Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month: July 2023

[Ted Schwerzler]

As the Minnesota Twins have shown in recent seasons, getting additional help in the bullpen from unexpected names is always huge. As their prospects progress through the system, those that rise to the top can become reliable arms at the highest level. A few stood out during the month of July.

 

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

A minor-league reliever doesn’t necessarily have the glitz and glamour afforded to a starting role, but these are the arms constantly facing the highest-leverage situations during a game. As the scope of Major League Baseball has changed over the years, having a plethora of arms that can come in and get big outs is a must.

Before getting into the best-of-the-best this month, a couple of minor league relievers stood out as honorable mention candidates:

LHP Michael Boyle - St. Paul Saints - 9 G, 0.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 8.2 IP, 10 K, 5 BB
LHP Denny Bentley - Wichita Wind Surge - 8 G, 2.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 15.2 IP, 16 K, 4 BB
RHP John Stankiewicz - Cedar Rapids Kernels - 7 G, 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 10 K, 3 BB
RHP Jackson Hicks - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 8 G, 2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 13.0 IP, 17 K, 2 BB

#3 LHP Gabriel Yanez - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 8 G, 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 15.0 IP, 11 K, BB
Back in March, the Twins acquired Yanez from the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s pitching in the same Florida State League that he did last year for Clearwater, and the results have been very similar. Yanez put up a strong month for the Mighty Mussels, but he did dance around a .359 batting average against. He’ll need to keep traffic off the base paths if he wants to parlay this into a promotion.

#2 LHP Kody Funderburk - St. Paul Saints - 8 G, 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 12.0 IP, 16 K, 4 BB
Last season, Funderburk spent significant time starting for Wichita, but eventually transitioned into a relief role. He began there again in 2023, but quickly earned his promotion to Triple-A. Funderburk has been great for the Saints, and he hasn’t allowed a home run all year in just shy of 50 innings. Not currently on the 40-man roster, there could be opportunity for Funderburk to work his way into the Twins plans still this season.

#1 RHP Alex Scherff - Wichita Wind Surge - 9 G, 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 15 K, 7 BB
Acquired by the Twins from the Boston Red Sox back in 2021 when they traded Hansel Robles, Scherff has continued to progress through the system. He threw just 27 innings last year at Double-A Wichita, and they did not go well. Repeating the level this season, he’s seen significantly more success. Across 42 2/3 innings, Scherff has put up a 2.74 ERA for the Wind Surge and has been among their most trusted relievers.

A few weeks ago, Scherff made a brief two-game cameo for the St. Paul Saints, but he is still working toward a full-time promotion. His 11.2 K/9 this year at Wichita will certainly play, but he needs to hone in command as he is currently walking more than five batters per nine innings. Home runs have been somewhat of an issue for him in the past, but he has allowed just two this season at Double-A.

Again, with the Twins needing to focus on future depth for their bullpen, the emergence of someone like Scherff can help to round out the group from the bottom up. He has a few areas of development yet to work on, but months like his July will set him up for future success.

We want to congratulate Wind Surge reliever Alex Scherff, Twins Daily’s choice for Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month for July 2023. Feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions.

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[Dman]

Have to say I am surprised that Scherff has been that good.  Always seems to put men on when I am watching him. That walk rate will never fly at the MLB level so hopefully he can figure that out but it was a great month for Alex.

I really like what Funderburk has done the last two years.  Time to give the guy a shot he has earned it.  He isn't getting any younger and can't pitch much better.  He either has it or won't have it at the MLB level.  Might as well find out since we have a crappy pen anyway.

[twinstalker]

Thank you.  Obviously, we can do the research, but what would be really nice for these monthlies would be having the age, perhaps July 1 age, as part of the info.  Regardless, thanks, always a fun read, and a hat tip to the work that goes into it.