Can Brooks Kriske Find a Home in Minnesota’s Bullpen?

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins have claimed right-handed pitcher Brooks Kriske off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, continuing their recent trend of adding experienced bullpen depth as the team reshapes its roster following the trade deadline. Earlier this week, the team claimed Thomas Hatch from the Royals as the team tries to replenish the five bullpen arms that were traded away.  

Kriske, 31, was designated for assignment by the Cubs over the weekend despite posting a solid line in his brief stint with the club. He appeared in four games this season, tossing six scoreless innings out of the bullpen while allowing just two hits and striking out four. Command remains a concern, as evidenced by five walks in that span, but the Twins are clearly intrigued by his ability to miss bats and navigate tough spots.

At Triple-A, he had very good numbers this season. In 23 appearances (31 2/3 innings), he posted a 3.13 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. More remarkably, he had a 39.4 K% with a 7.6 BB% that was significantly improved compared to his recent seasons, where his BB% averaged above 14%. The Twins have space in the bullpen to take some flyers over the last month, and those minor league totals are tough to ignore. 

During his time with the Cubs in 2025, Kriske leaned heavily on two primary offerings: the split-finger fastball, which accounted for roughly 57% of his pitches, and a four-seam fastball, making up about 36%, with occasional cutters sprinkled in (6%). His split finger averages 82.2 mph, and batters have yet to register a hit against it this season. Overall, the split-finger finder served as his go‑to swing‑and‑miss weapon (30.4 Whiff%) with fastball usage supplementing for establishment and velocity contrast. Still, command has been a concern given his walk rates during these outings.

Originally a sixth-round pick by the Yankees in 2016, Kriske has seen time with four big league clubs: the Yankees, Orioles, Royals, and, most recently, the Cubs. His overall MLB numbers are underwhelming with an 8.78 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP across 27 2/3 innings. It’s important to add in the caveat about a small sample size, and there are flashes of potential beneath the surface.

In 2022 and 2023, Kriske spent parts of two seasons overseas pitching in Japan’s NPB, where he showed improved command and struck out nearly 13 batters per nine innings. The Twins are likely hoping that some of that success translates back to MLB, especially with an expanded role in a bullpen that will need competent veteran pitching. Kriske has a chance to carve out a role beyond this season if he performs well.

To make room for Kriske on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated Darren McCaughan for release or assignment. McCaughan had just been added to the roster on Monday and did not appear in a game before being bumped. It’s a tough break for the right-hander, but roster flexibility is at a premium right now.

Kriske will be active for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale in Detroit against the Tigers, giving manager Rocco Baldelli another option out of the bullpen as the Twins navigate the final two months of the season.

What’s Next?
With a restructured roster and a focus on evaluating depth options, expect the Twins to continue testing out fringe arms over the next few weeks. Kriske might not be a long-term answer, but his recent effectiveness gives him a shot to carve out a role, especially if he can throw strikes consistently.

What stands out about Kriske’s career so far? Can he replicate his minor league numbers? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[The Great Hambino]

I thought he was playing in LIV golf

[Dman]

No reason not to give him a try.  Maybe have hi9m change his pitch mix?  Things haven't looked great at the MLB level but you never know.

[Vanimal46]

Who had on their Twins bingo card more than 1 person named Brooks being on the 26 man roster?

[DocBauer]

If you look at his very brief ML career you will groan and dismiss him immediately. If you look at his career MILB numbers you will see a solid 3.05 ERA, fewer hits than IP, decent BB numbers, and 12.8K per 9. And you then wonder why his success has never translated to ML success, even with a SSS.

Your going to see a variety of 28-30yo arms being added and removed from the 26/40 man roster the rest of the season. And you'll probably see a couple added in the offseason, even if/when a couple guys are added via FA. But that's exactly what they SHOULD be doing for now. You SHOULD be looking for the next Stewart...and they've found others over the years...that arm that's been hurt a lot, failed as a starter, couldn't get "over the hump" until now. 

Every year you see a guy here and there...maybe even after a stint overseas...that transformers from coal to a diamond for this team, or that team, occasionally the Twins. Again, that's how we got Stewart. (REALLY should have kept Jeff Hoffman a couple years ago as well). You ABSOLUTELY keep looking at Adams, Ohl, and other young arms to see if you might have something. You hope like hell Sands re-discovers his 2024 success. But even with a large number of internal and recently acquired SP options available, and some being inevitably moved to the pen...and soon...as a mid market team that has to re-build the 2026 pen, you keep looking at various lumps of coal to see if you can find that diamond.

