Analyzing Minnesota Twins First Round Picks – Part 1

Since the June Amateur Draft began in 1965 the Minnesota Twins have selected 72 players in round one, some are their regular first round selections and other are supplemental picks for the loss of a free agent or failure to sign a round one selection.

Over the years the Twins have failed to sign seven first round selections, about 10% of their total first round picks. The seven players that did not sign were four position players and three pitchers. You would think most of these would be high school players that chose to go on to college but that is not the case here, six were college players and only one was a high school player. The last time the Twins organization failed to sign a player was 2000 supplemental pick RHP Aaron Heilman.

Minnesota Twins first round draft picks 1965-2016

POS	HS	COLLEGE
C	2	1
1B	1	1
2B	0	1
SS	8	3
3B	4	2
OF	12	2
RHP	9	10
LHP	1	8
DID NOT SIGN	1	6
	38	34

They weren’t what we expected them to be

The June amateur draft started in 1965 and the Minnesota Twins have had 72 first round selections including supplemental/compensation picks. Nine of those first round picks have been left-handed pitchers (eight were collegiate picks and one was from high school) with Tyler Jay being the most recent lefty being selected in the first round in 2015. So how have these pitchers fared for the Twins?

1973 – Eddie Bane – Drafted in round 1, 11th over-all out of Arizona State University and went straight to the big leagues making his debut on July 4, 1973 at Met Stadium in a start against the Kansas City Royals. The 5’9″ Bane didn’t figure in the decision but pitched well in a 5-4 loss to the Royals. Injuries hindered Bane’s career but Bane himself said that he just wasn’t good enough to be a big league pitcher. Bane’s big league career consisted of 44 games for the Twins with a 7-13 record and 4.66 ERA. Bane became a free agent in October 1977 but never saw big league action again. WAR with the Twins was a -1.0.

1982 – Bryan Oelkers – Drafted in round 1, 4th over-all (selected one pick earlier than the Mets selection of Dwight Gooden) out of Wichita State University. Oelkers was a 20th round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1979 but he chose not to sign. Oelkers was only the second player born in Spain to reach the major leagues. Oelkers debuted in the big leagues with only 8 minor league games in his resume the following season on April 9, 1983 at the Kingdome in a start against the Mariners. Oelkers had a good start going 6.2 innings giving up only 3 hits and 2 earned runs but he came away with his first big league loss. Oelkers ended his first and only season with the Twins with an 0-5 record and a 8.65 while allowing 56 hits in 34.1 innings. In January of 1986 the Twins traded Bryan Oelkers and Ken Schrom to the Cleveland Indians for Ramon Romero and Roy Smith. Oelkers pitched for Cleveland in 1983 going 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 35 games. Oelkers pitched in the Expos, Cubs and Cardinals minor league systems but never reached the big leagues again. WAR with the Twins was -1.3.

1992 – Dan Serafini – Was the Twins round 1 selection and 26th over-all out of Serra High School in San Mateo, California. In 1996 Baseball America had him rated as the 76th best prospect and the Twins called Dan Serafini up to pitch a game against the New York Yankees on June 25 at the Metrodome. Here is what Serafini had to say about that experience in a 2013 interview –

“It was not an easy team to pitch against for my first time playing in the big leagues, but it was a great memory. It was kind of funny. The Twins wouldn’t let me into the locker room before the game. They didn’t want any animosity in the locker room because they hadn’t sent anyone down (to Triple-A) yet. I had to stay in a hotel and then on game day I got to show up right before the game started so that I could get ready to play. It wasn’t the greatest experience, but it was still a good experience. I got to the big leagues!”

You can see the entire interview here. Serafini’s start lasted 4.1 innings and he gave up 7 hits and 5 earned runs and was saddled with the loss in a Yankees 6-2 over Minnesota. That was the only game that Serafini pitched in a Twins uniform in 1996. Serafini spent portions of 1997 and 1998 in Minnesota but as spring training ended in 1999 the Twins sold Dan Serafini to the Chicago Cubs. Serafini career numbers with the Twins were 9-6 in 35 games with a 5.88 ERA. Serafini went on to pitch for the Cubs, Pirates, Reds and eventually the Rockies not to mention pitching in Japan, Mexico and Independent ball. Appears to have hung up his jock strap after the 2013 season. His WAR with Twins was a -0.6.

1994 – Travis Miller – Was a supplementary 1st round selection and 34th pick over-all from Kent State University for the Twins not being able to sign 1993 first round pick catcher Jason Varitek. Miller’s debut at the Metrodome on August 25, 1996 against the Rangers was one he would like to forget, one inning pitched with five hits and two walks including two home runs allowed and seven earned runs and he took the defeat in a 13-2 Twins loss. Miller however continued to pitch for the Twins albeit primarily in relief from 1996-2002 until the Twins released him in June of 2002 and he never pitched in the big leagues again. His Twins career lasted all or parts of seven seasons in which he appeared in 203 games winning 7 and losing 18 with a 5.05 ERA and a Twins WAR of 1.2.

1995 – Mark Redman – Was a Tigers 42 round pick in 1992 but did not sign and he went on to be the Twins first round selection in 1995 and 13th pick over-all. Debuted in a start against the Mariners at the Metrodome on July 24, 1999 and got a no decision for his efforts in which he lasted 4.2 innings and gave up 3 earned run on 4 hits and three walks. The Twins won the game 10-3. Redman was primarily a starter for Minnesota from 1999-2001 going 15-13 with a 4.86 ERA before being traded to the Tigers for closer Todd Jones. Redman was an All-Star with the Royals in 2006. Redman who pitched in the big leagues for 10 seasons with eight different teams posted a 3.6 WAR with the Twins.

1998 – Ryan Mills – Was originally drafted in 1995 by the Yankees in round 13 but didn’t sign and the Twins scooped him up in round 1 with the 6th over-all pick out of Arizona State University and signed for a $2 million bonus. After seven seasons Mills had a 17-40 minor league record with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP before the Twins told him to look for other employment. Mills never put on a Twins uniform.

2004 – Glen Perkins – Perkins was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round and 22nd over-all of the 2004 amateur draft out of the University of Minnesota as compensation for losing Eddie Guardado and signed for a $1.425 million bonus. His big league debut took place September 21, 2006 at Fenway Park as a reliever in a Twins 6-0 loss and he pitched 1.1 innings without allowing a hit. Perkins was originally a starter but after putting up an ERA of 5.89 in 2009 and 5.82 in 2010 the Twins put him in the bullpen where he has flourished as a closer when he is not injured. Perkins has been a Minnesota Twin for all or parts of 11 seasons and has a Twins WAR of 8.8 and has made the All-Star team three times.

