What’s to Like?
Since bursting onto the college baseball scene as a 19-year-old true freshman with Alabama, Prielipp’s “stuff” has always been something to dream on. 

He debuted with four starts in the SEC that year facing 75 hitters over 21 innings. He struck out 35 of them (47%) and allowed just five hits and zero runs in those games. That was good for a 0.52 WHIP and 15.0/9IP strikeout rate that vaulted him into future #1 overall pick conversations.

We all know how that came crashing down the next season via Tommy John surgery, but it was still enough for the Minnesota Twins to bet their second-round pick on that “stuff” in the 2022 draft as he recovered. 

His arsenal includes a mid 90’s fastball that topped out at 98 MPH in pitches tracked with the St. Paul Saints in 2025, a plus slider that can touch 90 and has elite spin rates, and a changeup that generated a 62% whiff rate. He also mixes in a sinker and is toying with a new curveball this spring, but it’s those three plus-pitches coming from a lefty that could remind Twins fans of names like Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano.

What’s Left to Work On?
In addition to the elbow work Prielipp went through in college, he also had to have a second surgery during the 2023 season after making just a pair of appearances to kick off his professional career. He returned in time to pitch 23 1/3 innings at the end of the 2024 season, but simply staying healthy has been a monumental hurdle for him to overcome.

The good news is Prielipp did so during the 2025 season, to the tune of 82 2/3 innings with Wichita and St. Paul. Those were 24 more than his total from all five of his college and pro seasons combined before then. He simply still needs innings to develop and re-harness those electric pitches.

His walk rate with the Saints last year more than doubled what he had done with the Wind Surge, and he did give up plenty of hits in between the strikeouts. While his ERA landed above 4.00 on the year, his FIP came in about a half-run lower, suggesting some further improved command can pay dividends on the results.

What to Look For in 2026?
Prielipp has commented this spring that he’s going to be built up as a starter, so while it was fun to think of him as a possibility among the bullpen competition, he looks set to open the year in the Saints rotation.

This is the right call for his future and where he is at his development. Going every five days and throwing plenty of pitches is how he’ll get to where the Twins and fans want to see. But I’ve also said in the past because of his injury history, he might just be a prime candidate to start his professional career much like one of those guys I made the “stuff” comparison to earlier.

It is very likely Prielipp could be starting games on the mound at Target Field this season with the Twins. But the further into the summer any debut is pushed, the more likely it becomes he breaks into the majors in a reliever role as there will likely still be a clear limit to his innings. Getting his feet wet in the majors the same way Johan Santana did could allow him to both impact more major league games and provide him some runway to be unleashed as an impact starter in future seasons. Blossoming into a closer like another lefty in Glen Perkins is an appealing outcome, too. 

When you have the pure “stuff” that Prielipp does, you certainly have options.