Top Twins Pitching Prospects Marco Raya, Cory Lewis Promoted to St. Paul Saints

[Matthew Taylor]

As the Minnesota Twins' farm system pushes toward the end of the regular season, two of their top pitching prospects are making notable moves.

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Marco Raya and Cory Lewis, two of the most exciting arms in the Twins system, have been promoted to Triple-A St. Paul Saints. While these late-season promotions aren't atypical and don’t necessarily guarantee where they’ll start next year, they offer a clear sign: their path to the majors is getting clearer and shorter.

Marco Raya’s Rise
Raya, a 22-year-old right-hander, has long been viewed as one of the Twins’ top pitching prospects. Currently ranked 10th in the organization by Twins Daily, Raya’s stock is only set to climb as players like Brooks Lee, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews move out of the rankings. 

Drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft, Raya’s development has been methodical. The Twins have taken extra care with his arm, bringing him along cautiously, routinely only allowing him to throw three to four innings per start. This year, he’s been with Double-A Wichita all season, where he’s shown flashes of brilliance, though control has been a recurring issue. In 92 2/3 innings, Raya has posted a decent 4.27 ERA and struck out 9.6 batters per nine innings. However, his walk rate is concerning, with a career-high BB/9 of 4.3.

Despite the control struggles, Raya finished his time in Wichita on a high note, allowing one run or fewer in five of his last six starts. Now, he’ll make one more start this season—but this time, as a Saint.

Cory Lewis Joins the Mix
Alongside Raya is fellow right-hander Cory Lewis, currently ranked 13th on Twins Daily’s prospect list. Like Raya, Lewis is expected to rise in the rankings with the upcoming shuffle. He's had a stellar season across multiple levels, earning his late-season promotion to Triple-A.

Lewis, a 9th-round pick from the 2022 draft, has been a surprising stud for the Twins' farm system. This season, he’s posted a 2.43 ERA across various levels, with a K/9 of 10.9 and a BB/9 of 4.5. His promotion marks the culmination of a breakout season that’s seen him rise from rookie ball to Triple-A in just one year.

Lewis, like Raya, will likely make just one more start this season, but his ascent through the minors has him firmly on the radar for a big-league debut in the near future, especially given the fact that he will turn 24 years old next month.

What’s Next?
As the minor-league season winds down, Raya and Lewis find themselves on the doorstep of the majors. Whether or not they start 2025 with St. Paul or go back to Wichita remains to be seen, but the Twins clearly see them as part of the future rotation plans.

What are your thoughts on these promotions? Do you see either Raya or Lewis making an impact at the big-league level next season? Let us know in the comments below!

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[ashbury]

Who is being removed from the AAA roster?

[DocBauer]

It's a nice reward for Lewis, who should be there next year, and would have been sooner almost certainly if the beginning of his season had not been delayed due to injury. As excited as we all are...and rightfully so...for Matthews and Morris, we have to remember that Lewis was the MILB pitcher of the year last year. He might be just as good, or better, than those other two. (BB were a little high this year though).

I'm a bit confused by the Raya move. Granted it doesn't mean he's going to begin next year at St Paul...very doubtful considering the numbers on hand...but it still feels a little strange other than as a pat on the back "at a boy" for a solid finish to his season. I think the Twins are about ready to take the gloves off and turn him loose for 70 pitches plus early next year, post the customary first few, restricted starts that are the norm. But he's got some things to work on, including stretching that arm out. Yes, having even a single start at AAA is exciting for him, and a nice reward for hard work. But is this also a chance for different coaches to see him in person maybe? Otherwise, I'm just not sure what the one start really does at this point.

 

[FlyingFinn]

47 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Who is being removed from the AAA roster?

Plutko and Harris go to the ever mysterious "development list" because they REALLY need developing in mid-September. So we don't lose anyone.

[mikelink45]

I really don't see it as a big mystery. The other leagues have stopped and this way they get one more opportunity to pitch. Where they are next year is the big question

[Doctor Wu]

13 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Plutko and Harris go to the ever mysterious "development list" because they REALLY need developing in mid-September. So we don't lose anyone.

And think there was yet another player in the Twins system who sent off to get developed earlier this week! Hey, never too late for development!

[Doctor Wu]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

And think there was yet another player in the Twins system who sent off to get developed earlier this week! Hey, never too late for development!

I just double checked; it was Anthony Prato who was sent off to Developmentland. 

[NotAboutWinning]

58 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

I just double checked; it was Anthony Prato who was sent off to Developmentland. 

