3 Pitching Prospects Who Can Impact the 2025 Twins

As the Twins prepare for the 2025 season, the spotlight will inevitably turn toward the club's emerging prospects. Three pitchers (Connor Prielipp, Marco Raya, and Andrew Morris) are set to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of the Twins' pitching staff. While each brings a unique set of skills, their impact could range from rotational depth to bullpen dominance, making them must-watch players for the upcoming season.

Connor Prielipp: The Bullpen’s Secret Weapon?
Prielipp, a left-handed pitcher with electric stuff, could be the Twins’ breakout bullpen arm in 2025. Drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Prielipp was once considered one of the top pitching talents in his draft class before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which slowed his development. He was limited to two outings in 2023 before another elbow shut him down, and this time, he had an internal brace put in to repair the faulty UCL. After spending the last couple of seasons refining his mechanics and regaining his pre-injury form, Prielipp now looks poised to take the next step.

While the Twins initially viewed him as a starting pitcher, Prielipp’s dominant fastball-slider combination could make him an elite reliever. His fastball velocity consistently sits in the mid-90s, and when paired with a devastating, sharp-breaking slider, it gives him the type of swing-and-miss stuff teams crave in late-inning situations. The move to the bullpen might also help mitigate any durability concerns that stem from his injury history.

Prielipp could become a weapon to neutralize left-handed hitters while also holding his own against righties. Last season, he made nine starts and posted a 2.70 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP and 15.8 K/9. His strikeout potential makes him especially valuable in high-leverage situations, and his ability to go multiple innings could provide much-needed depth for the Twins’ relief corps.

Marco Raya: A Rare High School Success Story
Drafting high school arms hasn’t been a focus for the current front office, but Raya is one outlier in the team’s farm system. He has slowly been climbing the prospect ranks since being drafted by the Twins in 2020. Though undersized for a prototypical starter at 6’0”, Raya’s command and fastball movement make him a candidate for a spot in the Twins' rotation sooner rather than later. He spent most of 2024 at the Double-A level and finished the year with one Triple-A start. In 97 2/3 innings, he posted a 4.07 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP with 9.5 K/9. He only faced younger batters in 41 plate appearances this year and held them to a .502 OPS. 

Raya's fastball sits in the mid-90s, but his ability to change speeds and locate his secondary pitches has helped him climb the organizational ladder. His slider has the potential to be a plus offering, giving him a strikeout weapon that can keep hitters off balance. While there are questions about whether Raya will develop into a full-time starter at the big-league level, his progress in 2025 will determine if he can break through as more than just a spot starter or long reliever.

The Twins have dealt with injuries in their starting rotation over the past few seasons, so having a pitcher like Raya waiting in the wings could provide crucial depth. He may not break camp with the big league club, but look for Raya to get the call if injuries arise or as a second-half addition once he gains more consistency in Triple-A.

Andrew Morris: The Next College Success Story
Last season, the Twins saw college draft picks like David Festa and Zebby Matthews impact the big-league level, and Morris looks like the team’s next college success story. He doesn’t have the same prospect pedigree as some of the Twins' other arms, but he’s quietly putting together a resume that could land him in Minnesota’s starting rotation in 2025. Drafted out of Texas Tech in 2022, Morris has steadily worked his way through the system, and 2024 saw him take a significant step forward while moving from High-A to Triple-A. 

At 6’2”, 200 pounds, Morris has the frame to log innings, and his four-pitch repertoire—featuring a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup—gives him plenty of options to attack hitters. Last season, he posted a 2.37 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. What makes Morris stand out is his durability and pitch efficiency. He has a knack for inducing weak contact and limiting walks (2.2 BB/9 in 2024), which will serve him well as he competes for a back-end rotation spot.

The Twins may view Morris as an ideal sixth starter or someone who can shuttle between Triple-A and the majors. Given how frequently the Twins have dipped into their pitching depth in recent years, Morris could find himself making several starts during the 2025 season. He has quickly been rising on the team’s top prospect list because of his reliability and solid pitch mix make him a valuable asset.

As the Twins enter 2025, they will rely on both established veterans and emerging talents to form a competitive roster. Prielipp could become a dominant force in the bullpen, while Raya and Morris offer intriguing options for rotational depth. With their varying skill sets, these three pitchers could play crucial roles in Minnesota’s pitching staff, helping build a bridge between the present and the future. Keep an eye on their progress because 2025 could be the year they make their mark at Target Field.

Which pitching prospect will have the most significant impact on the Twins in 2025? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!