Could Anthony Swarzak Flourish in the Rotation?

[bwille]

With the struggles of Vance Worley and Mike Pelfrey showing no signs of letting up in the short-term, I have started to wonder if the Twins would replace either of the pitchers in the rotation for the short-term while Worley and Pelfrey attempt to figure out and correct their mistakes. As a result, I wrote an article examining whether or not Anthony Swarzak would be a legitimate candidate to enter the rotation and be successful.

 

"Swarzak has shown enough over the last two seasons—and especially this season—to merit another chance at pitching as a starter. If the Twins are willing to give multiple chances to Hendriks to figure it out, Swarzak should also receive another chance."

 

What do you think Twins Centric, could Swarzak be a legitimate candidate to enter the rotation if the Twins decide to make a change?

 

Anthony Swarzak: Minnesota Twins Should Reward Righty with Promotion

 

[cmathewson]

It's been tried many, many times. The problem is two-fold: Stamina and lack of a solid third pitch. He tends to pitch well for two or three innings, and then he gives up a big inning. Hitters start timing him and recognizing the breaking ball, and they start hitting him hard. Also, he loses the life on his FB after about 50 pitches or so.

 

That was the pattern the four or five times he was tried as a starter. So his role suits him very well. Let's keep him in it. I actually think they should limit him to two innings at a time. He starts to lose it in his third inning. He doesn't always get away with it.

[greengoblinrulz]

WHY WHY WHY take a player out of a role they are flourishing in, to put them in a role that they have proven to not have success in??

[glunn]

WHY WHY WHY take a player out of a role they are flourishing in, to put them in a role that they have proven to not have success in??

 

You make a good point, but if the Twins get desperate and Swarzak wants to try again, it seems that there is at least a 1% chance that it would work. I agree with you, but with a lower level of certainty.

[Shane Wahl]

No. Why would they ever do that. And, unfortunately, I guarantee you that he is going to collapse this season. It's going to be ugly.

[Badsmerf]

Swarzak is in a great role. Like Duensing, he has problems the more times hitters see him because his stuff just isn't that good. He is cost controlled right now and doing well in his role. I had really high hopes for Swarzak when he was coming through the system, at one point he was the top pitcher in the Twins minor leagues. He failed to take the next step in development, similar to what is happening with Hendriks right now (I do still have high hopes for Hendriks).

[Boom Boom]

Gibson, Deduno, De Vries, and Hendriks are ahead of him on the SP depth chart.

[Mike Sixel]

Gibson, Deduno, De Vries, and Hendriks are ahead of him on the SP depth chart.

 

And Alex Meyer too.....Swarzak is in a role that works for him and the team. Keep him in that role. Just as DeVries should be kept in a relief role.....

[Otto von Ballpark]

Actually, with some starters struggling and the rest of the bullpen being used conservatively, the long reliever role is pretty important right now for the Twins, and if Swarzak is doing well in it, don't mess with that. Maybe he could turn in an early Matt Guerrier type season.

[nicksaviking]

Gibson, Deduno, De Vries, and Hendriks are ahead of him on the SP depth chart.

 

Yup, I understand why he got 5 starts last year, but there is depth this year. It may not be proven depth, but there are options. You'd probably want to give Walters another look first and hopefully Albers too.

[TheLeviathan]

If the Twins were handling their staff the most rational way Pelfrey would already be booted. I actually give Swarzak best odds to replace him, but not because I think he should. Just strikes me as the Twins MO.

[Nick Nelson]

I'm in the camp that thinks Swarzak is best suited for the role he's in right now. He has consistently had success as a reliever and struggled as a starter.

 

Then again, he's still only 27 and he was a pretty good SP prospect at one point. Given the alternatives, I wouldn't necessarily be against giving him one more try in the rotation. But I think he offers significant value to this team as a long reliever and I've been saying so for some time.

 

Speaking of Swarzy, where are all the folks who were telling me in March that he should be off the roster?

[gunnarthor]

Agree with most. He's a good long reliever which, on this team, is needed. I think Gibson will come up fairly soon. He's looking pretty good at AAA. I don't know how much longer the team can keep letting Pelfrey pitch this badly.

[Boom Boom]

I'm in the camp that thinks Swarzak is best suited for the role he's in right now. He has consistently had success as a reliever and struggled as a starter.

 

Then again, he's still only 27 and he was a pretty good SP prospect at one point. Given the alternatives, I wouldn't necessarily be against giving him one more try in the rotation. But I think he offers significant value to this team as a long reliever and I've been saying so for some time.

 

Speaking of Swarzy, where are all the folks who were telling me in March that he should be off the roster?

 

They're busy picking their jaws up off the floor after being proven 100% wrong about Correia.

[Ultima Ratio]

Swarthy is the new 7th inning, Matt Guerrier

[ashbury]

I still choose to believe that his cracked rib from "horseplay" this offseason could turn out to be his Come To Jesus moment, and will be what allows him to tap his potential. I'd like to keep him in his current role and let him establish some longer-term success this season, to make sure this change wasn't just momentary. But eventually I could see letting him compete for a rotation role. More options for the team are always better than fewer.

[Willihammer]

I would be in favor of putting Swarzak in the rotation only becuase it would give me a reason to wear my ghillie suit to a baseball game.

[drjim]

Gibson is about ready. He'll be the next starter called upon.

 

Swarzak has been solid but he has had stretches before, no guarantee he keeps this up for five more months. He is also arb eligible after the season, long men don't often get paid especially with other candidates (Hendriks) that can take the slot.