Digging Deep For Bullpen Help

[Cody Pirkl]

The Twins are having some bullpen issues between over usage, performance, and injury. An addition at the deadline may be in the cards, but it’s too early to move on that. What do the Twins have for internal bullpen options?

Image courtesy of Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

If the Twins front office has developed an identity for themselves, it’s that they don’t care about bullpen additions at all. Their one big external addition was Jorge Lopez in 2022, who cost them dearly in prospect capital after ignoring relief additions in the offseason. Still their approach to bullpen construction didn’t change. Their relief corps is off to a better start in 2023 than last season, but it’s been far from ideal. 

Griffin Jax is struggling, Caleb Thielbar is on the shelf, and after a solid start, Emilio Pagán is Pagáning it up once more. It may be time for the Twins to take a leap and try a new reliever in the big league bullpen. What internal options do they have?

Cody Laweryson
Laweryson is a former 14th-round pick from 2019 who’s worked his way up to Triple-A this season. He doesn’t throw hard and lacks any particular wipeout pitch, but his results speak for themselves. 

Geared with 70-grade command, Laweryson posted a sub 2.00 ERA between Wichita and St. Paul in 2022 and boasts a 2.66 mark so far in 2023. His 1.33 HR/9 to begin the season is inflated by an absurd 15% HR/FB rate, and he’s striking out over 27% of hitters so far and holding them to a .211 average. 

It’s possible the prospect pedigree and lack of velocity keep him from being a quality MLB reliever, but at 25 years old it may be worth a try. If Laweryson can replicate anywhere near his homer-limiting, high-strikeout ways at the MLB level, he should be more than capable of contributing to some degree.

Kody Funderburk
Like Laweryson, Funderburk is far from a top prospect. Selected in the 15th round in 2018, he’s another example of the Twins doing an impressive job of getting such a lottery ticket draft pick so far into a minor-league career.

Funderburk was promoted to St. Paul after allowing a single run in 9 innings for Wichita, and while he’s given up a few since his promotion, his skills look fantastic. Striking out 31.4% of hitters and walking under 9% Funderburk looks like he really has it working so far in 2023, and in his age-26 season, the Twins may be inclined to see if those gaudy numbers can translate.

It’s almost odd we haven’t seen a test run yet with Thielbar out, as Funderburk is a left-handed pitcher and their only current southpaw in the bullpen is Jovani Moran who’s essentially a righty. Even when Thielbar returns, Funderburk may be an option for this very reason.

Ronny Henriquez
Acquired from Texas in the Mitch Garver trade, Henriquez was feared to be lost to injury earlier this spring when his elbow kept him off the field. Henriquez has since returned and looks to be completely healthy.

Still just 23 years old, Henriquez appears to be on the reliever path for good in St. Paul. He’s listed at 5’10, though many reports say he’s closer to 5’8, leading to questions about his ability to hold up as a starter. He has a high spin fastball that plays up beyond its velocity and likes to use it at the top of the zone similar to Joe Ryan, which leads to some homer problems. In short stints, however, Henriquez is capable of running it up into the high 90s and has a good changeup and solid slider to pair it with.

His numbers in St. Paul thus far aren’t incredibly impressive, but his most recent outing is one that may catch the Twins eye. He’s already on the 40-man roster and made his debut at the end of 2022, so Henriquez could be fast-tracked to the Twins bullpen. Many thought he could have broken camp on Opening Day if healthy, but Henriquez is still capable of helping the Twins now that he’s finally in good shape.

The Twins will likely start digging beyond the long relief types to help the bullpen soon here. You never know which ones could come up and stick around if they catch fire. Are there any other underrated bullpen options you’d like to see them give a shot to?

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[AceWrigley]

Probably Ronny Henriquez.

[Schmoeman5]

So basically what you're saying is that in reality, there's no help coming from the farm. And over usage and injuries. Starters have been going on avg. an inning longer than last year? So the bullpen shouldn't have as many innings. Correct? And who's been injured other than Thielbar? Alcala gets a pass as he hasn't come back anywhere close to his old self. I think this may be where the Twins put to much stock in his return

[stringer bell]

I think he's a one-inning guy, but I think we'll see Oliver Ortega sometime (maybe soon) and while the stats don't jump off the screen, I thin he would be a capable middle guy.

