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.

[DocBauer]

I agree with the list above. Klein has been bitten by the HR bug this season and that's always a bad thing. But he seems to usually get through 1-2 innings before things unravel. So with velocity, decent secondary options, and a good K history, why is he still in this weird 4 inning role that doesn't help anyone?

CJ has had some injuries that have slowed him, and it's my understanding that he sometimes has a difficult time maintaining velocity after multiple innings. So I think the move to the pen was destined. He could really excel there.

I don't really expect much from Raya, but we've always heard the same thing; when his control is on, his stuff can be nasty. He's still in transition mode. But if he can get that 1 inning mentality to "click", he's still got a chance.

I would love to see Morris being able to throw 1 inning at a time, and get Festa back in the second half for the same. Then you add Klein, CJ, Sands, Orze, Lawyerson, and the recently added Acton and Gomez, and you at least have the numbers to work with to find 5 or 6 out of around 10 that might work out.

I really don't like the idea of taking Rojas out of the rotation, but his stuff could play up really well in the pen. 

At least there is a path that I could see working, instead of recycling a bunch of 35yo plus waiver options. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Surprised to see that Bowman is not on this list. He probably should have been called up a few weeks ago.

[DocBauer]

2 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Surprised to see that Bowman is not on this list. He probably should have been called up a few weeks ago.

I'm only guessing here, but I think Bowman's exclusion is due to age and I believe the OP was slanting more towards younger arms.

But I think you bring up a valid point. Garcia is 39yo and is having a poor season. On the other hand, he wasn't awful in 2025. But the 34yo Bowman MIGHT help beyond this season. And while he's somewhat of a soft thrower, I believe, maybe he's perfect as a 2 IP arm in the middle innings so Morris can focus on shorter stints?

[The Great Hambino]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

Marco Raya? Really?

Well, a lot of the hitters do need more batting practice.  I guess he could help there

[DocBauer]

Slightly off topic, but what's frustrating to me is as poor as the ownership/FO handled any bullpen rebuild, vast numbers of injuries have affected the various options that might have helped the bullpen this season.

We've "survived" the painful loss of Lopez with the emergence of Bradley, whon are also hurt but hopefully back soon. But it has given Prielipp an earlier than expected shot at MLB and he's showing some good early results. And after a rough ST and early AAA begining, Matthews really settled down, was pitching well for St Paul, and looked really good in his '26 debut the other night. Sims needs an IL stint and rehab assignment to try and get "right", but that can't happen until Bradley, or Abel, or both get healthy again. So the cupboard is bare right now if anything else happens.

That's why they are reluctant to move Morris to a short stint arm just in case they have to move him back to the rotation again. 

A healthy Festa might have already been moved to the pen, where it seems he belongs. But he's ALSO been hurt, so that further messes with bullpen options. Maybe I'm grasping at something that isn't there, but I believe previous MILB pitcher of the year Cory Lewis might just be a very good pen option. He's got a mix of pitches being a starter. If he could throw maximum for 1-2 innings only, crank his FB up to even 94-95, mix in a 2nd or 3rd offering here oe there, and then throw that crazy knuckelball of his, I think he has the potential to be a really good middle relief arm, provided his control is even average. But he ALSO has been hurt the entire season so far.

I don't believe Raya or CJ are ready yet by any means. In fact, I don't believe Raya will be ready until about August. CJ could/should be ready before that. I think Klein is ready now, if they just use him as a 1+ IP power arm. I think the same thing is true for Morris, if you get beyond the "we might need him" fear factor of additional injuries. BUT, if someone else goes down, what the hell would the Twins be playing for anyway if that happens? We've already gone 8 deep in SP so far.

What's more important, rebuilding the bullpen for the remainder of 2026 and the future "in case" someone else gets hurt? Or assuming we get Bradley and Abel back soon and we can FINALLY address the bullpen better internally? 

We can debate all day long whether a team sitting around 4-5 games below .500...who were once above. 500 a few weeks ago...should or shouldn't keep or Trade Ryan at the deadline. And I'm NOT going to debate that here in this OP. But just for a moment, contemplate the rotation for 2027 as is right now:

Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, and Matthews. That's 8 leaving Morris and Rojas out of the equation. Based on his 3 previous seasons, not so far in 2026, SWR has been a really solid, reliable #4 rotation option. If he can get "right" for the rest of the season, get back to what he was, he's still a solid option for OUR rotation, but also a decent trade chip for another team in real need for a cheap 25yo rotation piece that still has upside.

My point is that the 8 deep doesn't include Morris OR Rojas, OR Festa, much less Klein or CJ.

