Twins Video
In big league camp, Bailey Ober threw 10 innings and allowed just three earned runs with a 9/3 K/BB. With a rotation boasting arms such as Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, and Tyler Mahle, it was determined there was not room for him. As much as Rocco Baldelli has been consistent in wanting a long reliever, keeping Ober stretched out is a must.
Rather than using the starter that threw 56 innings for the Twins last year in a Cole Sands type of role, the front office decided he would be the next man up from St. Paul. And then he wasn’t.
Needing an arm against the New York Yankees in mid-April, Ober had just finished a dominant outing against Indianapolis. As good as that turn was, it was also enough to rule him out for an immediate promotion. Louie Varland was chosen instead, and Ober traveled back to St. Paul with the Saints.
Making his fourth start of the season, Ober is locked in more than he ever has been this year, and he’s looking to keep the momentum rolling. Coming off a six-inning performance where he allowed no runs on two hits and punched out six, the bar was high. Knowing the goal was a return across town though, his focus couldn’t have been better.
On Tuesday night, he reiterated that locating the offspeed stuff felt great. "Being able to fill up the zone and get weak contact on sliders and curveballs was good. Feel like the first two starts I was missing with those and getting behind."
When the dust settled on his evening, it was more of the same. Ober pitched five scoreless innings and punched out six batters. He needed just 72 pitches, and after Mark Contreras hit a 1st inning grand slam, things were on cruise control the entire way. Early on, Ober touched 94 mph while sitting in the low 90s. Although the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup isn’t loaded with Yankees prospects, this was an outing of big-league dominance.
It’s not lost on Ober that Minnesota currently has a full stable, but he can’t control when an opportunity arises. Looking to continue putting himself in the best position to succeed, nights like tonight are another strong representation of that. Talking about the end of spring training and how he started the year, Ober noted that, mentally, it probably had an impact. "More on the mental side compared to the physical aspect. I put that behind me and move on. That's really the only thing I can do. Obviously they made a decision of what they thought was going to be the best and so far it's been pretty good for them so I can't blame them on that part. Now go out there and dominate every game."
Ultimately, Ober wants to be able to display a level of availability and stuff that plays. He followed up a strong rookie year with a 3.21 ERA last season, and it would be foolish to suggest that he belongs down on the farm. Continuing to pitch like this, and work with such a strong mindset, he’ll be an asset the next time Minnesota calls on him, and for years to come.
Saints fans can continue trying to catch Ober's starts at CHS Field, but getting out sooner rather than later may be a good idea.
Twins Notes:
Jorge Polanco played all nine innings for the Saints tonight. The plan is for him to play another nine innings tomorrow and then evaluate from there. He was uncertain of any plans for him to fly to Boston on Thursday, but the Twins return home on Friday. He mentioned that he feels good and is moving well. There have been no setbacks since spring training and he is building up well. He went 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts on Tuesday, but is continuing to get at-bats to get ready for a big-league return.
Alex Kirilloff did not speak with reporters but hard multiple hard hit balls, a pair of singles, and looked good on a couple of plays in the field.
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now