Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month - July 2015

Earlier in the week, we announced Jermaine Palacios as our Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month. Then we named Mat Batts the Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month. Today, we’ve got the top performances of relief pitchers in July. We’re posting this a little later than usual, but it’s important to recognize these guys who are often overlooked.

Four relievers didn’t give up an earned run all month. A few others had ERAs below one and more than a strikeout per nine innings. This was a difficult decision, so be sure to make your picks in the comments.

There were many terrific bullpen performances in June. I’ve ranked the top five, but before getting to them, here are some pitchers who deserve honorable mention.

• RHP Mark Hamburger – Rochester Red Wings – 10 G, 12.1 IP, 1-0, 1.10 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 8 H, 1 BB, 10 K
  
• RHP Matt Summers – Ft. Myers/Chattanooga – 9 G, 16.0 IP, 1-0, 0.56 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 11 H, 4 BB, 9 K
  
• RHP Kuo Hua Lo – Elizabethton Twins – 8 G, 14.2 IP, 1-1, 3-Saves, 1.23 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 5 H, 2 BB, 15 K
  

The Top 5 Twins Relievers for July 2015

Number 5 – GCL Twins – Johan Quezada – 8 G, 9.1 IP, 2-0, 3 saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K

Quezada signed with the Twins late in 2012. He spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and in 43.1 innings, he walked 74 and struck out 50. The 6-6, 20 year old from the Dominican is certainly showing good control so far in 2015. He’s also showing a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s. Overall, he is 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. In 15.2 innings, he has walked five and struck out 16. He’s a project, but a project with a very strong arm. That explains why hitters hit just .065/.147/.065 (.212) against him.

Number 4 – GCL Twins – Miguel Gonzalez – 6 G, 13.2 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 6 H, 3 BB, 14 K

Gonzalez signed with the Twins in 2011 out of the Dominican. He spent a season in the DSL. He pitched in 20 games out of the bullpen in the GCL in 2013 and posted a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 innings (9 BB, 33 K). However, after moving into a starting role in 2014 (also in the GCL), he was injured after just 13.1 innings. He returned this year, back to the bullpen. Overall, in 21 innings, he is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He has four walks and 23 strikeouts. In July, opponents hit just .128/.196/.255 (.451) off of him. Most important, the 20 year old is healthy.

Number 3 – Ft. Myers Miracle – Nick Burdi – 10 G, 16.1 IP, 2-1, 2 Saves, 1.10 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, 10 H, 0 BB, 23 K

Number 2 – Rochester Red Wings – Michael Tonkin – 8 G, 15.0 IP, 2-0, 1 save, 0.00 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 6 H, 2 BB, 19 K

And the Twins Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month is:

Cedar Rapids/Ft. Myers – Trevor Hildenberger – 9 G, 11.0 IP, 0-0, 6 Saves, 0.00 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, 6 H, 0 BB, 16 K

So what do you think? Honestly, let me know how you would rank them. I’ve ranked the top five bullpen arms in the Twins organization in July, in my opinion, but I welcome your comments as well.

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