2009 – Matt Bashore – Bashore was a first round and 46th over-all supplemental pick for the loss of Dennys Reyes. Injuries kept Bashore from achieving his dream and the Twins let him go after the 2011 season when he pitched in Elizabethton for the second time after sitting out 2010 due to injury. Never wore a Twins uniform and walked away with a $751,550 Twins signing bonus.

2015 – Tyler Jay – Twins first round selection and sixth player taken over-all from Illinois when he was the highest ever MLB draft choice and signed by Minnesota for $3.8 million. Jay was a reliever in college but the Twins are transitioning him to a starting role. Jay was promoted to Chattanooga (AA) in July but only appeared in 5 games there pitching 14 innings before being placed on the DL in early August with a neck/shoulder injury. Additional info on his injury can be found here, not exactly promising news.

So there you are, 57 years worth of LHP drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Twins, nine left-handed pitchers, eight out of college and one out of high school drafted by the Twins and what have we had to show for it? Glen Perkins has been the only one to really pan out and he didn’t come into his own until he was moved to the bullpen. You expect your first round picks to be All-Star caliber players and the Twins have had just two. You have to wonder, with their dismal track record why do the Twins even bother drafting LHP in round one? Why waste a first round pick on LHP?

Let’s look at the rest of the league

Twins tall drinks of water

The Minnesota Twins have had 53 players (41 pitchers (nine lefties) and 12 position players) that stood at least 6’5″ tall. The Twins have spent the last few years accumulating tall pitchers but so far the fruits of their labors have not been all that eveident.

The tallest player in major league history, Jon Rauch, played for 11 years with seven different major league teams including a stop in Minnesota from 2009-2010. The right-handed Rauch won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The same year, he was also named Baseball America and The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year. Keith Hernandez referred to Rauch as “The Wookiee” during SNY broadcasts in 2006.

Rauch wasn’t exactly the friendliest baseball player around and his grumpy, grouchy, surly and testy personality along with his intimidating size and inked body caused most fans that wanted an autograph to pass and look for the next player to come by.

Here I have put together a list of Minnesota Twins players that stood at least 6’5″ tall.

Rk	Player	Ht	From	To	Age	G	Pos
1	Jon Rauch	83	2009	2010	30-31	76	/*1
2	Alex Meyer	81	2015	2016	25-26	4	/*1
3	Mike Smithson	80	1984	1987	29-32	128	*1
4	Michael Tonkin	79	2013	2016	23-26	122	*1
5	Mike Pelfrey	79	2013	2015	29-31	64	/*1
6	John Candelaria	79	1990	1990	36-36	34	/*1
7	Walt Bond	79	1967	1967	29-29	10	/*H7
8	Kyle Gibson	78	2013	2016	25-28	96	/*1
9	Jim Hoey	78	2011	2011	28-28	26	/*1
10	Michael Restovich	78	2002	2004	23-25	61	/H97D
11	Dan Naulty	78	1996	1998	26-28	97	/*1
12	Mo Sanford	78	1995	1995	28-28	11	/*1
13	Dave Winfield	78	1993	1994	41-42	220	*D/9H3
14	David West	78	1989	1992	24-27	63	/*1
15	Greg Booker	78	1989	1989	29-29	6	/*1
16	Jeff Little	78	1982	1982	27-27	33	/*1
17	Mike Poepping	78	1975	1975	24-24	14	/*9H
18	Cotton Nash	78	1969	1970	26-27	10	/*3H7
19	Garry Roggenburk	78	1963	1966	23-26	60	/*1
20	Frank Sullivan	78	1962	1963	32-33	31	/*1
21	Phil Hughes	77	2014	2016	28-30	71	/*1
22	Pat Light	77	2016	2016	25-25	13	/*1
23	Joe Mauer	77	2004	2016	21-33	1589	*23D/H9
24	Trevor May	77	2014	2016	24-26	102	*1
25	Kennys Vargas	77	2014	2016	23-25	147	/*D3H
26	A.J. Achter	77	2014	2015	25-26	18	/*1
27	Jared Burton	77	2012	2014	31-33	203	*1
28	Tyler Robertson	77	2012	2013	24-25	42	/*1
29	Carl Pavano	77	2009	2012	33-36	88	/*1
30	Kyle Waldrop	77	2011	2012	25-26	24	/*1
31	Bobby Keppel	77	2009	2009	27-27	37	/*1
32	Garrett Jones	77	2007	2007	26-26	31	/D3H79
33	LaTroy Hawkins	77	1995	2003	22-30	366	*1
34	Todd Sears	77	2002	2003	26-27	31	/*3HD
35	Matt Kinney	77	2000	2002	23-25	22	/*1
36	Mark Redman	77	1999	2001	25-27	46	/*1
37	Scott Stahoviak	77	1993	1998	23-28	344	*3/H5D9
38	Greg Hansell	77	1996	1996	25-25	50	/*1
39	Dave McCarty	77	1993	1995	23-25	167	/*379H8D
40	Erik Schullstrom	77	1994	1995	25-26	46	/*1
41	Bill Krueger	77	1992	1992	34-34	27	/*1
42	Steve Shields	77	1989	1989	30-30	11	/*1
43	George Frazier	77	1986	1987	31-32	69	/*1
44	Curt Wardle	77	1984	1985	23-24	37	/*1
45	Mike Walters	77	1983	1984	25-26	46	/*1
46	Greg Wells	77	1982	1982	28-28	15	/*3DH
47	John Verhoeven	77	1980	1981	27-28	69	/*1
48	Paul Hartzell	77	1979	1979	25-25	28	/*1
49	Jeff Holly	77	1977	1979	24-26	39	/*1
50	Dick Woodson	77	1969	1974	24-29	129	*1
51	Pete Hamm	77	1970	1971	22-23	23	/*1
52	Stan Williams	77	1970	1971	33-34	114	*1
53	Don Williams	77	1963	1963	27-27	3	/*1

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/21/2016.

Historical look at Twins pitchers and home runs allowed

Minnesota Twins pitchers allowed 147 home runs in 2014. The fewest home runs allowed by a Twins pitching staff in a full season of 162 games occurred in 1976 when that pitching staff gave up just 89 round trippers to the opponents and the Twins went on to finish with an 85-77 record. On the opposite end of the spectrum the 1996 Twins pitching staff allowed a franchise record 233 home runs and finished the season with a 78-84 record. It only took one season for Ricky Nolasco to make the list but he can pitch his way off this list, the others can’t.

