Going into the 2019 Major League Baseball season there were
few areas on the Minnesota Twins 25-man roster that looked more questionable
than the bullpen. After bringing in Blake Parker and no one else, the front office
turned away from opportunities to significantly bolster their relief corps. We’re
just eight games in at this point, but so far, it appears the decision to look
internally may be a warranted one.
Despite Minnesota having a ridiculous amount of off days to
kick off new year, Rocco Baldelli has turned to relievers for a grand total of
30.0 IP thus far. Across those innings, the new skipper’s faith has been
rewarded to the tune of a 2.70 ERA, good for sixth best in baseball. From
there, the secondary numbers tell a more cautionary tale, but it’s in avoiding
real damage that the group has succeeded.
Coming into the game at key points following a starter’s
initial work, avoiding blow ups or added opportunity is the goal of a reliever.
Although the ERA of the group is a shiny tally, the strikeouts and walks are a
bit concerning. Minnesota relievers have fanned just 7.8 batters per nine
innings (22nd) and have allowed 5.1 walks per nine (7th
worst). Dancing around the danger is a result of the ball staying in the yard.
Owning the second-best HR/9 rate (0.30) in the big leagues, along with a major
league best 3.0 HR/FB rate, has helped the pen to keep runners stranded.
Usually working with runners on base is a less than idea
reality, but if you’re going to work around it, generating soft contact is a
must. The 19.5% hard hit rate is a major league low by nearly 7%, and it’s
allowed this group plenty of opportunity for outs when the ball is put in play.
Over the past two seasons, the Twins have shifted more than almost any other
team in baseball. By playing to the percentages, while generating suboptimal contact,
you can expect a good deal of success.
Obviously as the season goes on and the sample size grows, a
5.0 BB/9 rate won’t be sustainable. Minnesota needs guys coming on that can put
the ball by hitters and send them back to the dugout. Given the relative
uncertainty of the group and specific pitchers, handing out free passes is also
not a good plan. Those things do need to change, but there’s a pretty good
skeleton to work from at this point.
Baldelli, and Wes Johnson, will be tasked with empowering
their staff all season long. Parker is far from a proven closer, May is still
getting settled, Mejia is new to relieving, and Harper is still more story than
track record. Trust will be built up well into the summer, but it’s also been
displayed early. Between letting Adalberto Mejia come back after a long outing
to get pivotal outs against the Phillies or asking curveball master Ryne Harper
to get out of a high leverage jam ,the Twins staff is setting forth a plan with
eyes on October.
Given the relative volatility of relievers, and even more so
when they are green and unexperienced, keeping regression at bay is a must. Taylor
Rogers looks like a bonafide star, and Trevor Hildenberger has become a proven
commodity. The rest of the group following their lead and giving Rocco a greater
sense of comfort should build rapport for necessary work months from now.
The Twins relievers have been great in the results
department to date, even if there’s warts under the surface. The opportunities
will remain present, and the belief in these guys from the front office will be
a key focus the rest of the way.
