Bass makes run for Twins roster

A 1.74 ERA in six spring training appearances has drawn some attention, and the righthander will get more chances to prove himself.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: March 19, 2008 - 12:01 AM

Print this story

More from Twins

FORT MYERS, FLA. - The Twins have spent spring training evaluating a large group of well-known pitching prospects who have either been developed in their farm system or who were highly touted arms from other organizations.

Then there's righthander Brian Bass, who basically has come out of ...

"Left field? I have. You can go ahead and say that," Bass said, as he looked up from his morning crossword puzzle.

Bass began camp as the Ron Paul of pitching candidates. You knew he was around but lacked the name recognition. Bass, however, is being taken more seriously now that he's posted a 1.74 ERA in six spring training outings. He gave up an unearned run on Monday -- because of his errant pickoff throw to second -- but the Twins have seen a pitcher who's not afraid to throw inside and has walked two batters over 10 1/3 innings.

He's an option as either a starter or as a reliever who can spot start. Righthanders Nick Blackburn and Philip Humber and lefthander Glen Perkins also are possibilities to be "flip-flop guys," as manager Ron Gardenhire calls the role.

The Twins now plan to bring Bass into games earlier so he can be tested against major league players and not ones who enter games late and wear numbers like 85 or 91 or 64.

"He comes in and throws all of his pitches over, sinks it and has got a great breaking ball and is very competitive," Gardenhire said. "He has a pretty good plan of what he's trying to do and he can execute."

Bass, 26, signed with the Twins last year as a minor league free agent out of the Royals organization, where the closest he got to the majors was 32 innings at Class AAA Omaha in 2006.

He was 7-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 37 games (10 starts) at Class AAA Rochester last season, working mostly out of the bullpen but filling in when prospects such as Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Matt Garza were called up. Bass won five of his last six decisions and finished the season with a complete-game shutout of Buffalo, during which he struck out a career-high 11 batters.

"Down the stretch, he was our most reliable guy," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "He worked his way up on the ballclub because of all those call-ups. Once he got the job, he did not let go of it."

Some agents for out-of-work pitchers avoided the Twins during the offseason because of the pitching depth they have. Bass re-signed with the club despite knowing firsthand what he was up against.

"It's definitely a driving force to want to go out and do well," Bass said. "So much young talent and so many guys who are unbelievable [with the Twins]. It's something that drives and motivates you."

He's out of options and would have to clear waivers if he's cut from camp. He's pitched so well that another club probably would claim him. Regardless of whether he sticks with the Twins, this is the best chance of his career to make a major league roster.

"He's put himself in a good situation here to be one of our options, to be one of the guys on our staff," Gardenhire said. "It will probably go right down to the end until we have to make a decision. We like him a lot [but] it's just going to be what is the best fit."

Recent Twins stories

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - March 19, 2008

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time since elbow surgery last Sept. 1 and said he felt good. More