JD Durbin: In depth

Joseph Adam Durbin, born February 24th, 1982, born in Portland Oregon, and attended high school in Scottsdale, Arizona at Coronado High School. Listed 6'0, 188IBs, throws right handed. He was drafted in the 2nd round, 54th overall by the Minnesota Twins in 2000 amatuer draft. At the time, he was capable of throwing in upper 90's, before injuries lowered his velocity. He still throws hard, with a fastball sitting around 92-94 MPH. He's said to have an impressive curveball, throw in the low 80's, which comes out of his hand looking like a fastball. He's career has been marred by injury, with surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in 2004, shoulder tendinitis in 2005, and then missed the last two months of 2006 with a nerve problem in his bicep.

Let's take a look at his stats and minor league track record.

In 2000, he pitched 2 scoreless innings for rookie ball GCL Twins, giving up 2 hits and striking out 4. Not much to say there, since that is the definition of small sample size

In 2001, Durbin was assigned to Elizabethton, the Twins rookie ball affiliate in the Appalachian league. He appeared in 8 games, starting seven, pitching a total of 33.2 innings. He went 3-2 posting an era of 1.87. He gave up 23 hits, and 7 earned runs. He showed good command, striking out 39, and walked 17. He also gave 2 HRs, and 5 wild pitches.

in 2002, he was promoted Quad City, the Twins A Ball affliate in the midwest league.He started 27 games, going 13-4. He pitched 161.0 innings, with a 3.19 ERA. He gave up 144 hits, and 57 Earned runs. He struck out 163 batters, walked 51, and gave up 14 home runs. He also had 6 wild pitches.

In 2003, Durbin split time between High A Fort Myers in the Florida State League, and AA New Britain in the Eastern League. He started 14 games for Fort Myers, going 9-2. He pitched 87.1 innings pitched, with a 3.09Era. He gave up 73 hits, and 30 earned runs. He had 69 strike outs, 22 walks,gave up 3 hrs, and 3 wild pitches. Promoted to New Britain, Durbin Started 14 games, going 6-3. He pitched 94.2 innings, posting an Era of 3.14, giving up 102 hits, 33 earned runs, while striking out 70, walking 29, and giving up 10 hrs. Overall, he had a nice season striking out 139, and walking 51.

In 2004, a lot happened for Durbin. He began the season pitching for AA New Britain again, was promoted to AAA Rochester, than then was called up in September to play for the Twins, Durbin Also had surgery to repair a slight tear on his labrum on May 22, 2004.

Durbin starteed 13 games for New Britain, going 4-1. He pitched 64.1 innings, posting an ERA of 2.52. He gave up 62 hits, and 18 earned runs. He struck out 53, while walking 22, and giving up 4 homeruns. Overall, a pretty impressive stint, and he earned his promotion to Rochester.

Promoted to Rochester, Durbin started 7 games, going 3-2. He pitched 35.2 innings, posting an Era of 4.54 giving up 47 hits, 18 earned runs. he struck out 38 while walking 16 and giving uo 4 homer runs.

Called up to Twins at age 22, Durbin appeared in 4 games, starting one, with an 0-2 record. He pitched a total of 7.1 innings, but was lit up to the tune of a 7.36ERA. He gave up 12 hits, and 6 earned runs. But he managed to have an even K/bb ratio, striking out 6 while walking 6. Overall, Durbin had a relatively strong season considering the labrum surgery. Adding up his number for the season, and he struck out 97, while walking 44. A very solid k/bb ratio.

In 2005, Durbin started year back In AAA Rochester. he appeared in 22 games, and started 19, finsihing with a win-loss record of 5-5. Pitching 104.0 innings, durbin posted a 4.33ERA, giving up 97 hits, and 50 earned runs. He struck out 90, walked 51, and gave up 8 HRs. It's worth noting the 10 wild pitches he had that year. Overall, a relatively weaker year for durbin, with the higher ERA, the HRS, and the wild pitches. He did suffer from shoulder tendinitis that year, so that may have played a factor.

In 2006, once again, Durbin repeated AAA for the third time, all though I can't say it's for lack of performance, it's more due to the injuries. Anyway, in 2006, Durbin started 16 games, posting a 4-2 win/loss record. He pitched 89.0 innings, posting a once again impressive ERA of 2.33. He gave up 67 hits, 23 earned runs. While striking out 81, walking 50, and giving up 3 HRs He missed the last two months due to some kind of nerve problem in his bicep. All though i can't find much more details than that.

Durbin's minor league career line: 47 wins, 22 losses. A career 3.16 ERA, appearing in 123 games, starting 117. 671.2IP, 619hits. 236 earned runs, 607 Strike outs, 258 walks, 46 HRs, and 30 wild pitches.

So what does the future hold for JD Durbin? He's got a good fastball, and excellent strike out rate, doesn't walk many guys. isn't susceptible to the long ball. the only negatives i see are his durability issues, and the fact that he has no options left. I don't think his career at this point makes me think he coud hold up as a starter. i think he'd best off converted to a closer. in that role, he could be elite.