Twins career HR/9 with minimum of 120 innings pitched

Rk	Player	HR9	IP	From	To	G	GS	W	L	W-L%	SV	ERA	HR	BA
1	Dave Stevens	1.88	191.2	1994	1997	135	6	14	12	.538	21	5.82	40	.296
2	Scott Aldred	1.81	199.1	1996	1997	42	32	8	15	.348	0	6.10	40	.298
3	Jose Parra	1.78	131.2	1995	1996	39	17	6	10	.375	0	6.77	26	.310
4	Liam Hendriks	1.73	156.0	2011	2013	30	28	2	13	.133	0	6.06	30	.313
5	Pat Mahomes	1.64	366.2	1992	1996	114	51	18	28	.391	3	5.82	67	.284
6	Jim Deshaies	1.63	297.2	1993	1994	52	52	17	25	.405	0	5.71	54	.285
7	Rick Reed	1.50	390.2	2001	2003	72	65	25	25	.500	0	4.47	65	.280
8	Kevin Slowey	1.42	532.2	2007	2011	100	90	39	29	.574	0	4.66	84	.285
9	Boof Bonser	1.40	391.2	2006	2008	96	60	18	25	.419	0	5.12	61	.281
10	Mark Portugal	1.40	238.2	1985	1988	72	26	11	19	.367	4	5.13	37	.280
11	Terry Felton	1.37	138.1	1979	1982	55	10	0	16	.000	3	5.53	21	.240
12	Eric Milton	1.36	987.1	1998	2003	166	165	57	51	.528	0	4.76	149	.259
13	Ray Moore	1.35	159.2	1961	1963	126	1	13	10	.565	25	4.90	24	.252
14	Dick Stigman	1.34	643.2	1962	1965	138	85	37	37	.500	7	3.69	96	.229
15	Pedro Ramos	1.33	264.1	1961	1961	42	34	11	20	.355	2	3.95	39	.258
16	David West	1.32	285.1	1989	1992	63	47	15	18	.455	0	5.33	42	.262
17	Charlie Lea	1.32	130.0	1988	1988	24	23	7	7	.500	0	4.85	19	.301
18	Mark Redman	1.31	213.0	1999	2001	46	34	15	13	.536	0	4.86	31	.283
19	Neal Heaton	1.30	124.1	1986	1986	21	17	4	9	.308	1	3.98	18	.273
20	Nick Blackburn	1.29	818.2	2007	2012	145	137	43	55	.439	0	4.85	117	.303
21	Eddie Guardado	1.28	704.2	1993	2008	648	25	37	48	.435	116	4.53	100	.253
22	Kyle Lohse	1.27	908.1	2001	2006	172	152	51	57	.472	0	4.88	128	.285
23	Bob Wells	1.26	300.1	1999	2002	265	0	18	16	.529	13	4.47	42	.268
24	Ricky Nolasco	1.25	159.0	2014	2014	27	27	6	12	.333	0	5.38	22	.316
25	Mike Trombley	1.25	645.2	1992	2002	365	36	30	34	.469	34	4.53	90	.266
26	Lee Stange	1.25	351.2	1961	1964	97	37	20	14	.588	3	3.61	49	.251

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 11/20/2014.

The list below show The Twins pitching staff leader board of home runs allowed. Bert Blyleven loves to talk about how many home runs he has allowed but he is only third best or worst, depending on how you want to look at it.

Rk	Player	HR	IP	From	To	G	GS	CG	SHO	W	L	W-L%	SV	SO	ERA	BF
1	Brad Radke	326	2451.0	1995	2006	378	377	37	10	148	139	.516	0	1467	4.22	10244
2	Jim Kaat	270	2959.1	1961	1973	468	422	133	23	189	152	.554	6	1824	3.28	12385
3	Bert Blyleven	243	2566.2	1970	1988	348	345	141	29	149	138	.519	0	2035	3.28	10542
4	Frank Viola	213	1772.2	1982	1989	260	259	54	10	112	93	.546	0	1214	3.86	7450
5	Jim Perry	166	1883.1	1963	1972	376	249	61	17	128	90	.587	5	1025	3.15	7791
6	Eric Milton	149	987.1	1998	2003	166	165	10	4	57	51	.528	0	715	4.76	4196
7	Johan Santana	144	1308.2	2000	2007	251	175	6	4	93	44	.679	1	1381	3.22	5281
8	Kyle Lohse	128	908.1	2001	2006	172	152	4	3	51	57	.472	0	561	4.88	3982
9	Joe Mays	127	946.1	1999	2005	193	146	10	6	48	65	.425	0	487	4.85	4110
10	Scott Baker	123	958.0	2005	2011	163	159	4	2	63	48	.568	0	770	4.15	4004
11	Camilo Pascual	123	1284.2	1961	1966	184	179	72	18	88	57	.607	0	994	3.31	5362
12	Dave Goltz	119	1638.0	1972	1979	247	215	80	11	96	79	.549	3	887	3.48	6887
13	Nick Blackburn	117	818.2	2007	2012	145	137	5	0	43	55	.439	0	388	4.85	3577
14	Kevin Tapani	109	1171.1	1989	1995	181	180	19	6	75	63	.543	0	724	4.06	4897
15	Carlos Silva	106	773.2	2004	2007	129	124	5	2	47	45	.511	0	306	4.42	3277
16	Dave Boswell	106	1036.1	1964	1970	187	150	37	6	67	54	.554	0	865	3.49	4344
17	LaTroy Hawkins	105	818.0	1995	2003	366	98	2	0	44	57	.436	44	532	5.05	3614
18	Mike Smithson	103	816.0	1984	1987	128	126	26	5	47	48	.495	0	438	4.46	3509
19	Eddie Guardado	100	704.2	1993	2008	648	25	0	0	37	48	.435	116	610	4.53	3009

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 11/20/2014.

Top Twins rookie starting pitchers

The Twins have a reputation now days of bringing their young players, particularly their young pitchers along very slowly but that has not always been the case. In today’s game pitches are counted and innings are watched from year to year to make sure that pitchers do not have a huge jump in innings pitched from one year to the next. We fans sometimes complain about how long it takes a player to reach the majors but think what its like for the team itself. They draft the guy and then they have to pay him as he develops his skills, they get no return on their investment unless the player reaches the major leagues and becomes a successful player. The temptation must be huge to push the guy along to get a quick return on the money spent, but if you push him too quickly all kinds of bad things can happen.

