The Arms Race

The Twins have long been reluctant to give young pitchers a spot in their rotation - that is old news.
Many have assumed that since Boof Bonser and Matt Garza spent the whole second half in the rotation last year, they would have a spot locked up going into this one, but that isn't the case.

Garza is almost certain to start the year in Triple-A, and considering how little minor league experience he actually has (less than two full seasons), maybe he'll be better off.
Boof is widely assumed to have a spot locked up, and probably should considering he was the No. 2 starter during last year's pennant race, but if he has a terrible spring I could see him losing his spot and beginning the season in Triple-A.

So while the Twins hand three spots in their rotation to veterans whose careers are at a serious crossroads (Carlos Silva, Ramon Ortiz, Sidney Ponson), a cast of young pitching prospects that no other team can come close to matching battles for one position.
Here's a closer look at the candidates.

Garza
Age: 23
2005 1st round pick
Last year's Sporting News Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Garza was in the major leagues less than a calendar year from his last start at Fresno State.
He began in A-ball and went 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA, moved to AA where he was 6-2, 2.51, then made a very brief appearance in Triple-A Rochester, where he was 3-1, 1.85. By then the Twins rotation was beset by injuries and ineffectiveness, and the team could avoid the call-up no longer.
He was hammered in his debut, and in a few other outings, but overall competed well for a guy one year removed from amateur competition.
In 9 starts he was 3-6 with a 5.76 ERA.
Garza has a mid-90's fastball with great movement, and a curve that can be a good pitch for him when he masters it. He hasn't done that yet.

Scott Baker
Age: 25
2003 2nd round pick
Baker emerged as a top prospect in 2005, going 5-8 with a 3.01 ERA at Rochester, and gave the Twins some serious encouragement when he posted a 3.35 ERA in 10 starts in the Majors.
But last year he got hammered by everyone except the Yankees (who he inexplicably owns), going 5-8 with an ugly 6.37 ERA.
He was 5-4, 2.67 in Rochester, and through 71 career minor league starts has a 2.97 ERA.
That's more than enough reason not to give up on him.
Baker has a fastball in the 91-93 range, a good change, an average slider and a knuckle-curve.
His main problem is keeping the ball down. His stiff, straight delivery allows him to hide the ball well (Derek Jeter said it was 'impossible' to pick up the ball out of his hand), but that delivery is also frequently the reason for him leaving the ball up.

Boof
Age: 25
2001 1st round pick of San Francisco
Boof pitched very well in the first two starts of his career, then began struggling with control and started getting knocked around, leading to a demotion back to Rochester.
When he returned, he was a different pitcher, aggressively attacking the strike zone, and posting a 2.63 ERA in the month of September. He pitched six strong innings in Game 2 of the ALDS, getting a no-decision.
Boof is a big, big dude - 6-4 and about 250 pounds. He could get in better shape.
His stuff isn't all that impressive - 90-94 with occasional cutting action, a slow curve and a fade change - and as hitters make adjustments this year he will have some bumps in the road.
But he proved he's a competitor. Reminds me of Kevin Milwood, and could have a similar career.

JD Durbin
Age: 25
2000 2nd round pick
Durbin made headlines and annoyed veterans when he arrived at spring training in 2004 and insisted that everyone call him the 'Real Deal'.
He was promptly bombed throughout spring training and opened the year in Double-A. But he went 4-1, 2.52 and earned a promotion to Rochester, going 3-2, 4.54. He was called up to the Twins in September, and went 0-1, 7.36 in four games (one start).
It went downhill from there, as he went 5-5, 4.33 and battled injuries and control issues in '05.
Last year he had a near-meltdown in a televised spring training game against Cincinnatti when he couldn't throw strikes (he was cut the next day after allowing 10 hits, 9 runs and four walks in five innings over four games).
But he rebounded, going 4-3, 2.33 in 16 starts for Rochester. He would've gotten a call-up, but an injury cut short his season.
Durbin throws a mid-90s heater with average breaking stuff.
He's out of options, so the Twins have to keep him on their roster or try to get him through waivers. He would never pass through waivers, so don't be surprised if he (or Baker) ends up part of a trade before the season starts.

Glen Perkins
Age: 24
2004 1st round pick
After going 9-3, 2.83 as a senior for the Minnesota Gophers, the Twins took Perk with one of their 5 1st round picks in '04.
Last year be began the year in Double-A, and though he had some tough luck, giong 4-11, he posted a 3.91 ERA and K'd 131 in 117 innings.
He made one start at Triple-A before the Twins called him up, and that was where he really shot up the depth chart.
In four relief appearances he worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits with 6ks and no walks. That got him a spot on the postseason roster.
However, the Twins are not considering him for a relief role this year. He will be a starter, and likely begin the year in Rochester.
He has a very smooth delivery that helps him reach 93 despite a rather unathletic 5-foot-11 frame. Also features a strong curve and change.

Kevin Slowey (pictured)
Age: will turn 23 May 4
2005 2nd round pick
The Twins made Slowey their No. 2 pick after he went 14-2, 2.18 as a senior at Winthrop University.
He went 3-2, 2.24 in nine starts in low-A ball, and began '06 at high-A Fort Myers.
In 14 starts for the Miracle he posted a 1.01 ERA, with 99 K's and only 9 walks in 89 innings.
He was promoted to Double-A New Britain and went 4-3, 3.19 in 9 starts.
He'll begin this year in Triple-A, but will probably make his ML debut some time this season.
Slowey is drawing strong comparisons to Brad Radke, as he's a control specialist with modest stuff.
In 32 career minor league starts, Slowey has a 1.96 ERA, with 235 Ks and just 30 walks in 220 innings.
Those are amazing numbers.
All six of these guys would likely be the pride of the entire minor league system in other organizations. The depth the Twins have in the minors is almost embarrassing.
And these aren't the only ones.
Here are some other names to look for in the next couple-few years:
Alexander Smit, Oswaldo Sosa, Anthony Swarzak, Kyle Waldrop, Jay Rainville, Errol Simonitsch, Yohan Pino.
(For what it's worth, Pino, pitching for the Twins Dominican Baseball Academy in 2004, put up the following stats: 10-1, 0.53 ERA, 86 innings, 49 hits, 5 runs, 5 walks, 81 Ks.)