Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year - 2024

[Eric Blonigen]

The 2024 season featured a number of pitching success stories all throughout the system that validate the Falvey pitching pipeline is alive and well. While it can be difficult to select just a few to spotlight, here are the best of the best, as voted on by the Twins Daily writers.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

Derek Falvey was hired, in part, to bring the Cleveland pitching scouting and development process to Minnesota. Coming off a “total system failure” it took a while to see the fruits of that labor. In 2023, we watched pitchers like Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, and Louie Varland take significant steps forward despite their inauspicious draft positions and prospect pedigrees. In 2024, we saw the next wave of talent rapidly progress through the system, indicating that the future is bright on the pitching front.

Before digging into this year’s top vote getters, let’s look at the past few years’ winners.

2023: Cory Lewis
2022: Louie Varland
2021: Louie Varland
2020: No Season 
2019: Randy Dobnak
2018 winner - Tyler Wells
2017 winner - Stephen Gonsalves
2016 winner - Stephen Gonsalves
2015 winner - Jose Berrios
2014 winner - Jose Berrios
2013 winner - Taylor Rogers
2012 winner - BJ Hermsen
 

Now, without further ado, here’s the countdown to the Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Honorable mentions
Travis Adams, 24 years old

• Double-A Wichita: 22 games (19 starts), 108 innings pitched, 5-7, 3.67 ERA, 109 K, 28 BB, 1.13 WHIP
• Triple-A Saint Paul: 4 games (3 starts), 0-2, 19 innings pitched, 5.21 ERA, 9 K, 7 BB, 1.26 WHIP

Ty Langenberg, 22 years old

• Low-A Fort Myers: 9 games (9 starts), 48 innings pitched, 5-2, 3.38 ERA, 56 K,12 BB, 1.21 WHIP
• High-A Cedar Rapids: 12 games (11 starts), 60 innings pitched, 3-3, 3.9 ERA, 60 K, 18 BB, 1.3 WHIP

The Top Four 
T-3 Cory Lewis, 23 years old

• 19 games (17 starts), 79 innings pitched, 3-6, 2.51 ERA, 92 K, 40 BB, 1.32 WHIP

Cory Lewis fits the mold of many other late-round pitchers taken by the Twins. He’s tall (6’5”) and has an interesting characteristic (throws a knuckleball). The Twins took him in the 9th round in 2022. In 2023, he pitched his way to High-A and led all organizational starting pitchers in ERA, BAA, and strikeout rate.

After being named the Twins minor-league pitcher of the year in 2023, he began 2024 on the IL with a shoulder impingement, and spent most of the season at Double-A Wichita, where he was over a year younger than average. He did get promoted to the Saints after the Double-A season concluded. Aside from one blowup game, Lewis did not give up more than two runs in any start this season.

He throws an ok fastball that he throws up in the zone. Because he has good extension, he gets a lot of whiffs. He also throws a 12-6 curve, and of course, that knuckleball. Unlike most knuckleballers who don’t have other good pitches, Lewis has solid stuff. He also has good command. If he’s able to add a bit more velocity to his fastball (currently averaging 92) he could grow into a mid-rotation starter. If he can’t, he may end up in the bullpen.

T-3 David Festa, 24 years old

• Triple-A Saint Paul: 15 games (15 starts), 60-1/3 innings pitched, 3-3, 4.03 ERA, 89 K, 26 BB, 1.36 WHIP
• Twins: 13 games (12 starts), 60 innings pitched, 2-6, 4.80 ERA (3.91 FIP), 72 K, 22 BB, 1.28 WHIP

The Twins took Festa in the 13th round of the 2021 draft out of Seton Hall. At that time, he was still relatively new to pitching as he had been a shortstop until his senior year of high school. That year, he got promoted to low-A and has moved through the system quickly. In 2022, he spent time back at Fort Myers and then was promoted to Cedar Rapids. In 2023, he split time between Double-A Wichita and Saint Paul. Prior to the 2024 season, he found his way onto some top-100 prospect lists, and was also ranked the Twins’ best pitching prospect.

