Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month - April 2024

[Theodore Tollefson]

Several Twins minor league starters are off to hot starts to begin their 2024 seasons, but only a few stood out. Here are Twins Daily’s rankings for who has earned the first Minor League Pitcher of the Month in 2024. 

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

#4: Marco Raya, Wichita Wind Surge
Inning limitations are still a big thing for the star of Marco Raya’s season. He’s only thrown 11 ⅓ innings over four starts, but he’s still made the most of his outings with a limited workload. 

He’s posted a 2.38 ERA, struck out 14 batters, and only walked three over his four starts. But Raya has a ways to go with his workload. There hasn’t been a start this season where he hasn’t thrown over 51 pitches. While it’s a good foundation, there’s still much room for growth for Raya as the season progresses. 

#3: Cesar Lares, Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels
Entering his first month of Low-A, Cesar Lares remained fairly unknown in the Twins system pitching only in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 and Florida Complex League last season. He’s since made his name known in Ft. Myers posting a 1.98 ERA in 13 ⅔ innings over his three starts, striking out 12 hitters and allowing no home runs.

The 20-year-old Venezuelan native topped out his velocity at 92.8 MPH so far this season. Still being early in his career development, it may continue to rise up to 93 and 94 miles per hour as he matures into his role as a starter. 

#2: Andrew Morris, Cedar Rapids Kernels
Andrew Morris was one of the many breakout prospects who was a part of the Cedar Rapids Kernels rotation last season, and he continued to strive from his success a year ago in April.

Morris has been a workhorse for the Kernels rotation throwing 25 ⅔ innings, posting a 2.81 ERA, striking out 33 batters, and only walking five in response. His command of the strike zone has been more than admirable to start the season, and it’s only up from here for the 22-year-old New York native. 

Minor League Starter of the Month: David Festa, St. Paul Saints
The Twins' top pitching prospect has lived up to the expectations many have thrust upon him coming into the 2024 season. He finished his final start of March/April going the deepest he had in any game so far this season, going five innings and allowing only one walk while he struck out 10 Louisville Bats hitters. 

Through six starts, Festa threw 20 ⅔ innings, complied a 2.18 ERA, walked 13 hitters, struck out 30, and allowed only two home runs. In addition, the last time Festa had struck out 10+ batters in pro-ball was on May 10, 2022, with the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels when he struck out 11. Following his final start of April, Festa spoke on what worked for him throughout his 10 strikeout outing. 

“Whether I was down and away to freeze a guy up or above the belt for a swing and miss, I think the fastball really helped me out,” Festa said in a post-game interview Tuesday afternoon. “I think at times my outings are indicative of my fastball command. To have the fastball in the zone like I did today, I think it just opened doors for everything else.”

Festa’s next start will come on Sunday, May 5th, facing off against the Louisville Bats once more. Up until Tuesday afternoon, he had yet to throw over 63 pitches this season. With the leash off, Festa will have no limitations on him as the season progresses from spring to summer. 

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[FlyingFinn]

Interesting - I think the Twins announced that Zebby Matthews was their minor league pitcher of the month. He didn't even make the top 4 here. 

[Seth Stohs]

Hey @Theo Tollefson, where's Zebby?? 

[Dman]

I agree with Festa that fastball command can be huge when trying to stay ahead in the count.  The only issue is when someone is sitting on a fastball it can end up in the seats.  Gotta put those in tough spots for the hitter to get to and use that slider to strike them out.  He is starting to look really good this year.

[LambchoP]

If Festa can limit his walks and continue to pitch well, I could see a debut for him later this year. Anyone know what's up with Canterino? I always thought if he could just stay healthy he could be another solid weapon out of our bullpen.