Three Minor League Reliever Who Can Help The Twins Soon

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

 

Plenty of damage has already been done by the bullpen, which is why the Twins need to stay diligent in cycling through arms in hopes that they can build a functional group as the season goes on. We’ve seen some debuts and roster claims, but it’s still very much a work in progress. Three names in the minor leagues could find themselves with the big league club in short order.

 

John Klein

We already saw Klein briefly, and it’s worth wondering exactly what the plan is for him. The Twins had him stuck in a bulk innings role, which neither prepared him to start games nor to serve as a traditional reliever, ultimately leading to his demotion last week, as he wouldn’t have been available for back-to-back outings. Upon his return to the minor leagues, the Twins stuck him in the same role. He wouldn’t be an option for the big league rotation, and if he were to get recalled any time soon, he would likely just serve as a mop-up reliever to be demoted the day after pitching again.

If the Twins decide on a path for Klein that would actually be useful to an MLB roster, it’s easy to see him being an impact arm, especially in the bullpen. His mid to high-90s fastball, paired with a good-looking cutter and changeup combo, would play up in short stints and could help the Twins tremendously. If the Twins finally decide to go down this path with Klein, he could be up in short order.

 

Marco Raya

Drafted out of high school in 2020, Raya has disappointed thus far in his career, but his story is far from written. His days as a starting pitcher are over, and his body of work as a reliever is less than impressive, but if something clicks, Raya can still be an impact reliever out of the Twins’ pen. We may already be seeing signs.

Raya’s stuff isn’t in question between his mid to high-90s fastball and devastating sweeper. Control and command are the bigger concerns, and have led to an ERA over 7.00 in St. Paul this season. Relievers are unpredictable, however, and in his last few outings, Raya has flashed his ability to be a dominant reliever. He’s already on the 40-man roster, so the Twins have no reason not to be quick to call him up if he’s showing signs of finally putting things together.

 

C.J. Culpepper

Injuries have derailed Culpepper’s hopes of sticking as a starting pitcher, but his stuff remains intact. After an injury-riddled 2025 season, the Twins saw this and fast-tracked him to St. Paul, immediately converting him to the bullpen upon his promotion. While they’ll surely give him time to get accustomed, Culpepper could find himself with the big league club in short order if he performs well in relief for the Saints.

Some outlets had notched Culpepper in the Twins' top 10 prospects in the last few years. He had the stuff to navigate opposing lineups multiple times as a starter. Now that he’s settled into a bullpen role, he can focus on the best of his repertoire, which includes a cutter/sweeper combo. His fastball ticked down amid injuries, but he’s flashed 98 mph on the heater in the past. If he can stay healthy, Culpepper could find himself pitching out of the bullpen at Target Field later this summer.

 

We’re approaching the point where the Twins should feel less concerned about what could go wrong with some of their younger arms should they be called up to the big league bullpen. As June approaches, it’s getting close to time to swap out some of the low upside, short-term veteran relievers and live with the results of whatever the younger arms have to offer. Do you disagree with any of the names listed? Are there any other minor leaguers that should be fast-tracked to the MLB bullpen? Let us know below!

 

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[Nshore]

Rojas has a big left arm and poor control.  He's technically not a minor leaguer anymore but they probably want to send him back down and work as a starter.   I would continue to take a shot with him in the bullpen and gamble that he'll gradually get zeroed in.  If he does, he could be a real difference maker.

[Danchat]

I didn't know Culpepper moved to the pen... but no objections here, they need more options in the pen in the near future.

[Blyleven2011]

Though I'd like them to use our young prospects but they first have to get past this weekend  ...

There are 2 veterans Bowman and ??? ( in other words , i cant remember ) , they both have opt outs on Sunday the 17th if not selected to the twins roster ...

Bowman having pitched well with st Paul saints will definitely use his option to force the twins to either put him on the roster or release him to free agency  , the other ??? Is not having a good campaign to really opt out  ut you never know , he may want a changein scenery ...

They could be free agents after Sunday  , if so then we can start focusing our attention on our young AA and AAA  player's  ...

[IndyTwinsFan]

9 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Though I'd like them to use our young prospects but they first have to get past this weekend  ...

There are 2 veterans Bowman and ??? ( in other words , i cant remember ) , they both have opt outs on Sunday the 17th if not selected to the twins roster ...

Bowman having pitched well with st Paul saints will definitely use his option to force the twins to either put him on the roster or release him to free agency  , the other ??? Is not having a good campaign to really opt out  ut you never know , he may want a changein scenery ...

They could be free agents after Sunday  , if so then we can start focusing our attention on our young AA and AAA  player's  ...

??? equals John Brebbia (sp).

[Linus]

Marco Raya? Really?

[twinstalker]

1 minute ago, Linus said:

Marco Raya? Really?

He's the best ever.