He started the 2024 season at St Paul where he became the first Saints pitcher to ever pitch multiple games with at least 10 strikeouts despite being three years younger than average. On June 27, he received his first call-up. It didn’t go great as he allowed 12 runs over 10 innings, including giving up four homers. He was sent back down for three weeks after which he was called up for the remainder of the season. In his second stint he was much better, pitching to a 3.81 ERA (3.15 FIP) and a .289 wOBA. Those are some great results for a rookie drafted in the 13th round.

Despite having just a three pitch mix, with the Twins, Festa is striking out almost 11 guys per nine innings, best among Twins starters. He has elite extension, and his slider is a true putaway pitch. His four seam fastball and changeup have both gotten hit pretty hard, but his expected numbers on both pitches are better than his actuals. Festa’s fastball doesn’t have much movement on it, and he walks a few too many guys. If he can improve either of those even a bit, he’s got real upside as a number two starter.

#2: Andrew Morris - 23 years old

• 26 games (24 starts), 133 innings pitched, 10-5, 2.37 ERA, 133 K, 32 BB, 1.08 WHIP

The Twins drafted Morris in the 4th round of the 2022 draft out of Colorado Mesa University. He got a single game in that season. In 2023, he split his season between Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids and threw 84-1/3 innings of 3.63 ERA ball, 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings and a solid walk rate. True to typical Twins fashion, they have helped Morris increase his velocity from the low-90s to the point that he can now touch 97. He has also improved his command to the point that it’s now borderline-elite. He has a four pitch mix and a somewhat deceptive overhead delivery that adds to his effectiveness. He also has a plus slider and average curve. His changeup is serviceable.

He began 2024 back in Cedar Rapids, but was promoted twice, ending up with the Saints for his final seven starts of the season. With Saint Paul, he didn’t miss enough bats and walked a few too many guys as he faced advanced hitting for the first time. This led to a 4.28 FIP. He’s likely to begin the 2025 season in Saint Paul where he will need to work on refining his command. Assuming health, he should make his Twins debut next year. He’s also got a chance to be on some top-100 prospect lists this offseason.

And the Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Year is…Zebby Matthews, 24 years old

• High-A, Double-A, Triple A: 18 games (17 starts), 97 innings pitched, 6-3, 114 K, 7 BB, 0.87 WHIP
• Twins: 8 games (8 starts), 34-2/3 innings pitched, 1-3, 5.71 ERA (5.21 FIP), 38 K, 8 BB, 1.5 WHIP

Zebby. Where to begin. Perhaps where he began: Cedar Rapids. That’s right. He began the season at High-A, and it took him all of four months to make his major league debut. How did he get here, and what stands out about his season?

The Twins drafted him in the 8th round in 2022 out of Western Carolina. Similar to Festa, Morris, and countless others, their player development staff has helped him add three ticks to his fastball, and he now touches 97.

Across three minor-league levels this season, Zebby Matthews put up video game numbers. You almost have to to get promoted three times in four months. He has always had pinpoint control and command and it’s worked for him. This led to him becoming a top-100 prospect on the midseason MLB Pipeline list.

He was called up on August 8th for his debut just two years after being drafted. The season hasn’t gone according to plan, but that’s to be expected from almost any rookie pitcher — particularly one who under ordinary circumstances wouldn’t have debuted until next season. A large part of this can be tracked to his process. He has attacked major league hitters the same way he did guys in the minors. Unfortunately for him, when he leaves too many pitches in the zone, hitters at this level can crush. He is working through the process of learning to pitch differently, to nibble, and to focus on striking guys out outside the zone.

Currently, he gets a lot of whiffs on his slider, which he throws to both lefties and righties. However, his other four pitches all have an xwOBA of .330 or higher. Opposing hitters have slugged over .600 on his cutter and curve, and .593 against his fastball.

He will almost certainly start next season as depth with the Saints, but will be one of the first call-ups when the need arises. Even though he has not been dominant — and in fact, has gotten hit hard, he is hopefully proud of the development he did across the 2024 season. Now he will have time to reflect, reset, and work on becoming a pitcher that’s ready to impact the next time the opportunity presents itself.

What do you think? Would you rank any of these pitchers differently? Comment below!

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[DJL44]

Zebby and Festa are contrasts on what it takes to get minor league hitters out versus what it takes to get major league hitter out.

