Twins Claim Pitcher Thomas Hatch from the Royals

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of © Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Last week, the Kansas City Royals promoted reliever Thomas Hatch to the big leagues. When he got into a game, it was hit first big-league appearance since September of 2023 with the Pirates. He pitched one inning and gave up two runs on two hits including a long home run. He was Designated for Assignment the next day. 

On Monday afternoon, the Twins announced that they had claimed Hatch from the Royals. He is expected to join the Twins on Tuesday at which point a spot on the 40-man roster and the 26-man roster will need to be opened up. That could be the same person. I assume it will be. 

Thomas Hatch is 30 years old. He spent the 2024 season pitching in Japan. In 2013, the Tulsa native was the 32nd round draft pick of the Rockies. Instead of signing, he stayed in-state and went to Oklahoma State. Three years later, the Chicago Cubs selected him in the third round of the 2016 draft. 

At the July trade deadline in 2019, the Cubs sent him to the Blue Jays for reliever David Phelps. 

Toronto added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season. During the Covid-shortened 2020 season, the Jays called up Hatch and he soon made his MLB debut. As a 25-year-old rookie, he posted a 2.73 ERA over 17 games. In 2021, he was limited to three big-league games and spent much of the season on the injured list with a right elbow impingement. He pitched just once for the Jays in 2022. In 2023, he pitched in six games for the Jays before he was DFAd. 

The Pirates claimed him, and he worked in 12 games for them over the remainder of the season.

So, what does Thomas Hatch throw? He throws a sinker that averages about 94-95 mph. He also throws a cutter at about 90. He has a mid-80s slider/sweeper. Maybe that's something that the Twins will have him throw 50-60% of the time and see how that goes. 

There certainly is enough to be intrigued, but as is the case with any player claimed, they need to take advantage of the situation pretty quickly.  Kody Clemens certainly did that, but other players claimed haven't, and the Twins at this stage in the season should be active at the edges of the 26- and 40-man rosters and hope a few guys stick. 

Earlier in the day, the Royals had named Hatch their minor league pitcher of the month for July. Who knows? Maybe Hatch and Darren McCaughan will piggyback Tuesday's game in Motown.  

 

The corresponding move has not yet been announced. That will happen on Tuesday. 

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[HerbieFan]

Another Falvey Favorite.  Anything that means we won't EVER have to watch "Noah Davis" pitch in a Twins uniform.  

[DJL44]

Please cut Davis

[jkcarew]

Why not bring Raya up? Despite the fact that he probably “isn’t ready”…what difference does it make? If we’re going to blatantly and aggressively tank the remainder of the season, we may as well do it with players that have a future in the organization.

[Otwins]

I don't think they want to start the arbitration clock on real prospects in a lost season.

[Dman]

Let's hope the Twins can find some sleeper players and make something out of them.  Will be interesting to see if he can adjust in time.

[SaberNerd]

1 hour ago, jkcarew said:

Why not bring Raya up? Despite the fact that he probably “isn’t ready”…what difference does it make? If we’re going to blatantly and aggressively tank the remainder of the season, we may as well do it with players that have a future in the organization.

I'd rather let the guy with a 6 ERA at AAA develop there than the majors.  Not sure what him getting shelled by better hitters will do to help him.

[cmoss84]

At least, in the midst of this dumpster fire, we will give plenty of opportunities to AAAA players for 6 weeks. Your MN Twins are humanitarians through and through.

[Baumer67]

Please cut Davis and sign Pressly and cut Tonkin as well.

[howeda7]

Hatch Fever. Catch it.

[Bodie]

1 hour ago, Baumer67 said:

Please cut Davis and sign Pressly and cut Tonkin as well.

Julien???

[old nurse]

7 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Why not bring Raya up? Despite the fact that he probably “isn’t ready”…what difference does it make? If we’re going to blatantly and aggressively tank the remainder of the season, we may as well do it with players that have a future in the organization.

They are afraid the pitcher would get Eddie Bane disease.

[mikelink45]

We will see a lot of fringe players - its like we have this lazy Susan filled with AAAA players who need a moment in the sun and we want to be Minnesota Nice.

