Devin Smeltzer #31

Devin Paul Smeltzer...Twitter: @alka_SMELTZer...Instagram: @devinsmeltzer...wife, Brianne...when Smeltzer was just nine years old, he was diagnosed with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma (bladder cancer), as a tumor had formed against his bladder that was connected to his prostate... underwent surgery and chemotherapy at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA, and sent the cancer into full remission in 2012...the lefty, who's worn glasses and a goatee for the majority of his professional career, continues to offer support to others fighting cancer through his Catch Cancer Looking apparel with his likeness...all proceeds benefit Katie's Krusaders, an organization focused on helping cover expenses for pediatric cancer survivors.

2019

Combined to post a 3.02 ERA (104.1 IP, 32 ER) in 20 games (19 starts) between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Rochester, going 4-5.
...Began season with Double-A Pensacola...earned the Twins minor league Pitcher of the Week and Southern League Pitcher of the Week April 14 after making two starts, going 2-0, 0.00 ERA (14.0 IP) with five hits allowed, two walks and 17 strikeouts....Made five starts with the Blue Wahoos, posting a 0.60 ERA (30.0 IP, 2 ER) before being promoted to Triple-A Rochester May 2....Went 0-1, 1.82 ERA (24.2 IP, 5 ER) in four starts for the Red Wings and had contract selected by Minnesota May 28....Made major league debut May 28 vs. Milwaukee... became fourth Twins starter in history to throw 6.0-or-more shutout innings in his debut, joining Andrew Albers (8.1 on August 6, 2013), Anthony Swarzak (7.0 on May 23, 2009) and Eric Milton (6.0 on April 5, 1998)...recorded seven strikeouts, one shy of the franchise record in a debut set by Boof Bonser on May 21, 2006 at Milwaukee; became just the fifth Twins pitcher to record seven-or-more strikeouts in a debut, joining Bonser, Yohan Pino (7 in 2014), Darrell Jackson (7 in 1978) and Bert Blyleven (7 in 1970); was matched by Lewis Thorpe, who struck out seven in his debut against Chicago-AL on June 30, marking the first time in Senators/Twins history to have multiple rookies strike out seven-plus batters in their debuts in the same season....Had five overall stints with the Twins on season, going 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA (49.0 IP, 21 ER), 12 walks and 38 strikeouts in 11 games (6 starts)....Earned first major league win August 4 vs. Kansas City, pitching 6.0 shutout innings with two hits allowed, one walk and four strikeouts in a 3-0 Twins victory....Posted a 2.93 ERA (30.2 IP, 10 ER) in seven home games (3 starts) for the Twins and a 5.40 ERA (18.1 IP, 11 ER) in four road games (3 starts)....Held left-handed hitters to a .316 batting average and right-handed hitters to a .252 average with Minnesota....Made Postseason debut in Game 2 of ALDS, October 5 at Yankee Stadium, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, three walks and four strikeouts in a Twins 8-2 defeat....Named starting pitcher on Twins MiLB.com organization All-Star team.