Alex Wimmers
| IP | 24 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.5 |
| WHIP | 1.708 |
| BB/9 | 7.125 |
| SO/9 | 7.875 |
- Full name Alex Michael Wimmers
- Born 11/01/1988 in Cincinnati, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Ohio State
- Debut 08/26/2016
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Drafted in the 1st round (21st overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2010 (signed for $1,332,000).
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Only a hamstring injury has been able to stop Wimmers this spring, as he won each of his first nine starts for the Buckeyes before missing the first three weekends in May. He also starred in 2009, sharing Big Ten Conference pitcher-of-the-year honors before leading Bourne to its first-ever Cape Cod League championship. Scouts said Wimmers had the most polished arsenal on the Cape, and few pitchers in this draft can match the depth of his repertoire. He has the best changeup in the 2010 draft crop, and one area scout said it's the best he has ever seen from an amateur. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and touches 94, and he could add a little more velocity if he builds arm strength by using it more in pro ball. His third pitch is a curveball that he easily throws for strikes. He's an athletic, 6-foot-2, 195-pounder who holds the record for career batting average (.457) at Cincinnati's storied Moeller High--the alma mater of Buddy Bell, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin.
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Wimmers was supposed to be a prime example of what the Twins seek in pitchers when they signed him for $1.332 million as the 21st overall pick in the 2010 draft. He dominated in four high Class A starts in his pro debut, but Wimmers came to spring training last year unprepared physically, had a setback with a hamstring pull and, in the words of one club official, "All hell broke loose." Back at Fort Myers, he couldn't find the plate. In his first start, he walked six straight hitters and added three wild pitches while throwing just four of 28 pitches for strikes. Minnesota put him on the disabled list and went to work rebuilding his confidence to try to cure his case of Rick Ankiel disease. Wimmers went through extended spring training and returned to game action in July. His season ended on a triumphant note when he tossed a seven-inning no-hitter at Jupiter, walking two and striking out five. Wimmers' fastball sat in the upper 80s in that appearance, and the Twins attribute the lower velocity to his inability to build arm strength during his bouts of wildness. He had pitched at 88-92 mph in the past. He still showed good arm speed on his above-average straight changeup, his best pitch, and threw strikes with his curveball. He showed mental toughness by coming through his difficulties to end the season on a high note. Wimmers was able to find the plate in instructional league and should return to high Class A in 2012 to make the next step in his comeback. -
Wimmers set the school record for career batting average (.457) at Cincinnati's Moeller High, the alma mater of Buddy Bell, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin. He was strictly a pitcher in college, becoming Ohio State's ace and going 18-2 in his final two seasons. A hamstring strain limited him late last spring, but he still went 21st overall in the draft and pitched well in his brief pro debut --including five no-hit innings in his third start--after signing for $1.332 million. Wimmers fits the Twins' pitching model well, throwing strikes with three pitches that have a chance to be average or better. His best pitch is a changeup that's a tick above average now and projects as plus once he adds some life to it. He has excellent arm speed on the changeup, which is usually straight but has some sink at times. His lively fastball sits at 88-92 mph and reaches 94 at times. He needs to refine his fastball command, something Minnesota has a good track record of teaching. He's athletic and should improve his ability to repeat his delivery and throw consistent strikes. His curve gives him a third solid pitch. Wimmers isn't as polished as Kyle Gibson and doesn't have the same upside, but he could be an innings-eating No. 3 starter if his fastball command improves. Despite his late-season dominance in high Class A, he's likely to start 2011 back there.
