Young bullpen arms leave Twins wanting more

FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Twins selected J.T. Chargois, a righthanded reliever from Rice University, in the second round of the 2012 draft. He had 16 impressive innings in the low minors that summer, tore a ligament in his right elbow before 2013 spring training and didn't pitch for two seasons.

The Twins selected Zack Jones, a righthanded reliever from San Jose State, in the fourth round in 2012. Jones had 104 strikeouts in 68 ⅔ innings combined in 2012 and 2013. An aneurysm was removed from his right arm early in 2014, and he returned to pitch in 11 games late in the summer and seven more in the Arizona Fall League.

The Twins selected Nick Burdi, a righthanded reliever from Louisville, in the second round in 2014. They felt as if the 6-5, 220-pound Burdi could be fast-tracked, and he started at low-A Cedar Rapids in midseason. He had 38 strikeouts in 20 ⅓ innings.

The Twins selected Jake Reed, a righthanded reliever from Oregon, in the fifth round in 2014. He pitched in Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids and was so impressive the Twins sent Reed to the fall league as a pro rookie.

There was a feeling this righthanded power pitching could come together in the Chattanooga bullpen in 2015, and then to rise in a wave from Class AA, through Rochester and to the Twins by 2016.

Doug Mientkiewicz, ready for his first season at Class AA as a manager, said that spring: "Chargois throws 100 [miles per hour] … legit. I have a chance to have four of them in the bullpen that start at 98 [mph] and go from there."

Mientkiewicz's disclaimer — "a chance" — is always a requirement when talking about pitching.

The four gas throwers were not united for long. Burdi was struggling with control and was demoted to Fort Myers on June 25. Jones followed him to Fort Myers on July 10, and Reed in early August.

Ten weeks after he joined the Lookouts, Chargois was the only one of the four still in the bullpen.

There was an enjoyable reunion in September, when Burdi and Reed came back to assist in the nine games it took Mientkiewicz's club to win the Southern League playoff title. Chargois had two saves in four appearances, Burdi pitched in five games and Reed pitched in two games.

Two years after Mientkiewicz talked in anticipation of what those four power arms might offer to the Twins' future, only Chargois has seen the big leagues.

Chargois started last season back in Chattanooga, cruised through Class AAA Rochester, and joined the Twins bullpen on Aug. 11. Actually, he was called up for a major league debut on June 11 and gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Impressive, but it wasn't exactly a September pennant race. Chargois realizes that and promptly doused a suggestion from a reporter this week that he could be the closer in 2017.

"We're not going there," he said. "I want to pitch well enough this spring to be on the team. I'm not guaranteed anything, and I shouldn't be."

Chargois comes from the small town of Sulphur, La. He has been working out at the Twins complex since late December.

"I'm not one of these guys that lives in L.A. or San Diego or some other big city," he said. "There aren't a lot of options for working with a training staff in my little town. I spent most of two years living here and rehabbing, and I have great appreciation for the trainers and strength guys the Twins have in Fort Myers."

Eric Rasmussen has been Twins minor league pitching coordinator and has watched Chargois make it through rehab and to the big leagues.

"And he's going to get better with experience. It's the same with all pitchers, no matter how good the arm."

As for those other three with good righthanded arms, Reed has stayed healthy and was invited to big-league camp for the second time, Burdi will be in minor league camp trying to come back from a mysterious arm injury (a bruised bone without being hit by a baseball) and Jones will miss the season after shoulder surgery.

It's pitching. One out of four is disappointing, two out of four is better than average, and anything better is miraculous.