Whenever someone is listed as the minor league pitcher of the day, it will attract notice. This is particularly true when the pitcher in question has the excellent start that Tyler Duffey had for the Rochester Red Wings, when the Minnesota Twins farmhand pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing only six hits and a walk while striking out nine batters.
This is the continuation of a solid year for the 24 year old righty. Overall in his 2015 season, split between Rochester and the AA Chattanooga Lookouts, Duffey has posted a 5-6 record, but that does not do justice to his 2.50 ERA and 1.121 WHiP. In 104.1 combined innings, Duffey has struck out 94 batters while issuing just 23 walks, showing excellent command.
Since being selected in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, Duffey has dominated throughout his minor league career. Overall, he has posted a stellar 27-16 record with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.118 WHiP, striking out 325 batters while issuing only 78 walks in 393.2 innings of work.
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In Tyler Duffey, the Minnesota Twins have a throwback to their previous pitching philosophy. Instead of being a pitcher who will light up the radar gun and struck out batters with ease, Duffey is considered to be more of a strike thrower who knows how to pitch. He has proven to have stellar control, with a mere 1.8 walks per nine innings over his career, and is considered to be more of a ground ball pitcher that should be able to eat innings than a top of the rotation star.
Yet, that is not necessarily a bad profile. Duffey, while he may not be ace material, may well develop into a dependable middle of the rotation starter for the Twins. Pitchers that can keep the ball on the ground and limit walks, as Duffey has shown that he can do in his minor league career, certainly have value on a major league staff.
With Duffey currently pitching well in Rochester, as his 2.44 ERA and 1.142 WHiP belie his 3-4 record, it would not be a surprise to see him get a look at some point this season. Should the Twins need a starter due to injury, or even as a September callup, Duffey could get a chance to make an impact in Minnesota at some point this season.
Even if Tyler Duffey is not considered one of the Minnesota Twins top prospects, it would appear as though he has nothing left to prove in the minors. Despite not having the sheer stuff of the other, more highly touted prospects in the organization, Duffey appears to be ready for an extended look at the major league level.