[Blyleven2011]

Looks like we'll be talking again  about the bullpen for quite awhile this season   ...

Will it ever change  , injuries  , over usage  , performance meltdown   ...

Yes it has been a better start for the bullpen  , one thing I noticed is that Jax is definitely being over used on consecutive days  , he's walking more than last year  ...

Last year Rocco would let his starters go no  more than 5 innings mostly and this year the starters are going 6 plus innings regularly , relief pitchers Rocco seemed to use every other day in 2022 and this year it seems to be 2 days in a row then a rested day , seems to me since the shortened  2020 season and lack of reps the FO and Rocco  were protecting the pitchers from injuries through 2022  , now that they have been building up innings and strength since 2020 the FO and Rocco thinks it's safe to be more aggressive with the pitching and allow them more starter innings an using relief pitchers on a daily basis  ...

Just not enough quality experienced arms in the bullpen at the moment  ...

That what it seems to me ...

[jorgenswest]

The Twins should use those lower leverage roles on relievers like those mentioned in this article. It is waste to have Pagán in that role. He isn’t a reliable high leverage option. He hasn’t been for years. Pitching well in low leverage doesn’t matter if you can’t occasionally pitch well when it really matters. Give that role to anyone with upside that can move up into a permanent role in the pen. I hope they move on from Pagán and see if they have a in house option for those innings before they give up prospects in trade. 

I have hope that Brock Stewart is more than a temporary back end role. Same hope for De León. Henriquez might be able to help. The AAA data for a reliever at this point is worthless. I can’t advocate for any based on their AAA data. I can advocate for the Twins moving on from Pagán.

Maeda is near pitching from the mound again. Does he return in a bullpen role? Maybe he takes Pagán’s spot.

 

[JD-TWINS]

Maeda has to be a reliever when back. Period.

Duran - Lopez - Thielbar -Jax - Stewart….that’s 6

These guys can all perform 3 out of 4 times…….up to 6 or 7 times w/o a hick-up.

Last 2 spots are up in the air:

Moran is about 60% effective, a maybe??…….I think Balazovic would be worth a try to be a potential shot in the arm. My favorite choice is to ignore starter depth and to bring Headrick into the Pen! Henriquez can get guys out in short bursts.

If we’re giving Alcala multiple looks & Moran multiple looks it seems the 2,guys at AAA should get a shot (one at a time) to see how they hold up in 2 outings…….Laweryson & Funderburk.

All these guys have options so let’s not go crazy, but try a couple.

We know what Sands & Winder are all about…..mediocre & hurt.

[hitterscount]

I don't know the exact number, but it seems that Jax and Pagan have cost the team around 8-10 wins. While the offense hasn't exactly been tearing it up and leaving too many runs on base, these two are unreliable. Jax has been a huge disappointment after looking good last year. How many times can you keep running the two of them out in high leverage situations before they completely demoralize the team? I would DFA Pagan and send Jax to St. Paul and bring up anyone that has an ERA under 3.00. There are enough bodies and someone will shine. Duran is the most  unedrutilized arm in the BP because no one is capable of holding a lead.     

[hitterscount]

I don't know the exact number, but it seems that Jax and Pagan have cost the team around 8-10 wins. While the offense hasn't exactly been tearing it up and leaving too many runs on base, these two are unreliable. Jax has been a huge disappointment after looking good last year. How many times can you keep running the two of them out in high leverage situations before they completely demoralize the team? I would DFA Pagan and send Jax to St. Paul and bring up anyone that has an ERA under 3.00. There are enough bodies and someone will shine. Duran is the most  unedrutilized arm in the BP because no one is capable of holding a lead.     

[gman]

I've been waiting for Maeda and Theilbar to get back and fill some spots . Maybe in the next 2-3 weeks? Sooner would be better.  Henriquez looks like best bet at 3A. Unfortunately unless we start hitting, the bullpen is going to be wiped out long before the allstar break. Any game where a starter looks human and a reliever has a bump turns into an automatic loss.

