“Phenomenal”: Simeon Woods Richardson’s Upgraded Pitch Mix Has Saved the Twins’ Rotation

Very good article and analysis. I had been wondering why Woods-Richardson has been so much more effective this season with the Twins. Reading about the adjustments he made in this article does a lot to explain his success. Let's all hope this this is a sustained success and he can become a vital cog in the rotation. 

The Dr has it right.  He is even more effective with the Twins than with the Saints this year!  As a typical Twin's fan, I am worried the "wheels will fall off......"

Agree on the analysis of SWR and his improvement. He is still pretty young and this team needs starters to emerge. Since they don't have a number one starter they have to depend on depth in the rotation, especially since they let Sonny Gray walk.

I would say the starting rotation has been about what I expected overall. Lopez, Varland and Ober worse than expected. Ryan, Paddack, SWR, and overall starters health better than expected. 

Saving the rotation is a bit strong, but there's no doubt he's pitched well since he's been back up here. We'll see if that continues...I hope so. 

It's nice to finally reap the rewards of the Berrios trade

13 minutes ago, CRF said:

Saving the rotation is a bit strong, but there's no doubt he's pitched well since he's been back up here. We'll see if that continues...I hope so. 

Yeah, I think the idea that he has "saved" the rotation is a bit much, but at least he has made very positive contributions to the rotation since he was called up. We all hope it continues. Having him become a force in the rotation would be fun. 

I think people forget SWR ended last season doing well in AAA.  His first half was terrible, mostly from his BABIP allowed was very high.  His walk rate was about the same his strike out rate was about the same, but he gave up many less hits.  I am not discounting his change in pitching, but the article starts out saying his 2023 campaign ended on low note, but really it started on low note and ended not too bad.  The second half he put up ERA of around slightly over 3.00, a whip around 1.2. 

Please stop acting like he was a train wreck all year.  If you take away his first half numbers he would have still been considered a top prospect and people would not be shocked at what he is doing.   

Yay for coaches that we are so typically complaining about!

Good article that shows the Twins coaching staff knows a little bit about baseball.

Woods Richardson has been fantastic, as good as almost any free agent pitcher they could have signed. If he keeps producing like this he's going to get votes for Rookie of the Year.

Hopefully he can adjust along with the rest of the league and have continued success. I think the Twins need another quality starter with control for our rotation, and a high leverage lefty to replace Theilbar. If we can get that at the deadline we might make September interesting:)

1 hour ago, miracleb said:

The Dr has it right.  He is even more effective with the Twins than with the Saints this year!  As a typical Twin's fan, I am worried the "wheels will fall off......"

As long as the velocity stays up,  which it is actually increasing,  he will continue to have good success.  He was billed as a potential top of the rotation pitcher (a #1 or #2),  that was if his velocity increased due to excellent command and very good secondary pitches.  I think he has focused a ton on control and quality of the secondary's with the decreased velocity, so now with nearly 3-4 more mph,  everything is coming so much easier.   I have a lot of confidence he will be able to maintain and be solid 2-4 pitcher for the Twins.  

The 1st thing I notice about a player is character. SWR interview with Seth, I was impressed with SWR's character after listening to him. Driven to become the best, character that gets a player past any drawbacks. Many fans have been down on Lewis, Martin & SWR during their MiLB stints crying out to trade them. But I haven't lost faith in them because of their character. 

Many are still are waiting SWR to fall any day. But he's constantly improving his pitches released from that arm slot so it's hard to really get a good read. Along with his command of his pitches, I don't expect any regression anytime soon. Even though he doesn't have that wipeout pitch.

Regression to the mean can be very good if a higher mean is attainable. It appears that SWR is attaining one, and I'm optimistic that the mean hasn't fallen (yet) for anyone else in the rotation.

Or it's an amazing coincidence. Lots of folks here tell me that the Twins are not good with player development.

1 hour ago, MABB1959 said:

Yay for coaches that we are so typically complaining about!

Please don't lump me in with that complaining which I don't enjoy. This front office modernized the whole system and is leaps and bounds better at player development than the previous regime. Especially pitching, the pitching development is night and day better.

You can see how the 3/4 arm angle delays the upper body rotation and puts more lag (whip) into his arm, just like lag in a golf swing.

I still don't know quite how to interpret those pitch location charts, especially the vertical movement. Looks like the Fastball is at the top of the chart. Does that mean it doesn't move down? What does  it mean when the chart shows the fastball at a +15 location vertically??

3 hours ago, wabene said:

Please don't lump me in with that complaining which I don't enjoy. This front office modernized the whole system and is leaps and bounds better at player development than the previous regime. Especially pitching, the pitching development is night and day better.

Wasn't thinking of you or anyone when I wrote this but I think or it seems that there are always posts calling for heads of hitting and pitching coaches.  Must have been dreaming

SWR is showing a lot of confidence on the mound and seems to have a plan.When you watch Varland he looks like the ball is too hot to hold on to.He is throwing not pitching,needs slow down and relax.

Woods defiantly saved our rotation!!! He’s only going to get better and will be future part of rotation!!!