Boof Bonser, scheduled to start tomorrow’s game against the Royals at the Metrodome, hasn’t looked like the pitcher who could become the team’s No. 2 starter behind Johan Santana. Bonser’s record: 0-1, 6.53 ERA. He’s given up the most home runs on the staff, seven.
That’s a contrast to last September when his record for the month was 4-1, 2.63 ERA. He was named American League Rookie of the Month. Bonser had a promising season with the Twins, twice being called up from AAA Rochester to help rescue a starting staff competing for the AL Central Division championship. In his rookie season Bonser’s record was 7-6 with a 4.22 ERA.
In preseason 2007 there was talk the 25-year-old Bonser might replace the injured Francisco Liriano as the team’s second best pitcher. So far Bonser leads the staff in walks with nine in 20.2 innings and that’s a clue why the young right hander from Florida has struggled.
“It’s just placement,”Bonser told Sports Headliners yesterday. “Maybe (for example) rather than throwing the ball in the dirt, I am leaving it up. That’s the biggest thing. The pitching selection (variety) is there. It’s just pretty much with my location right now. It’s a little off.”
Bonser was happy with his control last season, often locating the ball where he wanted it. He said in his last start this season “everything was right where I wanted it to be. It just didn’t work out in my favor.” (In that game Bonser gave up only one walk in five innings at Kansas City).
Bonser said even in spring training location of his pitches wasn’t optimal. “I was getting away with it there,” he said. “Now that the regular season is around I am not getting away with it. …”
Bonser has devoted a “little bit” more bullpen time between starts to work his way toward better placement. As always, he talks with pitching coach Rick Anderson and studies video. “I am not panicking,” he said. “It’ll get there.”