Minnesota Twins Prospect Retrospective: John Klein

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (Photo of John Klein)

Not every prospect arrives with hype, signing bonuses, or a clear path to the majors. Some take the scenic route, winding through back fields, small schools, and relative anonymity before forcing their way into the conversation. John Klein fits that description perfectly, and after a breakout 2025 season, he is no longer flying under the radar.

A Minnesota native from Brooklyn Park, Klein’s baseball journey started without much fanfare. He went undrafted out of Iowa Central Community College in 2022, eventually signing with the Twins as a free agent after showing promise in the Northwoods League. At the time, he looked like organizational depth, a tall right-hander with projection but limited present stuff. What has followed since then is a steady and impressive climb.

Klein spent the next two seasons quietly working his way through A ball, refining his mechanics and building strength. In 2023, he moved from rookie ball to High-A. He posted a 4.17 ERA with a 23.9 K% and a 9.0 BB% across 58 1/3 innings. Minnesota had him return to Cedar Rapids for the entire 2024 season. In 100 1/3 innings, he posted a 4.57 ERA with a 20.4 K% and an 8.6 BB%. He wasn’t overpowering or putting himself on the prospect radar.

That changed in 2025 when everything started to click. Pitching for Double-A, Klein posted a 3.12 ERA with 95 strikeouts across 80 2/3 innings, establishing himself as a legitimate arm in the system. A late-season promotion to Triple-A brought mixed results, but he still managed 33 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings against more advanced competition.

The transformation is not just statistical. At 6 feet 5 and now around 225 pounds, Klein has added noticeable strength to his frame. Early in his pro career, he sat around 90 mph with his fastball. By 2025, that number had climbed into the mid-90s, averaging 94 and touching 97. The Twins’ development system deserves credit here, particularly their velocity programs that have helped unlock more from previously modest arms. Klein’s delivery adds deception, allowing the fastball to play up even further.

His arsenal has grown alongside the velocity. What once was a limited mix has evolved into five distinct pitches. The biggest development has been his curveball, now sitting around 80 mph with sharper break and the potential to miss bats when located well. He has also worked in a splitter in the mid-80s and an upper-80s cutter, giving him multiple looks against hitters from both sides of the plate.

That said, there are still questions about his long-term role. While Klein has the repertoire of a starter, he does not yet possess a consistent put-away pitch. The curveball flashes that potential, but can be inconsistent, and without a true swing and miss offering, he may struggle to turn lineups over multiple times at the highest level. Some within the organization believe his stuff could tick up even more in a bullpen role, where shorter outings might allow everything to play at peak intensity.

Even with that uncertainty, Klein has already forced his way into the Twins’ plans at the highest level. After being added to the 40-man roster this offseason, he did not have to wait long for his opportunity, making his big-league debut in recent days. The early look confirmed what the organization has believed for a while now, that his development has put him in a position to contribute in a meaningful way.

There is something fitting about Klein’s trajectory. A local kid who grew up a short drive from Target Field now is pitching there, not as a highly touted draft pick but as a player who earned every step along the way. Whether he settles into a rotation spot, a swingman role, or a multi- inning relief job, Klein has already exceeded expectations and reshaped his outlook.

For an organization constantly searching for pitching depth, stories like this matter. And for Klein, the next chapter could be the most meaningful yet.

 

View full article

[nicksaviking]

"Whether he settles into a rotation spot, a swingman role, or a multi-inning relief job"

I'm excited for Klein and I think he'll do well, but no, no and no. This team needs late inning relievers and they are exponentially more valuable than long-men, swingmen and back-end starters. 

The team infamously gutted the team last year, but that was mostly by trading away Duran, Jax and Varland. I simply cannot comprehend how this organization is dragging it's feet in trying to make pitchers like Klein ANTHING OTHER than the next Duran, Jax and Varland. He absolutely, positively will not be more valuable as a #5 starter or low leverage, inning eating reliever.

[old nurse]

33 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

"Whether he settles into a rotation spot, a swingman role, or a multi-inning relief job"

I'm excited for Klein and I think he'll do well, but no, no and no. This team needs late inning relievers and they are exponentially more valuable than long-men, swingmen and back-end starters. 

The team infamously gutted the team last year, but that was mostly by trading away Duran, Jax and Varland. I simply cannot comprehend how this organization is dragging it's feet and trying to make pitchers like Klein ANTHING OTHER than the next Duran, Jax and Varland. He absolutely, positively will not be more valuable as a #5 starter or low leverage, inning eating reliever.

You cannot comprehend making somebody something they are not s not going to happen. 

[nicksaviking]

27 minutes ago, old nurse said:

You cannot comprehend making somebody something they are not s not going to happen. 

I don't follow. Starters can't be converted to relievers? That's exactly how the Twins have gotten their best relievers the past 35 years.

[Dman]

I think the pen is the best place for him.  He gives up too many homeruns somewhat like Varland did when he came up.  Not saying he can't start at AAA but I think his ultimate role is pen in short relief.  If good enough he could be a stopper bullpen arm used in the toughest situations.

[Nshore]

I hope Klein stays a starter.   He's from Minnesota, and if he goes to the bullpen and is really good, he's going to wake up some morning inexplicably traded to Toronto.

 

[tony&rodney]

Wish Klein all the best. His is such a classic story of hard work making the dream come true.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

On 5/5/2026 at 1:57 PM, nicksaviking said:

I don't follow. Starters can't be converted to relievers? That's exactly how the Twins have gotten their best relievers the past 35 years.

Almost every reliever of quality is a washed up starter. The list is long and not limited to Minnesota.

I don't care what role they put him in, I just want him to be successful

[jmlease1]

On 5/5/2026 at 12:50 PM, nicksaviking said:

"Whether he settles into a rotation spot, a swingman role, or a multi-inning relief job"

I'm excited for Klein and I think he'll do well, but no, no and no. This team needs late inning relievers and they are exponentially more valuable than long-men, swingmen and back-end starters. 

The team infamously gutted the team last year, but that was mostly by trading away Duran, Jax and Varland. I simply cannot comprehend how this organization is dragging it's feet in trying to make pitchers like Klein ANTHING OTHER than the next Duran, Jax and Varland. He absolutely, positively will not be more valuable as a #5 starter or low leverage, inning eating reliever.

He has basically no chance at sliding into a rotation role, so relax.

I don't have a problem with him starting in MLB as a (potentially) multi-inning reliever pitching in lower leverage situations and advancing him up the ladder or not depending on how he's performing. Have him pitch in relief and see what he can do. If his stuff is playing up and he shows he can be effective, they're going to try him out in different roles.

But with Prielipp in the rotation for now and on a more restrictive pitch limit than some of the other starters, having another guy that should be ok throwing 2 innings available isn't a bad idea right now.