3 Reasons to Believe in Simeon Woods Richardson

[Trov]

What is funny about SWR is if we posted just his July on numbers people would be super high on him.  I get that we need to include his full season, but after June, he was 7-1 with 66 innings pitched, and ERA around 3.00 WHIP about 1.200, strike outs not amazing, but was clearly doing much better overall.  Yes, his first half was terrible, but hopefully for him he can build off that second half.  He was also 5 years younger than average player in AAA too. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

I look forward to him facing Marcus Semien for the first time

[JD-TWINS]

On 2/6/2024 at 10:48 AM, olerud said:

Unless his velo improves he'll hope to be fringe starter at best!

Sounds like he at least matches up to Ober in Mph - right?

Ober is very effective with 3 pitches, principally. SWR supposedly has 4-5 pitches.

Seems his command is what will make or break him. Facing essentially all guys older than him leaves me with some optimism that he can continue to refine and be better.

[Brandon]

On 2/6/2024 at 10:19 PM, Boswell said:

Does SWR hold the record for longest name on a Twins jersey?

I count Mientkiewicz at 12 and Woods-Richardson at 16 (or 15 letters).  

Any others in the ballpark?  :)

”The Minnesota Twins - Get to Know ‘Em”

Encarnacion-Strand I think he does 

[Brandon]

Woods-Richardson = Stroman.  That’s all.

[Doctor Wu]

On 2/7/2024 at 12:34 AM, Fatbat said:

I still think Preillip has a shot at being elite., CSoto right with him.  Raya might have a shot at being a #1 very soon.

Man, at this point, I'm just itching to see Prielipp pitch an actual game!

[Doctor Wu]

Very good article. I'm certainly not giving up on SWR yet. If he and Martin can produce for us this in the next year or two, we may end up liking that Berrios trade after all. As for SWR going into this year, hopefully he starts the year in St. Paul and can find his groove and confidence, all while developing his pitch repertoire. I think he will eventually be a productive member of our starting rotation, but I hesitate to put a timeline on it. 

[TNTwinsFan]

I don't have a lot of confidence in SWR and I believe there is a bit of hopium surrounding his potential. I'm concerned with his velo and secondary stuff. Back of rotation starter is where I'd bet he ends up. I'd be delighted to eat crow, though.

[Boswell]

On 2/8/2024 at 11:54 PM, Brandon said:

Encarnacion-Strand I think he does 

Yeah, if you count Twins’ minor leaguers…

E-S could have the MLB record via the Reds..

[jorgenswest]

Encouraging inning from Woods-Richardson against the top of the Yankee line up. It was encouraging because he starts spring with a velocity that is up from last year ranging 92.2 to 94.5. He also had good differential between fastball and change up. He threw strikes. Nice work against LeMahieu, Soto and Torres.

His strength is shown by the stuff+ but he needs to pair that with velocity better than the 89-90 he showed too often in games last year and he needs to be in the strike zone.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

21 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Encouraging inning from Woods-Richardson against the top of the Yankee line up. It was encouraging because he starts spring with a velocity that is up from last year ranging 92.2 to 94.5. He also had good differential between fastball and change up. He threw strikes. Nice work against LeMahieu, Soto and Torres.

His strength is shown by the stuff+ but he needs to pair that with velocity better than the 89-90 he showed too often in games last year and he needs to be in the strike zone.

He is an effective Major leaguer if his velocity on the fastball is between 93 and 94.5.  I do question if he loses much deceptiveness with the different arm slot or not.  I don't think it will. I think the increased velocity, with his pitch mix will pay dividends.  

[jorgenswest]

3 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

He is an effective Major leaguer if his velocity on the fastball is between 93 and 94.5.  I do question if he loses much deceptiveness with the different arm slot or not.  I don't think it will. I think the increased velocity, with his pitch mix will pay dividends.  

There is little data to pay attention to in spring. Traditional stats are worthless. Velocity has some meaning though.

[stringer bell]

Another scoreless outing for SWR today, although he issued two walks in two innings. I don’t know what the velo numbers were today, but just like Mulder “I want to believe”. 
 

Edit to add: On X I found SWR was at 94.5 mph. Good signs!

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Another scoreless outing for SWR today, although he issued two walks in two innings. I don’t know what the velo numbers were today, but just like Mulder “I want to believe”. 
 

Edit to add: On X I found SWR was at 94.5 mph. Good signs!

On gameday his max was 94.8. In his first walk to Arozarena he missed twice up and in after getting to two strikes. Probably a good place to pitch him. On his second walk his full count ball four was a strike in the game day zone. It was at the top of the zone on the inside third but it was called a ball by the umpire. The umpire called two strikes on Julien similarly up and in the previous half inning. I am not one to trust the robozone over umpires but his second walk could just as easily ended in a called strike three. Looking at all of his pitches he did a good job of commanding the edges of the strike zone. Another encouraging outing. I also appreciate that he has started both of his games and is facing guys like Soto and Arozarena.