[Boswell]

I’d like to see Headrick and Dobber come up for some innings.  The longer relief guys in close ballgames are a helpful asset.  Keep the game close and give the offense a chance while saving the high leverage guys for another day. 
 

Maybe just standard wisdom to hang onto Jax and Pagan, thinking they will turn back into their former selves.  I’ve given up on following all the ins and outs of the roster as in previous years.  
 

I suppose Baldelli is indeed a “player’s manager”, giving his veterans many chances to fail before moving on to a different approach.  

[FlyingFinn]

I think Funderburk would be up if he was on the 40 man roster. But the Twins think/know that Maeda and/or Thielbar are coming back soon. Since they don't want to DFA Funderburk, they also don't want to put him on the 40 man. 

[Guest]

Balazovic was supposed to start for the Saints tonight, but that now appears to be no longer the case.  Perhaps he is headed to LA?

[Linus]

This article did not make me feel better. 

[Greglw3]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Maeda has to be a reliever when back. Period.

Duran - Lopez - Thielbar -Jax - Stewart….that’s 6

These guys can all perform 3 out of 4 times…….up to 6 or 7 times w/o a hick-up.

Last 2 spots are up in the air:

Moran is about 60% effective, a maybe??…….I think Balazovic would be worth a try to be a potential shot in the arm. My favorite choice is to ignore starter depth and to bring Headrick into the Pen! Henriquez can get guys out in short bursts.

If we’re giving Alcala multiple looks & Moran multiple looks it seems the 2,guys at AAA should get a shot (one at a time) to see how they hold up in 2 outings…….Laweryson & Funderburk.

All these guys have options so let’s not go crazy, but try a couple.

We know what Sands & Winder are all about…..mediocre & hurt.

I like the idea of Maeda as a reliever! I’ve lost confidence in Jax. I also like the idea of bringing up Balazovic as a reliever. I like Henriquez from watching him late last season. Thielbar would be a big boost. Personally I’d pursue a trade, maybe for Chapman. I’d send Jax to AAA but they’re not gonna do that.

So how about Duran, Lopez, Chapman, Maeda, Stewart, Moran (or Funderburk - no relation to former power hitting Twin Mark Funderburk), Balazovic and Henriquez?

[Greglw3]

31 minutes ago, Bill Tanner said:

Balazovic was supposed to start for the Saints tonight, but that now appears to be no longer the case.  Perhaps he is headed to LA?

Shake it up! Never change a winning game, always change a losing game (old tennis quote)

[Greglw3]

2 hours ago, hitterscount said:

I don't know the exact number, but it seems that Jax and Pagan have cost the team around 8-10 wins. While the offense hasn't exactly been tearing it up and leaving too many runs on base, these two are unreliable. Jax has been a huge disappointment after looking good last year. How many times can you keep running the two of them out in high leverage situations before they completely demoralize the team? I would DFA Pagan and send Jax to St. Paul and bring up anyone that has an ERA under 3.00. There are enough bodies and someone will shine. Duran is the most  unedrutilized arm in the BP because no one is capable of holding a lead.     

I completely agree with you, I was thinking those two and Rocco’s poor handling of them has cost the team around 7 wins. Time for a big shake up.

[Lefty61]

Front office needs to bring in bullpen help, Red Sox need middle infield help, Schrieber has been a very good bulpen arm for them, I would see if they would take Gordon and Pagan for Schrieber, maybe have them throw in Brazier who was just DF'd if he would go to AAA, would also open up 40 man spot for another move.  And would  allow Jax to slide back to more suitable role and less high leverage late game role.

 

[FlyingFinn]

3 hours ago, Bill Tanner said:

Balazovic was supposed to start for the Saints tonight, but that now appears to be no longer the case.  Perhaps he is headed to LA?

Not yet. Odd to start a reliever for 1 inning and then go to Balazovic. My thought - they want his 4 or so innings per game in St. Paul but want him to get used to coming out of the bullpen, because that is where the Twins are considering using him. If so, I think it's a good strategy.

