Twins minor league report: Ward's career mirrors player he was traded for

Zach Ward, acquired in 2006 for Kyle Lohse, has found a niche in the bullpen at Class AA New Britain.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 24, 2008 - 10:29 PM

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Kyle Lohse, who came to the Twins in 1999 as part of the trade that sent Rick Aguilera to the Cubs, went 3-18 the next season for Class AA New Britain. But Lohse wound up making his Twins debut in 2001 and now is in his eighth major league season.

Lohse was dealt during the 2006 season to the Reds for righthander Zach Ward. Ward promptly went 5-17 the next season for Class A Fort Myers. Draw your own conclusions.

The Twins hope they have found a role for Ward. After starting at Fort Myers last season, Ward, 24, is thriving in a bullpen role at Class AA New Britain, giving up only one earned run over his first 30 innings for the Rock Cats -- an 0.30 ERA. He threw two hitless innings Friday night at Portland for his ninth consecutive scoreless appearance.

"This is the role we're going to pitch him in," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "He's more or less a setup man for us. He's got a sinking fastball and a slider."

Ward pitches at 89-90 miles an hour but has kept the ball in the yard. He gave up only five home runs in 130 2/3 innings last season for Fort Myers and had yet to give up a homer this season.

Will that sinker miss major league bats one day? It's possible that the Twins will find out in a couple of years, given Ward's age.

System check

• The Twins promoted infielder Felix Molina from New Britain to Class AAA Rochester to replace Matt Macri. The callup would have been infielder Luke Hughes, but Hughes -- who got off to a torrid start at New Britain -- has been rusty since coming back from a strained hamstring just over a week ago.

• With the Twins' injuries, why hasn't Rochester infielder Tommy Watkins been called up by now? He reported to camp 20 pounds overweight, which has affected his mobility. Watkins, who hit .357 in nine games with the Twins in August before suffering an abdominal strain, needed several weeks at the end of the season to recover, but the Twins still don't understand why he had to gain so much weight.

• Philip Humber is 0-5 with a 5.83 ERA in nine starts at Rochester. Rantz said the righthander has lost command of his fastball, which 23 walks in 41 2/3 innings as a starter suggest.

• Fort Myers outfielder Rene Tosoni, batting .325 with a homer and 17 RBI, is out indefinitely after breaking a bone in his foot on a foul ball.

• The Twins have been impressed by catcher Jair Fernandez, who began Saturday batting .329 with a homer and 33 RBI for Class A Beloit. The Twins received Fernandez from Seattle for knuckleballer R.A. Dickey toward the end of spring training. "He has a big, strong body and can hit the ball," Rantz said. "He has a strong arm. He just needs to play, call the game and get behind the dish."