Simeon Woods Richardson Has a New Pitch and a Prayer

What a coincidence...I say a prayer every time he pitches. 

Twins sure need him to establish himself as a legit SP. With Martin looking like a part time player, the Berrios trade isn't looking all that great.

6 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Twins sure need him to establish himself as a legit SP. With Martin looking like a part time player, the Berrios trade isn't looking all that great.

Our return may not, but Jose had stated he wasn't signing an extension - so the trade brought back value instead of nothing.

Simmy is young, but he's mature for his age, emotionally & in baseball smarts. He is constantly adjusting to the game to his credit, IMO, much better than Zebby & Festa.

Still only 24.  He will get stronger.  He will get smarter with experience.  He's just a #4 or #5 level starter at this point, but with a little luck and a lot of effort developing that splitter perhaps he can slot in as a #3 in a year or two?  Gotta hope so...  Good story!

19 minutes ago, Patzky said:

I admit to not being expecting much from him this year. Amy gravy we can get is a bonus, especially with the other injuries.

 

However these last few games (The Houston one certainly!) has gone beyond gravy. Author says he's borrowing a page from Joe Ryan.. I'd like to think they all break bread over such things. 

Who's Amy Gravy? Is she a pitcher? I'd like to meet her.

well, every time people write SWR off, he seems to figure something out, make an adjustment, find some additional velocity, etc. So it would not surprise me if he dumps the change up and adapts a split to be a useful offspeed option. We sure do need it to work right now with Pablo & Zebby still on the mend.

That title cracked me up — but the write-up on Simmy’s splitter was even better. Hope it sticks.

I'd be happy if he could get through a batting order more than twice.

24 years old with five years of team control remaining, would be crazy to write off SWR. (not saying anyone has suggested it)

11 hours ago, BSLinPA said:

24 years old with five years of team control remaining, would be crazy to write off SWR. (not saying anyone has suggested it)

Please. every time he has a bad start you get people around here declaring that he's never going to be a quality MLB starter. Fortunately, Twins management is taking a longer view with him.

may turn into a quality # 5 ..at best.. but, a reliable # 5 is still valuable

He's looked much better lately. Hitting 96 on the radar gun, getting K's. I really think Rocco needs to take the leash off and let him go deeper into games. Last few starts he's been pulled after like 5 scoreless innings with only 50-60 something pitches thrown. He needs to be let loose if he's ever to improve and get better like we want him to. Destroying his confidence at what, 24 years old is awful management if you ask me....

#5, #4,#3. Who cares? Those numbers only mean anything in the post-season (IMHO). While I'm not high on SWR, it's nice to see him adjusting at this time. Baseball is a game of always adjusting throughout most player's careers. Pitchers must adjust from game to game, within a game and, sometimes, from season to season. Hitters too. A good pitching coach and communication with fellow pitchers helps this. I hope he can continue to develop so we'll see.

2 hours ago, LambchoP said:

He's looked much better lately. Hitting 96 on the radar gun, getting K's. I really think Rocco needs to take the leash off and let him go deeper into games. Last few starts he's been pulled after like 5 scoreless innings with only 50-60 something pitches thrown. He needs to be let loose if he's ever to improve and get better like we want him to. Destroying his confidence at what, 24 years old is awful management if you ask me....

If they were destroying his confidence, wouldn't he be getting worse, not better? Which is more likely to wreck his confidence, leaving after pitching 5 excellent innings and not getting to throw in the 6th (when we have a quality bullpen) or getting rocked and coming away with no chance for the win?

Let's get him some additional early run support, I guarantee you he'll get more chances at pitching the third time through the order.

I would have preferred SWR went out for the 6th against the Cubs, but facing an excellent lineup with a slim lead, while having a rested bullpen and needing every win it can find right now, I can understand why they're not making developmental moves with a young starting pitcher and playing straight up for the win.