Sounds like a nice place 😁

[LambchoP]

I think Lewis should be higher up on our prospects list than Raya. Lewis has had a much better season and looks more like a legit starter. Raya has good stuff but poor control. Plus, until he's able to consistently pitch deeper into games I think he may end up in the bullpen eventually. Either way, we've got more pitching depth than we've had for a long time and I'm excited to see who all pans out. I really hope we sign a good SP next year so Festa and Zebby can finish their development in AAA. Then we got Morris, Lewis, Raya, Culpeper, maybe Canterino if his arm hasn't fallen off by now. Prelipp a little farther down. Will be fun to follow these guys, just hope none of them are rushed to to injuries like Zebby this year 

[bean5302]

Plutko and Harris to the development list? MLB should follow it with Falvey and Levine to the "suspended list"

[chpettit19]

5 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Plutko and Harris to the development list? MLB should follow it with Falvey and Levine to the "suspended list"

Why? Isn't this literally the point of the development list?

[chpettit19]

Feels like the Twins getting ready to rely on a lot of young arms next year. Get as many guys as possible a little taste of AAA knowing they're not adding any major league talent to the rotation and they're going to have to find arms throughout the year next year. Get Raya and Lewis one last start at the highest level in hopes that they can last throughout next year as possible MLB arms.

[beckmt]

It is beginning to look like the Twins will pick and choose extra starters next year from the upper levels of the minors.  It is time to move Varland to the pen. We have to hope they can find 1 - 2 lefty relievers as that is about all they should need in the pitching department next year.

[bean5302]

19 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Why? Isn't this literally the point of the development list?

Not from my understanding, though MLB hasn't exactly been super clear publicly. Stashing 30+ year old veteran players you wouldn't be able to keep because of roster crunches doesn't have anything to do with prospect development. Using it for players who are developing a skill which is not yet ready for competitive play, but when the organization wants those players to be able to practice with their current team is how I've assumed it is intended to be used. Or if a player needs to limit their innings. Scenarios which teams would be tempted to use a Phantom IL designation.

i.e. Player A is in Wichita, they're adding a curveball to their arsenal, but it's not ready for live action. The team wants the player to focus on developing that curveball with their current team mates practicing with the AA team, not in the Ft. Myers CPX league.

[chpettit19]

41 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Not from my understanding, though MLB hasn't exactly been super clear publicly. Stashing 30+ year old veteran players you wouldn't be able to keep because of roster crunches doesn't have anything to do with prospect development. Using it for players who are developing a skill which is not yet ready for competitive play, but when the organization wants those players to be able to practice with their current team is how I've assumed it is intended to be used. Or if a player needs to limit their innings. Scenarios which teams would be tempted to use a Phantom IL designation.

i.e. Player A is in Wichita, they're adding a curveball to their arsenal, but it's not ready for live action. The team wants the player to focus on developing that curveball with their current team mates practicing with the AA team, not in the Ft. Myers CPX league.

If they were concerned about that, and it was suspension worthy to use it that way, why don't they have rules against doing it? My understanding is that there really aren't any rules to it. It can be used to stash players in case of injuries, which you can easily explain stashing a 30+ year old veteran player for that. And if you're going to development list a young guy you need to replace them on the active roster with somebody. If you're only using it for young, up and coming prospects and never put veterans on it you'd have to go find a new veteran to sign each time you used it to replace that young guy on the roster. Then cut that veteran when you bring the young guy back. Then sign another vet for the next young guy you put on the development list. 

It's just a way to allow teams to carry more than their 28 active minor league roster spots and move guys around as needed to cover for promotions, injuries, inning limitations, etc.

[Doctor Wu]

On 9/17/2024 at 9:01 PM, LambchoP said:

maybe Canterino if his arm hasn't fallen off by now.

Any updates on his status? Will he pitch anywhere in our system next year?

[LambchoP]

3 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Any updates on his status? Will he pitch anywhere in our system next year?

Wish we'd get some kind of update but I haven't seen anything pretty much all year. Maybe we'll hear something in the off season? I always thought Canterino had some of the best stuff in our system, just not the durability and stamina to be the starter the twins wanted him to be. If they stick him in the pen he could let it fly and be a real weapon.

[DJL44]

14 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Wish we'd get some kind of update but I haven't seen anything pretty much all year. Maybe we'll hear something in the off season? I always thought Canterino had some of the best stuff in our system, just not the durability and stamina to be the starter the twins wanted him to be. If they stick him in the pen he could let it fly and be a real weapon.

Or he could throw one pitch and suffer a career ending injury (if he hasn't already).