Twins Daily 2024 Top Prospects: #5 David Festa, RHP

Is David Festa’s path to this point very different from Jordan Balazovic or Josh Winder or even Cole Sands? They excelled in AA. Rereading Aaron Gleeman’s top prospect profiles and there seem to be a lot of parallels. What will set Festa apart from them?

Love it.  Festa will likely see multiple starts in 2024 as the number #7, #8 or #9 available starter (alongside SWR and eventually Canterino) in the organization.  The injury risk/need for rest among our top six starters is just too high to think otherwise. So the experience he gains in those starts, plus the rest it might give to the staff, will be very valuable as he competes for a top five role in ‘25. 

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

If you aren't excited about this player, well, I just don't know what to say.

Agreed.  Up and comers like Festa, Raya, and Canterino - plus the other seven starter potentials in our top 20 - is why the FO hasn’t moved our top position players this off-season for a short term starter or spent big money for one in free agency. The FO definitely thinks we can win this season, but they have a much bigger open window in mind for the next several years ahead. And that window will be anchored by multiple low cost, controllable quality starters.   

Its sure looks like Festa could land a #2/3 SP spot in the next 6-14 months. A few guys right with him also. It’s an exciting time if you like to watch guys realize their childhood dream of being in the show. 

50 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

If you aren't excited about this player, well, I just don't know what to say.

Is cautiously optimist acceptable? I don't get overly excited about a starting pitcher averaging 4 innings a start in the minors, to me that screams future relief pitcher, Until a minor league starter starts blowing away hitters for more than a couple of innings I can't get too excited (Raya for example) but I can be hopeful. In Festa's case I hope they release the reigns a bit and he starts doing what he has been doing for 5, 6, 7 innings then my optimism can turn to excitement. (More like Varland)

The idea of this kid coming out of the bullpen in October is pretty intoxicating.

28 minutes ago, HerbieFan said:

The idea of this kid coming out of the bullpen in October is pretty intoxicating.

What's his inning max this year, 125-ish?

I can't remember where I heard it, some podcast probably, that Festa's fastball velocity would drop down to the low 90's after a few innings. This guy is beyond skinny, shoulda got him up for Twins Fest and a steady diet of juicy Lucy's! 

I like pitching prospects as much as the next guy. But why don't I get overly excited about them? Jordan Balozovic. He was just DFA'd.

Good Luck David Festa. Hope you make it.

30 minutes ago, Dman said:

I'd like to think Festa and Varland are close to making it.  I guess we will know more after this year.

I should have included Varland in my post. He was also ranked in TD’s 2022 prospects behind Balazovic, Winder and Sands. It looks like his stuff is going to work in the major leagues.

Appears this young man could be another great late round pick by the Twins.  Prior to later last summer, knew nothing about him.  Thanks for a great report, Seth.

One thing that caught my eye was that he is from Seton Hall.  If memory serves, several other of the recent mid-to-late round picks who have garnered excitement were also from East Coast schools that aren't as highly thought of as the SEC and ACC baseball powers.  Is that part of the formula for the Twins when finding these nuggets in the rough?  Find interesting prospects at schools that aren't as highly scouted?  Players at these schools also haven't had the same exposure or access to the best coaching and technology available at say, UNC, Arizona State or LSU?

2 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Is David Festa’s path to this point very different from Jordan Balazovic or Josh Winder or even Cole Sands? They excelled in AA. Rereading Aaron Gleeman’s top prospect profiles and there seem to be a lot of parallels. What will set Festa apart from them?

I think the biggest difference is in the number of pitches Festa has that are established already as it relates to Balazovic, who ended up having to scrap his changeup for a different one at AA, Sands hasn't had Festa's velocity and figuring out a 3rd pitch has been a bit of a struggle for him as well. Winder has velocity on his fastball, but it's been incredibly hittable and it looks like Festa's doesn't have the same issues. Winder also never had a 3rd pitch settled on either: the slider is great, but his changeup is just ok and he's been trying to land a 3rd pitch for a while.

Look it can all change when you hit MLB and even the crap hitters there are only crap against the best in the world. but Festa looks very promising, and looks on track to be a rotation option in 2025 after getting a taste this season. Hopefully we only need him for 10 starts or so, but as AAA depth he's awfully nice to be looking at as your 7th/8th/9th starter going into the year.

2 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Agreed.  Up and comers like Festa, Raya, and Canterino - plus the other seven starter potentials in our top 20 - is why the FO hasn’t moved our top position players this off-season for a short term starter or spent big money for one in free agency. The FO definitely thinks we can win this season, but they have a much bigger open window in mind for the next several years ahead. And that window will be anchored by multiple low cost, controllable quality starters.   

I'd like to see them turn two of those seven guys into more near-term help. They're a contender right now.

2 hours ago, roger said:

Appears this young man could be another great late round pick by the Twins.  Prior to later last summer, knew nothing about him.  Thanks for a great report, Seth.

One thing that caught my eye was that he is from Seton Hall.  If memory serves, several other of the recent mid-to-late round picks who have garnered excitement were also from East Coast schools that aren't as highly thought of as the SEC and ACC baseball powers.  Is that part of the formula for the Twins when finding these nuggets in the rough?  Find interesting prospects at schools that aren't as highly scouted?  Players at these schools also haven't had the same exposure or access to the best coaching and technology available at say, UNC, Arizona State or LSU?

It seems to be a major part of their strategy.  Just the last year, they drafted a pitcher from Southern Miss, Bethune-Cookman, South Alabama, California Baptist, Riverside CC, Angelo State, and Hope International U.  Its a lot easier to significantly improve a player if you are taking someone who has never had top-level instruction.

5 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Is David Festa’s path to this point very different from Jordan Balazovic or Josh Winder or even Cole Sands? They excelled in AA. Rereading Aaron Gleeman’s top prospect profiles and there seem to be a lot of parallels. What will set Festa apart from them?

It’s a great question.

My two cents…I’m with Nicksaviking…command, command, command. And he’ll have to prove it at the AAA level, which as you point out, he hasn’t yet. To me, the “shape” of his pitches offer opportunity to make things marginally better. But to take his command to the next level, work consistently ahead, and get AAA/MLB hitters to swing at his pitches, is where the money will be.

It occurs to me that it would seem easier to add velocity from age 20/21 to age 23/24 when said 20 year old is 6-6, and not 6-0. 
 

Above average control/command, just the opposite.

It is so nice to see guys late in draft rise up to be legit prospects.  It really goes to show how hard it is to predict pitching.  Clearly the Twins have found a way to identify guys they can add velo to.  If he was throwing upper 90's in college, no way does he drop to 13th round.  I would not worry about the walks in his SSS in AAA as going to a robo ump will take time to adjust.