Kyle Waldrop

by John Sickels on May 31, 2005 10:40 PM EDT in News

Great game from Beloit starter Kyle Waldrop tonight. Epitome of projectable, yet he already throws in the low 90s with excellent command.

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twins have good arms

if my favorite team wasnt the dodgers, i would be jealous and envy the surplus of arms in the twins system.

by npurcell on May 31, 2005 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

thanks

Thanks so much for the pictures John.

Kyle put together a good start tonight, and quite frankly it's about time.

He's been struggling a fair amount this year. I thought he was gonna have a monster year, but maybe it's just now coming together. He has great control and can spot his pitches pretty well.

Do you still think he's a top 10 prospect for the Twins and projected to make the show?

Thanks

by hotshotschamp on Jun 1, 2005 1:48 AM EDT reply actions

Although he didn't play in the game last night, I'd like to know your opinions on short stop Trevor Plouffe. His hitting has been awful since turning pro last year. What kind of problem is it in his swing or approach at the plate?

by tradewind on Jun 1, 2005 4:55 AM EDT reply actions

Plouffe

Plouffe was OK last year in the Appy League right out of HS--most HS kids start in the GCL. This year he's been awful, its true. I think he'll get dropped back down once the Appy season starts.

As for Waldrop, and generally the Beloit rotation--its young even for the Midwest League. In an unusual move for the Twins, they have pushed 3 of last season's HS draftees to the Beloit rotation this year. Usually they wouldn't do this--they would hold them back for the Appy League.

Waldrop, Jay Rainville (Supp. 1st) , and Anthony Swarzak (2nd), have all held their own, actually. Swarzak's results have been excellent (2.14 ERA), Waldrop has a 50:8 K:BB ratio. For guys in their first full year of pro ball, I think they are doing very well.

As for Waldrop specifically, its taken him a little while to adjust to the league, but I am actually expecting a terrific 2nd half for him.

by ericinmadison on Jun 1, 2005 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

Plouffe

Is it possible he turns back to pitching?

by jsla on Jun 1, 2005 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm surprised

to see how solid his mechanics look. There aren't going to be arm problems in his future due to a mechanical flaw. Those are picture perfect.

by So Cal Bob on Jun 1, 2005 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

wladrop

His mechanics were very clean and very consistent. In the sixth inning he started to drop down a little bit and lost a couple MPH off his fastball. The Beloit braintrust must have noticed this because he was pulled from the game at the end of the inning despite allowing just 1 run so far and being around 80 on the pitch count.

He was using a two-seamer with terrific running action on righthanded hitters. 89-91 mph velocity. good breaking ball too. Lean, lanky, he looked great.

by John Sickels on Jun 1, 2005 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

You know who he reminds me of...

He reminds me of a taller, more projectable Zack Greinke. By that I mean that for a HS kid, he has very good control, great mechanics, and what seems like a good head on his shoulders.

I think he'll be one of the better pitchers to come out of the 2004 draft.

by SenorGato88 on Jun 1, 2005 6:57 PM EDT reply actions