B.J. Hermsen

[Seanmiz]

Brett Joseph Hermsen

Currently playing at: AA New Britain
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 6th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Born: December 1, 1989 in Masonville, Iowa (Age 22)
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 235 lb.


Career Stats (Rk-A+):
3.20 ERA
337.2 Innings Pitched
240 Strikeouts
337 Hits
65 Walks
20 Homeruns
1.191 WHIP
3.69 SO/BB

2012 Stats (A+) as of 04/25/12:
0.78 ERA
23 Innings Pitched
12 Strikeouts
16 Hits
5 Walks
1 Homerun
0.913 WHIP
2.40 SO/BB

2012 pre-season prospect analysis by Aaron Gleeman (http://tinyurl.com/6wtfx8x)

"When the Twins picked B.J. Hermsen out of an Iowa high school in the sixth round of the 2008 draft and gave him second-round money in the form of a $650,000 signing bonus he was touted as a power arm, but somewhere along the way he lost the ability to light up radar guns and miss bats. Hermsen stands 6-foot-6, so he certainly looks the part, but his fastball is regularly clocked in the high-80s and he's managed just 228 strikeouts in 315 pro innings.That includes just 101 strikeouts in 151 innings between low Single-A and high Single-A last season, although the lack of whiffs didn't keep Hermsen from pitching well with a 3.33 ERA in 25 total starts. His success came from throwing strikes and limiting homers, as Hermsen allowed 11 long balls in 645 plate appearances and issued 2.2 walks per nine innings, but opponents also hit .278 off him.
Hermsen is still just 22 years old, so there might be time to rediscover the lost velocity, but it hasn't happened three years into his pro career and unless that changes--or he figures out a way to induce more ground balls to compensate--it's tough to project him as more than a potential mid-rotation starter. This season should provide a good test for whether Hermsen's now-mediocre raw stuff will get the job done against tougher competition."

2012 season (as of 04/24/12) by Seth Soths (http://tinyurl.com/6ocankr)

"Everyone wants to point out that he doesn't throw real hard, but what he does do is get hitters out with a good mix of pitches and a poise on the mound. Hersen has made three starts and is yet to get a decision despite tremendous numbers. He is 0-0 with a 0.50 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. In 18 innings, had has given up just nine hits, walked just four and struck out ten. "

[Seth Stohs]

Hermsen to be promoted to AA New Britain following today's game. Expected to start on Monday night for Rock Cats.

[gunnarthor]

Hermsen to be promoted to AA New Britain following today's game. Expected to start on Monday night for Rock Cats.

Well, good for him. He's still pretty young. Here's hoping this turns out well.

[greengoblinrulz]

You can either throw hard & not get guys out (Dakota Watts/Bruce Pugh types) or not throw hard but get guys out like BJ.

[shs_59]

Hermsen to be promoted to AA New Britain following today's game. Expected to start on Monday night for Rock Cats.

Whoooo woooooo hoooooooooooooooooooo

 

I'm glad for him, just saw you're post seth, WOW. I must say a bit shocked. ALL That time in the Midwest Lg. very NILL time at FSL. Almost like Twins (similar to Parmelee) skipped a level. w/ BJ. Now i know pitchers should be handled differently. But I'm sure they (the Twins) KNOW he's ready. And personally i like the move, its aggressive but i think B.J. can more than handle himself there now.

[shs_59]

Bump^^ anybody know of anyone going to Monday Nights Rock Cats game?

[Seanmiz]

Hermsen didn't end up starting on 04/30/12. He has been awarded pitcher of the month by Seth Stohs though! (http://tinyurl.com/d2fv7gz)

 

Ft. Myers – BJ Hermsen - 4 GS, 1-0, 0.78 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 23 IP, 16 H, 5 BB, 12 K

Hermsen had a terrific 2011 season for the Twins organization. He spent most of the year in Beloit where he went 11-7 with a 3.10 ERA. He was promoted to Ft. Myers and made five starts. He made four starts in April for the Miracle before being promoted to AA New Britain where he is expected to make his first start for the Rock Cats tonight. Hermsen is not a pitcher who misses bats, so he relies on a strong mix of pitches. Despite a 6-6 frame, he doesn’t overpower hitters, and yet, when you look at the numbers, he gets results. Double-A may be a challenge for him, but he has earned this opportunity. A 6^th round pick in the 2008 draft, the Twins will have to decide after the season whether to put him on the 40 man roster or not. We will see what happens going forward, but for April 2012, he was the Twins top minor league starting pitcher.

