Twins Pitcher of the Month: June 2024

While the starting rotation has been a strength for Rocco Baldelli in recent seasons, the group has seen some turnover during 2024. Chris Paddack hit the injured list for a reset as June came to a close, and top pitching prospect David Festa is hoping for Simeon Woods Richardson-like rookie results. It wasn’t that outfit leading the club in June, though.

Bring on the bullpen.

Honorable Mentions:
#4 Bailey Ober - 5 G, 31.0 IP, 3.19 ERA, 22 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 11 BB, 34 K
While the rotation as a whole wasn’t noteworthy during June, Ober was the bright spot. He turned in his first calendar month of the season in which he didn’t allow a true clunker. There was also the complete-game performance against the Oakland Athletics, and his 10 strikeouts tied a career high. He turned in a strong performance against the division-leading Seattle Mariners, and had the game not been blown late, Minnesota would have been victorious in four of his five starts.

#3 Josh Staumont - 9 G, 9.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 7 K
Signed after being jettisoned by the Kansas City Royals this offseason, Minnesota was hoping that Staumont could be productive after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He felt positive heading into spring training, but a late injury had him starting with Triple-A St. Paul. Needing to settle in there before a promotion, June was his first full month at the big-league level. Still yet to give up an earned run with the Twins, he allowed opposing hitters to generate just a .322 OPS off of him for the month.

#2 Jorge Alcalá - 12 G, 12.2 IP, 1.42 ERA, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 10 K
After being sent through the ringer during the first two months of the season, Alcalá was finally given a chance to stick with Minnesota in June. He turned in a stellar month, and it appears this may be the year that he both produces and stays healthy. Of course Baldelli would like a wider gap between the strikeout and walk numbers, and the underlying metrics suggest some regression could happen, but Alcalá has been a welcome presence. With Jhoan Durán’s velocity down all season, the rise in Alcalá’s has helped to provide more triple-digit heat.

Twins Pitcher of the Month for June 2024
Griffin Jax - 11 G, 11.0 IP, 1.64 ERA, 9 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 14 K
When Durán couldn’t go to start the season, Griffin Jax was there. As Durán has returned and struggled to be the same pitcher, Griffin Jax has been there. While working primarily as the setup man in June, Jax was virtually unhittable. He did blow a save to end the month, but his 14/3 K/BB is beyond impressive, and he has taken his velocity to new heights in 2024. The Twins having baseball’s best bullpen was largely predicated on the depth of their high-leverage arms. While Brock Stewart and Durán haven’t been as advertised, Jax has been all that and then some.

Congrats to Jax on winning the Twins Daily pitcher of the month for June. He certainly would be a well-deserved All-Star selection in July if Bruce Bochy so chooses to include him.

What do you think? Who would have you tabbed as the Twins pitcher of the month for June?