Let’s take a look at the case of RHP Roger Erickson who the Twins drafted in round 3 of the 1977 June amateur draft. Erickson signed and was sent to “AA” Orlando where he pitched 109 innings in 16 games (14 starts) with 10 complete games. This is all after he pitched in college that spring. I was not able to locate any of Erickson’s college stats. The next year Erickson gets a spring training invite and makes the 1978 Twins starting rotation. The 21-year-old rookie makes his major league debut when he starts the second game of the season for the Twins and beats the Seattle Mariners 5-4 at the Kingdome. Erickson goes on to start a club leading 37 games for the Twins with 14 complete games and an amazing 265.2 innings pitched. Erickson finished the 1878 season with a 14-13 record with a 3.96 ERA , a WHIP of 1.306 and 121 strikeouts. Erickson was not a strikeout pitcher but more in the mold of a Brad Radke type of pitcher. In 1979 Erickson went 3-10 with a 5.63 ERA in 21 starts (zero complete games) and 123 innings, in 1980 his record was 7-13 with a 3.25 ERA in 191.1 innings and in 1981 Erickson went 3-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 91.1 innings. In May of 1982 after a 4-3 start the Twins had seen enough and traded Erickson and catcher Butch Wynegar to the New York Yankees for pitchers Pete Filson and John Pacella and infielder Larry Milbourne and a suitcase full of cash. Roger Erickson pitched in a total of 21 games for the Yankees in 1982 and 1983 and at the age of 27 his big league playing days were behind him. Erickson tried to come back in 1984, again in 1987 and still again in 1989 in the minors with the Tigers and the Cardinals but he never again put on a big league uniform.

This is one of baseball classic cases of pitcher abuse, a situation where Twins manager Gene Mauch and pitching coach Camilo Pascual could not see the forest for the trees and killed a promising career before it really had a chance to get started. Erickson’s career ended prematurely at the age of 27 primarily because he pitched too many innings at too young an age. When he last pitched in the big leagues he was just 27 but he had already been in the majors for 6 seasons and he had already logged almost 800 innings with 265 of those in his first season. In the end the Twins lost a promising pitcher and Roger Erickson was robbed of his career. A loss-loss for both sides. Just a sad story all around.

Almost every day you hear about another big league pitcher having forearm or elbow tightness and the next thing you know they are off to see Dr. Andrews or someone like him to get a second opinion before undergoing “Tommy John” surgery. Are there more problems of this type now even with all the attention given to limiting innings and pitch counts. What are today’s pitchers doing differently that is causing these problems? Is it all about the fact that the pitchers today seem to throw harder than the pitchers of the past did? Are pitchers just not getting enough rest between seasons end and the start of the next season? Or maybe it is just the opposite, maybe the pitchers are not throwing enough? Is specialization of the athletes at much younger ages adding to the pitching arm woes? Or have these problems always been there and we just called it elbow tendonitis or a sore arm in the past and prescribed rest and/or retirement?

Here is a list of Twins pitchers who have thrown at least 100 innings in their rookie seasons. *

Rk	Player	IP	GS	Year	Age	G	CG	SHO	W	L	W-L%	SV	H	BB	SO	ERA	BA
1	Roger Erickson	265.2	37	1978	21	37	14	0	14	13	.519	0	268	79	121	3.96	.263
2	Jim Hughes	249.2	34	1975	23	37	12	2	16	14	.533	0	241	127	130	3.82	.255
3	Paul Thormodsgard	218.0	37	1977	23	37	8	1	11	15	.423	0	236	65	94	4.62	.280
4	Ken Schrom	196.1	28	1983	28	33	6	1	15	8	.652	0	196	80	80	3.71	.266
5	Nick Blackburn (RoY-8th)	193.1	33	2008	26	33	0	0	11	11	.500	0	224	39	96	4.05	.292
6	Gary Serum	184.1	23	1978	21	34	6	1	9	9	.500	1	188	44	80	4.10	.266
7	Brad Radke (RoY-9th)	181.0	28	1995	22	29	2	1	11	14	.440	0	195	47	75	5.32	.275
8	Scott Diamond	173.0	27	2012	25	27	1	1	12	9	.571	0	184	31	90	3.54	.274
9	Eric Milton	172.1	32	1998	22	32	1	0	8	14	.364	0	195	70	107	5.64	.282
10	Joe Mays	171.0	20	1999	23	49	2	1	6	11	.353	0	179	67	115	4.37	.270
11	Vic Albury	164.0	22	1974	27	32	4	1	8	9	.471	0	159	80	85	4.12	.259
12	Bert Blyleven	164.0	25	1970	19	27	5	1	10	9	.526	0	143	47	135	3.18	.232
13	Kevin Tapani (RoY-5th)	159.1	28	1990	26	28	1	1	12	8	.600	0	164	29	101	4.07	.264
14	Les Straker	154.1	26	1987	27	31	1	0	8	10	.444	0	150	59	76	4.37	.257
15	Mark Redman (RoY-6th)	151.1	24	2000	26	32	0	0	12	9	.571	0	168	45	117	4.76	.281
16	Glen Perkins	151.0	26	2008	25	26	0	0	12	4	.750	0	183	39	74	4.41	.301
17	Bill Zepp	151.0	20	1970	23	43	1	1	9	4	.692	2	154	51	64	3.22	.266
18	Frank Viola	126.0	22	1982	22	22	3	1	4	10	.286	0	152	38	84	5.21	.302
19	Pete Redfern	118.0	23	1976	21	23	1	1	8	8	.500	0	105	63	74	3.51	.241

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 3/12/2014.

* = From 1947 through 1956, each BBWAA voter used discretion as to who qualified as a rookie. In 1957, the term was first defined as someone with fewer than 75 at bats or 45 innings pitched in any previous Major League season. This guideline was later amended to 90 at bats, 45 innings pitched, or 45 days on a Major League roster before September 1 of the previous year. The current standard of 130 at bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club (excluding time in military service or on the disabled list) before September 1 was adopted in 1971.

Twins “games started” history

The Twins will have three starters that will start 20 or more games during this 2013 season. Kevin Correia, Mike Pelfrey, and Scott Diamond have all passed that mark and there is no chance of anyone else joining that group. Samuel Deduno had 18 starts but he is done for the season. In 2012 the Twins had just one starter with 20 or more starts and that was Scott Diamond. 2012 was the first time in Twins history that they had only one starter with 20 or more starts. The Twins had only two starters with 20 or more starts only twice and those were the strike shortened 1981 and 1995 seasons. The Twins have had three starters start 20 or more games 12 times, four starters with 20 or more starts 17 times and five starters with 20 or more starts on eight occasions with the last two being 2010 and 2011. Only 6 teams in AL history have had 6 starters with 20 or more starts in a season and they were the 1937 White Sox, the 1942 Tigers, the 1944 Philadelphia A’s, the 1962 Senators, and the 2001 Rays. The Rays will be joining that group again on Monday when Alex Cobb makes his 20th start of 2013.

