3 Twins Pitching Prospects Who Could Follow in Zebby Matthews’ Footsteps

Tanner Hall is another interesting arm from the 2023 draft.

Maybe Culpeper for next year, but for 2025 I'd say we might see Festa, Mathews, Raya and Adams. All these guys need more time in AAA though. Mathews should never have had to jump from A ball to the MLB in one season 

None of these pitchers will have a shot in '25, except Prielipp. & he'll make it only as a RP. Like Duran his only shot is at RP, his starting days are over. But that's not bad.

24 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

None of these pitchers will have a shot in '25, except Prielipp. & he'll make it only as a RP. Like Duran his only shot is at RP, his starting days are over. But that's not bad.

Prielipp has a chance definitely as a relief pitcher in 2025 , but what about canterino , the report is he is healthy for spring training  ...

Two great prospects that haven't stayed healthy  , it only makes sense that they are used in the bullpen to at least start their careers in MLB  ...

6 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Prielipp has a chance definitely as a relief pitcher in 2025 , but what about canterino , the report is he is healthy for spring training  ...

Two great prospects that haven't stayed healthy  , it only makes sense that they are used in the bullpen to at least start their careers in MLB  ...

Exactly, I get excited in what theyn can do but you have to keep them on the mound.

1 hour ago, DannySD said:

Another guy who has a shot and is not mentioned very often around here is Pierson Ohl, who had a great 2023 and has a career 6.11 K/BB.

Love the way he pitches. He needs a little more velocity as they hit him pretty hard in AA last year. His K/BB is so good because he walks practically nobody. Will need to up that rate to Matthews level. I don't think he will will make it past AAA. Hope I'm wrong.

Corey Lewis is also close to MLB. There are many that should get a deep dive into their chances at making it to the show in ‘25. Most of them will hopefully get to refine their craft in the high minors but I can see a half dozen or more knocking down the door by August. 

Twins used 8 SP in 2024 so if we trade Paddack we’ll need Matthews and at least 2 more ready for the MLB. Put the pipeline to the test. 

Last year it took 3 injured pitchers and a prospect failing to get Zebby playing for the twins. I would hope that would not happen this year. As it appears to stand now after 2 current straying pitchers are either injured or ineffective, foe another straight through the system in a year would mean that Nowlin, Raya, Adams, Lewis , and Ohl all failed at developing further. Going from riding a bus in the upper Midwest to MLB is a great story. I just would rather hope it doesn’t happen again 

3 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

 but what about canterino , the report is he is healthy for spring training  ...

That's always the report for Canterino. I'll believe he's healthy after he's pitched 50 innings.

The year before Zebby exploded he had 1.3 BB/9 at A and A+ without injury.  The walk rate and increased velocity combined with health is what got him to the majors.  I see nothing similar from these three guys, especially because they're all injured in their own way.  They'll be lucky to make it through the year, much less make it to the majors.

What I’m interested in is guys that can get MLB hitters out. Zebby hasn’t even proven that much less the rest of these guys. 

14 hours ago, gman said:

The mere fact that we have multiple pitching prospects rising to and pitching for the major league team instead dumpster diving in Spring, mid year, late year, winter and most other times to find pitching shows that we are way ahead of where this team has been in more than 20 years. I think 2-3 pitchers will be available to the Twins each year for at least the next 3 years.

Good point, As you noted, in the recent past, the Twins didn't have much of any pitchers in the system who were truly worthy of promotion to the big club. That's not the case any longer, and for that we should all be very grateful. Of course, the next step is for some of these pitchers to actually perform well at the MLB level. Here's hoping that they can do it. 

What young pitcher could come up and get shelled like a peanut because they are clearly not ready?  Could be anyone. 

Lee was a head scratcher on this list because I skimmed the part about giving up 11 earned runs in 8 innings. If Prielipp can stay healthy I like his chances of helping this year. And hopefully it’s as a starter. 

The good news is the Twins have a promising starting pitcher pipeline. Hopefully two or three become big league starters and at least number two starters, like Pablo Lopez. 

17 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

How many more weeks until they sign DeSclafani to a Minor League deal???

I'd be fine with that? Minor league deal with no promises of promotion and no 40-man slot? sure, seems like perfectly fine insurance policy that would also be very tradable midseason if he's healthy and the Twins didn't have a roster spot for him. Biggest barrier is we might already have too many starters for the AAA rotation.

Minor league "rehab" deals are reasonable business: add in insurance policies at low cost, get to know a player better, and it doesn't hurt your reputation around the league either. Just don't use them to block prospects and/or overpromise them.

I actually think it would be good to keep Paddack or pick up a veteran to be our number 5 SP. This would allow Festa, Mathews, Morris and Raya the time they need in AAA to finish their development. Festa and Mathews especially weren't ready for the bigs last year and it showed.

Every time I tuned into a Connor Prielipp game he looked dominant .... until he faded. 2025 will determine his future and I expect it to show by June. Injury? Starter? Relief? I'm going to tune in.