Catching Up with Former Twins RHP Prospect Sawyer Gipson Long

[Seth Stohs]

On Twins Spotlight, the hope is to talk to Minnesota players of the past, present and future. Sawyer Gipson-Long was an intriguing pitching prospect for the Twins, but he was traded to the Tigers at the trade deadline in 2022. He made his MLB debut in September 2023, with 20 impressive innings. 

Image courtesy of © David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Sawyer Gipson-Long was the Twins' sixth-round draft pick in 2019, out of Mercer University. The Georgia native signed with the team, and after being waylaid by the pandemic, he eventually reached Double-A Wichita with the Twins in 2022. 

At the July trade deadline, he was sent to the Tigers in exchange for RHP Michael Fulmer. Fulmer pitched just fine for the Twins down the stretch and became a free agent after that season. He signed with the Cubs for 2023. Gipson-Long finished his campaign at Double-A Erie.

That's where he began his 2023 season, but after a short time with Triple-A Toledo, he was called up and made his MLB debut on Sept. 10. He made four starts and went five innings in each. In his debut, he gave up two runs against the White Sox and recorded his first win. His next outing was in Los Angeles, against the Angels. He had 11 strikeouts in five innings and gave up just one run. Overall, it was an impressive rookie run. 

We caught up with the two-time Twins Spotlight guest and just called it Catching Up. Here are some of the highlights and topics we discussed.  

• 2:35: Trade Deadline 2022 - What was it like getting traded?
• 3:55: What is the mental side of getting traded? 
• 5:05: Joining the Tigers. Any big differences between the Twins and Tigers, or is baseball baseball?
• 6:30: Miguel Cabrera. What was it like being part of being around a legend, even if only a couple of weeks?
• 9:20: The Call. Were you expecting it? How did you find out? 
• 11:20: Who were the first phone calls after you found out? 
• 12:35: Memories on the mound. Were you nervous? 
• 14:12: Were you surprised at the success, and what was working for you? 
• 16:20: Conversations with coaches and coordinators heading into the offseason, and what have you been working on this offseason? 
• 18:00: How do you see yourself fitting into the Tigers rotation in 2024? Bullpen? 
• 19;40: How 'bout those paychecks and the fun of paying taxes.
• 20:08: Keeping up with the Twins 2019 draft class and more.

Let us know who else you want to see on Twins Spotlights in the future. In the meantime, how do you feel about the trade of Gipson-Long for Fulmer, and what do you expect if and when the Twins see him in games against the Tigers this year?

 

View full article

[old nurse]

Couldn’t ask for a better way to start your career than a September call up to face the Whites Sox, Angels, Athletics and Royals.  Forever on his baseball card will be a year of impressive stats. For his finer work, Detroit sent him to the minors after his last start 

[Doctor Wu]

I wish Gipson-Long all the best of luck with Detroit .... but, ugh, not TOO much luck. I'd hate to see him turn into an All-Star and have this trade turn into another one of those horrible Twins transactions. 

[Rosterman]

One of maybe half-a-dozen piotchers that the Twins system traded AWAY IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. 

Not room for everyone in he organization, but, still............