Seven Pitchers Who Can Still Help the Twins

[Cody Schoenmann]

St. Paul still has some arms that could impact the Twins this year. 

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

According to Fangraphs, the Twins have had the best starting rotation in baseball and the seventeenth-best bullpen, which, if you combine the two, means the Twins have had the third-best pitching staff in baseball, just behind the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. Although the Twins have been fortunate enough to rely on star pitchers like starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan and reliever Jhoan Duran, their ability to fill out their staff with complimentary pieces has been just as, if not more, important. 

As the season continues, the Twins depth will continue to get tested as pitchers getting injured is one of the few inevitabilities of baseball. Luckily, the Twins have an abundance of options across the Mississippi River with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Let's examine how the options rank for the rest of the season:

#7. RHP Connor Sadzeck - St. Paul Saints - 18 G, 3.91 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 25.1 IP, 21 H, 18 BB, 30 K
Although Sadzeck could take on a long relief role as he has started two games for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints and has made starts at the Major League level, his pitching repertoire, highlighted by a sinker that sits at 95-96 MPH, likely plays best in a short relief role. The Twins have been able to find success with veteran relievers signed to minor league contracts in the form of Brock Stewart and José De León. Sadzeck, if given the opportunity, could be next.

#6. RHP Aaron Sanchez - St. Paul Saints - 11 G, 3.72 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 46.0 IP, 43 H, 30 BB, 16 K
The one-time pitching phenom for the Toronto Blue Jays, who was wrongfully sent down to Single-A during his breakout 2016 all-star season, Aaron Sanchez, has spent the better part of the last two seasons with the Twins organization. Sanchez was serviceable in the handful of games he started last year for the Twins and could start a game or games this year if injuries pile up. Sanchez could take on a long relief role, but he likely profiles better as a spot starter. 

#5. RHP Josh Winder - St. Paul Saints - 14 G, 5.63 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 24.0 IP, 26 H, 15 BB, 26 K
During his rookie season in 2022, Winder showed flashes of the potential that led to him playing in the 2021 MLB All-star futures game, but his fastball played much worse than many expected it to, plus he battled a shoulder impingement throughout the entirety of the season and is now working primarily as a reliever. He struggled in a lone appearance earlier this season with the Twins, and  hasn't been much better with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. He appears to have fallen in the pecking order. 

#4. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson - St. Paul Saints - 9 G, 7.38 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 39.0 IP, 50 H, 22 BB, 33 K
Regarding struggles, Simeon Woods Richardson's 2023 campaign has not been kind. Although excelling through Double-A and Triple-A and making his first Major League start during the 2022 season, Woods Richardson has yet to mimic that performance. 

Looking at Eno Sarris' Triple-A pitching report, Woods Richardson ranks as the 27th-best pitcher at the Triple-A level with a Stuff+ of 102.7, Location+ of 98, and a Pitching+ of 97 through 631 pitches in eight appearances. When looking at advanced metrics, Woods Richardson seems to have stuff that will work at the Major League level, but it is hard to have faith in any right-handed pitcher who can only touch 90-91 MPH with their fastball. 

Woods Richardson might get another chance at long relief with the Twins this season, as he is on the 40-man roster and still has potential. Still, if he ever wants to join the rotation mix, like one-time prospect Louie Varland successfully has, Woods Richardson will have to add velocity to his fastball. Luckily, Woods Richardson is 22 years old, so making strides in certain parts of his game is still a reasonable possibility.

#3. Ronny Henriquez - St. Paul Saints - 10 G, 5.82 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 17.0 IP, 20 H, 11 BB, 14 K
Henriquez entered Spring Training this year with hopes of competing with Trevor Megill, Danny Coulombe, Cole Sands, and others for the last bullpen spot. Unfortunately, Henriquez was placed on the 15-day IL on March 30th with right posterior elbow soreness and couldn't pitch during Spring Training. But on May 12th, Henriquez was activated from the 15-day IL and was sent to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. 

Since joining the Saints, Henriquez has struggled. Although Henriquez sports a slightly above-average K% of 21.2%, he possesses a below-average BB% of 8.0%, resulting in him giving up far too many base runners. Henriquez's slider and changeup are his best pitches but don't dismiss his fastball that sits around 96-97 MPH. 

Although Henriquez came up through the minors as a starter for the Texas Rangers organization, his stuff likely plays better as a short relief pitcher. More likely than not, Henriquez will appear for the Twins later this season; whether it be as a short or long reliever is yet to be decided. 

#2. Jordan Balazovic - St. Paul Saints - 11 G, 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 28.1 IP, 26 H, 14 BB, 33 K
Once ranked the 97th overall prospect in Major League Baseball by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo in 2021, Jordan Balazovic has, to put it lightly, fallen from grace. During his 2022 campaign, Balazovic looked below replacement level while pitching himself to a 7.39 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, and a 6.61 FIP while giving up 102 hits and 35 walks to 76 strikeouts. Balazovic also sported a 29.0% home-run-to-fly-ball (HR/FB) ratio, which is beyond awful. I don't enjoy writing such negative things about Balazovic as I have been a big fan of his for quite some time now, but his 2022 campaign was objectively uninspiring. 

Fortunately, Balazovic has appeared to have turned the corner. During his 2023 campaign, Balazovic has been able to cut all of his metrics in half and, most notably, is sporting a HR/FB ratio of 13.3%, which is still less than ideal but much, much better than 29.0%. I think 2023 will be the year Twins fans finally get to see Balazovic pitch in a Twins uniform. I still think he has starter potential, but if he makes it to the Major Leagues this year, it will be as a long reliever.

