Is Jorge Alcala A Potentially Big Part Of The 2024 Pen?

[DocBauer]

I've been fairly vocal that while adding another quality rotation arm seems to be an obvious priority for obvious reasons that we all know and understand, finding ONE MORE quality arm for the back end of the pen can change the entire dynamic of the bullpen. I'm pretty optimistic about the base of Duran, Jax, Stewart, Thielbar, and Funderburk. (Unfortunately, the talented Moran is out for the season and is a non factor). And there's questions after that, but a number of arms with some talent that were mostly high ranked prospects at some point that include names like Winder, Sands, Balazovic, Sands, and we might even include Headrick and the non rostered Henriquez as possibilities as well. And Canterino might be an option at some point, but he's not ready to begin the season unless something crazy good happens in ST. And while Varland MIGHT end up as part of the pen equation, I can't include him initially as he's probably going to at least begin the year as a rotation possibility, for depth if nothing else.

Via trade, a FA value signed late who might be coming off a poor or injured season, or a veteran arm signed on a milb deal similar to Stewart, or past signings like Wisler, even Thielbar, and others, imagine how great the pen looks like with another strong 7th/8th inning kind of arm to make it 6 deep. NOW, you're only looking for a couple guys to fill the role of middle innings performance. That's where all of the "other" arms, and a couple cheap signings, come in to play.

But with SP, very possibly a CF depth option, being perhaps the top priorities, even talk of adding a RH bat if it can be fit in, what if the Twins might already have that ONE ARM on the 40 man already in Jorge Alcala?

His only full MLB season was 2021. It wasn't great, but it was solid. He had a 3.92 ERA in 59.2 IP. He had a really nice WHIP of .972 and had a K % of 9.2. What was encouraging was that he finished strong and looked like a potentially strong possibility for 2022. Unfortunately, he's been basically an injured non factor since. Late in 2023 he was excellent in a brief 7.2 IP for St Paul as part of his rehab return. He was reportedly throwing in the high 90's again on his rehab journey.

While it's still a SSS, and winter ball...not exactly ML quality level...he's looking OUTSTANDING so far pitching in the Dominican League. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 7 games. He's got 4 saves and an insane .286 WHIP with 11 K's. 

We've seen the beginnings of a viable and potentially valuable BP option in 2021. Coming in to 2024, he's been a mess of injury the past 2yrs and is pushing 28yo next season. Actually sounds a little like the career of the slightly older Stewart. But he was once considered a very good prospect who transitioned to the pen and showed flashes in 2021. Is he 100% healthy, throwing as hard as ever, and ready to step forward and fill that 6th spot in the pen that's needed to move the bullpen from good to potentially great?

I keep thinking he's a forgotten man on the roster who might be ready to surprise. Am i wrong?

[Cory Engelhardt]

If he is healthy, he certainly will have a chance. Would love to see that as his stuff always was exciting, if erratic. Does he have options left?

[Doctor Wu]

I think Alcala could indeed be a valuable piece in the bullpen this coming season. He seems to be healthy again, and as you noted in your post, he's putting up impressive numbers in Dominican league. I think that makes for good vibrations!

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

If he is healthy, he certainly will have a chance. Would love to see that as his stuff always was exciting, if erratic. Does he have options left?

FanGraphs shows Alcalá with three options remaining. 

[4twinsJA]

Looking for Alcala to take a step up this year. Agree Twins may add cheap reliever and definitely some depth at St. Paul. Seems to be FO philosophy to sign quantity of depth of castoffs at AAA and hope 1 or 2 to be able to contribute at MLB level. 

[Craig Arko]

Potentially, of course. Actually, don’t know.

[DJL44]

I hope so. His health has been holding him back. Hard to develop when you can't pitch.

[Danchat]

It's hard to rely on him based off his health, but they should certainly keep working on developing him. They have the flexibility to send him to AAA if need be to work on his stuff. Just don't write his name in pen on the 26 man roster.

[2wins87]

I'm optimistic about Alcala this year.  He's always had a good FB slider combo, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise if he can become one of the top 4-5 relievers this year.  I am also encouraged by his LIDOM performance. It's true that it isn't the majors but there are a lot of marginal or former major leaguers.  I'd say it's solidly AAA level and certainly the highest level of the foreign winter leagues.

Expectations on him did get really low though with a lot of people assuming he'd be dropped for a 40 man spot early in the offseason.

On the whole, the bullpen could still use some help.  I think Alcala makes the opening day roster and probably sticks as long as he's healthy.  Even then, it seems that Winder and Sands are also penciled in for now, and Funderburk isn't completely proven yet either.

I don't expect them to spend any kind of significant money on the bullpen though.  They will try to address it with a couple of intriguing arms to try to find their next Brock Stewart.