Three Twins With Something to Prove in Spring Training’s Final Days

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

Spring training is winding down, and urgency is rising. Only a couple of weeks remain for players to make final impressions before the club heads north. The roster for the March 26 opener in Baltimore is coming into focus.

For many, the final stretch is about maintaining momentum and health. For others, the next two weeks could decide whether they open in the majors or minors. Some players still have something to prove before Opening Day.

Bailey Ober and the Velocity Question
The Twins have counted on Ober to be a reliable piece of their rotation over the past few seasons. When he is at his best, the tall right-hander uses deception and command to keep hitters off balance despite not having overpowering stuff. However, his velocity remains one of the most important storylines to watch during the final weeks of spring training.

Ober allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out two over 2 2/3 innings in Thursday’s Grapefruit League matchup against the Boston Red Sox. On the surface, the line was fairly modest, but the radar gun numbers drew attention. Ober averaged just 88.8 mph with his fastball in the outing.

That number continues a concerning trend. Ober’s fastball sat in the lower 90s early in camp but averaged 89.9 mph during his first spring appearance and dipped even lower in his most recent outing. Last season, his average fastball velocity of 90.3 mph was already a career low, as he posted a 5.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Velocity is not everything for Ober, but it does impact how effective his entire arsenal can be. His approach relies heavily on tunneling and location, and losing even a small amount of velocity can shrink the margin for error. With a rotation spot essentially locked in, Ober’s spring is less about making the roster and more about proving that the declining velocity is not going to become a long-term issue. The Twins will likely monitor his next few outings closely.

Brooks Lee and the Search for More Quickness
When Lee arrived in the majors, his bat had been his calling card throughout his college and early pro career. The bigger question surrounded his overall athleticism and defensive range. That is why Lee made improving his quickness a priority heading into this year.

Observers around camp have noted that his body composition looks different. Lee reportedly weighs about the same as last year, but he appears leaner because his weight is distributed differently. The visual changes have been noticeable during workouts and early game action.

There have already been a couple of defensive plays in which Lee has appeared to show better range than he did a year ago. He has also looked slightly quicker running the bases, which could be an encouraging sign for the Twins if it continues.

Still, early data does not yet show a measurable difference. According to Matthew Leach and MLB.com research, there is no data to definitively prove Lee is faster than last season. At this point in spring training, samples are very small. The next few weeks are important for Lee. If his added quickness proves real, it could help solidify his defensive profile and expand his infield roles.

Zak Kent Making a Case in the Bullpen
Of the recent pitching additions, Zak Kent received little fanfare. He did not arrive with the attention of names like Taylor Rogers or Liam Hendriks, but his early camp results have turned heads.

Kent is already on the 40-man roster and features a slider that has impressed the Twins’ coaching staff. More importantly, he has shown an ability to miss bats. In three Grapefruit League innings, Kent has yielded just one hit, struck out six, and walked none. He has also produced 13 swings and misses on just 43 pitches.

Those numbers stand out for a bullpen that could use another right-handed arm capable of generating strikeouts. The Twins have several relievers who rely on contact management, but power stuff in the late innings always carries value.

Kent still has to prove that his success can continue against stronger competition as spring training progresses. If he keeps generating swings and misses at this rate, he could force the Twins to consider giving him a bigger opportunity.

Final Days to Make an Impression
Every spring brings a few surprises, and the final roster decisions are often shaped by performances in the last two weeks of camp. For the Twins, those evaluations are happening quickly as Opening Day approaches.

Ober is trying to show that his declining velocity won't define his season. Lee is working to prove that the adjustments he made to his body will translate into improved quickness. Kent is attempting to turn a strong spring into a legitimate bullpen opportunity.

With the opener against Baltimore approaching fast, the margin for error is shrinking. The next handful of games may determine who heads north with the team and who begins the season waiting for another opportunity.

What players will you be watching over in spring’s final weeks? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Over The Hill Again]

The Ober velocity thing feels ominous. I can’t even imagine what this rotation will look like come August. 

[arby58]

12 minutes ago, Over The Hill Again said:

The Ober velocity thing feels ominous. I can’t even imagine what this rotation will look like come August. 

