Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month: June 2023

[Cody Christie]

Relief pitching is critical for any team to have consistent success. Here are June's top relief pitcher performances in the Twins' farm system.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

One appearance can wreak havoc on a reliever's numbers for any given month. In the Twins system, some relievers continue to appear on the monthly award list—those players with the potential to have a long-term impact on the big-league club.  

Let's dive into some honorable mentions before we reveal this month's winner. 

RHP Oliver Ortega, St. Paul Saints
Ortega joined the big-league club to end the month, but he compiled some strong numbers to start the month at Triple-A. He allowed four earned runs in six appearances (10 IP) and posted a 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

RHP, Alex Scherff, Wichita Wind Surge
Scherff made appearances in June for the organization's two highest affiliates. He posted a 2.84 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and ten walks in 12 2/3 innings.

RHP Miguel Rodriguez, Cedar Rapids Kernels
Batters went 5-for-29 (.172 BA) with seven strikeouts against Rodriguez in June. He didn't allow an earned run in eight innings and was credited with four saves. His innings were limited compared to others on this list. 

Now onto the top five:
5. RHP Alejandro Hidalgo, High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels, 10 1/3 IP, 28.6 K%, 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP
The Twins acquired Hidalgo from the Angels for Gio Urshela this winter. He began the season as a starter at Cedar Rapids, but the club has moved him into a bullpen role, where he has been more successful. He pitched two innings or more in every appearance for the month and allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his four outings. Hidalgo had a dominant relief appearance on June 8th when he struck out six of the 11 batters he faced over three innings. He's faced older batters in all but seven plate appearances this year, so there is time for him to continue to build off his successful month.      

4. RHP Eduardo Soriano, DSL Twins- 15 1/3 IP, 30.8 K%, 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Soriano is in his third summer in the DSL, so he is over a year older than the average age of the competition at his level. He has yet to start a game but is pitching a starter's workload with three innings or more in every appearance. In his first three appearances (11 IP), he limited batters to one earned run on seven hits while striking out 19 batters. As part of this strong stretch, he pitched five shutout innings with 11 strikeouts. His final appearance of the month was his most challenging as he struggled with his command and allowed a season-high four walks. Will the Twins bring Soriano to the FCL Twins if he continues to pitch well?  

3. RHP John Stankiewicz, Cedar Rapids Kernels- 13 1/3 IP, 25.0 K%, 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Following a poor month of April, Stankiewicz has been one of the best relievers in the Twins organization, including winning the TD Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month in May. His June numbers looked even better before allowing three earned runs over his final five innings. He pitched two innings or more in all but one June appearance. In his first four appearances during the month, he pitched 8 1/3 scoreless with 12 strikeouts and one walk. On June 10th, he started a game for Cedar Rapids and pitched into the fourth inning without allowing a hit and striking out six. It's his first full season as a reliever, so it will be interesting to see if the Twins promote him in the second half. 

2. RHP A.J. Labas, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels/Cedar Rapids Kernels- 13 IP, 36.2 K%, 2.08 ERA, 0.69 WHIP
Labas entered June with a 6.62 ERA for the season after allowing 13 earned runs in his first 17 2/3 innings. He reeled off eight straight scoreless appearances to start the month, including three saves. His last appearance in Fort Myers was his worst, as he allowed three earned runs on three hits in 2/3rds of an inning while taking the loss. The Twins felt his overall stretch of strong appearances still warranted a promotion, and he made his first High-A appearance to end the month. With his college experience, Labas has been older than the average age of the competition at every professional level. Now fans can watch his performance and hope his recent hot stretch is a sign of good things to come. 

1. LHP Kody Funderburk, St. Paul Saints - 12 1/3 IP, 38.5 K%, 2.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
Funderburk ended the month of June on a high note at Triple-A. In his final seven appearances, he allowed one earned run on five hits over 8 1/3 innings. He posted a 14-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio during that stretch while holding batters to a .167/.242/.300 (.542) slash line. He pitched more than one inning in five consecutive appearances and even made a start as part of a bullpen game earlier in the month. For the season, he has posted a 13.6 K/9 between Double- and Triple-A. Funderburk has been a successful reliever in the upper minors over the last two seasons, and his big-league opportunity is on the horizon. 

What are your thoughts on the relief pitching performances in the Twins' minor leagues in June? How would you rank these pitchers? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[FlyingFinn]

I'm thinking the Twins put Funderburk on the 40 man roster in place of Thielbar at some point, probably this winter. 

[Blyleven2011]

.it's time to start trusting our prospects  , 

Funderburk has pitched well in AA and AAA  , he just won pitcher of the month , promote our prospects on the incentive plan , you work hard and do well you get to the show  ...

Even if the pitcher is from AA  he could possibly be an option for the show , let's see what we have cause I always here that teams need pitching  , pitching  and more pitching  or you can never have to much pitching   ....

Twins just never have enough pitching  and FO doesn't trust our prospects and always let's the dumpster diving pitcher get the promotion ....

Thanks for letting me vent ...