Wind it up: The Case for Josh Winder as a Medium-Leverage Reliever for the Twins

Josh Winder has demonstrated a powerful arm and a dynamic pitch arsenal. His fastball (which regularly touches the mid-90s), coupled with an effective slider and changeup, can be devastating. Winder’s ability to generate swings and misses and his strikeout potential are invaluable in high-leverage situations, where every pitch counts. 

In his past four appearances with the Twins, Winder has pitched nine innings, and while he allowed seven hits and three earned runs, all of those were in his appearance back on Jul. 5. In his appearances in August, he hasn’t allowed any runs; he’s only had two walks and eight strikeouts.

The fact that he is not a permanent reliever with the club is head-scratching. 
Winder started the season in St. Paul, before suffering an injury and needing to spend time in Florida. He was moved back up to Triple-A in May. Winder has allowed 13 walks and 50 hits in 38 innings for the Saints, and a .426 BABIP. His surface-level numbers are ugly, but the underlying indices are strong. His changeup is racking up whiffs at a phenomenal rate, for instance.

One of Winder’s strengths is his versatility. Having experience as both a starter and a reliever, he brings a well-rounded skill set. His experience as a starter allows him to understand how to adjust his approach based on hitters’ tendencies and game situations. 

He has been brought up to cover for other relievers and injuries, and fallen victim to the numbers game in the bullpen. More than once, the Twins have sent him down simply because he was the arm they could farm out without exposing anyone to waivers. Injuries and that roster crunch have made it difficult for Winder to establish himself in the big leagues, but with players like Josh Staumont and Steven Okert now out the door, there's a pathway for him. 

Winder continues to improve, and has adapted well to being placed in a late relief position, showing he has what it takes to adjust. His calm demeanor, ability to stay focused, and track record indicate he has the mental fortitude to excel, which the Twins need, especially if they want to make a postseason run.

Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, and Cole Sands are trustworthy high-leverage arms for Rocco Baldelli, but they need one or two more. Brock Stewart is unavailable, and Jorge Alcalá isn't exactly dependable. A reliable late reliever to help when the arms are tired is essential for maintaining leads and securing victories, and Winder’s potential to fulfill this role could help strengthen the Twins' overall performance and playoff aspirations.

The Twins went out and got Trevor Richards at the trade deadline, seemingly more to appease the masses than to materially improve, but that was the last thing they indeed did, and with the injuries from Chris Paddack and Joe Ryan, not making a massive move for the bullpen is something that has affected the team. While there are complaints about Baldelli’s bullpen management, it's extremely challenging to manage what you don’t have.

Winder’s combination of pitch mix, control, mental toughness, and versatility makes him an appealing option for the Minnesota Twins’ relief corps. By allowing Winder a full spot on the roster as a late reliever, the Twins could benefit from a pitcher with the tools and demeanor to thrive in high-pressure situations. As the Twins look to solidify their bullpen and enhance their competitive edge, Winder represents a promising solution for helping secure victories.