Twins starters with 20 or more starts

Year	Tm	#Matching
2011	Minnesota Twins	5	Scott Baker / Nick Blackburn / Brian Duensing / Francisco Liriano / Carl Pavano
2010	Minnesota Twins	5	Scott Baker / Nick Blackburn / Francisco Liriano / Carl Pavano / Kevin Slowey
2008	Minnesota Twins	5	Scott Baker / Nick Blackburn / Livan Hernandez / Glen Perkins / Kevin Slowey
2005	Minnesota Twins	5	Kyle Lohse / Joe Mays / Brad Radke / Johan Santana / Carlos Silva
2003	Minnesota Twins	5	Kyle Lohse / Joe Mays / Brad Radke / Rick Reed / Kenny Rogers
1990	Minnesota Twins	5	Allan Anderson / Mark Guthrie / Roy Smith / Kevin Tapani / David West
1979	Minnesota Twins	5	Roger Erickson / Dave Goltz / Paul Hartzell / Jerry Koosman / Geoff Zahn
1963	Minnesota Twins	5	Jim Kaat / Camilo Pascual / Jim Perry / Lee Stange / Dick Stigman
2007	Minnesota Twins	4	Scott Baker / Boof Bonser / Johan Santana / Carlos Silva
2004	Minnesota Twins	4	Kyle Lohse / Brad Radke / Johan Santana / Carlos Silva
2002	Minnesota Twins	4	Kyle Lohse / Eric Milton / Brad Radke / Rick Reed
2000	Minnesota Twins	4	Joe Mays / Eric Milton / Brad Radke / Mark Redman
1999	Minnesota Twins	4	LaTroy Hawkins / Joe Mays / Eric Milton / Brad Radke
1998	Minnesota Twins	4	LaTroy Hawkins / Eric Milton / Brad Radke / Bob Tewksbury
1997	Minnesota Twins	4	LaTroy Hawkins / Brad Radke / Rich Robertson / Bob Tewksbury
1994	Minnesota Twins	4	Jim Deshaies / Scott Erickson / Pat Mahomes / Kevin Tapani
1993	Minnesota Twins	4	Willie Banks / Jim Deshaies / Scott Erickson / Kevin Tapani
1992	Minnesota Twins	4	Scott Erickson / Bill Krueger / John Smiley / Kevin Tapani
1991	Minnesota Twins	4	Allan Anderson / Scott Erickson / Jack Morris / Kevin Tapani
1989	Minnesota Twins	4	Allan Anderson / Shane Rawley / Roy Smith / Frank Viola
1988	Minnesota Twins	4	Allan Anderson / Bert Blyleven / Charlie Lea / Frank Viola
1987	Minnesota Twins	4	Bert Blyleven / Mike Smithson / Les Straker / Frank Viola
1985	Minnesota Twins	4	John Butcher / Ken Schrom / Mike Smithson / Frank Viola
1984	Minnesota Twins	4	John Butcher / Ken Schrom / Mike Smithson / Frank Viola
1983	Minnesota Twins	4	Bobby Castillo / Ken Schrom / Frank Viola / Albert Williams
1982	Minnesota Twins	4	Bobby Castillo / Brad Havens / Frank Viola / Albert Williams
1980	Minnesota Twins	4	Roger Erickson / Darrell Jackson / Jerry Koosman / Geoff Zahn
1978	Minnesota Twins	4	Roger Erickson / Dave Goltz / Gary Serum / Geoff Zahn
1977	Minnesota Twins	4	Dave Goltz / Pete Redfern / Paul Thormodsgard / Geoff Zahn
1976	Minnesota Twins	4	Dave Goltz / Jim Hughes / Pete Redfern / Bill Singer
1974	Minnesota Twins	4	Vic Albury / Bert Blyleven / Joe Decker / Dave Goltz
1973	Minnesota Twins	4	Bert Blyleven / Joe Decker / Jim Kaat / Dick Woodson
1970	Minnesota Twins	4	Bert Blyleven / Jim Kaat / Jim Perry / Bill Zepp
1968	Minnesota Twins	4	Dave Boswell / Dean Chance / Jim Kaat / Jim Merritt
1967	Minnesota Twins	4	Dave Boswell / Dean Chance / Jim Kaat / Jim Merritt
1966	Minnesota Twins	4	Dave Boswell / Mudcat Grant / Jim Kaat / Jim Perry
1964	Minnesota Twins	4	Mudcat Grant / Jim Kaat / Camilo Pascual / Dick Stigman
1961	Minnesota Twins	4	Jim Kaat / Jack Kralick / Camilo Pascual / Pedro Ramos
2013	Minnesota Twins	3	Kevin Correia / Scott Diamond / Mike Pelfrey
2009	Minnesota Twins	3	Scott Baker / Nick Blackburn / Francisco Liriano
2006	Minnesota Twins	3	Brad Radke / Johan Santana / Carlos Silva
2001	Minnesota Twins	3	Joe Mays / Eric Milton / Brad Radke
1996	Minnesota Twins	3	Brad Radke / Rich Robertson / Frankie Rodriguez
1986	Minnesota Twins	3	Bert Blyleven / Mike Smithson / Frank Viola
1975	Minnesota Twins	3	Bert Blyleven / Dave Goltz / Jim Hughes
1972	Minnesota Twins	3	Bert Blyleven / Jim Perry / Dick Woodson
1971	Minnesota Twins	3	Bert Blyleven / Jim Kaat / Jim Perry
1969	Minnesota Twins	3	Dave Boswell / Jim Kaat / Jim Perry
1965	Minnesota Twins	3	Mudcat Grant / Jim Kaat / Camilo Pascual
1962	Minnesota Twins	3	Jim Kaat / Jack Kralick / Camilo Pascual
1995	Minnesota Twins	2	Brad Radke / Kevin Tapani
1981	Minnesota Twins	2	Pete Redfern / Albert Williams
2012	Minnesota Twins	1	Scott Diamond

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/15/2013.

