CHW 8, MIN 5: At Least That’s out of the Way

Unless you are a rookie pitcher facing the Twins your first time out, (sarcasm alert: but doesn't it sort of feel that way at times over the years?), you probably won't rock in your initial start. And despite being a fan and believer in Gonsalves, I have stated that I felt he would have a rough couple of starts in his ML career before settling down. Not only is it a big move, but jts been his MO, somewhat, to move up and then adapt and settle in after a few starts. I hoped for the best but expected nothing less tonight. Like the article says, at least this is over, now, let's get on to chapter 2.

Gonsalves could easily be part of our future. Time to march him out again in 5 days.

After two more starts we will have a good idea what kind of pitcher Gonsalves is.  Of course I was hoping for more after shouting for him for two months.  And I still have expectations of much more from him and want more young players called up. 

I was more dismayed by May's outing than Gonsalves'.......

My concern with Gonsalves as a prospect has always been his fastball command.  In the minors, if you have decent secondary stuff (and Gonsalves has a plus change) you can do ok, albeit run high pitch counts.  As we saw yesterday MLB teams adjust quickly and instead of swinging at fastballs out the zone, are siting on those change ups.

At some point the Twins have to start thinking of prospects as assets (esp. for trade situations) and should not expose them like that, but trade them instead.  They have needs on the top of the rotation and at the end of the bullpen.  Gonsalves could have gone a long way towards solving one of those needs, maybe packaged with Gordon and/or other top prospects.

There is no need to expose your players if you know their weaknesses...

My concern with Gonsalves as a prospect has always been his fastball command.  In the minors, if you have decent secondary stuff (and Gonsalves has a plus change) you can do ok, albeit run high pitch counts.  As we saw yesterday MLB teams adjust quickly and instead of swinging at fastballs out the zone, are siting on those change ups.

 

At some point the Twins have to start thinking of prospects as assets (esp. for trade situations) and should not expose them like that, but trade them instead.  They have needs on the top of the rotation and at the end of the bullpen.  Gonsalves could have gone a long way towards solving one of those needs, maybe packaged with Gordon and/or other top prospects.

 

There is no need to expose your players if you know their weaknesses...

Wouldn't other teams know those also? I mean, I get your overall point.....sometimes you should deal prospects for proven MLB players, and on that we agree....but I doubt Gonsavles' weaknesses are a surprise to anyone.

Wouldn't other teams know those also? I mean, I get your overall point.....sometimes you should deal prospects for proven MLB players, and on that we agree....but I doubt Gonsavles' weaknesses are a surprise to anyone.

Have you seen where he has been ranked in certain prospect lists?  Not all teams scouting players 20 times a season.  As soon as there is MLB film, game is over.

Have you seen where he has been ranked in certain prospect lists?  Not all teams scouting players 20 times a season

Mostly as a AAAA player from what I read, yes. If you know, and I know, then I'd guess teams know*

*know, think, believe, whatever......the point is that teams know waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than we do. Are they always right? Of course not, or there wouldn't be so many bad trades and draft picks, but they know way more than we do.

Last night is why we need to start Gonsalves every 5th day for the rest of the year. 

 

Now is the time to find out if Gonsalves can be in the rotation next year. Same for Romero. Frankly, not sure if Stewart or Littel deserve another shot considering how bad they've looked in their initial appearances

You do realize that Gonzalves looked worse than both Stewart and Littell, correct?

One game. Means nothing. I don't understand, if the season is now a throw away anyway, why you just don't let the man pitch some innings. The additional 4 runs the other relievers gave up were the losing runs. (Shutout pen and Twins win 5-4). Let the rookies pitch. Hell, they let Santana stink and keep pitching.......

It also may be good to bring them up earlier in the season, when they aren't at the end of the innings limit, or approaching it. Gonsalves, at this time, is an AAA to AAAA pitcher. The White Sox are, this year, an AAAA team. Nervous or not, I expected him to breathe and pitch better.