So maybe we just accept ONE MORE INJURY could wreck what's still been a solid rotation. MAYBE we recognize that the rotation is going to be full again in a couple of weeks, we've already begun a couple roster moves and there will be others, and we just ACCEPT that any more SP injuries just wreck the season anyway.

So Morris gets to try and be the next Jax/Varland. Klein gets the opportunity to be the next Jax/Varland. CJ, a couple months from now, gets the opportunity to be the next Jax/Varland. A healthy Festa FINALLY gets a chance to be the next Jax/Varland. Rojas gets the opportunity to be the next Rogers/Perkins, OR, the next Santana/Liriano.

We're so engaged about the tremendous amount of talent sitting at AAA right now that is part of our future, SOON. And we're so EXCITED...rightfully so...by the development of Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, and Matthews in the rotation.

But as horrible...average-ish on good days...as the bullpen has been, have we spent enough time considering the 2nd half bullpen could be a lot different than the first 1/4 season bullpen?

 

[jkcarew]

Not naming names, but if any of these 3 were…for instance…to allow 8 HRs, 12 BB and a 1.029 OPS-against in 22.0 AAA innings pitched, would that eliminate Raya, err I mean…that pitcher…from this list?

This hypothetical pitcher (whose “devastating” sweeper may…or may not…have been crushed for 3 home runs tonight)* could definitely PITCH soon, I don’t know that he would HELP soon. But why not. This is where we are.

 

* It was

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Bring 'em all up. 

[Rosterman]

Raya needs time to adjust to the new role. I think he COULD do it. But he needs to be told that he needs to be effective for 3-5 batters. And has to follow a pitch plan.

Klien should still be considered a back-end starter. He's 7th right now, unless Rojas reenters rotation plans bigtime. I'm glad Rojas is getting some innings in the majors. He shoud learn what he can't get away with and then go and work hard on it at AAA. Funderburk will be back.

Culpepper is best for the bullpen. Like Klien, he would quickly be passed by guys at Cedar Rapids in the pecking order for future rotation spots. So why not learn to dominate now. I'm glad he is throwing at AAA.

Rozek is an aging rookie that should get a look. He's a lefty, damnit. He has to be soooo hungry. That should make him try extra hard if he gets his major league cup-of-coffee.

The Twins need to find 26-man spots when Abel, Bradley, Sands, Acton, Lawyerson return. So who goes from the mix. Will Bowman get a last shot? Can the Twins keep one swing 40-man roster spot open?

 

Tune in tomorrow!

[DJL44]

There are veterans with opt outs in other organizations we are more likely to see than the guys on this list.

[TL]

If they can get Bradley and Abel healthy then we could also very likely see Preillip in the bullpen to help limit his innings. I can’t imagine they want him throwing more than 120 this year even if they still (like I do) see him as a starter. SWR also needs a spot 

[Coach JT]

Bring all 3 up and let’s get to rebuilding the bullpen with young arms . This to me is a no brainer . 

[D.C Twins]

18 hours ago, Linus said:

Marco Raya? Really?

I totally get this sediment, but this is his first season learning to come out of the bullpen and his stuff is legit.... There is definitely a chance things still work out for him in the bullpen. 

[JD-TWINS]

July 1st potential PEN ……. for 2nd half of season:

Assuming Abel & Bradley are OK in upcoming weeks.

Orze - Festa - SWR - Rojas - Morris - Funderburk - Sands - Rogers(?) - Klein or Culpepper - Matthews or Prielipp …….. these guys are options based on their own & others health…………..Festa - Prielipp - Morris - Rojas - Matthews are all potential 2 innings guys x 2 outings per week.

Banda & Topa will be gone at some point in July. SWR has to transfer to PEN as soon as Bradley is back! ………hopefully, just days away.

Loose end vets like Garcia & Gomez will be DFA’d in the not too distant future. Bowman & Brebbia can’t crack the squad now, so I don’t see it happening going forward.

[jkcarew]

1 hour ago, D.C Twins said:

I totally get this sediment, but this is his first season learning to come out of the bullpen and his stuff is legit.... There is definitely a chance things still work out for him in the bullpen. 

I agree it could work out eventually.

But LEARNING to come out of the bullpen? It’s not like he’s been doing anything other than coming out to start a new inning that happens to not be the first. And he did this last year as well.

Also the only evidence we have…right now…that the stuff is legit is graphs and TD writers who buy in…it certainly isn’t coming from AAA hitters who find the stuff extra crushable. Nothing in the actual body of work the last two seasons, including K-rate, says great stuff.