Austin Malinowski. And I'll post any news until we see him in action.

[2wins87]

Here's the local news story from when he signed with the Twins.

 

[video=youtube;MB_3PEIeVsA]

[2wins87]

A found a bit better, more up-to-date scouting report on Thorpe that I hadn't seen when first starting this thread. From BA:

 

His fastball was 86-88 touching 91 before the signing period began, but was more like 88-92 in his outings since signing. His change-up has good sink and fade, and he also learned a cutter last summer. Also he's at least 6-2 now, and possibly still growing.

 

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: International Affairs: International Reviews: Minnesota Twins

[2wins87]

Thorpe was the opening day starter for the GCL Twins Friday. He gave up 2 runs on 5 hits, but also struck out 4 while walking none in 4 innings of work.

 

All in all, a good start for the 17-year-old; nice to see him missing bats.

[howieramone1406390264]

Good info 2wins87 thanks!

[2wins87]

Second start of the year today for Thorpe:

 

4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 8 K

 

That's a 12-1 K-BB ratio in his first two games.

[diehardtwinsfan]

this kid is going to move up some lists pretty fast if he keeps it up. The one thing I hope is that the velocity keeps increasing. If as a lefty he can touch 95, you might have a future ace.

[2wins87]

Thorpe had his third start today. He pitched 3 innings, gave up 5 hits and 2 runs, but walked none and struck out 6. He also pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief on Tuesday.

 

His totals for the year are: 13 IP, 12 H, 0 HR, 4 R, 2 BB, and 20 SO.

 

Of the balls in play that have been converted into outs 12 have been ground outs and 7 air outs. This would put him as an above average groundball pitcher.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Thorpe had his third start today. He pitched 3 innings, gave up 5 hits and 2 runs, but walked none and struck out 6. He also pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief on Tuesday.

 

His totals for the year are: 13 IP, 12 H, 0 HR, 4 R, 2 BB, and 20 SO.

 

Of the balls in play that have been converted into outs 12 have been ground outs and 7 air outs. This would put him as an above average groundball pitcher.

 

Coming from a 17 year old. He should definitely be a Twins top 20 guy by the end of the season if he keeps this up. He's striking out nearly 1.5 guys an inning to go with that GB ratio. I would think he'll get moved to the Appy league in somewhat short order as well if this type of pitching continues.

 

Has his velocity increased at all?

[2wins87]

Thorpe pitched another excellent 3 and 2/3 innings yesterday. He gave up 1 run on 3 hits; the run was scored as unearned due to a passed ball that allowed a runner to advance to second base. He struck out 5 and walked none.

 

His yearly totals:

16 2/3 IP, 15 H, 0 HR, 5R (4 ER), 2 BB, 25 SO

 

He's young, so it wouldn't hurt to keep him in the GCL for the rest of the year, but his numbers are almost as good as Berrios's were in the same amount of innings before he was promoted to Elizabethton last year. Thorpe is 6 months younger than Berrios was, but I've got to think he's a candidate for advancement if there is space in Elizabethton.

[2wins87]

Thorpe was touched for 4 hits and teed up for his first HR allowed in his 6th appearance of the year today. He went 4 innings, and despite giving up 3 runs he sustained his impeccable command striking out 6 and walking none.

 

While he looked like an extreme ground ball pitcher in his first couple of appearances, he's started giving up more fly balls and line drives recently. Because I am a baseball nerd, I went through the game logs to calculate his true GB%, FB%, and LD%.

 

His GB% is at 41%, just below mlb average, his FB% is at 29% and his LD% is at 31%. The line drive percentage is somewhat high, but his strikeout rate is still awesome, so I'm guessing one of his secondary pitches is generating a lot of whiffs while the other is getting hit pretty well, though with no scouting reports this is just a conjecture. His HR/FB ratio is still good at 7% and his IFFB% is a fantastic 29%.

 

Oh yeah, and his K-BB ratio is a pretty frakking majestic 31-2 in 20.2 IP.

[Oxtung]

If he has another dominating start next time out I wonder if he will get moved up to Elizabethton. While Berrios' stats from GCL last season are better they are pretty comparable to what Thorpe is doing this season.

 

Berrios 16.2IP 2ER 7H 3BB 27K's

Thorpe 16.2IP 4ER 15H 2BB 25K's Thorpe's numbers don't include today's start.

 

Berrios was moved up to Elizabethton sometime between August 4th and 11th. Of course a promotion, especially at that level of baseball, is about more than just numbers. We obviously know nothing about the intangibles.

[2wins87]

Thorpe got a mention in BA's hotsheet this week.

 

I don't know if Badler is working with any newer scouting reports, but he called his changeup a potential plus pitch and said he had a low 90's fastball which might mean he's hitting 90-92 more consistently. His curveball was said to be "improving."

 

 

I am definitely hoping faces some hitters in the Appalachian League this year. I'm of the opinion that age to league matters less for young pitchers, and as long as they are having success they should be moved up quickly.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Isn't he 17? low 90s as a 17 year old is pretty impressive. He could be touching 94/95 on a somewhat consistent basis as he gets into his 20s.

[2wins87]

Thorpe made his 5th start and 8th appearance yesterday. He was plenty rested having had 6 days off since he pitched two inning in relief last Wednesday. I imagine the Twins aren't going to let him throw too many pitches since he's still just seventeen.

 

He earned his first win of the year in his relief appearance, and first win as a starter yesterday, for what that's worth.

 

He went 5 innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 4, once again issuing no walks. He's now gone 15 and 1/3 inning since last walking a batter.

 

Now on the season, he's gone 27 and 2/3 innings, giving up 24 hits, only one home run, and walking just 2 while striking out 38.