My guess is Bradley and Abel break camp along with Ryan, Ober, and SWR for the rotation. There are still Matthews and Prielipp waiting in the wings. I'm not expecting much in 2026, but 2027 with Culpepper, Emma, Jenkins, and (knock on wood) Lopez returning seems like more reason for optimism.

[mikelink45]

Maybe Ober is the SP that will need to go to the pen.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Maybe Ober is the SP that will need to go to the pen.

Ober doesn't profile as a reliever IMHO. Either he makes his stuff work in the rotation or he's a release candidate, similar in some ways to Kenta Maeda during his time in the AL. Since he never threw really hard, his margin for error has always been pretty small, but he managed to be good until last season. 

[Jacksson]

Kent took it on the chin with his outing on 3/13.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Ober doesn't profile as a reliever IMHO. Either he makes his stuff work in the rotation or he's a release candidate, similar in some ways to Kenta Maeda during his time in the AL. Since he never threw really hard, his margin for error has always been pretty small, but he managed to be good until last season. 

Maeda pitched out of the bullpen for the Dodgers. I would definitely try Ober in relief before I would release him. A move to the bullpen could increase his velocity enough to become effective again.

[stringer bell]

Just now, DJL44 said:

Maeda pitched out of the bullpen for the Dodgers. I would definitely try Ober in relief before I would release him. A move to the bullpen could increase his velocity enough to become effective again.

Maeda pitched out of the bullpen 7-8 years ago, when BPs weren't built as much on velocity, as they are now and I believe he was throwing closer to mid-90s with his fastball then, as well. I can't think of anyone in the last several years who lost a rotation spot substantially because of diminished velocity and converted to a successful reliever.

[DJL44]

9 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Maeda pitched out of the bullpen 7-8 years ago, when BPs weren't built as much on velocity, as they are now and I believe he was throwing closer to mid-90s with his fastball then, as well. I can't think of anyone in the last several years who lost a rotation spot substantially because of diminished velocity and converted to a successful reliever.

There are several. Google says Reynaldo Lopez, Michael King, Matt Barnes, Hogan Harris. Louis Varland increased his velocity, which improved his effectiveness.

If Ober can throw 2-3 MPH faster he will be as effective as he was at his best.

[stringer bell]

6 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

There are several. Google says Reynaldo Lopez, Michael King, Matt Barnes, Hogan Harris. Louis Varland increased his velocity, which improved his effectiveness.

If Ober can throw 2-3 MPH faster he will be as effective as he was at his best.

I don't think the cases are similar in terms of what caused the guys to be moved to the bullpen. Varland, for example, had an above average velocity fastball as a starter and I think most of the others weren't impacted by lack of velocity. Yes, it would figure that Ober might pick up a couple mph, but going from 89 to 91 wouldn't make much difference IMHO. 

[Jacksson]

WAY MORE THAN JUST THREE !!

Larnach needs to prove he belongs with this team.

One of Kreidler, Gray or Arcia needs to take hold of the backup SS job.

Lewis needs to start hitting and show he has a future in Minny

Caratini or Jackson needs to step up as a viable backup catcher.

One of Martin or Outman needs to step up as the 4th outfielder.

The assortment of non-roster relievers needs to have someone emerge from the pack.

The roster of relievers: Banda, Kent, Orze, Sands and Topa need to get in gear if they really want a big league job and/or want to remain with the organization.

 

[DocBauer]

Out of sight out of mind? I've got my eye on Dan Altavilla. While his ML career isn't extensive, he's been pretty solid. The hits pet 9 and K numbers are good. It's his BB that have been a bit of an issue. 

He was off to a solid start in camp before he left for the Classic. Reports are his velocity was up to a career high, sitting in the 98-99 range. Goodness knows this bullpen needs a couple half way decent RH options. So I'll be watching him along with Kent. 

I'm also wondering if Bowman has a shot to make the club as the the #8 man, the arm used for innings.

[JADBP]

Wow...first Lopez, now Ober.  We are down to one proven SP.  

