The Twins Have a Stud Pitching Prospect Almost Nobody Is Talking About

[Matthew Taylor]

The Twins’ farm system has become a factory for developing pitching talent, turning mid-round draft picks into real contributors. As new names emerge seemingly every year, it’s easy for some prospects to slip through the cracks—even ones flashing big-league potential right under our noses.

Image courtesy of © Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Everyone knows the names at the top of the Minnesota Twins’ pitching prospect rankings. David Festa and Zebby Matthews made their MLB debuts last season, and both are expected to be impact arms for the Twins this year. Younger prospects like Marco Raya and Charlee Soto continue to draw attention, thanks to their electric stuff and high ceilings.

But there’s another name Twins fans should be watching closely, and he’s been flying under the radar far too long. Andrew Morris, a 2022 fourth-round pick, has quietly built an impressive résumé in the Twins system. He might just be the next big thing to come out of their stable of pitching talent.

Morris has done nothing but produce since turning pro. Across four minor-league seasons, he’s posted a 2.44 ERA with a 4.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He doesn’t walk hitters—just 2.1 per nine innings in his career—and has climbed the ladder steadily, finishing 2023 with a strong stretch at Triple A. While Zebby Matthews’s meteoric rise grabbed headlines last year, Morris was also quietly dominating. He earned promotions from High A to Double A and then Triple A, while continuing to perform at each stop.

He opened 2024 in St. Paul and began the year with two scoreless outings. This past Wednesday, he finally hit a bump in the road, allowing seven earned runs and failing to escape the fourth inning against a loaded Iowa Cubs lineup. But despite the rough outing, the most eye-opening development wasn’t in the box score; it was on the radar gun. Morris hit 99.3 MPH twice in the game, and it wasn’t a fluke. That’s a massive jump for a pitcher who entered the system sitting in the low 90s and only occasionally touching the mid-90s.

That velocity increase is just the latest example of the Twins’ successful pitching development pipeline, which has helped arms like Bailey Ober and Matthews add significant velocity over time. Now, Morris is pushing triple digits, with the same pinpoint control that’s always been his calling card.

The next step in his evolution is missing more bats. As he’s advanced through the minors, Morris has seen his strikeout rate dip, including a 17.5% clip so far this season after finishing 2023 with a 19.6% mark over 33 2/3 innings with St. Paul. But swing-and-miss data shows that he’s making progress, even if it hasn’t fully translated into strikeouts yet. One adjustment Morris made this offseason was adding a sinker to his arsenal—a pitch he can run in on righties to help open up the outer half of the plate for his slider. Jamie Cameron broke this down in his offseason profile of Morris, highlighting the potential for that pitch to help him take a leap forward.

There’s hope that the added velocity and improved pitch mix will lead to more putaway pitches. Morris already commands the ball at an elite level, with control rivaling that of Matthews. He’s throwing harder than ever. If he can start attacking hitters more aggressively and get back to generating strikeouts like he did earlier in his career, he could be a real difference-maker.

With the Twins likely to need pitching reinforcements at some point this summer, Morris is a strong candidate to get a look in the majors. Whether as a spot starter or as a late-season bullpen weapon whose velocity could play up even more, he’s the kind of arm who could surprise fans unfamiliar with his name.

Andrew Morris has the ERA, the control, the development arc, and now the velocity. He’s on the cusp, and it’s time we start talking about him more seriously.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

That kind of velo bump is very exciting. Can certainly see a scenario where he is in the rotation a long time.

 

[TNTwinsFan]

I think I need to see the K-rate improve before I'm sold on him like I am with Zebby. Get Zebby in the rotation NOW.

[arby58]

Just a minor note: it was 2024, not 2023 where Morris pitched 33 2/3 innings at St. Paul. Likewise, he opened 2025 (not 2024) at St. Paul. Minor stuff, but it confused me when I first read it. Otherwise, thanks!

[Doctor Wu]

Very good article with plenty of insights into the development of Morris, He seems like the real deal, and like Cory  said in the previous post, a pitcher who can be a mainstay in the rotation for a long time. Are we excited yet? You bet!

[JD-TWINS]

The velocity is obviously interesting & very positive! Good results across varying levels is more than encouraging!

He just needs to be consistent at AAA to sell me on his ultimate promise or likelihood for success…………Matthews is doing that now in St. Paul………another 6-10 outings and maybe he can get some MLB work in July/August to get some rotation guys a missed start here or there?

