Welcom to The Show, Anthony Swarzak

by Jesse on May 20, 2009 5:45 PM EDT in Player Profiles

With Craig Breslow getting claimed off waivers by Oakland, Minnesota's latest pitching prospect gets his shot.

Minnesota's second-round choice in the 2004 draft, Anthony Swarzak has had a steady climb through the farm system. Rookie ball in '04, Beloit and Fort Myers in '05, New Britain in '07 and a late promotion to triple-A Rochester last year. Now, after seven encouraging starts there this season, he's picking a uniform number for the Twins.

Glen Perkins and Matt Tolbert are the only two other players from that draft to breach the majors so far for the Twins. Other pitchers from that draft class, like Matt Fox, Jay Rainville and Kyle Waldrop haven't moved quite as quickly or been quite as good as Anthony; Rainville and Fox have each missed entire seasons and are now both in New Britain, while Waldrop was there last year but took a step backward and is struggling in Fort Myers this season. It was a promising class early, a class that also included Eduardo Morlan and Tim Lahey, but Perkins and Swarzak are the only two appearing to reach their potential on schedule.

Anthony, 24, will get a couple days to take in the atmosphere before getting his first major league start against the Brewers on Saturday. If you're in Minneapolis, be sure to get out there and show your support.

There's a lot to like with Swarzak, and Baseball America (who have ranked him a Top 10 Twins prospect every season since '05) agrees. Walk rates are on the positive side of average, walking just 2.8 batters per nine innings over the course of his minor league career. The strikeout rates aren't over the top, but the ability is there; 7.9 K/9, although that's a bit higher than his 6.5 rate in Rochester this year. Balls stay in the park (just 42 home runs in 636.2 innings).

Back in 2007 Swarzak served a 50-game suspension for a "drug of abuse", but since then has re-focused Some have speculated that the drug of abuse was marijuana; as disappointing as that can be, it's not exactly a performance-enhancing drug. I'm not encouraging it, but it's supposed to impair judgment. So, it's not cheating. It's just...bad judgment.

With all that behind him and his MLB future ahead of him, there will be a lot of people watching Swarzak's progress this summer with great interest. Right now he has to be the pitcher with the most upside coming from the '04 draft class, and right now, the Twins pitching staff could use a little upside.

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Agreed.

Twins staff could use a little light in the midst of Hurricane Lose. Swarzak has always been near the top of the Twins prospect list and this is now his opportunity to show that he has deserved that.

What comes next? Does Ayala get DFA’ed before Perkins comes back from the DL? Does Tolbert get sent down with Casilla being recalled? Does Mauer shave off his sideburns? Does Morneau grow a Kevin Youkilis Beard?

by BCTwins on May 20, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

Will Jose Mijares

irritate Gardenhire by eating too much of the postgame spread? Will Nick Punto manage to stay above the Mendoza line? Will Luke and Laura wind up together?

Actually, if I had to guess I would assume that Swarzak will get sent back to Rochester when Perkins returns. If they do jettison Alaya, which would be fine with me, who starts? Does Swarzak shift at least temporarily to a relief role?

by Eric in Madison on May 20, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

no Gardy would have

Perkins move to the pen especially if Swarzak comes up and is lights out.

by BCTwins on May 20, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

It'll take Perkins time to get back

It sounds like they need to rest it for at least two weeks. Then he’ll have to gradually work his arm strength back. He might even need a rehab assignment. Swarzak should get at least three starts to prove himself in that time. But he’s a starter, so when Perkins returns, he’ll probably go down anyway.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on May 20, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

suspension

No, what’s “disappointing” is a guy getting suspended for 50 games for smoking a little doober while his teammates are almost encouraged to get trashed on Busch Light after the game. End the failed war on drugs!

by wcooley on May 21, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

Here, here.

Unless we stand up and call out this policy for what it is, the taking of people’s basic rights to grow a plant and use it, the government will feel empowered to set up arbitrary rules that serve their interests—and Monsanto’s— above those of average citizens.

And, if you do not understand how it is that government benefits from the War on Drugs, read today’s Strib article on the Gang Strike Force’s recent activities. The chief reason that marijuana is still illegal after decades of ruining people’s lives and communities is that the police use it to make money, win funding and as a justification to go after poor people.

If Swarczak had some THC in his bloodstream, the fact that he got a 50 game suspension is a badge of honor and not a mistake of judgment. Let’s hope he can pitch though.

by Old Twins Cap on May 21, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Common

I’m guessing abuses like that are far more common than the supporters of the war on drugs would like to admit. This is an issue that liberals and conservatives should be able to unite on. How much more money should we pour down this sinkhole? How much corruption can we stomache? How many people like Swarzak should be stigmatized because they use an illegal drug that is less harmful than so many sanctioned drugs? Ritalin for 5 year-olds but adults cannot use marijuana?

by wcooley on May 21, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Not really a topic I like to expound on

but I can’t get on someone too hard for Marijuana. Frankly, when someone gets busted for pot, I look at it less from the horrible activity of smoking pot, but the judgement. At this time, take it or leave it (mostly leave), we’re still talking about something illegal. It may be a difficult argument, but it’s still legal to get Sh*& wasted at a bar, but not to smoke pot. You have to consider a player’s judgement here.

That said, there is no reason to lump Swarzak in with other performance enhancers. At least we know his performance has been natural…

by Adam Peterson on May 23, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions