Searching for Answers on Trevor Hildenberger

At this point, there are no roster moves that are going to fix the Twins. They can play with the bullpen and a few odds and ends as they wish, but no roster move is going offer a real solution at this point. No prospects of significance are going to be called up until June 1, you know that.

I don't know if anyone else has heard anything new on Ervin Santana. That could be a boost, but regression seems inevitable after an unsustainably hot 2017. 

The only real solution to the Twins' problems right now is for guys to step up. The bullpen is full of sever guys who have shown they can do it. Guys will start heating up. The rotation will improve. The offense will click at some point, there is too much talent there for it not to. 

Patience, my friends. Better days are coming. It has been a difficult April with weather, postponements, trips to San Juan, guys who had short spring trainings, etc. The rest of the season won't be like this. This is not 2016. 

You look at his strike and ball chart, and the strikes are getting the fat part of the plate, and the balls are not close.

Most relievers, or at least good pitchers, they only touch the strike zone on the edges.

That's where you need to be as a pitcher, especially in Hildenberger's case.

So, lack of command.  Erratic.  Whatever.

He's getting touched up because he's lost his touch.

Twins have certainly lost their touch as a unit.

I think they should send him down to work it out in AAA, he is obviously out of whack.  They are running through relievers quick after we thought Reed/ Duke/ Rodney would really shore things up and allow the kids to compete.

Trevor May cannot get healthy soon enough.  I haven't checked out minors stats hopefully Melotakis/ Jay/ Reed/ ect are doing well.

Chagois has 8 innings logged with LA with, 10/3 k/bb only 2 runs allowed.....

Why the F**&^ did Falvine let him go I just don't understand that move at all.

2 out of 3 are doing ok.  Jay is back from groin issues.  Reed is out likely for a while with shoulder impingement syndrome...

 

Matt Magill is doing better and likely the next reliever up

Magill is having a career year at AAA. Did the Padres fix something or is it a case of smart enough to get AAA batters out, not good enough for MLB

I don't think there is much to explain or try to figure out. A certain amount of his initial success was due to his funky delivery. Big league hitters are very good, and adjust quickly. I don't think it is a coincidence that last year players that faced Hildenberger more than once had a .800 OPS, while those who have faced him only once had a .413 OPS. Also, his velocity is down about 1 MPH from last year.

I agree. Gimmicky pitchers generally get figured out. Hildy might be that kind of casualty

He has given up 5 runs in 10 innings. And only 10 hits and 4 walks. The 3 HRs are alarming but its not like he's getting crushed. Seems like either his control is off a little or the decrease in velo or both are contributing to the worse numbers. I think he just needs more time and he'll be fine. I think the cold, postponments, and just a good old fashion few too many mistake pitches are the bigger problem.

Right now, who would they bring up that is better suited for whatever his role is in the bullpen. By the way, what is his role...to come in, worth men on base, and end the inning. Not working. Pitch mix/match? Is the film on him working for the other team? Is his velocity down? Better to work on it in the minors, in many ways. But if you choose between him or, say, Busenitz or Curtiss, who do you pick?

The Twins are actually one plus in the relief corps now...but only if they felt the need for a stronger bench.

Buxton coming back will show movement of a bullpen arm, perhaps.