Who Brings Up The End Of The Rotation For The Twins?

Aug 22, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(49) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Going in order of likelihood, I would have liked to have had Alex Meyer in this spot. That being said, Paul Molitor recently brought up the notion of having Meyer as a bullpen option with the long-term plan of starting him. With that in mind, Tommy Milone appears to be the favorite for the 5th starting spot.

After coming over from the Oakland Athletics in a trade for Sam Fuld, Milone scuffled with the Twins in 2014. His season was cut short by injury, which did him no favors, and he ended 2014 on a low note. However, prior to joining the Twins, Milone posted a 3.55 ERA over 16 starts with the Athletics. With a career 6.5 K/9 mark, he’s not a high strikeout guy, but he’s a crafty lefty who can get guys out.

In 2015, look for Milone to be a pitcher that the Twins can rely upon to keep them in a game. Although he may never be a shutout type pitcher, he should also be someone who Minnesota can expect to not get lit up on a night basis. Much like Gibson, expecting an ERA in the high 3 range is realistic for Milone in 2015.

On to the next possibility…

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher

against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The highly anticipated debut of Alex Meyer has not yet happened, and in 2015 it will. At this point, it appears that the Twins have fumbled their return for Denard Span. At 25 years old, and having not yet pitched a major league inning, Meyer is toiling away at the Triple-A level. I would expect that to change as the Twins break from Fort Myers for Target Field.

I had tabbed Meyer as my likely 5th starter a few weeks ago, but it appears Paul Molitor doesn’t appear set on that. He has noted he would be ok with Meyer pitching out of the pen to start the year, and it may take a very strong spring by Meyer to change those thoughts.

Although he has struggled with command in the minor leagues (3.8 career BB/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 2014), control is something that always eludes young pitchers. His elite 10.4 K/9 career mark will play at the major league level, and his control can be refined against top-tier hitters. With a career 3.15 ERA, expecting him to compete somewhere in the mid 3 range in his first season is logical. If Meyer does crack the rotation from the get go, I wouldn’t be surprised to see strikeout numbers above the 170 mark.

With the two most notable names out-of-the-way, who else could factor into the 5th and final rotation spot out of the gate in 2015? Check out who’s next…

Sep 9, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(65) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Despite pitching at the back-end of the rotation in 2014, it appears there are already two more viable options for the Twins than Trevor May. With a lower ceiling than Alex Meyer, and a less projectable consistency level than Tommy Milone, May find himself being the odd man out. Much like Meyer however, he could change the tide with a strong spring.

In 2014, May posted a 7.88 ERA and that was ballooned by a 1.774 WHIP. Despite lacking control (4.3 BB/9), he showed a strong ability to strike major league batters out as backed by his 8.7 K/9 ratio. There were periods where May looked like things were clicking, but all too often the regression reared its ugly head.

Look for May to compete at a significantly higher level than what he did in his cup of coffee experience during 2014. Although I don’t see him cracking the starting rotation out of the gate, he could force himself into it at some point. May could end up having similar numbers to those of the career of teammate Ricky Nolasco (4.48 ERA, 1.313 WHIP, 7.3 K/9).

Now we start to get into some outsider options that would have to have quite a few things break their way to crack the rotation…

Apr 4, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(37) delivers against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Cleveland won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

I’d honestly consider some of the later names to be more likely, but Mike Pelfrey has been a starter for the majority of his career. That being said, his time with the Twins has been nothing short of a waste as he has been incredibly injury prone to this point. Coming off of other issues in 2014, a shift to the bullpen may be the best for his longevity and benefit to the Twins.

Pitching in just five games last season, Pelfrey’s 7.99 ERA was atrocious, and his 1.986 WHIP did him no favors either. With a career 4.56 ERA to his credit, he could slot into the former role filled by Anthony Swarzak, and be more effective in short bursts out of the bullpen.

Should Paul Molitor and the Twins decide to bump Pelfrey into an inning eating role out of the bullpen, expecting him to improve on his career mark and come in somewhere around a 3.70 ERA would be fair. Pelfrey could end up being a spot starter for the Twins, and one that would be more welcomed than Yohan Pino or Logan Darnell, but don’t expect him to start in the rotation following 2015 spring training.

With a handful of options named, who do we have left? There’s a couple that may surprise you…

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; World pitcher

throws a pitch in the first inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Looking at the last few possibilities as a whole, they all appear to be long shots. With the most likely candidates already mentioned, we are left with the likes of Jose Berrios, Tyler Duffey and Stephen Pryor. Berrios has already gone on record in saying that it is his goal to crack the starting rotation out of spring training. It’s an exciting idea in theory, but doesn’t hold much weight in reality.

Berrios has an incredibly high ceiling and made a huge leap last year, with that in mind however, the Twins have options and therefore have no need to rush Berrios to the major league level. Expecting him to debut in 2015 isn’t out of the question, but from spring training, it remains a high improbability.

Duffey is a non-roster invite to spring training for the Twins, but is more than likely just getting his taste of the big leagues. With a career 3.51 ERA through three seasons in the Twins farm system, he should be an integral piece of the Rochester starting rotation.

Pryor was the asset acquired when the Twins dealt Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners. Despite Pryor having pitched most of his career in relief, he has the ability to start and the Twins have toyed with the idea to stretch him out heading into 2015. Despite the possibility he makes starts at some point, I see Pryor starting for the Twins in a Darnell or Pino style situation rather than by choice out of the rotation.

No matter who ends up taking the fifth and final spot in the Minnesota Twins rotation out of spring training this year, I think it’s safe to say that it feels great to have quality options to fill out a pitching staff for the first time in a while.

Next: Projecting Your Minnesota Twins Opening Day Lineup

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