Ober never was as high mph guy at any point in his career.  So, moving to the bullpen isn't going to miraculously unlock his high end and he suddenly starts throwing 99 mph.  He's got a near-perfect pitching body, long levers, long legs, great extension... I don't get it.  Maki has been fantastic at unlocking speed out of our pitchers.  Just what is Ober doing wrong?  There must be something wrong  with his delivery that holds back his ultimate speed.  

If he is out there firing 89 mph fastballs, he is going to be eaten alive, no matter how good his slider is!  

 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

Out of sight out of mind? I've got my eye on Dan Altavilla. While his ML career isn't extensive, he's been pretty solid. The hits pet 9 and K numbers are good. It's his BB that have been a bit of an issue. 

He was off to a solid start in camp before he left for the Classic. Reports are his velocity was up to a career high, sitting in the 98-99 range. Goodness knows this bullpen needs a couple half way decent RH options. So I'll be watching him along with Kent. 

I'm also wondering if Bowman has a shot to make the club as the the #8 man, the arm used for innings.

Yeah, I think he might end up being the best minor league contract they signed this year. Really good velocity and his Savant page shows some promise. He'll need to throw enough strikes, but if he does, I think he will be effective. 

[Old Twins Hat]

With Bailey's lack of velocity, it's never Ober till it's Ober.  

If he gets shelled in the first half, the Twins will put him on the DL and work with him  to get him right.  He's under contract, nothing to lose by having him working on his mechanics and call it hip impingement.

He is a pitcher though at least, and not a thrower.  Not a prettier sight to see from the CF camera than Bailey's change-up floating away as Lefty hitters cut at it.

[HrbieFan]

Kent was moved to full fulltime RP last year with Cleveland's AAA team and the #s look good. Have no clue if he was used in high pressure situations

[UpstateNewYorker]

15 hours ago, JADBP said:

Wow...first Lopez, now Ober.  We are down to one proven SP.  

Ober never was as high mph guy at any point in his career.  So, moving to the bullpen isn't going to miraculously unlock his high end and he suddenly starts throwing 99 mph.  He's got a near-perfect pitching body, long levers, long legs, great extension... I don't get it.  Maki has been fantastic at unlocking speed out of our pitchers.  Just what is Ober doing wrong?  There must be something wrong  with his delivery that holds back his ultimate speed.  

If he is out there firing 89 mph fastballs, he is going to be eaten alive, no matter how good his slider is!  

 

Randy Johnson (at 6' 10") often spoke about how difficult it was for him to master his mechanics due to his height and long arms/legs.  So being that tall was not an advantage. 

[Parfigliano]

On 3/14/2026 at 6:55 AM, Over The Hill Again said:

The Ober velocity thing feels ominous. I can’t even imagine what this rotation will look like come August. 

The rotation will be ineffective by mid April.

[JD-TWINS]

22 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Maeda pitched out of the bullpen 7-8 years ago, when BPs weren't built as much on velocity, as they are now and I believe he was throwing closer to mid-90s with his fastball then, as well. I can't think of anyone in the last several years who lost a rotation spot substantially because of diminished velocity and converted to a successful reliever.

You can’t think of anybody…….probably because lost velocity & shifting to a reliever something anyone gives thought to, or follows? Would usually happen in MiLB I would suspect? Baseball isn’t some abstract on a screen. I have no idea how to rationalize, with logic, how getting outs aren’t awfully similar throughout the game, regardless of inning. Velocity is a premium throughout a game not just for late innings, Pen guys. If a guy can get people out (has a history of doing so) for 4-6 innings with location, change of speed, & movement……..his velocity drops ………Ober isn’t a better option than Topa (or similar) in the 6th or 7th?

I’m not of the mind that Ober’s velocity would jump 2-4 miles per hour if he pitched from the Pen and only faced 3-6 guys at a time (wishful thinking)……… may tick up but certainly not automatic. He’s a pretty different look 👀 n the hill - bringing him for an inning at a time or even for 4/5 outs for 2-3 times per week doesn’t seem far fetched to me.

I’m not campaigning for Ober to be in the Pen but outright release or giving up on any value before some experimentation …….. within the group that’s now in the Pen, doesn’t seem to make much sense.

