Twins Claim Pitcher Thomas Hatch from the Royals

Last week, the Kansas City Royals promoted reliever Thomas Hatch to the big leagues. When he got into a game, it was hit first big-league appearance since September of 2023 with the Pirates. He pitched one inning and gave up two runs on two hits including a long home run. He was Designated for Assignment the next day. 

On Monday afternoon, the Twins announced that they had claimed Hatch from the Royals. He is expected to join the Twins on Tuesday at which point a spot on the 40-man roster and the 26-man roster will need to be opened up. That could be the same person. I assume it will be. 

Thomas Hatch is 30 years old. He spent the 2024 season pitching in Japan. In 2013, the Tulsa native was the 32nd round draft pick of the Rockies. Instead of signing, he stayed in-state and went to Oklahoma State. Three years later, the Chicago Cubs selected him in the third round of the 2016 draft. 

At the July trade deadline in 2019, the Cubs sent him to the Blue Jays for reliever David Phelps. 

Toronto added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season. During the Covid-shortened 2020 season, the Jays called up Hatch and he soon made his MLB debut. As a 25-year-old rookie, he posted a 2.73 ERA over 17 games. In 2021, he was limited to three big-league games and spent much of the season on the injured list with a right elbow impingement. He pitched just once for the Jays in 2022. In 2023, he pitched in six games for the Jays before he was DFAd. 

The Pirates claimed him, and he worked in 12 games for them over the remainder of the season.

So, what does Thomas Hatch throw? He throws a sinker that averages about 94-95 mph. He also throws a cutter at about 90. He has a mid-80s slider/sweeper. Maybe that's something that the Twins will have him throw 50-60% of the time and see how that goes. 

There certainly is enough to be intrigued, but as is the case with any player claimed, they need to take advantage of the situation pretty quickly.  Kody Clemens certainly did that, but other players claimed haven't, and the Twins at this stage in the season should be active at the edges of the 26- and 40-man rosters and hope a few guys stick. 

Earlier in the day, the Royals had named Hatch their minor league pitcher of the month for July. Who knows? Maybe Hatch and Darren McCaughan will piggyback Tuesday's game in Motown.  

The corresponding move has not yet been announced. That will happen on Tuesday.