I have no clue if Kriske has any shot to be that. I've honestly never heard of him until right now. But I'd much rather give him a shot than the 33 and 35yo journeymen Urena and Ramirez who I assume were brought up as emergency fill-ins post trade deadline.

[DJL44]

Replace the 9 ERA guy with the 7 ERA guy and eventually with the 5 ERA guy. You rarely find really good pitchers on waivers but some aren’t half bad.

[Danchat]

Kriske at least had some very good AAA numbers earlier this year... I'll take him over Davis, Ramirez, and Urena. The bar is below the floor.

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

With the recent trades, plus what we have at AAA and AA, we have a plethora of starting pitchers.  Why are we plugging in these 30-something castoff relief pitchers?  Why not move up a few startles to the pen to see what we’ve got?

To some degree they already have. Matthews is in the rotation. Festa and Sims are on the IL, but part of the rotation once they come back. Ohl and Adams are up. Recently acquired Abel will probably be up soon, probably Bradley as well. Each was sent to St Paul initially for various reasons that might include a brief adjustment period, a quick looksee at what they are throwing and how, and to set up the next moves. Remember, these 2 guys have been a Twin for only a couple of days. 

Looking deeper....

Morris is on the AAA IL. Lewis has looked much better as of late, but has really struggled this season. And neither is on the current 40 man. Raya is, but has started to take a real step forward the last month. Why mess with that now in a lost season?

A couple of AA arms were just promoted to AAA. But there's really nobody else to promote right now. Davis, Ramirez, and Urena are probably DFA any day now, but were "emergency" adds just to fill out the 26 man roster. 

So until Festa and SWR come back, they've promoted Ohl and Adams with Abel and Bradley probably up soon. There really is nobody else to bring up at this time.

[Doctor Wu]

Never heard of the guy, but welcome to the club! No doubt he will be joining a long line of retreads and castoffs, but the Twins might as well try some of these pitchers and see if they have enough to warrant a longer stay with the club. Audition time has begun!

[Bodie]

8 hours ago, Danchat said:

Kriske at least had some very good AAA numbers earlier this year... I'll take him over Davis, Ramirez, and Urena. The bar is below the floor.

Quit picking on Ron Davis!!!!  He has to be in his mid 60s.  He wasn't all that great in his prime. 

Wait, we have another Davis that bad??? Crrrrriiiipes!!!!

[Bodie]

I think I bought mushrooms from that guy last time in Hawaii... had that shirt anyway!

[PatG]

Hey, when they get that Upgraded Nutritionist coming with the new Owners, watch out!!  

Perhaps the new Owners can check out the Vikings facilities.....

[jmlease1]

I don't mind auditioning veteran cast-offs that have some upside for the bullpen this season to see if you can uncover the next Brock Stewart or similar pitchers (even finding the next Tonkin, the guy who came back to MLB at 33 for Atl would be useful) as we fill out the bullpen this year and guys are getting healthy in the minors.

Maybe the Twins can help Kriske find something, and it's worth a try. But I'll keep my expectations appropriate. A lot of relievers are pretty fungible, but it's far from unusual for a guy to figure something out for a few seasons and be useful. The trick is not overpaying for those guys so that when they stop being effective you can move on. (the relief pitcher business is a little brutal)

In conclusion, Eff the Pohlads and Sell the Team!

[ryan189]

kriske and travis adams went to the same high school just fyi

[Bodie]

14 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Replace the 9 ERA guy with the 7 ERA guy and eventually with the 5 ERA guy. You rarely find really good pitchers on waivers but some aren’t half bad.

You missed the next step... ship the 5 guy for 3 ERA guy, and presto! we have competency. Should happen before the next decade!

[stringer bell]

On 8/5/2025 at 10:02 PM, Vanimal46 said:

Who had on their Twins bingo card more than 1 person named Brooks being on the 26 man roster?

How about having the only two MLB players ever named Kody?

[Riverbrian]

On 8/5/2025 at 10:02 PM, Vanimal46 said:

Who had on their Twins bingo card more than 1 person named Brooks being on the 26 man roster?

[Riverbrian]

21 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

How about having the only two MLB players ever named Kody?

That is odd but I think one Zebby beats it.