Next Man Up: 4 Rotational Options Behind Bailey Ober and Louie Varland

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins must start digging into their starting rotation depth after Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle headed to the injured list. Bailey Ober and Louie Varland will get the first shot in the rotation, but what players are next on the organization's depth chart?

Image courtesy of Troy Taormina, USA Today Sports

The Minnesota Twins must start digging into their starting rotation depth after Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle headed to the injured list. Bailey Ober and Louie Varland will get the first shot in the rotation, but what players are next on the organization's depth chart?

Injuries were one of the main storylines for the 2022 Twins, and that's why the front office focused on adding depth to the starting rotation. Entering the season, there were questions surrounding Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle since both ended last year on the injured list. Maeda is returning from Tommy John surgery, and Mahle dealt with shoulder issues after being traded to the Twins.

Last week, Maeda left his start early with a right elbow issue. His injury can allow the Twins to give Maeda time to rest on the injured list, especially since pitchers returning from Tommy John need to monitor their workload. Mahle left his start on Thursday with right posterior elbow soreness after his velocity dipped from 94+ mph earlier in the game to 89 mph. He is expected to be shut down from pitching for at least four weeks. 

Starting pitching has catapulted the Twins to the top of the AL Central in the season's full month. Now, the team has built-in rotational depth but one more injury, and the organization will need to rely on a combination of these players to have continued success in the weeks ahead. 

Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP
Woods Richardson entered the year as one of the organization's top prospects after a tremendous 2022 season. He posted a 2.93 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and a 115-to-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 107 1/3 innings. Those numbers likely had him in the conversation for the organization's minor league pitcher of the year, but he lost out to Varland. In 2023, he allowed nine earned runs on 17 hits in 14 innings (three starts). Minnesota called him up to be a long reliever, and he threw 97 pitches out of the bullpen in relief of Pablo Lopez. Woods Richardson has struggled to start the year, and that might push the Twins to explore one of the other options below. However, in his most recent start, he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and completed seven innings. 

Brent Headrick, LHP
The Twins drafted Headrick in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he has moved swiftly through the organization. Last season, he split time between High-A and Double-A with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 11.3 K/9. Minnesota thought highly enough of him to add him to the 40-man roster before the 2023 season. With St. Paul, he made two appearances (one start) and allowed six earned runs on 12 hits. The Twins have used him exclusively out of the bullpen at the big-league level, but he has pitched three innings or more in two of his three appearances. If needed, the Twins can move Headrick back into a starting role to help bolster the rotation.

Aaron Sanchez, RHP
Sanchez should be a familiar name to Twins fans as he made eight appearances with the club during the 2022 season. In eight appearances (three starts), Sanchez allowed 15 earned runs on 31 hits with a 1.33 WHIP. The Twins granted him his free agency this winter, but he decided to re-sign with the organization. In 2023, he has been one of the most consistent starters for the Saints. Sanchez has made five starts (22 1/3 innings) with a 2.42 ERA. His WHIP is high (1.57) because he has a 6.9 BB/9, significantly higher than his career average (3.8 BB/9). It seems likely for the Twins to need Sanchez at some point this season, but he is behind others on this list and isn't on the 40-man roster. 

Jose De Leon, RHP
De Leon was once a top pitching prospect in the Dodgers organization, and the 2023 season marks his first in the Twins organization. Fans got excited this spring when De Leon pitched 5 2/3 hitless innings while striking out 10. With the Saints, he has made seven appearances, including three starts. De Leon has a 2.95 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a 17-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18 1/3 innings. His strikeout rate (8.3 K/9) is over four strikeouts lower than his career mark, so it will be interesting to see if he can increase his strikeouts as the weather improves. 

How much can these players impact the Twins' rotation? Which pitcher deserves a more extended look? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[DJL44]

It would not be a shock to see the Twins acquire pitching at the trade deadline.

[tony&rodney]

The Twins have used seven starters thus far this young season. Only the Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Athletics, and Rays have used more starting pitchers with several of those teams using an opener. Perhaps the Twins go with an opener at some point in the year. 

Ober, Varland, Woods Richardson, and Headrick should do it for starters this year, but Sanchez and De Leon could start a game or two. Sanchez may use an option to become a free agent. If the Twins need to use more than nine starting pitchers, their season will be on the rails. One exception to note is the possibility of an addition via trade in late July.

[JD-TWINS]

The deadline potential trade is 3 months - half season away. With the 2 guys we’ve brought up & potentially either Maeda or Mahle coming back in June……..along with SWR in June if needed. We should be OK til the deadline. Hopefully, they’ll have a better feel for potential of Paddack helping in August/September sometime in June.

My bigger concern is the swift decline of Jorge López. His first 8-9 outings he was aggressive all around the edges of the zone, with an heir of confidence. Now (last 3 appearances) he’s pitching with a nervous smile - getting behind - throwing thigh high fastballs after behind. Not looking good at all — reverting back to August of ‘22 —- looks a lot like Pagan.

[stringer bell]

21 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

The Twins have used seven starters thus far this young season. Only the Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Athletics, and Rays have used more starting pitchers with several of those teams using an opener. Perhaps the Twins go with an opener at some point in the year. 

Ober, Varland, Woods Richardson, and Headrick should do it for starters this year, but Sanchez and De Leon could start a game or two. Sanchez may use an option to become a free agent. If the Twins need to use more than nine starting pitchers, their season will be on the rails. One exception to note is the possibility of an addition via trade in late July.

I don't think we want to shut the door on Maeda or Mahle just yet. Both will miss at least most of the month May, but it is a long season. Having the four mentioned in this piece along with Varland and Ober is already looking like a necessity, not an excess. 

[Blyleven2011]

Let's not worry so much yet ...

Let's Just enjoy the season of baseball ...

It's a new year and anything can happen  , I've already seen things I've never seen in baseball before ... 

I'm trying to be positive even though I dont like our managers style and bs on pre and post games ...

[MGM4706]

Forget worrying about the starting pitching. It is the Pen that is a disaster! AGAIN!! Ryan goes 6 shutout last night. Should have gone 7 (Thanks Rocco!) but Pen comes in and gives it away. Nobody in Pen has shown they can shut anybody down. Have cost at least 5 games already!! Like last year Rocco keeps hoping someone will step up. Current group doesn't offer much hope. Either bring up some kids or màke a trade!

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

I don't think we want to shut the door on Maeda or Mahle just yet. Both will miss at least most of the month May, but it is a long season. Having the four mentioned in this piece along with Varland and Ober is already looking like a necessity, not an excess. 

I was only adding who I expected beyond those five starting pitchers who opened the year. I think it is possible to add a significant SP in late July.

[blindeke]

Sanchez got lit up by Nashville yesterday. Not really fooling many of their hitters.