[Seanmiz]

Instead Hermsen pitched tonight! (05/01/2012)

 

Here is his stat line:

[TABLE=class: pitching_data, width: 549]

[TR=class: hed]

[TD=class: player_name, bgcolor: #999999]Player[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]IP[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]H[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]R[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]ER[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]BB[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]SO[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]HR[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]ERA[/TD]

[/TR]

[TD=class: player_name]B.J. Hermsen[/TD]

[TD=align: center]7.0[/TD]

[TD=align: center]4[/TD]

[TD=align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=align: center]5[/TD]

[TD=align: center]0[/TD]

[TD=align: center]1.29[/TD]

[/TABLE]

 

Pitches-89

Strikes-69 Balls-20

Groundouts-5 Flyouts-6

Fantastic outing for his first AA level start!

The game ended up tied at 1 run until the 12th inning, when the Rock Cats exploded with 5 runs to win it 6-1!

[Twins Fan From Afar]

I might try to catch his next start in New Britain.

He was great tonight!

[Seanmiz]

Another solid start for Hermsen in his second AA level game.

 

[TABLE=class: cms_table_pitching_data, width: 549]

[TR=class: cms_table_hed]

[TD=class: cms_table_player_name, bgcolor: #999999]Player[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]IP[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]H[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]R[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]ER[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]BB[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]SO[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]HR[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #999999, align: center]ERA[/TD]

[/TR]

[TD=class: cms_table_player_name]B.J. Hermsen[/TD]

[TD=align: center]6.1[/TD]

[TD=align: center]5[/TD]

[TD=align: center]3[/TD]

[TD=align: center]3[/TD]

[TD=align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=align: center]5[/TD]

[TD=align: center]1[/TD]

[TD=align: center]2.70[/TD]

[/TABLE]

[greengoblinrulz]

Just gets guys out. Had a very underrated year @ Beloit, leading the lg in IP before his FSL promotion. Basically skipping High A, the team must think highly of him. Wouldnt take much to be the number 1 rated pitching prospect int his organization (of healthy guys).

[greengoblinrulz]

Another solid start for BJ today......7IP 10h 3er 3k ND......35IP in 5 starts, very nice. He is showing he can be an innings eater despite his lack of velocity.

Anyone think he will get a solid AAA shot this year or not??

[jorgenswest]

Our minor league pitcher of the month.

 

Anyone else discouraged by his very low 4.8 k/9 rate? It was a low 6.0 last year in a-ball.

 

It is very unlikely that a pitcher will be successful in the majors with those k rates. Nick Blackburn has seen limited success with similar rates in minors.

[greengoblinrulz]

Another great outing for BJ today

7IP 5h 0r 5k 1bb 85pitches

 

Gardy basically announced Hendriks will be called up to start Sat on his radio show.......does this mean BJ goes to ROC. 2 promotions in one year is VERY unTwins-like but if he earns it, he earns it.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Another great outing for BJ today

7IP 5h 0r 5k 1bb 85pitches

 

Gardy basically announced Hendriks will be called up to start Sat on his radio show.......does this mean BJ goes to ROC. 2 promotions in one year is VERY unTwins-like but if he earns it, he earns it.

I was wondering about that myself, and I do think he has earned it, but my guess is they promote Hirschfeld, who has also pitched very well in AA and already was used for a spot start in Rochester last week.

[Seanmiz]

Great 7 innings of shutout ball today!

[Seth Stohs]

probably just depends on if they DFA Gray or Option Manship. If Manship goes back to Rochester, he'd start and they probably woudln't need someone.

[gunnarthor]

Our minor league pitcher of the month.

 

Anyone else discouraged by his very low 4.8 k/9 rate? It was a low 6.0 last year in a-ball.

 

It is very unlikely that a pitcher will be successful in the majors with those k rates. Nick Blackburn has seen limited success with similar rates in minors.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing and I don't think his groundball rate is elite, either. He's still young so maybe he adds something. Maybe he ends up as a bullpen arm. But, regardless, it's nice to see him having success. Maybe the Twins will start grabbing more upside HS arms.