 

 

#1. Brent Headrick - St. Paul Saints - 8 G, 4.54 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 37.2 IP, 43 H, 10 BB, 48 K
While making his Twins debut against the Boston Red Sox on April 19th, Headrick impressed the Twins organization and fans. Through three innings pitched, Headrick gave up one hit and two walks while striking out three and earning his first career save. Headrick's subsequent two appearances versus the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees, respectively, were just as impressive as Headrick was able to limit runners while also suppressing runs and opportunities for hitters. Through 8.1 innings pitched with the Twins, Headrick pitched himself to a 3.24 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, four hits, four walks, and twelve strikeouts.

Headrick sports an impressive K% of 36.4% and BB% of 12.1%. Headrick, while with the Twins, used his fastball over 52% of th+e time, while using his slider roughly 42% of the time, and his changeup just 5.3%. Headrick has excellent command over the zone, so he is currently next in line to make a start if one of the five starting pitchers gets injured or needs to sit for a start. At the moment, Headrick is the Twins’ best option at the Triple-A level. As such, Headrick will likely make another appearance for the Twins this year; whether it be as a spot starter or as the long reliever is yet to be seen. 

 

With the front office prioritizing adding and retaining pitching depth this off-season, the Twins have an abundance of serviceable veteran and prospect arms that could come up and adequately fill in for the rotation or bullpen if need be. Which pitcher intrigues you the most? What roles do you think fit best?

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[weitz41]

1st off. Having options that you can be hopeful about is a new thing for me. Headrick base numbers say starter to me. SWR and Blaze it's day to day on how high or low I am on them. Most of the rest look like relievers at the end of the day with their HIGH walk rates. I might try and slide Enlow in the top 7 but he needs to be promoted and earn a shot in AAA.

[stringer bell]

What about Ortega?

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Or Patrick Murphy?

 

[Cody Schoenmann]

1 hour ago, weitz41 said:

1st off. Having options that you can be hopeful about is a new thing for me. Headrick base numbers say starter to me. SWR and Blaze it's day to day on how high or low I am on them. Most of the rest look like relievers at the end of the day with their HIGH walk rates. I might try and slide Enlow in the top 7 but he needs to be promoted and earn a shot in AAA.

I like your inclusion of Enlow! If he was with the Saints right now I probably would have placed him above Sadzeck and possibly Sanchez, but with Enlow recently being DFA'd and in Double-A Wichita I think he is still below Sadzeck and Sanchez on the totem pole. Another Double-A pitcher I am intrigued by is David Festa. Festa has struggled so far at Double-A, and I don't think he will contribute for the Twins this season, but if he improves I could see Festa getting promoted to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints before the end of the minor league season. 

[Cody Schoenmann]

54 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

What about Ortega?

I think Ortega will pitch for the Twins this year. I put Sadzeck above Ortega only because Sadzeck has the ability to be a long and short reliever while Ortega only has the ability to be a short reliever. Hypothetically, if I were expand my list I would have Ortega at #8. 

[mikelink45]

Well that does not excite me.  If these arms are up we are down.

[Brandon27]

More like hitters get this offense going 

[Cody Schoenmann]

3 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Or Patrick Murphy?

 

I like Murphy, but I'm skeptical on if we will see him make an appearance for the Twins this season. I think Murphy is in the same spot as Saints pitchers Kody Funderburk, Cody Laweryson, and Austin Schulfer. They could get called up by the Twins, but that likely means a multitude of injuries have occurred or multiple relievers have not performed well, which are situations that want to be avoided at all costs. 

[Doctor Wu]

And then there is the forgotten man: Randy Dobnak. I noticed that he starts the game tomorrow for the Saints. Wishing him good luck and hope that he can make it back to the Twins in some capacity this year or next. Do people still see him as a starter?

[old nurse]

High ERA, high WHIP. These players might be serviceable for a game, but thos numbers are not encouraging

[mikelink45]

45 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

And then there is the forgotten man: Randy Dobnak. I noticed that he starts the game tomorrow for the Saints. Wishing him good luck and hope that he can make it back to the Twins in some capacity this year or next. Do people still see him as a starter?

I think his star has flashed bright and now he is just an independent league pitcher with a good paycheck.  I liked Randy and it was a good story, but not good enough. 

[terrydactyls]

The title of this article should be

THERE AIN'T NO HELP IN ST. PAUL!!

[Byrdman]

We need hitting, Pitching is fine right now.  We need to find someone that can hit.  

[Linus]

That list, other than Headrick is depressing. If any of those guys pitch for the Twins something will have gone very wrong. 

[Cody Schoenmann]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

And then there is the forgotten man: Randy Dobnak. I noticed that he starts the game tomorrow for the Saints. Wishing him good luck and hope that he can make it back to the Twins in some capacity this year or next. Do people still see him as a starter?

Initially I had Dobnak on this list, but after  really delving into how he has performed this year with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints and seeing that he has consistently struggled, I came to the conclusion that there’s really no path for Dobnak to pitch for the Twins this year. Not only is he below the seven pitchers I listed, but I think he is below Ortega, Funderburk, Murphy, Schulfer, and maybe even Enlow and Festa as well.

[Cody Schoenmann]

47 minutes ago, Linus said:

That list, other than Headrick is depressing. If any of those guys pitch for the Twins something will have gone very wrong. 

I agree that if, say, Aaron Sanchez pitches for the Twins this year, then something will have gone wrong, but I think Headrick (for the second time), Balazovic, and Henriquez will inevitably pitch for the Twins this season. 

[TwinsDr2021]

Man besides Lee, the Twins minor league prospect is sad.

[twinstalker]

This is a really sad article.  Seriously, what's wrong with Falvine?  Somewhere in my comments this winter/spring, I damned the Twins for not adding relief (and for trading Arraez).  If it's obvious to a nobody like me, how is it not obvious to people whose living depends on it?