[SF Twins Fan]

The AAA rotation should be very strong next season - Festa, Matthews, Morris, Lewis, and Adams.  Although, it wouldn't surprise me if one of them was included in a trade to upgrade the MLB rotation.  If the Twins can trade away Paddock and bring in another pitcher with similar talent to Lopez, they would have a very strong rotation.  Lopez, trade, Ryan, Ober, SWR.  With the AAA rotation still having a few arms to call upon in case of injury.

[LambchoP]

I'd love it if they could trade Paddack along with something else to get a veteran SP. Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Free Agent, and SWR is a decent starting 5, with decent depth in AAA with Festa, Mathews and Morris. I really do think we need a veteran starter who can eat innings, because Festa and Mathews seem like they need at least another half season in the minors to iron out a few things....

[FlyingFinn]

2 hours ago, SF Twins Fan said:

The AAA rotation should be very strong next season - Festa, Matthews, Morris, Lewis, and Adams. 

At least one will start the year with the Twins and I would guess it's Festa. I think the Twins will add Raya and MacLeod to your list of starters with the Saints. That will be a great crop of pitchers!

[Steve Lein]

Christian MacLeod not being included in this list is kind of a travesty 😉

3 levels, 21 games (20 starts), 92 1/3 IP, 4-4, 3.41 ERA, 107 K, 46 BB, 1.30 WHIP

[Mike Sixel]

This is the best of these SP lists in years and years. They won't all work out, but I like the odds a lot more now than any time I can recall. 

[DocBauer]

8 hours ago, Steve Lein said:

Christian MacLeod not being included in this list is kind of a travesty 😉

3 levels, 21 games (20 starts), 92 1/3 IP, 4-4, 3.41 ERA, 107 K, 46 BB, 1.30 WHIP

I believe his COMPLETE ERA is a little higher because of a single fill in start for St Paul, but I agree he should have been included somewhere on the list. His BB were high at 4.5/9, but 7.2 H/9 and 10.4 K/9 were excellent.

The depth of options at AAA and just a need to continue to polish himself probably puts him at AA to begin 2025. And while he's already 24yo...not exactly ancient...he lost 2 seasons due to recovery from surgery and covid. All the more reason to be excited about his potential?

He should have been on the list somewhere.

[DocBauer]

11 hours ago, SF Twins Fan said:

The AAA rotation should be very strong next season - Festa, Matthews, Morris, Lewis, and Adams.  Although, it wouldn't surprise me if one of them was included in a trade to upgrade the MLB rotation.  If the Twins can trade away Paddock and bring in another pitcher with similar talent to Lopez, they would have a very strong rotation.  Lopez, trade, Ryan, Ober, SWR.  With the AAA rotation still having a few arms to call upon in case of injury.

Even if we leave Dobnak out of the equation...and he's still under contract...or decide to add another veteran depth option...which is usual for most teams/years...there's also still the possibilities of Headrick, Nowlin, and Raya.

Now, I believe Headrick is going to the pen, hopefully adding a cutter or sweeper to his repertoire, and will have a real shot at the Twins pen next season. He's got the stuff to be a good addition there. I'm not certain if they are going to do the same with Nowlin at this point, or keep him in the rotation to begin 2025. Now, Raya got brought up for a single start, and it was excellent. And I think the training wheels are going to be off with a career high of IP and being fully healthy in 2024, but I expect him to BEGIN the season back at AA due to AAA depth if nothing else. 

The point being I agree that the depth at AAA is even deeper than what you mentioned!

Good chance AA is also going to be almost as good, if not as good as, just younger and a step down.

I think Paddack IS a 50-50% chance of being traded. There's a good chance Paddack, a full year and a half removed from his 2nd TJ surgery, will find more consistent velocity, and more consistency in general. And at only $7.5M, and better expectations ahead, I can see him being kept for depth. That means the top 5 starters, with SWR, are kept intact and ALL the young arms are kept in "reserve" to begin the season. That provides "loss prevention" in case someone is hurt, or sudden, unexpected regression for SWR. That makes some sense.

HOWEVER, Paddack ONLY costing $7.5M and having positive progression, also means he might be of great interest to other teams as a trade target to fill up a rotation elsewhere. Potentially, he adds a prospect or two, OR, a solid bat or pen option to the Twins roster, and creates opportunity for one of the young arms to begin the season in the rotation. 

