Duensing's Dilemma

Brian Duensing is a pitching prospect that a lot of organizations would love to have. Drafted out of the University of Nebraska in the third round of the 2005 draft, he's risen very quickly through the Twins' system, dominating rookie ball in his first half-season as a pro, then quickly jumpinh from Low-A ball to Triple-A over the next two seasons while posting solid results at every stop. In total, Duensing holds a 3.17 ERA over two-and-a-half seasons in the Twins organization, with a 297-to-93 strikeout-to-walk ratio and just 32 home runs allowed in 377 2/3 innings. Plus, he's left-handed, which is always a plus. At 25 years old and with a strong season at Triple-A under his belt (he went 11-5 with a 3.24 ERA over 116 2/3 innings in Rochester last year), it would seem that the stage is set for Duensing to make an impact in the big leagues. Unfortunately, the organization's current situation may prevent that from happening any time soon.

The Twins aren't in need of starting pitching help right now -- in fact, when Kevin Slowey returns from the disabled list it appears that their rotation may be overcrowded. When the Twins eventually do need to draw from the minors for some help in the rotation, it's unclear whether Duensing will be near the head of the line for a promotion in spite of the fact that he's gotten off to a strong start at Rochester (2.74 ERA in 23 IP).

The Twins may be eager to get a look at fellow Triple-A farmhands Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey, both of whom were received in the Johan Santana trade. This is especially true for Mulvey, who is off to a fantastic start in Rochester this year with a 1.02 ERA and 20-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio through three starts. Another Triple-A left-hander who the Twins may want to take a look at soon is Glen Perkins, who has gotten off to a slow start with the Red Wings this year but is generally considered to have more upside than Duensing.

It's difficult to gauge where Duensing stands in the pecking order. I haven't often heard officials in the organization talk about him publicly much, but he was cut relatively early in spring training and isn't often mentioned as a potential call-up candidate. Even if he does get called up for a spot start at some point, it's difficult to imagine him sticking in the rotation for long unless he pitches lights-out, what with the influx of high-upside prospects rising through the organization.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Duensing though, because eventually the Twins are going to need to make room in their Triple-A rotation for guys like Oswaldo Sosa and Anthony Swarzak, who is pitching exceedingly well at Class-AA New Britain. If the young hurlers in the Twins' rotation continue to pitch the way they are now, there might not be room with the big-league club for another starter. Duensing almost seems like a spare part who would be a logical trade candidate, but 25-year-old college pitchers who don't miss a lot of bats tend to not have a ton of trade value.

He'll be a player to keep an eye on this season.