Brian Duensing a lock?

Yesterday was Brian Duensing’s spring debut, and manager Ron Gardenhire didn’t hold back his thoughts about what Duensing’s role will be come April. Gardenhire made it clear that he views Duensing as a starter. So that puts him behind lock Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano in the rotation, leaving Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn left to fight over those last two spots in the rotation. If you read my “keys to success” series you will recall that I was very much for giving Duensing a rotation spot. He has earned it over the last two seasons, even if his time spent in the rotation has never been for an entire season. He has put together two great half-seasons in the rotation and fully deserves a shot at a full season.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Brian Duensing throws to the New York Yankees in Game 3 of their MLB American League Divison Series baseball playoffs in New York October 9, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

There are those out there who think a little differently than I do on this topic. I won’t dive too greatly into stats, but his BABIP last season was .275, which is very low. If, and more likely, when that number goes up we could see quite a drastic change in results from Brian Duensing. I, though, am one who thinks he can be a very serviceable starter and since he has been nothing but consistent(which the likes of Slowey, Baker and Blackburn can’t say they’ve been) I think he is a solid back of the rotation option. He seems to bring certain intangibles to the mound that make him effective. He seems to want the ball in the big spots and I like that. If Scott Baker had the same attitude he would be a lock at the top of this rotation I believe.

Others will point out how great Duensing has been in the bullpen and I don’t disagree. He is a beast when it comes to getting lefties out so I totally understand how he could be a great asset to the ‘pen. But I feel until he really struggles for a prolonged period of time in the rotation he shouldn’t be thrown back to the bullpen. I like that Gardy is going to give the guy a shot this season and see what happens. I hope he will continue the good work, but do I think he will be posting sub-3 ERAs again? No, but I do think he will go out eat up some innings and rack up quality starts that will save a bullpen that has a lot of question marks.