[Guest]

The SO/W ratio is great, but need to see his swing-and-miss rate rise before he can succeed at the big league level.

[DJL44]

Twins Daily feature curse?

[tony&rodney]

Excellent choice for an article. This kid has worked his butt off to improve.

Morris was my #5 prospect in the Twins system coming into this year. He has shown increased velocity from his first start. My concerns in the first two games, where he went 5 innings each time without giving up any runs, was raised yesterday. The command within the strike zone has not been as sharp as it was last year and Morris needs both a greater difference between his hard and soft stuff and more movement on his pitches. I still believe he is a top prospect in the system. Yesterday's game included some poor fielding. Morris looked like he was totally frustrated by the defense, including a misplay he himself made, so he tried to blow everyone away with fastballs. It worked to close out the first two innings but the command was gone and the Baby Cubs swung away. Morris could have been through the first two innings without a run with good defense but he imploded thereafter. In some ways the outing may push Morris towards creating more differentiation in his offerings. He has an incredible arm and great promise going forward. Like both Festa and Matthews, Morris also needs to develop more stamina.

[LambchoP]

Future rotation with Zebby, Festa and Morris. Few years later Lewis and Prelipp. Other possibilities include Dasan Hill, Raya and maybe the perpetually injured Canterino in the pen. Nice to see some home grown pitchers coming up. With the free agent prices for premium pitchers constantly rising, a mid level payroll like ours needs in house talent. Now we just need to find some offensive to support our pitching.....

[Jocko87]

9 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Twins Daily feature curse?

Nobody is talking about him, except this is like the 5th feature article.

I like the kid too. Absolute bulldog but as @tony&rodney mentioned the emotions can run high and are visible in good and bad ways.  Pitches angry. I'd have to look back for why but the comp I had was Roy Oswalt.

[woolywoolhouse]

Andrew just needs to grow his mustache a little thicker, and we can bring him up without having to send down Mickey Gasper, and they two can just swap jerseys in the clubhouse when we need Mickey to "pitch."

[nicksaviking]

Adding the sinker isn't going to help the strikeout numbers.

I think he can be good, but without missing bats, he's giving off some Josh Winder vibes.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, Jocko87 said:

Nobody is talking about him, except this is like the 5th feature article.

I like the kid too. Absolute bulldog but as @tony&rodney mentioned the emotions can run high and are visible in good and bad ways.  Pitches angry. I'd have to look back for why but the comp I had was Roy Oswalt.

Great comp. I was trying to think of someone similar. I think Roy Oswalt is it. Wouldn't that be something if Morris could duplicate Oswalt?

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, woolywoolhouse said:

Andrew just needs to grow his mustache a little thicker, and we can bring him up without having to send down Mickey Gasper, and they two can just swap jerseys in the clubhouse when we need Mickey to "pitch."

He grew the mustache so people wouldn't think he was 16 still. After yesterday maybe he will shave it off.

[ryanking61]

Festa, Matthews, Martin, Walker, and now this Morris by the sounds of it, could be some brighter days heading to Minnesota.... I pray 

[bean5302]

Nine years and one successful MLB starter. I think I'll hold back on the awards.

There's a reason almost nobody is talking about Morris. He doesn't strike guys out, and he's not been elite with walks, either despite what this article would have people believe. 2.63 BB/9 this year, 2.94 BB/9 last year in AAA. It's not even elite control, let alone command.

Morris has a current day Chris Paddack-like ceiling. A back end starter is honestly pretty valuable, but the way this article talks about him is like he's the next Tarik Skubal.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

"But there’s another name Twins fans should be watching closely, and he’s been flying under the radar far too long."

He is our 9th rated prospect and ton of buzz last year.  

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Adding the sinker isn't going to help the strikeout numbers.

I think he can be good, but without missing bats, he's giving off some Josh Winder vibes.

Seems like an ideal candidate to use to acquire a catcher or SS....

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Nine years and one successful MLB starter. I think I'll hold back on the awards.

There's a reason almost nobody is talking about Morris. He doesn't strike guys out, and he's not been elite with walks, either despite what this article would have people believe. 2.63 BB/9 this year, 2.94 BB/9 last year in AAA. It's not even elite control, let alone command.

Morris has a current day Chris Paddack-like ceiling. A back end starter is honestly pretty valuable, but the way this article talks about him is like he's the next Tarik Skubal.

I have to ask - how many times have you watched Andrew Morris pitch?