[TwinsDr2021]

8 hours ago, Otwins said:

I don't think they want to start the arbitration clock on real prospects in a lost season.

That has been a huge issue for this FO, starting the arbitration early and then having to pay early. </s>

[sampleSizeOfOne]

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

That has been a huge issue for this FO, starting the arbitration early and then having to pay early. </s>

Other half of that with the new agreement is if they have a chance at being great, we get rewarded with picks if they place in the ROY proceedings, so we wouldn't want to sacrifice rookie status needlessly. And if minor leagues make post season, they should probably be part of that?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

11 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Other half of that with the new agreement is if they have a chance at being great, we get rewarded with picks if they place in the ROY proceedings, so we wouldn't want to sacrifice rookie status needlessly. And if minor leagues make post season, they should probably be part of that?

Anyway, a complex question as to what experience is more valuable to player's development which should be the primary interest of the team.

"Lots of ins and outs in the ol' Duder's head." (never pass up an opportunity to reference the Big Lebwoski)

[Fire Dan Gladden]

10 hours ago, Otwins said:

I don't think they want to start the arbitration clock on real prospects in a lost season.

This.

We will see the Julien and Miranda types as the clock is ticking and the organization wants to know where they are at, possibly getting them exposure for an off-season move. Do not expect to see any real prospects come up this year.

[TwinsDr2021]

36 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Other half of that with the new agreement is if they have a chance at being great, we get rewarded with picks if they place in the ROY proceedings, so we wouldn't want to sacrifice rookie status needlessly. And if minor leagues make post season, they should probably be part of that?

Another good thing this FO has been good at, but hey I am sure that is another thing that is about turn around for them. 

2024 - No Twins got votes

2023 - Julien two third place votes.

2022 - No Twins got votes

2021 - No Twins got votes

2020 - No Twins got votes

2019 - Arraez got one second and 1 third  (of course he was already in the system when this FO got here)

2018 - No Tiwns got votes

 

 

[Baumer67]

5 hours ago, Bodie said:

Julien???

Hopefully Keaschal can take his spot.  Julien has so much trouble making basic plays.  Look how many times he double pumps on turn the double play.

[The Great Hambino]

There's pretty narrow criteria defining who would be eligible for one of the supplemental PPI draft picks.  They would have to be a top 100 prospect AND have fewer than 60 days of service time coming into the season AND have made their MLB debut with their current club AND be with the MLB club within 2 weeks of the start of 2026.  If I'm understanding this correctly, and since there's fewer than 60 days left in the season, I don't think that there's anyone they could call up at this point that would jeopardize this status.  They either are ineligible anyway because they debuted elsewhere, already accrued too much this year (Keaschall), or they won't have accrued enough service time to lose eligibility for next year (ERod, Raya).

Now, while I really don't think the PPI program is a worthwhile justification for keeping guys down at this time, I understand the logic of holding off on the service clock for normal purposes, even I wonder if the trade-off of delayed development is worth it all the time.  I mean, are we seriously worried about controlling James Outman for his age 33 season or whatever?  They need to figure out what they have in him now.  

[Vanimal46]

Which one of you clogged the pitching pipeline again? 

[Otaknam]

Falvey continues to give up on the season with scrap heap signings to avoid service time for those in the minors who could use some ML experience. Time to move on from this front office.  I feel a little sorry for those who were not traded, like Lewis, Larnach, Wallner, Jeffers, and Lee. But if they had performed better the trades wouldn’t have been necessary. 

[Otaknam]

3 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

That has been a huge issue for this FO, starting the arbitration early and then having to pay early. </s>

The front office won’t have to worry anymore about starting the arbitration clock, because they will be gone too as soon as a sale is completed. Good riddance!

[DocBauer]

I don't trust a 30yo with a little over 8K per 9 in his MILB career suddenly cranking it up and turning it up, and suddenly becoming the next Stewart, or anything even close.

Still, he's better than Davis and a couple other journeymen we just brought up.

