Twins Looking to Avoid the Liam Hendriks Mistake With Louis Varland

Liam Hendriks was once considered a top pitching prospect in the Twins organization, including making back-to-back Futures Game appearances in 2010-11. When Hendriks was expected to be a future starter, the Twins had him slotted into the rotation, resulting in 30 starts over three seasons. With a 6.06 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and a -2.0 WAR in that role, it was clear that Hendriks wasn’t suited for an MLB starter role. Minnesota even designated him for assignment in December 2013 after not giving him a chance to stick as a full-time reliever. He was only 24 years old, and the team was amid four straight seasons of 90 losses or more. His roster spot shouldn’t have been in jeopardy. 

After leaving the Twins, Hendriks reinvented himself as a reliever, emerging as one of the best in the game with a 2.94 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 32.7 K% rate between 2015 and 2022. He earned three All-Star selections and snagged two Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year awards, proving that sometimes a change in role is all it takes to unlock a player’s full potential.

As the Twins look to solidify their bullpen for the future, Louis Varland finds himself at a crossroads that eerily echoes Hendriks’ early days. Varland’s numbers as a starter haven’t exactly set the world on fire, with a 5.27 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and opponents batting a .851 OPS against him. Yet, there’s been a noticeable spark when Varland has been used out of the bullpen. In 16 relief appearances, he’s shown flashes of potential that suggest his skills might be best utilized in shorter stints. During the team’s playoff run in 2024, Varland pitched 12 relief innings in the season’s final weeks while allowing two runs (both solo home runs) with a 17-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

The decision is unfolding almost organically. With injuries to key relievers like Justin Topa, Brock Stewart, and Michael Tonkin creating a void in the bullpen, the Twins now have a golden opportunity to tap into Varland’s potential. The front office and coaches have repeatedly spoken highly of his work in relief roles, and it appears they’ve learned from past missteps. Instead of forcing him to continue as a starter, where his performance has been less than inspiring, the plan is to ease him into a full-time reliever role starting in 2025.

“Getting a chance to see him throw an inning, kind of a revved-up inning,” Baldelli said this spring. “Letting him come in from the bullpen doing that gets him the work we’re looking for from him right now.”

This isn’t just a simple positional change, as it’s a strategic shift to maximize Varland’s skill set. Much like Hendriks, who finally found his niche in the bullpen after being shoehorned into a starting role, Varland might be on the verge of a breakthrough if given the right opportunity. The Twins are clearly eager not to repeat history. They remember the missed opportunity with Hendriks, a pitcher who eventually became a star reliever, and are now taking a more measured, patient approach with Varland.

There’s a genuine sense of optimism among those in the Twins’ inner circle. Coaches have remarked on Varland’s “stuff” when he’s been used in relief, and the organization’s willingness to make a long-term bet on him in that role shows that they believe in his potential. The Twins are making a calculated move to ensure that Varland can flourish without the added burden of pacing through an entire game. Instead, he will slide into the back of the bullpen and have the opportunity to show he deserves more late-inning opportunities as he gets settled into his new role. 

For fans, this transition is about reclaiming some of the magic that seemed to slip away with Hendriks. It’s a reminder that a player can reinvent himself with the proper guidance and opportunity, even in the face of early setbacks. Hendriks’ turnaround from a struggling starter to a dominant reliever has become a case study in player development. Varland’s situation now presents a similar narrative. The organization’s commitment to finding the proper role for each player is a testament to their long-term vision and willingness to adapt.

Ultimately, the move to shift Varland into a full-time relief role isn’t just a reaction to injuries or numbers. It’s a deliberate effort to harness a player’s true potential. It’s a lesson in patience and adaptability, and if Varland can capitalize on this fresh start, the Twins might add another ace to their bullpen. The road ahead isn’t without its challenges, but with the organization’s backing and a renewed focus on player development, this could be the beginning of a promising new chapter for both Varland and the Twins’ relief corps.

What are your expectations for Varland as a reliever, now that the role switch is officially official? Leave a comment and start the discussion.