He really doesn't have any comparisons to Chris Paddack. Paddack was seen as a rising star in 2018/2019 and throws a completely different assortment of pitches.

Morris has surprised people with the increase in his velocity as have many pitchers all across the minor leagues. Over 99 mph yesterday with piles of 98 at will, although he should have dialed back at times. Morris will need to develop his pitches further before he is ready for MLB. What he does do well is keep the ball off the barrel. He may surprise people if he can get more movement on several pitches and come up with some better off speed. Here is pretty silly thought by me based on not much - Morris seems smart and tough, but needs to watch that his tough guy self doesn't get in the way of his smarts. Silly, right?

[jmlease1]

I think Morris' time in AAA will start to show where's he's actually at and give him a bigger sample in a single level against which to evaluate him. He rose really really fast last season, but does seem to have some questions about his ability to finish guys off and/or hunt K's. the increase velocity should help, but he probably need 2-3 more months in AAA to get a really feel for where he is as a potential starter.

he's definitely showing some talent, and I think his increased velocity is a very good sign. the Winder comp maybe isn't ripe (yet); Winder had some real challenges with health as a starter in the minors as well.

[DJL44]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Great comp. I was trying to think of someone similar. I think Roy Oswalt is it. Wouldn't that be something if Morris could duplicate Oswalt?

Roy Oswalt is a borderline Hall-of-Fame caliber player. I'd be thrilled if Morris could duplicate Kyle Gibson's career.

[ziggy]

3 hours ago, woolywoolhouse said:

Andrew just needs to grow his mustache a little thicker, and we can bring him up without having to send down Mickey Gasper, and they two can just swap jerseys in the clubhouse when we need Mickey to "pitch."

To be honest, I'd rather do a jersey swap with Spensor Strider.

[tony&rodney]

22 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Roy Oswalt is a borderline Hall-of-Fame caliber player. I'd be thrilled if Morris could duplicate Kyle Gibson's career.

You are nicer than me. I want Morris to turn in a Roy Oswalt career. 

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Roy Oswalt is a borderline Hall-of-Fame caliber player. I'd be thrilled if Morris could duplicate Kyle Gibson's career.

The comp isn't a projection, it's a reminds me of.

Comp has never meant expect a similar career.

Go watch Oswalt highlights, then watch Morris pitch. It's pretty obvious.

[twinstalker]

Morris is my favorite prospect, as I like the sort-of underdog.

To note, he's 15 months younger than Zebby, who was pitching at A+ last year with not a great strikeout rate: 8.0 per 9ip in his previous 66 ip at A+ in 2003.  He improve that rate last year quite significantly, but he wasn't starting the year at AAA.

One thing I've noticed in my avid follow is that Morris always starts off a level with a low strikeout rate then improves it significantly as he goes along.  I have no doubt that will happen at AAA.  I did tell my friends, though, after his second outing where it looked like Morris could be in line for a call-up after Zebby that "don't expect much initially, as I suspect he won't be able to get the ball past MLBers enough to look good."  He'll figure it out.

[Morland]

Actually, people have been talking about him for at least two years. And the Twins said that in most of their trade talks last year Morris was the "throw-in" that everyone wanted.

[DJL44]

7 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

The comp isn't a projection, it's a reminds me of.

Comp has never meant expect a similar career.

Go watch Oswalt highlights, then watch Morris pitch. It's pretty obvious.

13 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I think Roy Oswalt is it. Wouldn't that be something if Morris could duplicate Oswalt?

I was responding to that comment. It's always unhelpful to put Hall of Fame expectations on prospects.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I was responding to that comment. It's always unhelpful to put Hall of Fame expectations on prospects.

No expectations. It just sounded good.

Morris is a full year or two away from an opportunity. If everything goes well for him, the chance could be because of injury or due to a trade to another team.

[bean5302]

17 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I was responding to that comment. It's always unhelpful to put Hall of Fame expectations on prospects.

...Luke Keaschall reminds me a lot of young Ryne Sandberg. Probably Keaschall's floor, really. They're both right handed and play 2B with a similar size and batting stance and Sandberg is a HoF'er so it's natural to expect that out of Keaschall, too. I mean, Keaschall was a common top 100 in all of baseball prospect, and that means this is a reasonable comp.

Also, Keaschall will get no more than 200 PA where he doesn't do something to irritate the writers of TD before I write him off and start calling for his DFA.