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Many franchises search for unconventional ways to gain a strategic advantage. The Minnesota Twins have continued that trend in their recent approach to building a pitching staff. Instead of relying solely on high-octane velocity or wipeout-breaking stuff, the Twins have accumulated a stable of pitchers who bring unique attributes to the mound. Whether it's an unusual background, extreme physical traits, or an offbeat pitch, Minnesota has built pitching depth that is anything but ordinary.
Joe Ryan: The Water Polo Warrior
Joe Ryan ’s journey to becoming a staple of the Twins’ rotation didn’t follow the usual path of a top draft pick or blue-chip prospect. Tampa Bay drafted him in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB Draft, and he joined the Twins in the trade for Nelson Cruz. The former water polo player has translated his unique athletic background into one of the most deceptive fastballs in baseball. Water polo requires players to generate power from unconventional angles while keeping their arms above the water, and those skills have transferred seamlessly to Ryan’s delivery.
“Joe’s treated himself really well this offseason. He looks good and strong and mobile like he always is,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “I think he’s looking to come back this year and put together a full slate of — a full season’s worth of innings and produce the way he did or even better than last year. He had an awesome year going last year before he suffered the issue but he’s come in fully healed and looked great.”
Ryan’s fastball averaged in the low 90s earlier in his career, but he bumped up his velocity last season to 94 mph. His fastball also plays like an elite pitch due to its riding action and high release point. His ability to command it up in the zone has made it more effective, and his increased velocity has helped him achieve a Fastball Run Value in the 90th percentile. After an up-and-down 2024 season, Ryan enters 2025 as a key piece of the Twins' rotation. If he can further refine his secondary offerings, there’s no reason he can’t take another step forward and solidify himself as a frontline starter.
Bailey Ober: The Towering Enigma
Bailey Ober is a pitcher who defies traditional scouting expectations. Standing at a towering 6-foot-9, Ober isn’t the flamethrower one might expect from someone his size. Instead, he thrives on deception and precision. His elite extension (97th percentile) means he is releasing the ball closer to home plate than almost any other pitcher, making his 91-93 mph fastball play much harder than the raw velocity suggests.
Baldelli recently spoke about Ober. “He has been as reliable of a pitcher as we have had in the last few seasons. He makes excellent small adjustments. He is a tremendous strike-thrower. You just know you are going to have a really good chance to win a game almost every time he touches the ball.”
Ober’s ability to command the strike zone and induce weak contact has allowed him to succeed in a league where velocity often dominates. He took significant strides in 2024, proving he can be a reliable innings-eater. As he heads into 2025, the expectation is that he’ll continue to be a mid-rotation stabilizer. If he can stay healthy and maintain consistency, there’s no reason he can’t push toward being a top-of-the-rotation presence for a Twins team with playoff aspirations.
Cory Lewis: The Knuckleballer in Waiting
Perhaps the most intriguing of Minnesota’s unique arms is Cory Lewis, a rare prospect in today’s game due to his ability to throw a legitimate knuckleball. While the pitch isn’t his primary weapon, it’s a fascinating wrinkle in an arsenal that already features solid secondary pitches. The Twins took a gamble by drafting Lewis in 2022, but his development has been promising so far.
Lewis talked about his famous pitch earlier this spring. “I use it like any of my other secondary pitches. It slowly became like a two-strike pitch. But, I mean, I'll throw it whenever. I throw it about 20% I think. So, not anything crazy, like 50 or 60%, like a traditional knuckleballer.”
Knuckleballers are notoriously difficult to project, but Lewis has shown enough ability to remain on the starting pitcher track. While it remains to be seen how much he’ll rely on the knuckleball at the big-league level, its mere existence gives him an added layer of unpredictability. If he makes his MLB debut in 2025, he could offer a completely different look to opposing hitters. Plus, every fan likes a good knuckleball.
The Twins enter 2025 with a rotation that continues to evolve, and these three pitchers will play pivotal roles in its success. Ryan has the tools to ascend to true ace status if his secondary pitches take another step forward. Ober remains a steadying force, and if he continues to miss barrels, he could put together his best season yet. Lewis is the wild card, and his path to the majors is uncertain. When he debuts, he could be one of the most unusual pitchers the Twins have had in years.
Minnesota is building a pitching staff with rare and fascinating attributes. In a league where teams are always searching for an edge, the Twins are leaning into uniqueness, and 2025 could be the year it all pays off.
Should the Twins continue to collect pitchers with oddities? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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