[JD-TWINS]

19 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Out of sight out of mind? I've got my eye on Dan Altavilla. While his ML career isn't extensive, he's been pretty solid. The hits pet 9 and K numbers are good. It's his BB that have been a bit of an issue. 

He was off to a solid start in camp before he left for the Classic. Reports are his velocity was up to a career high, sitting in the 98-99 range. Goodness knows this bullpen needs a couple half way decent RH options. So I'll be watching him along with Kent. 

I'm also wondering if Bowman has a shot to make the club as the the #8 man, the arm used for innings.

Am certainly hoping that the bar is higher than Bowman ………at least prior to 3-4 injuries. Cannot imagine he’s in the Top 8 mix.

[bean5302]

4 hours ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

Randy Johnson (at 6' 10") often spoke about how difficult it was for him to master his mechanics due to his height and long arms/legs.  So being that tall was not an advantage. 

Being tall is a significant mechanical advantage. Longer bodies and arms, longer strides... it means the release point of the baseball can be much closer to the plate than for shorter pitchers. Every foot closer to the batter = almost 2mph of perceived velocity.

Ober's height advantage makes his pitches seem 1mph faster than the average pitcher, and he focuses on long extensions as well to improve the perceived velocity further.

In Randy Johnson's era, his height added 2mph to his fastball.

Of course, there are plusses a minuses. A long motion with a lot of leverage means perfect repetition is harder and a little variance here or there can have a much bigger impact. That's what Johnson struggled with. Repetition.

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Am certainly hoping that the bar is higher than Bowman ………at least prior to 3-4 injuries. Cannot imagine he’s in the Top 8 mix.

The problem is there is nobody else in camp that makes any sense to be a 2-3 innings eater. Adams is out, and everyone else in camp would seem to be a 1 and occasionally a 2 IP option. And you have to believe they'll want at least one long option available.

[RaoulDuke]

On 3/14/2026 at 6:33 AM, mikelink45 said:

Maybe Ober is the SP that will need to go to the pen.

Ober to the pen would be an interesting exercise.  He doesn't profile as a lockdown guy or someone that is going to benefit from a velocity bump throwing in shorter stints, but could he be a long man?  Also I never expected soft tossing Liam Hendriks or Taylor Rogers to become good bullpen pieces when they were transitioned, might as well try it and see.

A rotation with only Joe Ryan as a proven MLB starter is going to require a lot of bullpen help.  SWR is the next most established guy and he routinely gets pulled at 5 innings or less, Bradley has been a shorter start guy because he gets blown up the 3rd time through or has thrown to many pitches, Abel and Zebby are prospects trying to break in and will not be going deep regularly. 

None of the current pen guys really profile as multiple innings relievers (I could be wrong here there are so many lol) but the organization, under Falvey at least, was prioritizing 2-3 inning pitchers in development with the track they had guys like Adams, Orr, and Hatch (side note I am suprised they let Hatch get away he seemed decent).

[ashbury]

13 hours ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

Randy Johnson (at 6' 10") often spoke about how difficult it was for him to master his mechanics due to his height and long arms/legs.  So being that tall was not an advantage. 

 

9 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Being tall is a significant mechanical advantage. Longer bodies and arms, longer strides... it means the release point of the baseball can be much closer to the plate than for shorter pitchers. Every foot closer to the batter = almost 2mph of perceived velocity.

Ober's height advantage makes his pitches seem 1mph faster than the average pitcher, and he focuses on long extensions as well to improve the perceived velocity further.

In Randy Johnson's era, his height added 2mph to his fastball.

Of course, there are plusses a minuses. A long motion with a lot of leverage means perfect repetition is harder and a little variance here or there can have a much bigger impact. That's what Johnson struggled with. Repetition.

Here's a clip from an interview in which Johnson talks about repetition and mechanics, essentially interchangeably.  A "mechanical advantage" isn't "mechanics."  Just listen to what a HoF'er has to say, and don't quibble; when he says repetition, he means repeating the mechanics.  www.youtube.com/shorts/T9zvE-IUoQw