[diehardtwinsfan]

surprised he hasn't been sent to E-town with Gonsalves.

[2wins87]

Thorpe was handed his first loss in yesterday's game, in one of his few starts where he hasn't been brilliant. He went 4 innings, surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits (1 home run) and 2 walks. It was the first time he's given up more than 1 walk in a game. He also struck out 3.

 

His start last week, however, was another brilliant one. He picked up a win pitching 5 innings, giving up 2 unearned runs on 4 hits and a walk, while striking out 8.

 

Here are some totals for the year:[TABLE]

IPERAH/9HR/9BB/9K/9GB%FB%LD%IFFB%36.22.457.60.51.212.044.3%33.0%22.7%20.7%[/TABLE]

[2wins87]

Two more great appearances for Thorpe in the last week.First, on Monday, he went 3 and 1/3 in relief of Alex Meyer (who was making a rehab start). The only baserunner he allowed was a hit-batsmen, and he struck out 6 en route to his 4th win. The GCL Twins' pitching staff struck out 18 hapless GCL Rays in the victory.

 

Yesterday he started once again, going 4 innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and one hit-batsmen while striking out 9.

 

His K-BB ratio is now 64-6 in 44 innings pitched.

[Pitz]

Just read on Thorpe's twitter page that Saturday was his last start. He's heading to Taiwan for the IBAF World Cup

(@lewisT18)

[Oxtung]

Does anybody have any recent analysis of his stuff? He has been thoroughly dominating and I am curious if it is because he's more advanced or because he is throwing heat or what....

[2wins87]

After completing his season with the GCL Twins, Thorpe headed to Taichung, Taiwan for the 18U World Baseball Cup.

 

He only pitched in one game, but it was a great performance in a big game, going 5.2 innings, giving up 5 hits, no runs and striking out 8 to lead the Aussies to a 1-0 upset of the US team, which eventually went on to win the tournament.

 

He'll spend the next month at the Twins' Instructional League in Ft Myers.

[diehardtwinsfan]

This kid is 17. I'm curious who was on that US team. I know Kohl Stewart pitched for them. Anyone know who hte position players were?

[2wins87]

This kid is 17. I'm curious who was on that US team. I know Kohl Stewart pitched for them. Anyone know who hte position players were?

 

Probably not too many names you've heard (yet):

XXVI IBAF 18U Baseball World Cup - USA

[2wins87]

Thorpe was named the #7 prospect in the GCL by Baseball America.

 

The writeup contains some good new scouting tidbits.

 

1) He's now listed at 6'1", 214 lbs. He turns 18 in November, so he could easily still have some growth left in him.

 

2) His fastball was sitting between 88-93 in the GCL and he's touched 95. Not only that, but he adds deception with an explosive release that makes it look faster than it is and some good late movement.

 

3) His changeup is his most polished off-speed pitch. Badler calls it a potential plus pitch.

 

4) He's throwing both a curveball and a slider right now. Both have a lot of spin and downward action.

[John Bonnes]

He was also named by John Sickels as the Twins #7(!) overall prospect. Lots of discussion and a link in this thread:

 

http://twinsdaily.com/twins-minor-league-talk/9165-sickels-top-20-twins-prospects-2014-a-5.html

 

By the way 2wins87, you've done a fantastic job on this Adopt-A-Prospect thread. I really appreciate the consistent and far-reaching updates you've done.

[2wins87]

Thanks, John. Thorpe is still pitching in the ABL this winter (or I guess summer in Australia), so I'll still have a few more updates.

 

He made his first start with the Melbourne Aces yesterday. Overall he pitched fairly well, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits and a walk in 5 innings. He struck out 3, but was chased from the game after giving up a home run and double to start the 6th. The Aces eventually rallied in the 9th inning to keep Thorpe from getting tagged with a loss.

[2wins87]

Thorpe has now made two more starts for the Melbourne Aces.

 

On November 30 he started the second game of the Saturday double-header. It wasn't his sharpest outing, only making it through 3 and 2/3 innings while giving up 5 runs. Only one run was earned, as 4 scored in the second inning after a fielding error by the Aces left fielder, but Thorpe allowed 6 hits and an uncharacteristic 3 walks while only striking out 2, so it wasn't a good outing, and he was pulled with two outs in the 4th with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

 

His next start last Sunday, however, was brilliant. He went seven innings on an efficient 82 pitches, giving up only 1 hit (an infield hit) and no walks while striking out 8.

 

He's now gone a total of 15.2 innings in three starts in the ABL with a 13K/4BB and a 1.72 ERA and 4.14 RA/9.

[2wins87]

Just a quick note that Thorpe was selected to play for Australia in the ABL All-Star game. The Aces page page says he will be the starter. This is a pretty great honor, especially for a kid that just recently turned 18.

 

He also made a start earlier today (or yesterday? timezones...), pitching very well again. The box is here.

[John Bonnes]

Thanks again for posting these. My brother lives in Melbourne. I just let him know that a top Twins prospect is pitching there this offseason.

[jokin]

Just a quick note that Thorpe was selected to play for Australia in the ABL All-Star game. The Aces page page says he will be the starter. This is a pretty great honor, especially for a kid that just recently turned 18.

 

He also made a start earlier today (or yesterday? timezones...), pitching very well again. The box is here.

 

Thanks for the very intriguing updates.

 

A few questions. 1 ) What is the level of baseball in the ABL? An 18-year-old dominating in AA ball means more than an 18 year old dominating a Rookie League.

 

2) At what point in his development do the Twins impose innings restrictions on Thorpe, or refuse to allow him to pitch in the ABL completely?

 

3) I see Luke Hughes and 3 other Twins prospects made the ABL All-Star team, is that a good thing or a bad thing?