[PMKI]

What's his upside?

[greengoblinrulz]

What's his upside?

To me its higher than Blackburn as Hermsen is havin an outstanding yr @ 22 after a very solid one @ 21. Blackburn never really had an outstanding minor league yr till 25.

Best case....Mark Buerhle type. Eats innings, low K rate.

 

Agree that it depends on Manship/Gray & that Hirshfield is probably the guy IF someone is promoted, but he has really entered the discussion

[greengoblinrulz]

I have come to hope that BJ equals out to a Tommy Milone of OAK. He's got a 3.68ERA w/average fastball of 87.8 (per fangraphs)

BJ is only 22 & gonna be added to 40 man this winter (or lost IMO). Milone dominated High A at age 22, AA @ 23, AAA @ 24 before his MLB debut/dealt to A's. He did have a K/9 of 6 in A/AA but they can be comparable as Hermsens K rate in FTM was 5.8 & he's a younger pitcher in AA than Milone was.

BJ finished his 5 July starts with 4W 1L 2.30ERA w/ 31.1IP 29h .236BAA 21k (impoving) 9bb

[DPJ]

I just see no way BJ can succeed with that Blackburn-esqe K-rate and lack of groundballs.

[greengoblinrulz]

The guy is only 22 & having very good success. There are soft tossing guys in the majors who have success (I like Tommy Milone as a guy to compare)....if he wasnt having this type of success at an early age (22), Id be more pesimistic

[DPJ]

The guy is only 22 & having very good success. There are soft tossing guys in the majors who have success (I like Tommy Milone as a guy to compare)....if he wasnt having this type of success at an early age (22), Id be more pesimistic

Milone averaged 8 K/9 in the minors and is at a respectable 6.5 in the majors. Hermsen is 4.9 K/9 at AA and will only get worse if he gets to the majors.

[greengoblinrulz]

The 22 yr old Hermsen & his 84/85mph fastball matched up SUN against last yrs #1 overall pick, 21 yr old Gerritt Cole & his 96/97mph fastball.

BJ 6IP 4h 3er 1bb 0k

Cole 4.2 IP 3h 2er 2bb 5k.....rock cats scored 5 in bottom of 5th

 

Hermsen left with a 6-3 lead

[wdhawks3]

DPJ-Who cares about his K rate? He is 10-5 this year. He wins. Gets ground balls and can pitch. 12 ground outs to 3 fly outs in his last outing. His velocity has come back up. He has been at the 89-91 range lately. If you are really a Twins fan, you would be excited about having a 22 year old kid on the mound who knows how to win. He is a pitcher in every sense of the word. If you want a thrower, go find one. I see 95 mph fastballs leave the park every night. Give me a proven winner anyday.

[drjim]

DPJ-Who cares about his K rate? He is 10-5 this year. He wins. Gets ground balls and can pitch. 12 ground outs to 3 fly outs in his last outing. His velocity has come back up. He has been at the 89-91 range lately. If you are really a Twins fan, you would be excited about having a 22 year old kid on the mound who knows how to win. He is a pitcher in every sense of the word. If you want a thrower, go find one. I see 95 mph fastballs leave the park every night. Give me a proven winner anyday.

Troll?

[rickyhawaii]

If Hermsen knows how to win let him quarterback the Vikings

[Celebrity Weddings!]

I'm surprised at his GB% this season. When I saw him last week, Bowie had an impossible time elevating the ball against him. At the very least, it seems like a skill that's well in progress. He also sat 89-91 all game, so the reports of a well below average fastball seem a big exaggerated.

[DPJ]

DPJ-Who cares about his K rate? He is 10-5 this year. He wins. Gets ground balls and can pitch. 12 ground outs to 3 fly outs in his last outing. His velocity has come back up. He has been at the 89-91 range lately. If you are really a Twins fan, you would be excited about having a 22 year old kid on the mound who knows how to win. He is a pitcher in every sense of the word. If you want a thrower, go find one. I see 95 mph fastballs leave the park every night. Give me a proven winner anyday.

Hmmm...I don't really know what to do with this?