Twins a top 10 pitching staff?

[chpettit19]

Spoiler alert...according to this article by Anthony Castrovince, they are not. 

Looking at the staffs on this list, I'd put the Twins in the top 10. Somewhere in the 6-10 range probably. 

What do others think? Would you put the Twins in the top 10? What do you think of this ranking in general?

[Cory Engelhardt]

4 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Spoiler alert...according to this article by Anthony Castrovince, they are not. 

Looking at the staffs on this list, I'd put the Twins in the top 10. Somewhere in the 6-10 range probably. 

What do others think? Would you put the Twins in the top 10? What do you think of this ranking in general?

I think they are right where you are thinking, in that 6-10 range. And it's obvious to me. Maybe just as much for the depth of the rotation as much as the playoff level starters.

 

Like, no one is at the Dodgers level (on paper.) Phillies, Atlanta and Seattle are also clearly better. Arizona, both Burnes and Gallen very much could be in a tier that Pablo and Ryan have shown to be already (I'd take good Pablo over Burnes, probably not over peak Gallen) but after that I do think Boston is a little underrated, KC a bit overrated (I like Seth Lugo, I don't think he has another career year in him, and behind Ragans and he the rest of that rotation is average at best) and who knows if the Padres will have all of their starters even still at opening day. Texas, if everyone stays healthy also looks great, but Tyler Mahle already is being shut down, and it's hard to count on even 1/2 a season from DeGrom, but if he is fully healthy their rotation is also underrated.

 

Anyway, I'd have Twins firmly in that 6-10 range like you said. Hard to put them in the top 5.

[bean5302]

The article addressed the Twins:

Quote

The projection systems LOVE the Twins, though I would have liked to see them add some rotation reinforcement to justify including them

I have no idea what the writer is talking about, though. It seems like he's just kind of looking at names and deciding which ones he likes/recognizes. I can't imagine what depth the Twins could possibly have needed to add to the rotation.

I could understand if the article was specifically about rotations, and ceiling of the rotation. The Twins are ranked #6 in MLB for rotation projection, but they're also 0.5 WAR away from being #11.

[Jocko87]

Yeah, the common thread as you read through the list is a lot of recognizable names but it's hard to argue with most of the selections when you lay them out like that.  There is a ton of pedigree in that list.

If it was production per dollar, yup Twins at the top. But it's also realistic to be suspect of our 4-8 range guys until they are more solidly on the national radar. They need to show it for a bit on the big stage.

The comment on depth is a bit disappointing though. If he says something about the one of the deeper pools of young high potential starters that haven't proven much it would better indicate more than a cursory look at the Twins.

[Parfigliano]

Skenes fall from orbit this year is going to be SkyLab on steroids.

[tony&rodney]

Looking through all of the listed teams and their named starters and relievers, I'm reminded that health shuffles the order pretty quickly. A number of arms are down just since this list was published.

There is some uncertainty with the Twins back rotation and reliever arms. Will the front office ride their guys too long at the expense of winning games? This is a concern and has been a habit of past Twins teams.

The long view for me has the Twins among the top six pitching staffs in MLB. Hopefully everyone can remain healthy and be their best

[bean5302]

15 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Skenes fall from orbit this year is going to be SkyLab on steroids.

SkyLab clearly wouldn't have fallen from orbit if it had been pumping roids.

[DocBauer]

I'd say most of the list is laid out with acceptable logic and opinions. But it really does feel like he doesn't really know or follow the Twins very closely if not adding starter depth held them back.

The Twins have a really solid 1st 3. Richardson could regress in season #2, but h3 could just as easily advance. And he was doing that very thing before running out if gas. Nobody expects Paddack to be a stud...except Paddack himself of course...but when he first came up he was a 2 pitch pitcher. He's since...with the Twins help...refined a pair of breaking balls. If he can maintain velocity and get his change back, he's at least a solid #4-5 until he probably breaks down again. But Festa, Matthews and Morris for depth,  (Lewis soon), it's possible the Twins best #4-5 starters aren't even breaking camp.

I don't get wrapped up in hype like the Twins having the best bullpen before the season starts. I guess if you're going to have rankings, then somebody has to be #1. But hype aside, why not the Twins at this point? Duran and Jax are a hell of a 1-2 punch to begin with. Add in a healthy Stewart and the development of Sands last season, you're off to a great start. Now add in the very solid Coulombe, and the pure stuff of Alcala and Varland as 6th inning arms with K potential, I can see the optimism, even if a preseason ranking and a $1.50 get you a cheap cup of coffee.

But while I'm not certain where I'd rank the Twins, guess I would also have them 5-6 at the highest, but absolutely in the top 10.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I think the Twins could have a top 10 staff but I don't think it is there right now.

Pablo wasn't as dominant in 2024 and I want to see if he can regain 'ace' status. Need to see if Joe Ryan is healthy. Paddack's always a ? and will SWR build off his successful rookie season? Ober's rock solid but there's some legitimate questions surrounding the rotation.

I want to think the bullpen will be a strength but other than Jax and maybe Sands, I don't see anyone being a sure thing in that group either because of injury concerns or underwhelming spring training (Duran).

[Craig Arko]

I’m more interested about where they stand when the season ends, than before it starts.

[Linus]

I don’t know about top 10 as I largely think health will be a huge factor in their overall effectiveness.  However I will say I am much more worried about their ability to score runs than I am about pitching.