Jhoan Duran: Minnesota Twins Pitching Prospect Shines
By Michael Crow
Minnesota Twins Pitching prospect Jhoan Duran came out throwing heat topping 100 miles per hour with several pitches with a high of 101 miles per hour. Duran’s electric “stuff” paired with the velocity he throws with netted 14 strikeouts in his latest start.
Minnesota Twins Pitching Prospect Jhoan Duran Shines
Duran is just 21 years old and was signed as an international free agent by the Arizona Diamondback in 2014. The Twins acquired Duran in a trade that sent Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar to the Diamondback in return for Duran, Ernie de la Trinidad, and Gabriel Maciel.
Duran is currently rated as the Twins seventh-best minor league prospect by MiLB.com and second pitcher on the list behind Brusdar Graterol. Duran is currently with the Fort Myers Miracle in advanced class A. There’s no telling when he’ll get his call up for the Twins but he’s likely a season or possibly two away.
In Duran’s previous seven starts he had mixed results not recording a win pitching 29 innings with a 4.60 ERA and giving up 15 runs. It’s not unusual for players to struggle some in the beginning when moving up a class in the minors, perhaps this latest start will propel him forward.
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Duran noted after his impressive showing that “There’s been a big focus on delivery” and focusing on his overall mechanics and not the results. The approach was certainly impressive and will certainly accelerate his rise if he can repeat.
The Twins have a solid core of prospects in the minors including Duran, Graterol, Stephen Gonsalves and Lewis Thorpe. The group of up and coming pitchers should start seeing action in the major leagues over the next three seasons.