Did The Twins Manufacture a Top Pitching Prospect?

[tony&rodney]

Varland, like many before him, will get his shot because he has shown the stuff needed to pitch at the highest level. He can only control the opportunities in front of him. Age is just not going to matter when he takes the mound (Ryan/others) and if he gets a spot in the rotation next season, Varland will have a chance at carving his own path. The future is wide open.

[Trov]

Say what you will about Falvey's moves in FA, trades, and some draft picks, his calling card coming in was identifying diamond in the roughs in pitchers and building a possible pipeline that was built in Cleveland.  I believe he has done exactly that hear.  I know some will point out failed pitchers we brought in to try and refute my argument, but I pointing to the guys like Varland, Dobnak(yes he has not done much due to injuries but he went undrafted to MLB in short order, that is spotting something or development).  Even Joe Ryan could be in that class so far as many experts slotted him as a pen pitcher but he has been one of our better starters since he got called up.  Ober did fine last year and was improving out of no where as well.  

Of course there are some guys that have not panned out, or regressed lately, but there seems to be much more later round or undrafted successes than top pick busts.  Are any of them HOF bound, not likely, but getting solid innings from guys like Dobnak(undrafted) who may not be great, but had a good start to his career and many pitchers taken in 2017 draft will never even make MLB level.  Ober was a 12th round pick in 2017 as well, similar he is doing better than many pitchers picked ahead of him in that draft. Varland might be the best of all of the guys named above, and he was 15th round pick and doing better than many pitchers taken ahead of him. 

Of course there will be misses, and even pitchers we took ahead of guys like Ober, Varland, and Dobnak never pan out, but I am pretty sure this is good success rate for guys in those rounds.  I could be wrong, but doubt it. 

[weitz41]

A 15th round pick (#449) starting in AAA. I'd call that manufacturing a top (Twins) pitching prospect.

I noticed some saying he to old to be considered. Anyone who went to college and was drafted in the 2019 class is likely  to old. He went from A ball to the cusp of MLB in two seasons. Sounds like a Top (Twins) pitching prospect to me no matter what age they are.

[Blyleven2011]

20 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

No - they did not manufacture a pitching prospect.  I give all the credit to Varland and his tenacity.  I do want to see him in the majors and like others in this post I look at his age and say if he is going to be a success it has to start now. 

Give credit where credit is due  and varland has worked hard and has been better than consistent in the minors leagues and knocking on the door to the majors ...

Where ever he pitches , as a starter or a relief pitcher  his reward is performing  in the majors and hungry to win a world series for his home state ...

[Battle ur tail off]

4 hours ago, Trov said:

Say what you will about Falvey's moves in FA, trades, and some draft picks, his calling card coming in was identifying diamond in the roughs in pitchers and building a possible pipeline that was built in Cleveland.  I believe he has done exactly that hear.  I know some will point out failed pitchers we brought in to try and refute my argument, but I pointing to the guys like Varland, Dobnak(yes he has not done much due to injuries but he went undrafted to MLB in short order, that is spotting something or development).  Even Joe Ryan could be in that class so far as many experts slotted him as a pen pitcher but he has been one of our better starters since he got called up.  Ober did fine last year and was improving out of no where as well.  

Of course there are some guys that have not panned out, or regressed lately, but there seems to be much more later round or undrafted successes than top pick busts.  Are any of them HOF bound, not likely, but getting solid innings from guys like Dobnak(undrafted) who may not be great, but had a good start to his career and many pitchers taken in 2017 draft will never even make MLB level.  Ober was a 12th round pick in 2017 as well, similar he is doing better than many pitchers picked ahead of him in that draft. Varland might be the best of all of the guys named above, and he was 15th round pick and doing better than many pitchers taken ahead of him. 

Of course there will be misses, and even pitchers we took ahead of guys like Ober, Varland, and Dobnak never pan out, but I am pretty sure this is good success rate for guys in those rounds.  I could be wrong, but doubt it. 

I agree, they have done a good job in finding and securing those type of guys to become end of the rotation starters. What I would like to see is/are a few true stud starters mixed in every couple years. However they get them, draft, trade, etc.

Building/Developing guys from your organization that can profile as #1/2 pitchers is what sets the good smaller market teams from the rest IMO. Tampa Bay is a great example.