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Minnesota Twins: Adalberto Mejia to start and top pitching prospect promoted

By Nate Palmer |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 03: Adalberto Mejia #49 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the second inning of the game on July 3, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 03: Adalberto Mejia #49 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the second inning of the game on July 3, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Twins have two of their younger pitchers who are celebrating promotions and a quick update on Jorge Polanco’s MLB warmup.

The Minnesota Twins have struggled once again against the Chicago White Sox this week. A very unfortunate happening as this is the type of team the Twins need to beat to hang onto their postseason hopes. So while the major league players struggle, we get to celebrate some opportunities for two minor league arms.

The first is someone we have seen with the Twins before in Adalberto Mejia. Mejia has been announced as the Twins starter for Saturday. The Twins were in need of a fifth starter after Fernando Romero was sent back to Triple-A so that Alan Busenitz could be recalled to help out a well-used bullpen.

Mejia made 21 starts for the Twins last season and went 4-7 and recorded a 4.50 ERA and a 7.8 K/9. Due to the additions to the Twins rotation this offseason, Mejia has spent his whole season with Triple-A Rochester and in 11 games and 9 starts he holds a 2.74 ERA, a 9.1 K/9, and has cut his walks back to 2.9 BB/9.

At the age of 25, Mejia is still very much developing as a player and the reports are good regarding his development. Manager Paul Molitor recently told reporters that he is being told Mejia’s command has improved. Also that Mejia’s fastball/slider command has been good as of late. June has been especially good for Mejia. In his 32 innings tossed he has 30 strikeouts and a 1.41 ERA.

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Brusdar Graterol promoted

Brusdar Graterol has also learned that he earned a promotion to Single-A Fort Myers. The 19-year-old starting pitcher has certainly been impressing everyone during his season at Cedar Rapids. At almost three years younger than the rest of the Midwest League, Graterol has made 8 starts, throwing 41.1 innings, with a 2.18 ERA, and 51 strikeouts for an 11.1 K/9.

That performance has Graterol climbing up prospect rankings with both national and local outlets. One scout recently told local Cedar Rapids writer Jeff Johnson that Graterol is the “best pitching prospect he has seen in 38 years of scouting.”

That is high praise for the pitching prospect who has for many fans seemingly came out of nowhere. If Graterol can continue to spot his pitches as he throws a fastball that can touch triple digits his ceiling as a prospect is very high.

Next: The Twins might be Sellers with nothing to sell at the Trade Deadline

Jorge Polanco continues MLB warmup

Jorge Polanco is progressing towards his return to the major leagues after serving his 80-game suspension for PED use. After spending time with the Fort Myers Miracle he is reportedly moving to Rochester. In two games with Fort Myers Polanco has shown he is ready to keep progressing so he can help the big league club again. Unfortunately, it is likely too late for the Twins at this point.

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