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Mr. Ed -> RE: Players and prospects III (6/29/2017 12:18:50 PM)
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https://www.milb.com/milb/news/minnesota-twins-felix-jorge-is-showing-resiliency/c-239252000/t-185364810
Felix Jorge hasn't always had instant success in his trip up the Minnesota Twins farm system. In fact, it's frequently been just the opposite.
None of the struggles, though, have derailed the Twins' No. 8 prospect. It's just brought out the right-hander's resiliency.
Chattanooga manager Jake Mauer has been the beneficiary this season; the Lookouts won the first-half title in the North Division of the Double-A Southern League.
After taking his share of lumps in the second half a year ago following a dominant performance with Class A Advanced Fort Myers, Jorge is 8-1 with a 3.26 ERA after 14 starts in 2017, his victory total the second best in the Southern League.
"He's had some really good outings, and we look to him to kind of have that consistent approach throughout," Mauer said. "We know there are going to be those games where he's not going to have his stuff. He needs to continue to be a pitcher and in a tough situation maybe allow just one run compared to four or five runs and still give us a chance."
Jorge has been able to do just that, not taking a loss since April 28 -- 10 starts ago.
In the Class A Midwest League, Mauer saw Jorge take a step back to take a step forward, beginning his pitching education. That process in still ongoing, but the grades are positive.
"He's a young man that doesn't back down from a challenge, which is good because there have been a few instances in his career where he was hit very hard," Mauer said. "Some guys run from contact in that situation, and he took it as a challenge to make himself better and get better."
The slender 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic has met every challenge in time.
"I had him as a young guy in Cedar Rapids, and he had a really hard time there the first year," Mauer said. "He went down to the [Rookie-level] Appalachian League and was pitcher of the year. He worked on things. The following year he was the pitcher of the year for me back in the Midwest League."
After posting a 2.79 ERA in his second try at Cedar Rapids, Jorge was 9-3 with a 1.55 ERA over 14 starts in the Florida State League a year ago.
That was enough for the Twins to promote him to their 40-man roster despite a so-so performance for Chattanooga to finish the season. They knew if they didn't, another team would likely snatch Jorge up in the Rule 5 Draft.
Jorge pitched just twice in the Cactus League, recording only two outs while giving up a homer and two runs. It was yet another learning process, though, and he has flourished in his second try at the Southern League.
Jorge, who has recorded 61 strikeouts to 22 walks, is just off the league lead with 85 2/3 innings and has gone at least seven innings in four of his last seven starters. He allowed three hits over one seven-inning scoreless outings and five hits over another.
Maybe just as impressively, he allowed only two runs despite 11 hits while working 7 2/3 innings in his most recent start against Pensacola. That showed his ability to avoid a bad inning and stay focused.
Jorge does it with a fastball that can reach the mid-90s, a slider and a changeup. Although it may not wow, his stuff is certainly good enough.
"His slider is coming along and his changeup is pretty good," Mauer said. "But for me, when he's really good it is all about commanding his fastball. That's what it starts and ends with for about any pitcher. His goal is to command his fastball and spot it in and out. If he can do that, he is going to be right where he wants to be."
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