Who Can Fill the Bottom of the Bullpen?

We’re nearing the point of the season when struggling players are likely running low on time to get back on track. As their low-leverage relievers have cost them games in ugly fashion several times in the last few weeks, it may be time to take inventory of the Twins organization and see who could get some fresh looks.

Jorge Alcalá
We’ve seen plenty of Alcalá this season, though some argue it hasn’t been enough. The 28-year-old has a 3.27 ERA in eight appearances, though it’s worth noting that all of the runs he’s allowed came in one outing in which he threw nearly 50 pitches. He was demoted to Triple-A shortly after that, and is waiting in St. Paul for his next shot.

Promoting Alcalá when he’s eligible and dropping him into the lowest-leverage spot would be an upgrade. Alcalá has been asked to pitch multiple innings repeatedly, while some veteran relievers on the roster can’t be trusted to find three outs before they allow three runs. We’re reaching a point where even the Twins, who clearly don’t think much of him, may have to admit that his raw stuff alone makes him a better option for low to mid-leverage innings than what they’ve been getting recently.

Josh Winder
Winder is on the comeback trail from yet another shoulder injury, but should become available to be called up relatively soon after pitching twice for the Saints. He may not have an enticing track record, but Winder looked like a different pitcher at the end of 2023.

Winder’s starting career partially flamed out because of injury, but his four-seam fastball was another limiting factor. The pitch was one of the worst in all of baseball, and by season’s end, Winder scrapped it for a sinker. The new pitch allowed a -1-degree launch angle in a limited sample, as opposing hitters couldn’t do anything but spike batted balls into the ground. Paired with what was still a dominant slider/changeup combo, Winder could surprise fans who have given up on him with his new repertoire.

Diego Castillo
Castillo has been a high-leverage reliever at points of his career, but fell on hard times in 2023 as his velocity fell to a career-low 94.2 miles per hour on the fastball. The walk rate exploded, as did the home-run rate (in a small sample), allowing the Twins to bring him in on a minor-league deal.

In 15 innings with St. Paul, Castillo has struck out over 28% of the hitters he’s faced. He’s still walked over 10% of opposing hitters, but he’s back to limiting homers in hitter-friendly CHS field and currently sports a 1.20 ERA. Another critical factor is Castillo's two remaining options, meaning that if he were added to the 40-man roster and brought up to the parent club, he could still go back to St. Paul as needed throughout the season.

His fastball has reached as high as 96.5 MPH in the early going, and there’s a chance, even at 30 years old, that Castillo has something valuable left in the tank.

Honorable Mentions
Jordan Balazovic: Near 35% K rate, 11.4% BB rate, and has yet to allow a homer in 16 innings. The Twins could regain some trust in their former top prospect at some point this season, but he’ll have to stick on the MLB roster or be put on waivers if promoted, as he’s out of options.

Ryan Jensen: The Twins claimed him, hoping to harness the raw stuff and cut down the walks. They’re 1 for 2, as he’s struck out over 35% of opposing hitters while walking over 16%. He also has two options remaining. Is the ceiling enticing enough to give him a look at the MLB level, understanding that it might be a temporary arrangement that requires backfilling within a week or two?

Ronny Henriquez: Home run problems have popped back up, but Henriquez has posted solid strikeout and walk numbers. Formerly a legitimate pitching prospect, Henriquez is already on the 40-man and can be optioned, as we saw once earlier this season.

The Twins may lack robust options to fill the struggling parts of the bullpen, but they have many contenders who aren’t without upside. Do any of these names stand out as deserving of the first shot? Is there someone else in the system who should be given an opportunity? Let us know below!