I disagree that moving ANY of the Twins young pitchers would be included in a move for another SP. Simple math says the Twins will be limited in payroll additions for 2025. So why would they trade a young, talented, controllable arm to another team for another young, controllable arm? It doesn't make sense. Because that's the only SP option the Twins would be adding.

IF Paddack is moved, it's either to add someone to the Twins roster that fills another spot, OR, and salary dump to sign someone else to the roster, OR, a combination of both.

[Doctor Wu]

9 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I think Paddack IS a 50-50% chance of being traded. There's a good chance Paddack, a full year and a half removed from his 2nd TJ surgery, will find more consistent velocity, and more consistency in general.

I think that's an accurate outcome. All things considered, I would expect him back with the Twins again next season, hoping that he is fully healthy and can contribute. 

[Otaknam]

Festa and Matthews both appear to be number four starters at this point. Hopefully they can keep improving like Ober did. Otherwise, the minor league teams seems to be bereft of potential number one or two starters, which you have to have to be competitive. 

[SF Twins Fan]

11 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Even if we leave Dobnak out of the equation...and he's still under contract...or decide to add another veteran depth option...which is usual for most teams/years...there's also still the possibilities of Headrick, Nowlin, and Raya.

Now, I believe Headrick is going to the pen, hopefully adding a cutter or sweeper to his repertoire, and will have a real shot at the Twins pen next season. He's got the stuff to be a good addition there. I'm not certain if they are going to do the same with Nowlin at this point, or keep him in the rotation to begin 2025. Now, Raya got brought up for a single start, and it was excellent. And I think the training wheels are going to be off with a career high of IP and being fully healthy in 2024, but I expect him to BEGIN the season back at AA due to AAA depth if nothing else. 

The point being I agree that the depth at AAA is even deeper than what you mentioned!

Good chance AA is also going to be almost as good, if not as good as, just younger and a step down.

I think Paddack IS a 50-50% chance of being traded. There's a good chance Paddack, a full year and a half removed from his 2nd TJ surgery, will find more consistent velocity, and more consistency in general. And at only $7.5M, and better expectations ahead, I can see him being kept for depth. That means the top 5 starters, with SWR, are kept intact and ALL the young arms are kept in "reserve" to begin the season. That provides "loss prevention" in case someone is hurt, or sudden, unexpected regression for SWR. That makes some sense.

HOWEVER, Paddack ONLY costing $7.5M and having positive progression, also means he might be of great interest to other teams as a trade target to fill up a rotation elsewhere. Potentially, he adds a prospect or two, OR, a solid bat or pen option to the Twins roster, and creates opportunity for one of the young arms to begin the season in the rotation. 

I disagree that moving ANY of the Twins young pitchers would be included in a move for another SP. Simple math says the Twins will be limited in payroll additions for 2025. So why would they trade a young, talented, controllable arm to another team for another young, controllable arm? It doesn't make sense. Because that's the only SP option the Twins would be adding.

IF Paddack is moved, it's either to add someone to the Twins roster that fills another spot, OR, and salary dump to sign someone else to the roster, OR, a combination of both.

My thoughts on Paddock are, if the Twins can get out from under his $7.5 million salary, they could then trade one of the younger AA or AAA pitchers plus something else to acquire another Lopez type pitcher who hasn't been paid yet.  Lopez's made roughly $5.4 million his first season with the Twins, so by subtracting Paddock's salary and adding another Lopez type they would actually be saving money next season.

There are only so many spots in the rotation and with Lopez, Ryan, Ober and SWR all relatively young, where do you put Festa and Matthews who are almost ready.  After next season Morris, Lewis, Adams, Raya, and Culpepper will all be knocking on the MLB door.  Some of them won't pan out and some will move to the bullpen, but it's the FO's job to make that determination before some of these guys fizzle out as prospects.

Why not trade from a position of strength to acquire a young and cheap MLB player?  

[twinstalker]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:08 AM, DJL44 said:

Zebby and Festa are contrasts on what it takes to get minor league hitters out versus what it takes to get major league hitter out.

True enough, but in this case the better minor league pitcher is also the better major league prospect.  Festa pitched in AAA in '23, Zebby pitched in A ball this season.  Also, Festa's inclusion on this list is questionable.  But thank you to all heavens for not putting Raya here.  Oof.