Can Cody Stashak Take the Next Step?

Nice cheap reliever... as stated an addition of a cutter may be good for him... 

Stashak is fun to watch because he throws strikes and keeps hitters off balance just enough. Right now I would say he is our third most reliable/best relief pitcher.

Stashak is an interesting bullpen option. I'd say his viability as a higher-leverage guy depends on his ability to not give up hits at this point. He can get Ks, he doesn't give up too many BBs, he keeps the ball in the park at a very reasonable ratio. If he can keep the H/9 down around the levels he did in the minors (and did in 2020) then he's going to be a guy you can count on, not just to come in and get you through the 6th inning, but to come in and get you out of a jam too with runners on base.

I'll be watching to see where his WHIP goes this season, especially his h/9. If he's giving up better than a hit per inning, then he's a middle reliever who comes in to get you an inning or so, best served coming in at the start of an inning with a clean sheet. You worry less about relievers giving up more on the BB side than giving up hits as part of WHIP when they also have high K rates because they're keeping the ball out of play when runners are on base. But if you're a guy that gives up too many cheap singles consistently...then the value in higher leverage situations declines.

Stashak's ability to get Ks, keep the ball in the park and not hand out too many walks gives him real value as a reliever. His ability to ascend in the bullpen rankings will depend on how well he keeps guys from getting hits. He's useful regardless, but how much versatility he can give will be interesting to watch.

I definitely think he should be a contender to pick up some of those innings from May & Romo.

Stashak is an interesting bullpen option. I'd say his viability as a higher-leverage guy depends on his ability to not give up hits at this point. He can get Ks, he doesn't give up too many BBs, he keeps the ball in the park at a very reasonable ratio. If he can keep the H/9 down around the levels he did in the minors (and did in 2020) then he's going to be a guy you can count on, not just to come in and get you through the 6th inning, but to come in and get you out of a jam too with runners on base.

 

I'll be watching to see where his WHIP goes this season, especially his h/9. If he's giving up better than a hit per inning, then he's a middle reliever who comes in to get you an inning or so, best served coming in at the start of an inning with a clean sheet. You worry less about relievers giving up more on the BB side than giving up hits as part of WHIP when they also have high K rates because they're keeping the ball out of play when runners are on base. But if you're a guy that gives up too many cheap singles consistently...then the value in higher leverage situations declines.

 

Stashak's ability to get Ks, keep the ball in the park and not hand out too many walks gives him real value as a reliever. His ability to ascend in the bullpen rankings will depend on how well he keeps guys from getting hits. He's useful regardless, but how much versatility he can give will be interesting to watch.

 

I definitely think he should be a contender to pick up some of those innings from May & Romo.

I totally agree JLease. 

K's are great, but if he comes in and gives up hits in key situations, that does the Twins no good. 

I believe Stashak will be given opportunities in higher leverage situations early in the season and how he performs during those opportunities will determine how many more he gets.

Interesting, Cody writing about Cody!

Regarding the pitcher, I look for him to be a solid part of the Twins bullpen over the coming years. With that said, I still want one more experienced, dominant arm in 2021.

He's 27 with 40 ML innings. Playoff teams shouldn't rely on him to make the difference. He could be an average bullpen arm. He might have a Matt Gurrier type career - less innings, obviously, but better k-rate. Solid set-up guy is probably his ceiling but it's probably closer to low-leverage bullpen arm.

So because he didn't get a chance early enough in his career, you want to write-off his upside? He doesn't have the 98mph fastball, so ignore his results and bury him.

What a waste.

(also, Guerrier had an 11 year MLB career.)