[DocBauer]

Jax has had some very bad luck that wasn't his fault. But his last couple of outings have been poor. So I believe his results have been a little skewed. Is his head right? There's a difference from a veteran like Pagan who has proven he isn't the answer, as opposed to a younger guy like Jax just struggling right now. They get Jax back on track and Thielbar back and the pen looks very different all of a sudden. 

I've been impressed by the "new/old and improved" Stewart at St Paul and early results with the Twins. The stuff is there, and he has experience. He gets his BB under control, they have a 5th arm in the pen who might just be for real. Moran has the ability and has been looking much better as of late. 

That's a potential really good 6. And the 8th spot is going to remain in flux for an innings eater who can be changed out. And that's just smart!

Does the 7th spot remain in flux? Maybe. But I'd sure like to see that spot settled. And it's up to the pitchers to prove they should stick. I have a lot of hope/belief in Alcala, but I think he's been mishandled coming back this year. His stuff still looks pretty good, but he's stretched beyond 1 IP. Is that really a problem when the starters are usually going 6? 

To the OP directly, I like all 3 options. And to be honest, I hadn't realized Laweryson was throwing that well. I guess I was just so focused on other guys I had missed how good he's been this year. I always thought he'd be a great 1-3 IP middle guy. I think Funderburk has a future, but I don't think he's ready yet. I think Henriquez would have already been up except his season got off to a late start. But that late start, even with his late season debut in 2022, has the Twins wanting to give him a little more AAA time, IMO. But all 3 of those guys could be part of the 2nd half this season, as well as the future. 

I think the pen has been a question lately. But I don't think it's desperate. Again, Thielbar back and they get Jax on track, things look a lot better. Stewart might be a steal. Moran is looking better. And then you look at the 3 guys listed above and you start to feel a little better for the 2nd half at least. Hell, I know it was one game, but De Leon looked NASTY for his first couple of innings against the Dogers. I have no expectations, but if he could do that for 1-2 IP, the former top prospect might be a similar steal to Stewart.

Where there is a rub is Headrick and Balazovic. The Twins need them for rotation depth, especially with SWR suddenly struggling this year. I'm not convinced Headrick has a long term future in the Twins rotation. But he might be needed this year at some point. And I am ridiculously adamant that Balazovic needs to remain as a rotation option because you just don't move a recent top 100 prospect who is healthy again and looking good again. Why on earth would you move a former top prospect to the pen when he's healthy and looking like the arm everyone thought he might be?

On the flip side, the parent club is of more importance than the results of the Saints. The rotating 8th spot is a perfect option to rotate guys like Headrick, Balazovic, Winder, and Sands to show their stuff, get ML experience, and help the Twins. 

IMO, Headrick should have been up already to help with Thielbar out before going back to the Saints rotation. Unless he was too good to send down. And I'm OK if Jordy Blaze comes up in that 8th man spot to help at some point. But I wouldn't want him in the pen unless we are talking post season and one of the best arms the Twins have. Up and down to help is awesome. But he needs to stay as a viable SP option because I think that remains his future. 

 

 

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

IMO, Headrick should have been up already to help with Thielbar out before going back to the Saints rotation. Unless he was too good to send down. And I'm OK if Jordy Blaze comes up in that 8th man spot to help at some point. But I wouldn't want him in the pen unless we are talking post season and one of the best arms the Twins have. Up and down to help is awesome. But he needs to stay as a viable SP option because I think that remains his future. 

 

 

If Headrick is in the 8th spot in the bullpen, it just isn't worth it. The last guy in the bullpen has been the long guy who hasn't pitched in a close game yet. He's more valuable in St. Paul waiting for a spot start. 

[Fatbat]

DFA Pagan and we automatically win 3 more games this season. Add funderbunk or any other young pitcher to the 40 man roster so it creates another over the river card shuffle. Problem solved. 100 wins here we come. 

[DocBauer]

10 hours ago, stringer bell said:

If Headrick is in the 8th spot in the bullpen, it just isn't worth it. The last guy in the bullpen has been the long guy who hasn't pitched in a close game yet. He's more valuable in St. Paul waiting for a spot start. 

Absolutely. I'd be giving him a shot in the top 6 to see what can do. At least until Thielbar is back.