The Minnesota Twins’ Top 10 Prospect Countdown Continues With the Most Major League-Ready of Them All – Chargois.
Most of our Top 10 list is at least a season away from significant playing time. Not our choice for seventh best, J.T. Chargois.
Last year, Chargois made his Target Field debut, suffered growing pains and also saw some reward for his hard work. This year, Chargois will be counted on to be an integral part of late-inning situations for the Twins.
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Chargois was drafted in the second round out of Rice, along with his teammate and fellow co-closer, Tyler Duffey.
Duffey has gone 14-13 (leading the team in wins last season) as a starter after making his MLB-debut in 2015.
Chargois took an extra year to get to the majors after suffering an injury in the 2012 minor league season.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Chargois missed the entirety of the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Despite the extended time off, Chargois stayed among the top prospects for the Twins. His nearly triple digit fastball, and new-found control, will help the Twins in high-leverage situations late in games.
#7 – J.T. Chargois
Name: J.T. Chargois
Position: P Age: 26
Height: 6’3” Weight: 200 lbs.
Throws: Right Bats: Switch
Acquired: 72nd overall in the second round of the 2012 amateur draft
After a horrible debut (5 ER in 2/3 inning against Boston), Chargois picked up the pace in August, and gave Twins fans a glimpse of his potential with a stellar September. In his final 12 appearances, Chargois walked only one batter, versus nine strikeouts.
Included in that run was his first major league victory, a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox in 12 innings. After being demoted following his inauspicious debut, who does Chargois credit for getting his head straight?
Trevor Plouffe. That’s right, not bullpen mate or pitching coach. It took a veteran on an injury rehab to give Chargois the confidence to throw his fastball more, and locating it to help set up the occasional breaking ball.
Hopefully, Chargois takes that advice into the 2017 season. Racking up strikeouts and ground balls is what he does best when he’s on – two things a much-maligned Twins bullpen could use right about now.
Most experts, and Twins coaches, expect Chargois to make the final roster going north. Beyond Brandon Kintzler, Chargois appears to get a look at closing exhibition games as Glen Perkins heals from labrum surgery.
Both Chargois and Nick Burdi have the fastball – and strikeout totals – to be the heir apparent to Perkins as the future Twins’ closer.
Next: Top 10 Twins Prospects: #8 Ben Rortvedt
Notes: Perkins threw his second bullpen of the Spring today, again at about 75%. Again, it was just 15 pitches, but he didn’t experience any sharp pains. Drew Stubbs was the final Twins to report to the complex – giving the Twins 62 players in their major league camp. First game is next Friday!