Seasons with 20 or more starts

Rk		Yrs	From	To	Age
1	Brad Radke	12	1995	2006	22-33	Ind. Seasons
2	Jim Kaat	12	1961	1973	22-34	Ind. Seasons
3	Bert Blyleven	9	1970	1988	19-37	Ind. Seasons
4	Frank Viola	8	1982	1989	22-29	Ind. Seasons
5	Kevin Tapani	6	1990	1995	26-31	Ind. Seasons
6	Dave Goltz	6	1974	1979	25-30	Ind. Seasons
7	Jim Perry	6	1963	1972	27-36	Ind. Seasons
8	Scott Baker	5	2007	2011	25-29	Ind. Seasons
9	Joe Mays	5	1999	2005	23-29	Ind. Seasons
10	Eric Milton	5	1998	2002	22-26	Ind. Seasons
11	Camilo Pascual	5	1961	1965	27-31	Ind. Seasons
12	Nick Blackburn	4	2008	2011	26-29	Ind. Seasons
13	Carlos Silva	4	2004	2007	25-28	Ind. Seasons
14	Johan Santana	4	2004	2007	25-28	Ind. Seasons
15	Kyle Lohse	4	2002	2005	23-26	Ind. Seasons
16	Scott Erickson	4	1991	1994	23-26	Ind. Seasons
17	Allan Anderson	4	1988	1991	24-27	Ind. Seasons
18	Mike Smithson	4	1984	1987	29-32	Ind. Seasons
19	Geoff Zahn	4	1977	1980	31-34	Ind. Seasons
20	Dave Boswell	4	1966	1969	21-24	Ind. Seasons
21	Francisco Liriano	3	2009	2011	25-27	Ind. Seasons
22	LaTroy Hawkins	3	1997	1999	24-26	Ind. Seasons
23	Ken Schrom	3	1983	1985	28-30	Ind. Seasons
24	Albert Williams	3	1981	1983	27-29	Ind. Seasons
25	Roger Erickson	3	1978	1980	21-23	Ind. Seasons
Rk		Yrs	From	To	Age
26	Pete Redfern	3	1976	1981	21-26	Ind. Seasons
27	Mudcat Grant	3	1964	1966	28-30	Ind. Seasons
28	Scott Diamond	2	2012	2013	25-26	Ind. Seasons
29	Carl Pavano	2	2010	2011	34-35	Ind. Seasons
30	Kevin Slowey	2	2008	2010	24-26	Ind. Seasons
31	Rick Reed	2	2002	2003	37-38	Ind. Seasons
32	Bob Tewksbury	2	1997	1998	36-37	Ind. Seasons
33	Rich Robertson	2	1996	1997	27-28	Ind. Seasons
34	Jim Deshaies	2	1993	1994	33-34	Ind. Seasons
35	Roy Smith	2	1989	1990	27-28	Ind. Seasons
36	John Butcher	2	1984	1985	27-28	Ind. Seasons
37	Bobby Castillo	2	1982	1983	27-28	Ind. Seasons
38	Jerry Koosman	2	1979	1980	36-37	Ind. Seasons
39	Jim Hughes	2	1975	1976	23-24	Ind. Seasons
40	Joe Decker	2	1973	1974	26-27	Ind. Seasons
41	Dick Woodson	2	1972	1973	27-28	Ind. Seasons
42	Jim Merritt	2	1967	1968	23-24	Ind. Seasons
43	Dean Chance	2	1967	1968	26-27	Ind. Seasons
44	Dick Stigman	2	1963	1964	27-28	Ind. Seasons
45	Jack Kralick	2	1961	1962	26-27	Ind. Seasons
46	Mike Pelfrey	1	2013	2013	29-29	Ind. Seasons
47	Kevin Correia	1	2013	2013	32-32	Ind. Seasons
48	Brian Duensing	1	2011	2011	28-28	Ind. Seasons
49	Glen Perkins	1	2008	2008	25-25	Ind. Seasons
50	Livan Hernandez	1	2008	2008	33-33	Ind. Seasons
Rk		Yrs	From	To	Age
51	Boof Bonser	1	2007	2007	25-25	Ind. Seasons
52	Kenny Rogers	1	2003	2003	38-38	Ind. Seasons
53	Mark Redman	1	2000	2000	26-26	Ind. Seasons
54	Frankie Rodriguez	1	1996	1996	23-23	Ind. Seasons
55	Pat Mahomes	1	1994	1994	23-23	Ind. Seasons
56	Willie Banks	1	1993	1993	24-24	Ind. Seasons
57	John Smiley	1	1992	1992	27-27	Ind. Seasons
58	Bill Krueger	1	1992	1992	34-34	Ind. Seasons
59	Jack Morris	1	1991	1991	36-36	Ind. Seasons
60	David West	1	1990	1990	25-25	Ind. Seasons
61	Mark Guthrie	1	1990	1990	24-24	Ind. Seasons
62	Shane Rawley	1	1989	1989	33-33	Ind. Seasons
63	Charlie Lea	1	1988	1988	31-31	Ind. Seasons
64	Les Straker	1	1987	1987	27-27	Ind. Seasons
65	Brad Havens	1	1982	1982	22-22	Ind. Seasons
66	Darrell Jackson	1	1980	1980	24-24	Ind. Seasons
67	Paul Hartzell	1	1979	1979	25-25	Ind. Seasons
68	Gary Serum	1	1978	1978	21-21	Ind. Seasons
69	Paul Thormodsgard	1	1977	1977	23-23	Ind. Seasons
70	Bill Singer	1	1976	1976	32-32	Ind. Seasons
71	Vic Albury	1	1974	1974	27-27	Ind. Seasons
72	Bill Zepp	1	1970	1970	23-23	Ind. Seasons
73	Lee Stange	1	1963	1963	26-26	Ind. Seasons
74	Pedro Ramos	1	1961	1961	26-26	Ind. Seasons

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 9/15/2013.

Bonus tidbit

Trivia question for you. How many different Twins pitchers have started at least one game since the Twins came into existence?

Where do starting pitchers come from?

The Twins starting pitching situation this year is in dire straights. Coming into the 2012 season the Twins starting pitchers were expected to be Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano, Nick Blackburn and Jason Marquis. Not a great group of starters by any means but you had to think they would keep the Twins near the .500 mark. But things don’t always go as planned and after Monday’s game the Twins have played 35 games and their record stands at 10-25, the worst record in all of baseball.

The Twins starters are rated as last in the American League with a 7-20 record and a 6.30 ERA. The starters are pitching just slightly over 5 innings per start with no complete games. Opposing batters are hitting .315 off the Twins starting staff and the the next closest starting rotation is the Yankees starting staff and opponents are hitting them at a .282 clip, a huge difference. On the other end of the spectrum, the Chicago White Sox opponents are only hitting .226 against the Mighty Whities starters. Twins starters have given up 234 hits in just 187 innings. If you combine the hits and the walks, the Twins starting rotation has a 1.55 WHIP. Twins starters have also given up the most runs, most home runs and they have struck out the least amount of opposing hitters.

So why is Minnesota starters pitching so bad as compared to the AL teams? Where did the Twins starting pitchers come from? I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the starting staffs of the AL teams and see what we come up with.

New York Yankees

1. CC Sabathia (31) – signed by the Yankees as a free agent in December 2008. Was originally a 1st round pick, 20th over all of the Cleveland Indians in 1998 and made his major league debut in 2001.

2. Ivan Nova (25) – signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 2004, drafted by the San Diego Padres as a Rule 5 pick in December 2008 and returned to the Yankees in 2009 and made his major league debut in 2010.

