Get to Know Twins Draft Pick RHP Jace Stoffal

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins loaded up on pitching during this year’s Major League Baseball draft, and the eighth round arm they grabbed comes from a baseball pipeline in Oregon. Jace Stoffal is the latest Duck to join Twins Territory, and it sounds like he’ll fit in just fine here.

 

Image courtesy of GoDucks.com

Jace Stoffal pitched for the Oregon Ducks each of the past two seasons. He made a considerable jump in 2023 after seeing the Pac-12 competition for a second time, and he positioned himself well to be selected within the first 10 rounds.

Minnesota is not a stranger to Oregon having recently drafted players such as Jake Reed and Spencer Steer. Obviously the latter was eventually moved for Tyler Mahle, but Minnesota would love to see Stoffal develop into a top starter as the Reds pitcher was when they coveted him.

I had a chance to talk with him following the selection, here’s what he had to say:

Twins Daily: Obviously Oregon is a very good college baseball program. How have the last couple of years there set you up for pro ball and readied you to make this jump?

Jace Stoffal: We are a very good program, and I was very blessed to be able to spend two years there. Coach Wosikowski is unbelievable at what he does. He gets you very mentally ready. I feel like a lot of college programs don’t run as tight of a ship as he does. He gets you prepared for every game, and we go over every single detail. I think that’s what allows us to be so good, and I think you see the same type of preparation and mentality from all of the other teams succeeding at this level while getting ready for pro ball life.

TD: You saw a big jump in success over the past two seasons. Where did that come from? Did you make big development or physical changes?

JS: All of the above honestly. It makes it a lot easier when you’ve done it for a year. I did gain about 10 pounds during the offseason that helped to give a velocity jump. I got stronger and that gives you confidence, and knowing I can play at that level and be very successful helps.

TD: There have been a few players taken by the Twins out of Oregon over the years, what do you know about Minnesota and the organization?

JS: To be completely honest, I don’t really have a lot of knowledge. I don’t follow a lot of baseball to be honest with you. Kyle Blackwell is the area scout, and I know him through one of my old coaches. I have known him for a couple of years now.

TD: Tell us about your repertoire, how you look to attack on the mound, and some pitches you feel comfortable with.

JS: I throw a four-seam fastball, a changeup, curveball, and a slider. I’m fastball heavy to get ahead in the count. I like to throw them early and pound the zone with all four of my pitches. I don’t like to dance around the zone, I like to move barrels. If strikeouts come, they come. I like to throw strikes and not waste a lot of pitches.

TD: What are you looking most forward to at the next level with regards to working with professional development, trainers, nutritionists, etc.?

JS: The development of me and my skills is going to be awesome to see, to see where I’m able to go. I feel like I have a lot more in the tank. I personally feel like I have a very high ceiling, so I’d love to see where they can take me. The nutritionist side of it, I’m not sure what that entails, but learning more about my body and what it needs to do to prepare and be at its best is super cool.

TD: What was draft day like for you yesterday? Did you expect the Twins may be a team to call?

JS: I knew Kyle Blackwell, and he’s been really heavily talking to me throughout the college season. I had an idea that the Twins would be one of the top teams. The whole process was super cool, talking to all the teams beforehand. Yesterday (Monday), I had my family come, and we just kind of sat and watched. To hear my name called was a dream come true. Super exciting, I couldn’t be more happy.

TD: Away from the field and looking to de-stress, what hobbies do you have off the field?

JS: I hunt. I’m always hunting. I’m always in the mountains. I’m from Oregon. I’m big into hunting and fishing. That’s all I do if I’m not playing baseball. I’m somewhere in the mountains. That’s something I do to decompress and get away from baseball a little bit.

Welcome to Twins Territory, Jace!

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[Fatbat]

Jace is gonna love MN when he gets here…. Lots of hunting and fishing. It sure seems like he is a great kid with huge talent upside. 

[Chris Spencer]

Thanks Ted, I really enjoy these pieces on the draft picks. 

[weitz41]

MLB.com says he signed for 150K.