The Twins Fifth Rotation Spot

     The Twins finally have some semblance of a starting rotation. Phil Hughes has emerged as a potential staff ace. We gave Ervin Santana bookoo bucks to eat up as many innings as possible. Ricky Nolasco is entering year two of the deal we gave him last offseason. He had pretty rough year, so it shouldn’t be that hard to improve. Kyle Gibson is a very popular breakout candidate after his extremely up and down 2014. This gives the Twins one of the best problems you can have in baseball. Who gets the ever-important fifth spot in the rotation? There are a few candidates that could get the nod.

Tommy Milone

   

     The most likely candidate for the fifth spot is Tommy Milone. He would give the Twins a southpaw in the rotation. The Twins acquired Milone from the A’s in exchange for Sam Fuld at the deadline last year. He is the stereotypical Twins pitcher. He throws a mid-to-high 80’s fastball, has an above average curveball, and his best pitch is his changeup. He has excellent control of all his pitches. The knock on Milone is his lack of overpowering stuff. That being said, pitcher friendly Target Field is the perfect place for him to succeed. 

Trevor May

     May got a shot at solidifying a spot in the rotation last season, and it did not go very well. May posted an abysmal 8.31 ERA as a starter. He looked nervous and overpowered on the mound. Obviously, another Spring Training can’t hurt, and that will be his chance to prove that he still has game. May has always been pegged as a power pitcher. He possesses a fastball that sits in the low 90s, but has touched 95, that has nice break. He is developing a power curve and a changeup. Throughout his career, to use a cliche, he has been more of a thrower than a pitcher. He needs to improve on commanding his pitches instead of just slinging them at the strike zone. As he was the key piece to the Ben Revere trade, fans hope that he can get it together.

Alex Meyer

     Alex Meyer, the International League Man of Mystery. The 6’9” behemoth has done nothing but dominate the minor league ranks since the Nationals drafted him in the first round in 2009. Even with his impressive track record, he hasn’t been given a chance in the league. It stands to reason that Terry Ryan sees, or rather doesn’t see, something in the kid. Meyer has been a top prospect in baseball for the past three years, topping out at number #28 on mlb.com’s list of top 100 prospects. Meyer is the power-pitching ace the Twins have been looking for. He has a plus plus fastball, sitting in the mid 90s and topping out in triple digits. His hard slider is also a plus pitch, sitting in the mid 80s with exceptional break. His changeup also sits in the mid 80s, but it is still in the works. His command is most likely what has kept him out of the show. Maybe 2015 is the season he finally breaks out, and we should all be hopeful seeing as though we gave up Denard Span, who would look very good in the new Twins jersey, for him.

Tim Stauffer

     Stauffer was signed to a one year deal this offseason. He has started and has pitched in relief in his ten-year career. He would add another veteran to the rotation. The former fourth overall pick has a fastball that sits in the low 90s. His repertoire also includes a curveball, a changeup and a cut fastball than has excellent movement and possesses control over all pitches. Stauffer projects more as a stretch reliever and an occasional spot starter, but you never know what could happen come April.

J.O. Berrios

     A dark horse candidate for the fifth spot is top prospect J.O. Berrios. He has dominated at all levels. The 20 year old posted a 1.96 ERA in high A, and a 3.54 ERA in AA. Berrios also struck out hitters at nine per nine-inning clip and 10 per respectively. He possesses a mid 90s fastball that has touched 98 on radar guns. His curveball is becoming a bona fide out pitch. His changeup is lagging behind his two plus pitches, but he still has time to develop it. Conventional knowledge says he’ll start in AA, as Terry Ryan loves to keep prospects in the minors as long as he can, but it never hurts to dream.