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Chris Parmelee, like Liam Hendriks, is destined for a year where he'll be back and forth between triple-A and the Twins so many times that he'll likely forget how many times he was recalled. This time up, since June 8, Parmelee hit .263/.391/.579 thanks in no small part to hitting home runs in back-to-back games. Well, back-to-back games for him. In 24 games, Parmelee made just four starts and seven pinch-hit appearances. Why he was even up was a mystery. Hopefully he can get back Rochester and play everyday until September when we'll hopefully see him again.
In his place comes Samuel Deduno, an amateur free agent signing by the Rockies back in 2003 at 19 years of age. He debuted for Colorado in 2010 as a late-season callup, surrendering one run off a homer in four appearances totaling 2.2 innings. He was selected off waivers by the Padres the following January, making two relief appearances in April before lost in San Diego's permanent shuffle. Minnesota signed him as a minor league free agent last November, as one of their many efforts to inject Rochester with some decent talent.
Essentially stuck at triple-A since 2009, Deduno doesn't have anything left to prove at that level. He's started 28 games and appeared in 28 more as a reliever, pitching to a 3.43 ERA across 183.2 innings; just this season with the Red Wings he's pitched pretty well. Particularly since returning from the disabled list.
More after the jump.
Six starts into his Red Wings return, Deduno has gone 26 innings while allowing just 13 hits and 14 walks while striking out 33. While walks can certainly be an issue, it's clear that when he's healthy that he can also get a whiff or two from time to time.
One of the most intriguing parts of his game is his tendency to induce ground balls. He has consistently clocked in at a ground ball rate higher than 50% over the course of his minor league career, including a 63% rate this season. A guy who can keep the ball on the ground and strike out six batters per nine innings can be moderately successful in the majors. I think there's room for a little bit of optimism here.
Deduno will start Saturday against the Rangers, giving Minnesota a full rotation once again provided Brian Duensing is ready to pitch again on Monday.