The Minnesota Twins Have Three Elite Pitches

Back in the beginning of March, I suggested that this Minnesota Twins team was going to look a bit different. Despite needing to retire the Bomba Squad moniker a while ago, the thought has been that Derek Falvey and Thad Levine continue to construct power-heavy lineups. Although Rocco Baldelli does have some of that at his disposal in Byron Buxton and Joey Gallo, the 2023 club is focused around pitching and defense.

So far, we have seen that come to fruition. It shouldn’t be shocking that Twins starters are going longer in games as the water level of the group is substantially higher. No longer are Dylan Bundy and Chris Archer being trotted out to the mound, and the effectiveness from the rotation props up the bullpen.

While there are individual pitchers worthy of talking points, there are some singular pitch offerings that stand out above the rest. Here are three of the Twins best pitches:

Griffin Jax - Sweeper
While it may be consider a bit more of a slider than others, Jax’s breaking ball is classified by Statcast as the new sweeper variety. He’s using it nearly 3/4 of the time this year, and it’s been nothing short of dominant. He has worked some on righty-right changeups, but that pitch has yet to bear fruit for him.

With the sweeper, Jax gets a 15% whiff rate, and through 22 games he’s thrown it 107 times. What’s most impressive about the offering is that despite its consistent usage, no one can touch it. He has allowed just a single hit on the pitch all year.

Pablo Lopez - Sweeper
Like Jax, it’s a sweeper that is doing damage for Pablo Lopez. He was acquired over the winter in a swap with Miami for Luis Arraez. His strong start allowed him to parlay a stay in tenure with Minnesota and he signed a contract extension for the most money the Twins have ever given a starting pitcher.

The sweeper is a newer pitch for Lopez, and he’s dominating with it. Throwing the pitch over 20% of the time this season, he’s generating a ridiculous 21.1% whiff rate through the club’s first 22 games. Lopez has found success in changing his repertoire, and opposing hitters have only generated five hits from the offering this year.

Jhoan Duran - Splinker
The pitch that has made Duran famous is not a fastball touching 103 mph, but instead his patented splinker. To be able to throw a ball with that much movement, that fast, is truly incredible. Duran broke out as a reliever last year, and is now seeing new heights to start out 2023.

Last season Duran set velocity records for the Twins, and now with a 101.6 mph average fastball velocity, he’s added to it. Arguably the toughest closer in the game to face, Duran gets it done with a lethal combination of gas and movement.

What are some of your favorite offerings from Twins pitchers this year?