The Twins have agreed to bring hurler Caleb Thielbar back to the organization on a minors deal, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets. Further details aren’t known.
All of Thielbar’s MLB experience came in Minnesota between 2013 and 2015. He carried a 2.74 ERA in 98 2/3 innings, in fact. He only carried a 79:30 K/BB ratio but had success at tamping down the long ball and batting average on balls in play.
Since Thielbar’s chances fizzled out with the Twins and he never got another shot elsewhere, it seems there’s quite a lot of doubt as to whether he can really succeed over the long haul in the majors. He ended up spending two years on the indy ball circuit and hasn’t seen the bigs since. But he has been awfully stingy in the upper minors in the past two seasons. Last year, he ran up a 3.22 ERA with an eyebrow-raising 94:16 K/BB ratio over 78 1/3 innings in 51 appearances in the hitter-friendly International League.
Hmmmm. ♂️
Wow what a roaring couple weeks of FA for the Twins.
I was wondering who would win the Caleb Thielbar Sweepstakes.
Hey now, that’s my daughter’s boyfriend’s uncle. Be nice.
Sounds like one of last year’s many purported links of either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado to several of their various suitors (Chicago *did* sign Yonder Alonso while in pursuit of Machado, after all).
No reason why he didn’t get a callup with the Tigers last year, especially with the state of that mess right now. Good for him, hope he gets another big league opportunity.
I agree, I always felt like he slipped through the crack and was never given a fair shake. Especially when you look at all the opportunities VerHagen, Soto, and Carpenter were given. Yikes
I think every other ball club has figured out that he isn’t an MLB player. Given that every MLB team is looking for pitching, guys that can pitch in the big leagues don’t hang around independent ball for three seasons.
I thought he would get a Garret Cole type contract. The Yankee’s really dropped the ball on this one. Good job Twins we knew you would make a big splash!
Finally some impact pitching.
WOWWWW!!!!!!!!!
This should wrap it up for the Twins as Pohlad is busy the next couple of weeks as Scrooge.
Might just be the best minor league deal made so far.
It’s kind of weird he never received another shot/more of a shot — I mean the guy has essentially never “failed” at any stop along his career. Sure outside of his first season in the bigs he also hasn’t ‘dominated’ but with how many teams routinely need bullpen help you’d think a guy who’s had success and also never really been shelled or anything would be able to get a shot — at least until he proves otherwise unworthy. Good luck and hope he gets another shot this year in MIN — especially if he can somehow replicate some of the K success from last year he could be an entirely new type of weapon if given a chance.
Oooh, the Yankees are shaking! Oh wait, we won’t make it that far anyways unless we get elite Starting Pitching…you know, just like last year when failed at the deadline. Boy, those prospects must be incredible!!!
I’m convinced the Twins’ hot stove is located on top of an Easy-Bake Oven.
I’m pretty sure the bandit, the samurai, his wife, the woodcutter and I agree that your Easy-Bake Oven take is weak.
“Last year, he ran up a 3.22 ERA with an eyebrow-raising 94:16 K/BB ratio over 78 1/3 innings in 51 appearances in the hitter-friendly International League.”
Jeffrey… are you sure you don’t have some sort of facial twitch that needs to be checked out? I didn’t raise my eyebrows over reading that stat line, but I did not my head slightly to indicate my approval for his success. I just want to make sure you’re OK.
I executed a dismissive head oscillation upon reading this comment.
Now that’s a name I haven’t heard of in a long time. Anyways, it’s a good pickup.
That’s a relief, I thought we might [sarcasm] miss out on a stud pitcher [/sarcasm]
My wife and I just placed our lawn chairs on Washington Avenue.