Power Ranking Every Member of the Minnesota Twins Bullpen

We are one quarter of the way through the 2023 season, which presents a good time to look at the bullpen hierarchy. How do the Twins bullpen arms stack up against each other? Who is at the top of the power rankings, and who is at the bottom?

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The nature of the reliever position is that things can change extremely quickly. Relief pitchers are notoriously up-and-down and the heirarchy can change very quickly. Now that we are one fourth through the season, let's take a look at how the bullpen stands right now.

1. Jhoan Duran

As has been the case for over a year now, Jhoan Duran tops the list of Minnesota Twins relievers when it comes to confidence level. After posting a 1.86 ERA in a magnificent rookie season in 2022, Duran has an even lower ERA through 16 appearances in 2023 at 1.62.

Though Duran has a lower ERA than last year, the underlying statistics say that Duran has had luck on his side to start the year. In fact, according to FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) his ERA should be closer to 4.00 than to 2.00, likely because of his BB/9 which is more than twice as high as it was last year.

Nitpicks aside, Duran is in the middle of another unbelievable season at the back of the Minnesota Twins bullpen and has repeatedly saved them from many late game, sticky situations. The right hander figures to remain atop this list for a long time.

2. Jorge López
After a shaky first impression after being traded to the Minnesota Twins, Jorge López has been off to a great start in 2023, boasting a 1.37 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 19 2/3 innings. López has cut down his walk numbers from last season and ticked up his strikeout numbers from where they were in 2022. López has pitched in the 8th inning or later in 15 out of his 20 appearances this season and should continue to be relied upon in high leverage roles all year.

3. Caleb Thielbar
One of the most underrated players on the Minnesota Twins after rejoining the team in 2020, Caleb Thielbar picked up right where he left off in 2022, with yet another great start to the 2023 season. In 10 innings this season, Thielbar has a 1.80 ERA with a miniscule 1.8 BB/9. Because of his track record for consistency, Thielbar would have a good case for being second on this list if it weren’t for the oblique strain that has him on the injured list at the moment.

The Twins are missing Thielbar’s left arm, and when he returns to health he should be expected to join the back of the bullpen with Duran and López.

4. Griffin Jax
Coming into the 2023 season, Jax was assumed to be number two or three on this list after his breakout season in 2022 in which he acted primarily as the Twins’ setup man and posted a 3.36 ERA with a 9.7 K/9 in 72 1/3 innings.

This season, though, Jax has been unable to keep base runners at bay, as evidenced by his 5.09 ERA. The underlying stats tell a different story for Jax, though, his FIP is an impressive 2.63 and his Statcast profile is as red as can be.

5. Brock Stewart
Coming in at number six is Brock Stewart, who was signed by the Minnesota Twins to a minor-league deal last season as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. Stewart has been great for the Twins in limited action in 2023, pitching nine scoreless innings on the year thus far. Even as a minor-league call-up, the Twins have relied on Stewart in some key spots, as he has come into a tie game or one-run game in four of his eight appearances. Stewart has good stuff with a 96 MPH fastball and a 10.0 K/9.

6. Emilio Pagán
Many Twins fans were surprised when the Twins offered Emilio Pagán arbitration this Winter, but the Twins believed in the reliever's stuff and identified him as a bounce-back candidate for 2023. Prior to Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers in which he gave up a grand slam, that seemed to be working reasonably well. 

While Pagán has shown some brief stints of good results in 2023, that was partly because the Twins limited the right-hander from facing high-leverage situations. As of Wednesday morning, among relievers, the right hander ranked sixth on the Twins in Leverage Index. The biggest development for Pagán this season had been that he has thus far avoided the long ball; after allowing over 1.5 HR/9 last season, he had yet to allow a home run prior to Wednesday's disastrous outing.

7. Jovani Moran
After dominating in the Minors and recording a breakout season in the Majors in 2022, Jovani Moran has failed to build on that in 2023. In 16 1/3 innings, Moran has posted a 5.51 ERA with a WHIP of 1.59. In addition to his command struggles, Moran has been getting crushed by right-handed batters, an area of strength for him in the past.

8. Cole Sands
Once a starting pitching prospect, Cole Sands has since moved to the bullpen as a long-relief arm. Sands lacks the elite stuff to become a back-end bullpen arm, but has shown some signs of success as a long man.

9. Jorge Alcala
A once-promising prospect, Jorge Alcala has quickly seen his stock crater in the Twins’ bullpen over the past couple of years. In 2022, Alcala was injured nearly all season. In 2023, Alcala was seemingly healthy coming into the season, but has struggled mightily, allowing four home runs in just 15 1/3 innings. After being optioned to Triple-A for poor performance and recalled to the Majors, on Tuesday, Alcala was sent to the injured list with a right forearm strain. 

Do you agree with the bullpen power rankings? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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