Minnesota Twins Minor League Starting Pitchers of the Month - August 2025

When looking at the stats this is not an overwhelming list - only the top two really look like they are ascending.  

How does Abel rise from AAAA?

Nobody wants to hear this, including me, but it's POSSIBLE that Abel is a, more or less, replacement for the guy he was traded for in Duran. But while I've been disappointed in his initial appearances, I've been disappointed many times previously in rookie SP. Witness Berrios when he first came up, and more recently, Matthews, who looks like he's starting to settle in. And Abel is working on a new sweeper as well. It's a mistake to get worked up over a young arm not BLOWING UP in their debut. Pitching at the ML level is HARD!

BUT I do wonder if he might not turn out to be a stud reliever if he doesn't get his BB under control.

Rojas should probably be at AA Wichita based on age and IP. The Twins are being aggressive with him. He probably won't be ready until mid 2026, but the talent is there.

Can you imagine the CR rotation in 2026 with Olivares, Soto, Hill, and Bohorquez as the prime 4? And there are a couple other interesting arms to add before we even talk about 2025 picks who haven't even thrown and inning yet!

I've had a really good feeling about Langenberg since he was drafted. I initially thought he might move to AA this year based on a solid 2024 debut. Not only didn't he advance, he was pretty bad to begin this season back at CR. But whatever he's been working on seems to be "working" as he's been on a roll for a couple months now. He's definitely in AA to begin 2026.

CJ Culpepper is kind of a favorite prospect of mine as he tends to be in the background compared to fellow 2022 draftees like Matthews, Morris, and Lewis, prior to Lewis's struggles this season. CJ didn't throw a ton in college and was a bit of a late bloomer flier as a 13th round pick that season after a jump in his 3rd year at a non power program.

He's had a couple mild injuries that have slowed him a bit. But he's been very good when healthy. His numbers have been good across the board, even though you'd like to see a little better K per 9. I'm NO EXPERT, but it's been my understanding he throws 6 pitches. And while all of them are solid offerings, none of them are dominant. I've also heard his velocity dips a bit after a few IP. That's not to say he isn't a viable ML prospect as a backend starter. But he kind of reminds me of a young Jax. I wonder if he might not just be an excellent BP candidate who could get both sides out with his arsenal of pitches, and throw hard for 1-2 innings.

12 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

As to quality of pitching and where do we go moving forward.  We have got a ton of arms, thats not the issue its sifting though all of it and seeing what rises to the top.  

Raya -  had figured some things out in early to mid summer but has struggled again.  I think there is some reliever risk or failed prospect hype - but honestly he was never that high on my lists due to lack of durability and innings. 

Priellip -  Great stuff.  Seems to be wearing out a bit in AAA logging 67 innings.   Honestly pretty happy with this and would be fine if they shut him down for the year.  His stuff looks good enough for the MLB.  May be until 2027 until he can handle the pitching load.  

Culpepper - Looks like a stud since coming back.  he looks ready for the jump to AAA.  

Morris -  still not sure the stuff is good enough for the MLB level.  4 ERA for the year.   Not terrible. 

Adams -  I would switch to bullpen in the offseason

Rojas - has some elite stuff - I am not sure AAA is the right level to be working on it.  He is 21, overally probably 2 years away.   

Hill has shown great stuff this year,  as did Soto.  I am actually surprised how low Soto is on the ranking lists.  3 starts though and 1.38 ERA at high A.   

Gallagher and Horn both have decent stuff could legitimately get to the big leagues.  

The draft brought in 4 high powered arms.   Quick, Ellwanger, Barr, and Reitz is the best quality of arms we have drafted.  I would put them on similar level as Priellip, Matthews, Lewis and Culpepper (2022 draft) with possibly a little higher upside.  I could see 2 arms from each of those classes being permanent pitchers on the MLB roster.    You still have flyers in Mitrovich, Smith, Fang, Jones and Stevens - and a couple other arms thrown into the mix from the bottom of the draft.  You never know when you will hit another Varland.  Langenberg and Bragg  are both looking pretty solid from the 2023 draft.  

Then we are still sifting through SWR, Matthews, Abel, Bradley and Festa to see who locks down 2 or 3 or more of the starting positions for next year.  That is some high end talent.  We just need to see it perform and be productive.  

 

 

 

 

Just to add...and I'm repeating myself for the umpteenth time here...it's my belief that Raya was added to the 40 man because of risk of losing him. I've NEVER believed the Twins expected him to debut this season. It's always been a slow play with him for various reasons. (Watch them promote him and prove me wrong, LOL).

I'm still uncertain whether or not his future lies in the rotation or the pen. But regardless of his future role, a 4th round pick out of HS in the crazy 2020 draft, overcoming a missed season due to covid, and another one due to shoulder issues, to become even a good BP arm would be a success story. But I would still have him as a SP for 2026 to begin the season.

I agree with you 100% on Prielipp. IDK that he might be a dominate BP arm for 2026. And I GET the idea of bullets in the gun mantra and not using them when you can. But his 2nd surgery WASN'T a 2nd TJ. It was adding the mesh brace to his elbow that was rather new when he had his 1st TJ surgery. I still believe he needs a 4th offering...rumors have it they are working on one...his biggest issue is just LEARNING how to be a PITCHER and not just a thrower. Despite some very good numbers this season, he's a little like Matthews, in regard to setting up batters. His BABIP numbers indicate that.

Should we care if he's a really good looking SP late in 2026 as a 25yo? Should we even care if he turns in to a potential top of the rotation arm in 2027 as a 26yo? He can always be moved to the pen at any time.

Adams and Ohl should BOTH be in the pen ASAP to see about 2026. PERIOD. The whole 1-2 IP development of them during this season every 3-4 days is right in front for everyone to see. They should be up and throwing as hard and best as they can for 1-2 innings. That should already being part of the plan. I think we're in agreement there.

I like Morris more than you do. His 2024 season was only a half step behind Matthews. I still think SWR has another level to reach at a still really young age...another pitch or just learning how to set up batters better...but I think Morris might just overtake SWR really soon as a viable SP candidate. 

Rojas should probably be in AA right now, but I can't disagree with challenging a kid with his stuff.

But what do we do with Culpepper? When healthy, he just keeps getting guys out and doing a great job. If it weren't for a ST injury holding him back, he'd probably be at AAA weeks or months ago. 

I'd argue that Lewis...former MILB pitcher of the year...who had an injury in 2024 that set him back somewhat, and who has been working on sequencing differently this season and has only recently been looking better, might be in the same boat as CJ. 

What's your thoughts? 

I'm thinking CJ and 6 pitches with max velocity makes him a Jax type replacement soon. And I'm imagining Lewis throwing hard for 1 inning with his other offerings and then throwing that crazy, hard knuckleball on 0-2 or 1-2 counts.

I understand some of what I've stated is a bit off topic in regards to MILB SP. But there is some overlay presented here.