Cole DeVries

Cole DeVries is a local kid (played HS at Evil Prairie and later at the U), who I feel is a viable bullpen option for the Twins. He was on KFAN at the beginning of Spring Training. You can hear the interview on the following link (starts at the 15:50 mark):

http://www.kfan.com/player/?station=...l&mid=21871835


His minor league performance is documented here at milb.com:
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats...pbp&pid=453301

You'll notice throughout his career that he's had a solid K/BB ratio and has spent time as both a reliever and a starter. Currently at AAA and not currently on the 40 man roster, I see him as someone that could fill a long relief role with the Twins, possibly developing into a Matt Guerrier-type relief pitcher. Take a look at how their minor league stats compare:

		G	ERA	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
DeVries (6 Seasons)		173	3.96	618.1	676	327	272	62	186	480	1.394	9.8	0.9	2.7	7	2.58
Guerrier (7 Seasons)		180	3.54	682	623	318	268	67	181	529	1.179	8.2	0.9	2.4	7	2.9

DeVries had the start last night and threw six solid innings, ending up with a no decision. He gave up two runs on five hits, striking out 8 while walking two on 95 pitches. Said performance puts his current stat line as follows:

W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
0	1	2.91	4	4	21.2	16	8	7	3	6	23	1.02	6.6	1.2	2.5	9.6	3.83

Based on this start this season, he should be a couple more consistent performances away from becoming a viable long relief option for the Twins. At age 27, this has to be a make or break year for the Minnesota native, and thus far he's proving his worth. We'll have to see if anyone in the front office has taken notice.

Cole took the loss tonight, but the offense didn't do him any favors in a 2-1 loss. The silver lining is that he had another quality start. As I watch Liam Hendricks get pulled in the third, down 5-0, I'm starting to wonder what he has to do to get the attention of the big club.

Player	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Cole DeVries (L, 0-2)	6.1	6	2	2	0	4	1	2.89

Key start today for DeVries, considering he got lit up like a Christmas Tree in his last start, and the rotation shuffles with the Twins, curious eyes will be watching to see if has the short memory to remain a potential option for the starting rotation. I have maintained that DeVries is more appealing as a bullpen option, but his abillty to pitch several innings effectively can only increase his stock. A quality performance today is critical to keep him on the short list for a big league roster spot, especially with arm issues beginning to pop up for Carl Pavano.

DeVries took the loss today, running his record to 0-4 (partially due to lack of run support). He cruised through the first 5 innings, giving up only 1 run. The wheels came off in the 6th, where he gave up three runs, including a solo home run. Inexplicably, he was sent out for the seventh, recorded one out, then gave up another solo shot followed by a double. Brendan Wise was kind enough to let the inherited runner score, leaving Cole's Line at 6.1 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 2 K's and 2 HR.

Considering his performance through the first 5 innings, where at one point his strikes-to-balls ratio was absurd (something like 40 strikes/8 balls), combined with the fact that he didn't walk anybody makes him a viable bullpen option for the Twins. If the Twins have designs on moving Duensing into the rotation, bringing DeVries into the bullpen might make sense (see: lack of walks).

I'm obliged to inform you, per the Twins twitter handle, that Cole is finally getting his shot with the Twins! https://twitter.com/#!/Twins/status/204940426594103297

This is a great story, as he is a Minnesota native and has been one of the more consistent pitchers in the organization. I still contend that he's better suited as a relief pitcher, but considering his roster spot comes at the expense of Jason Marquis, it's a reasonable assumption that he'll be inserted into the starting rotation. Coupled with the fact that his last start was over the weekend, it makes sense that his major league debut will be a start later in the week.

Good luck Cole! We'll be pullin' for ya!!!

Been their 2nd best starter & best righthanded pitcher all year. Gardy still has NO faith in him & gets him out of games ASAP (understand he had a rib issue last nite), but overall.....
Still find it humourous that MN has failed to state that Cole is currently on a career high in innings (combned 157.2IP) and first time in 3yrs he's been over 100. Even his 87.2 MLB innings are just short of last yrs 90 or 2010's 91.2
With 3 starts remaining (6 innings each??), he's gonna come about 5 innings short of his innings total for the last 2 yrs combined.
Funny how the team makes innings a drop dead mark (Diamond) when they want to, but with others they sweep it under the rug.
The organization has stated publicly/privately to media that Cole has fringe MLB stuff, but he gets guys out pretty consistently (Anthony Slama anyone??)