3. Hiroki Kuroda (37) – signed by the Yankees as a free agent in January 2012. Was originally signed by the Dodgers as a free agent in December 2007 and made his major league debut in 2008.

4. Phil Hughes (26) – drafted by Yankees in round 1 and 23 over all in 2004 and made his big league debut in 2007.

5. Andy Pettite (39) – drafted by the Yankees in round 22 of the 1990 draft and made big league debut in 1995.

Boston Red Sox

1. Jon Lester (28) – drafted by Boston in the 2nd round of the 2002 amatuer free draft and debuted in 2006.

2. Clay Buchholz (27) – drafted by Boston in the 1st round and 42 pick over all in the 2005 amatuer free agent draft and made his big league debut in 2007.

3. Felix Doubront (24) – signed by Boston as an amateur free agent in May 2005 and made his big league debut in 2010.

4. Josh Beckett (31) – acquired via trade. Originally a 1st round pick and 2nd over all by the Florida Marlins in 1999. Made big league debut in 2001.

5. Daniel Bard (27) – drafted by Boston in 1st round and 28 pick over all in 2006 and made big league debut in 2009.

Baltimore Orioles

1. Jake Arrieta (26) – Orioles 5th round pick in 2007 and made big league debut in 2010.

2. Tommy Hunter (25) – acquired in a trade and was originally a 1st round pick and 54th over all of the Texas Rangers in the 2007 amateur free agent draft and made his big league debut in 2008.

3. Jason Hammel (29) – acquired in a trade and was originally a 10th round pick by Tampa in 2002. Made his big league debut in 2006.

4. Wei-Yin Chen (26) – signed as a free agent in January 2012 and made his big league debut in 2012.

5. Brian Matusz (25) – drafted by Orioles in 1st round and 4th over all in 2008 and made his big league debut in 2009.

Tampa Rays

1. Jamie Shields (30) – drafted in round 16 by Tampa in 2000 and made his big league debut in 2006.

2. David Price (26) – drafted 1st over all in the 2007 draft by Tampa. Big league debut in 2008.

3. Jeremy Hellickson (25) – A Tampa 4th round pick in the 2005 draft. Made big league debut in 2010.

4. Matt Moore (22) – Tampa’s 8th round pick in 2007 and made his big league debut in 2011.

5. Jeff Nieman (29) – Tampa’s 1st round pick and 4th over all in 2004. Made big league debut in 2008.

Toronto Blue Jays

1. Henderson Alvarez (22) – signed by Toronto as an amateur free agent in 2006. Big leaqgue debut in 2011.

2. Ricky Romero (27) – 1st round pick by Toronto and 6th over all in 2005. Big league debut in 2009.

3. Brandon Morrow (27) – acquired in trade from Seattle who picked Morrow in the 1st round and 5th over all in 2006. Big league debut in 2007.

4. Kyle Drabek (24) – acquired in trade from Philly where he was their 1st round pick and 8th over all in 2006. Big league debut in 2010.

5. Drew Hutchinson (21) – Toronto 15th round pick in 2009 and made big league debut in 2012.

Texas Rangers

1. Derek Holland (25) – Texas 25th round pick in 2006, big league debut in 2009.

2. Colby Lewis (32) – Texas 1st round pick and 38th over all in 1999. Big league debut in 2002.

3. Yu Darvish (25) – purchased from Japan and signed as free agent in January 2012. Debuted same year.

4. Matt Harrison (26) – acquired in trade from Atlanta. He was the Braves 3rd round pick in 2003. Made debut in majors in 2008.

5. Neftali Feliz (24) – acquired in trade from Atlanta. He was signed by the Braves as an amateur free agent in 2005 and made big league debut in 2009.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

1. Jered Weaver (29) – Angels 1st round pick and 12th over all in 2004. Big league debut in 2006.

2. Dan Haren (31) – acquired via trade. Was a St. Louis Cardinals 2nd round pick in 2001. Big league debut in 2003.

3. CJ Wilson (31) – signed as a free agent in December 2011. Rangers 5th round pick in 2001 and made big league debut in 2005.

4. Ervin Santana (29) – signed by Angels as an amateur free agent in 2000 and made big league debut in 2005.

5. Jerome Williams (30) – signed as free agent in June 2011. Originally picked in round 1 and 39th over all by San Francisco Giants in 1999. Big league debut in 2003.

Oakland A’s

1. Bartolo Colon (39) – signed as free agent in January 2012. Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians as amateur free agent in 1993. Big league debut in 1997.

2. Brandon McCarthy (28) – signed as free agent in 2010. Originally picked by the White Sox in round 17 in 2002. Big league debut in 2005.

3. Tommy Milone (25) – acquired via a trade with Washington. Was originally a Nats 10th round pick in 2008. Big league debut in 2011.

4. Jarrod Parker ar(23) – acquired in a trade with Arizona. Was originally drafted by D-Backs in 1st round and 9th over all in 2007. Big league debut in 2011.

5. Tyson Ross (25) – drafted by A’s in 2nd round 2008. Big league debut in 2010.

Seattle Mariners

1. Felix Hernandez (26) – signed by Seattle as an amateur free agent in 2002 and made big league debut in 2005.

2. Jason Vargas (29) – acquired in a 3 team trade in 2008. Was originally a Florida Marlins 4th round pick in 2004. Big league debut in 2005.

3. Kevin Millwood (37) – signed as free agent in January 2012. Originally a Braves 11th round pick in 1993. Big league debut in 1997.

4. Blake Beavan (23) – acquired in a trade from Texas. Originally a Rangers 1st round pick and 17th over all in 2007. Big league debut in 2011.

5. Hector Noesi (25) – acquired in trade with the Yankees. Originally signed by Yankees in 2004 as an amateur free agent. Big league debut in 2011.

Kansas City Royals

1. Bruce Chen (35) – signed with KC as a free agent in 2009. Was originally an Atlanta Braves amateur free signee in 1993. Big league debut in 1998.

2. Luke Hochevar (28) – was drafted by Royals in 1st round and 1st over all in 2006. Big league debut in 2007.

3. Danny Duffy (23) – Royals 3rd round pick in 2007. Big league debut in 2011.

4. Jonathan Sanchez (29) – Acquired in trade with the Giants. Originally was the Giants 27 round pick in 2004 and made big league debut in 2006.

5. Felipe Paulino (28) – Purchased from Colorado Rockies in May 2011. Was originally signed by the Astros as an amateur free agent in 2001. Big league debut in 2007.

Detroit Tigers

1. Justin Verlander (27) – was the Tigers 1st round pick and 2nd over all in the 2004 draft. He made his big league debut in 2005.

