Added velocity has Blackburn attracting Twins' attention

Class AAA Rochester righthander Nick Blackburn has raised the stakes among Twins pitching prospects with a current streak of 281/3 innings without giving up an earned run.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: June 16, 2007 - 4:15 PM

Class AAA Rochester righthander Nick Blackburn has raised the stakes among Twins pitching prospects with a current streak of 281/3 innings without giving up an earned run.

Blackburn on Thursday became the first pitcher in minor league baseball this year to throw back-to-back nine-inning shutouts when he led the Red Wings to a 2-0 victory over Louisville.

The Twins drafted Blackburn, 25, in the 29th round in 2001, and he entered the season with a career record of 30-36 and a 4.03 ERA. He pitched briefly at Rochester in 2005 but spent all of 2006 at Class AA New Britain. His fastball in 2005 was in the mid- to upper-90-mile-per-hour range.

"My velocity wasn't where it is now," Blackburn said. "I had a couple of knee surgeries and didn't have my legs under me yet."

His legs now stronger, Blackburn averages 92 mph with his fastball but threw one pitch at 97 mph on Thursday. But he's mostly a sinkerballer and changeup guy with 22 strikeouts in 441/3 innings.

He opened this year at New Britain but is 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA in six starts at Rochester after being promoted. He hasn't walked a batter in 31 innings.

"I think his stock has risen after last year," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "His velo has improved. Everything about his game has gotten better. That comes with confidence and pitching at higher levels. He has turned it all around."

Where's Moses?

Rochester third baseman Matt Moses, who began the season as the Twins' top prospect at the position, has not played since May 29 because of a sore neck.

"Initially, he was supposed to be out four, five, six days," said Rob Antony, Twins director of minor league operations.

Moses, a first-round pick in 2003, reported to spring training having lost 41 pounds and seemed determined to make the run at the major league spot the club wants him to grab.

Little has gone right for him since. He is batting .231 with two homers and 17 RBI. He's walked four times and has struck out 41 times in 43 games. He went from May 5 to May 21 without an error, then committed three over two games. Then he suffered the neck injury.

Hot-hitting Matt Tolbert is getting time at third now, and it's not out of the question that Moses could be sent to Class AA New Britain if he doesn't turn things around when he gets healthy.

Etc.

• Outfielder Ben Revere, the Twins' first-round pick in the June 7 draft, reported to Class A Fort Myers on Friday to begin his pro career.

• The Miracle has already been shut out 14 times, a Florida State League record.

• The Twins are thrilled with the progress of righthanded reliever Matt Fox, who is 4-0 with a 0.56 ERA at Class A Beloit. Fox missed all of 2005 because of shoulder surgery and threw 85-mph fastballs last season but is at 88-90 this year.

• The Twins will hold a tryout camp at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Dome. Selected players will play in a game Tuesday.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com