 

[DocBauer]

15 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Why not bring Raya up? Despite the fact that he probably “isn’t ready”…what difference does it make? If we’re going to blatantly and aggressively tank the remainder of the season, we may as well do it with players that have a future in the organization.

While still somewhat inconsistent, he's been going longer and probably throwing as well or better than he ever has. His last start is arguably his best. Everything they have been doing to get him to this point might be about to pay off. I'd keep him right where he is for now. 

Besides, some of the arms they just brought up and added were "break in glass we need somebody" options that won't be around long. Adams and Ohl now get audition time. There's a couple arms just brought over from the deadline deals like Abel and Bradley that should be up very soon. Sands is still there and Topa probably sticks around for now as well. Funderburk probably gets the next 2 months to keep his job. it's not hard to get to at least 6 or 7 for 8 in the pen pretty quickly. Not saying good quality necessarily, but at least better than some of the guys there on temporary stay, and most with some upside.

So if the rest of the season doesn't matter, and Raya is progressing just fine where he's at, why not audition the other arms and just let him stay at St Paul for now?

[bunsen82]

4 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Another good thing this FO has been good at, but hey I am sure that is another thing that is about turn around for them. 

2024 - No Twins got votes

2023 - Julien two third place votes.

2022 - No Twins got votes

2021 - No Twins got votes

2020 - No Twins got votes

2019 - Arraez got one second and 1 third  (of course he was already in the system when this FO got here)

2018 - No Tiwns got votes

 

 

Next year,  you have the potential Rookies of Keaschall, Culpepper, Gonzalez,  Rodriguez starting with the team out of spring training.   I really think we open a spot for Gonzalez/Rodriguez to start.  Not sure which player would be going Larnach, Wallner.  Keaschall is almost guaranteed to start.  Rodriguez and Keaschall would also give you the extra draft pick as both are on top 100 lists.  Starting next year with gradually putting multiple position players into the field,  we may see one legitimately make a run at the rookie of the year.  Jenkins most likely is on the team in 2027.  

[sampleSizeOfOne]

4 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Which one of you clogged the pitching pipeline again? 

It was me, i think. My bad.

 

I'll pitch better next time

[Vanimal46]

1 minute ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

It was me, i think. My bad.

 

I'll pitch better next time

Just be careful next time. These pipes were installed in 1901…

[TwinsDr2021]

8 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Next year,  you have the potential Rookies of Keaschall, Culpepper, Gonzalez,  Rodriguez starting with the team out of spring training.   I really think we open a spot for Gonzalez/Rodriguez to start.  Not sure which player would be going Larnach, Wallner.  Keaschall is almost guaranteed to start.  Rodriguez and Keaschall would also give you the extra draft pick as both are on top 100 lists.  Starting next year with gradually putting multiple position players into the field,  we may see one legitimately make a run at the rookie of the year.  Jenkins most likely is on the team in 2027.  

And this year we had Keschall, Keirsay, Gasper, Matthews,  and any number of prospects we were hoping for.

In 24 Martin, Festa, Lee, SWR

in 23 Lewis, Wallner, AK, Julien

22 Ryan, Duran, Miranda

21 Larnach, Jeffers, Ober, Gordon

 

Pretty sure a few of those guys were top 100, and I can't see running out there that many rookies (if they have the same starting pitchers) , they have been adverse to giving rookies jobs because of injuries and depth. So I don't see any rookie starting the season besides Keaschall. I see them starting with Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Clemens (and another player to back up first or second), Buxton, Wallner, Roden and some right handed outfielder they bring in (or Martin).  agree Larnach will be gone . IMO only Keaschall will have a shot at ROY, unless Lewis, Lee, Buxton (any or all of them) get hurt and then they bring up Culpepper, Jenkins, Erod or GG. 

I have no faith in this Front Office!

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

6 hours ago, Baumer67 said:

Hopefully Keaschal can take his spot.  Julien has so much trouble making basic plays.  Look how many times he double pumps on turn the double play.

Keaschall up, Keirsey down. Hard to be unhappy about that one. Outman up next week once we finish manipulating service time.