2. Rick Porcello (23) – was the Tigers 1st round pick and 27th over all in 2007. Made his big league debut in 2009.

3. Max Scherzer (27) – acquired in trade with Arizona. Was originally drafted in 1st round and 11th over all by Arizona in 2006. Made his big league debut in 2008.

4. Doug Fister (28) – acquired in trade with Seattle. Was originally picked by the Mariners in round 7 of the 2006 draft. Made MLB debut in 2009.

5. Drew Smyly (23) – was the Tigers 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft. Made big league debut in 2012.

Cleveland Indians

1. Justin Masterson (27) – acquired in a 2009 trade with the Red Sox. Was originally a 2nd round pick by the Red Sox in 2006 and made big league debut in 2008.

2. Derek Lowe (39) – acquired in a 2011 trade with the Atlanta Braves. Was originally picked in the 8th round of the 1991 draft and debuted in the big leagues in 1997.

3. Ubaldo Jiminez (28) – acquired in a trade with Colorado. Originally signed as a amateur free agent back in 2001 with the Rockies. Made big league debut in 2006.

4. Josh Tomlin (27) – was drafted by the Indians in the 19th round of the 2006 draft. Made big league debut in 2010.

5. Jeanmar Gomez (24) – signed as an amateur free agent with the Indians in 2005. Made his big league debut in 2010.

Chicago White Sox

1. Jake Peavy (31) – acquired in a trade with the Padres. Originally picked by San Diego in round 15 of the 1999 draft. Big league debut in 2002.

2. John Danks (27) – acquired in a trade with Texas. Was originally a 1st round pick and 9th over all in 2003. Big league debut in 2007.

3. Gavin Floyd (29) – acquired in a trade with the Phillies. Was originally a Phillies 1st round pick and 4th over all in 2001. Made big league debut in 2004.

4. Chris Sale (23) – drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round and 13th pick over all in 2010 draft. Made big league debut just 2 months after being drafted and after pitching in just 11 minor league games.

5. Philip Humber (29) – selected off waivers from Oakland in January 2011. Originally drafted in 2004 in the 1st round and 3rd over all pick by the New York Mets. Made big leage debut in 2006.

Minnesota Twins

1. Francisco Liriano (28) – acquired in trade with San Francisco in November 2003. Was originally signed for the Giants as an amateur free agent in 2000. Made big league debut in 2005.

2. Carl Pavano (36) – acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Indians in 2009. Originally drafted in the 13th round by the Red Sox in 1994. Made big league debut in 1998.

3. Nick Blackburn (30) – drafted by the Twins in round 29 of the 2001 draft. Made big league debut in 2007.

4. Jason Marquis (33) – signed by Twins as a free agent in December 2011. Was originally an Atlanta Braves 1st round pick and 35th over all in 1996. Made big leaague debut in 2006.

5. Liam Hendriks (23) – signed by the Twins as an amateur free agent in 2007 and made his big league debut in 2011.

6. Anthony Swarzak (26) – drafted by the Twins in round 2 of the 2004 amateur draft and made his big league debut in 2009.

7. Scott Diamond (25) – A Rule 5 pick by the Twins from the Atlanta Braves in December 2010. Was originally signed by the Braves as an amateur free agent in 2007. Made big league debut in 2011.

8. PJ Walters (27) – Signed with the Twins as a free agent in December 2011. Was originally a St. Louis Cardinals 11th round pick in 2006 and made big league debut in 2009.

9. Scott Baker (30) – out for the 2012 season with TJ surgery. Was a Twins 2nd round pick in 2003 and made big league debut in 2005.

The Twins current starting rotation of Pavano, Marquis, Blackburn, Diamond and Walters is made up of one 1st round pick, an 11th rounder, a 13th rounder, a 29th rounder and an amateur free agent.

If you look at the rest of the current 5 man starting rotations for the 13 other AL teams you have a total of 65 pitchers and here is how they break down.

25 of the 65 (38%) were first round picks

12 of the 65 (18%) were signed as amateur free agents

5 of the 65 (8%) were 2nd round picks

3 of the 65 (5%) were Japanese baseball free agents

2 of the 65 (3%) were 3rd round picks

2 of the 65 (3%) were 4th round picks

2 of the 65 (3%) were 5th round picks

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 7th round pick

2 of the 65 (3%) were 8th round picks

2 of the 65 (3%) were 10th round picks

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 11th round pick

2 of the 65 (3%) were 15th round picks

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 16th round pick

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 17th round pick

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 19th round pick

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 22nd round pick

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 25th round pick

1 of the 65 (2%) was a 27th round pick

The AL team with the most first round picks in the starting rotation is the Chicago White Sox with four starters in Danks, Floyd, Humber and Sale and the Cleveland Indians are the only team with no first rounders in their starting rotation. But just because you are a first round pick does not mean that you will make the teams starting rotation that drafted you as only 13 of the 25 or only 52% of the first round picks end up starting for the teams that drafted them in round 1. Of course many other 1st rounders either do not make the starting rotation or do not make it to the big leagues at all.

Since 1972 the Minnesota Twins have drafted 27 pitchers in the first round, 8 out of high school and 19 out of college. Three of their picks did not sign with the team. RHP Dick Ruthevan was picked in round 1 and 8 over all in 1972 but did not sign and went on to start 332 big league games. RHP Tim Belcher was the Twins 1st round and the first over all pick in 1983 but he did not sign and he went on to start 373 big league games. The Twins drafted RHP Derek Parks in round 1 and 10th over all in 1986 and turned him into a catcher. The Twins picked RHP Aaron Heilman in round 1 and 31st over all in 200o but Heilman did not sign and went on to start 25 big league games pitching maninly in relief. This may be hard to believe but since the draft started in 1972, the most career starts that any Twins 1st round pick has ever had in a Twins uniform is 45 and that pitcher was Willie Banks who the Twins picked in round 1 and number 3 over all in 1987. Banks started 45 games with a 16-17 record before being traded to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Dave Stevens and catcher Matt Walbeck. The next higest number of starts for a Twins 1st rounder is 44 and that belongs to Minnesota native Glen Perkins who is currently a Twins top reliever. Only 10 of 27 first round pitchers picked by Minnesota in the first round ever started a game in a Twins uniform. Only 5 of 27 Twins first rounders have started 100 or more career big league games and they are Dick Ruthven, Tim Belcher, Todd Ritchie, Mark Redman, and Matt Garza. 15 of the 27 Twins first round pitchers have never started a single big league game.

With that kind of a record in taking pitchers in the first round, I have to wonder if the Twins should even try. Then again, you could argue that they are due to get a good one…..

Tag: Mark Redman

Analyzing Minnesota Twins First Round Picks – Part 1

Minnesota Twins first round draft picks 1965-2016

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