Profile: OF - 6'2" - 195lbs -BT:L - TH:R - 2011 Age: 22
Repertoire:
• FB 90-92: Solid/average velocity, and movement, average/plus command. (50-60)
• CV 76-78: Frisbee with big lateral movement. (45-55)
• CH 82-84: Straight with good, not great differential, but he has a plus feel. (55-65)
Background:
The Twins first round pick in the 2010 draft out of Ohio State, Big-10 Pitcher of the Year Wimmers signed for just over 1.3m and did so in time to make his professional debut for the Twins for their Advanced A Ft. Myers team. He's a polished pitcher who lacks upside but is highly projectable and has the ability to move quickly through the Twins system and have an impact at the MLB level by late 2012.
While he lacks an ideal build or overpowering velocity, Wimmers, like seemingly all Twins pitchers, commands the zone well well. His delivery is easy and repeatable leading to low injury risk and giving him the ability to throw strikes easily and with command inside the zone.
His fastball works in the 90-92mph range working both sides of the plate for strikes. He generates solid/average movement that looks to play GB neutral, or maybe slightly fly-ball heavy, but there isn't any one aspect of his fastball that jumps out as plus, other than his command. In combination with his fastball, he'll show hitters a curveball, but the pitch doesn't get plus depth and doesn't project to get much better. His changeup however is a very good pitch and gives him a third pitch that could be legitimately plus with a little work.
Performance Analysis:
| Year | Age | Level | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | GB% | HBP | WP | ERA | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 21 | A+ | 15.2 | 13.21 | 2.87 | 48% | 0 | 0 | 0.57 | 1.22 |
Wimmers had a brief debut in which he dominated FSL competition, though it should be noted the league is a pitchers paradise. Of course, pitcher friendly parks or not, you can't fake dominant strikeout and walk rates. He'll likely open 2011 on the same team, but like the previous years first round pick could move very quickly given his polish.
Projection:
He has borderline #2 upside dependent upon how his changeup develops, but he feels like an easy projection as a #3 pitcher.
Corey Ettinger is a Senior Writer for Baseball Digest as well as a proud contributor to both 612Sports.net, 312Sports.com, and 313sports.com. He also provides extensive analysis of the American League Central Division at his own blog, AL Central In Focus. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Coreyettinger for the latest updates, random thoughts and general tomfoolery.
No comments:
Post a Comment