Cody Christie

The MLB trade deadline is eight weeks away, and according to both the current and projected standings, the Twins are borderline to make the playoffs. Can Pete Alonso power Minnesota to a second-half surge? Image courtesy of Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports The MLB trade deadline is eight weeks away, and according to both the current and projected standings, the Twins are borderline to make the playoffs. Can Pete Alonso power Minnesota to a second-half surge? The New York Mets have struggled this season, sitting well below .500 despite baseball’s highest payroll. It seems likely that the club will shed salaries by the trade deadline, and Pete Alonso is a logical trade candidate. He is being paid $20.5 million in his last year of arbitration eligibility, and then he'll become a free agent, so he will be a rental piece for an acquiring team. There are extra layers to acquiring Alonso, especially for a team like the Twins. So, what will it cost, and can the Twins find a way to add one of baseball’s biggest sluggers? What will it cost to acquire Pete Alonso? Other teams (besides the Twins) will be interested in adding Alonso for a potential playoff run, so the acquiring team must offer the right prospect package. Would the Twins offer one of their top five prospects to acquire him? Twins Daily’s top prospects include Walker Jenkins, Brooks Lee, Emmanuel Rodriguez, David Festa, and Gabriel Gonzalez. From the team perspective, Jenkins and Lee are likely untouchable, while Rodriguez and Festa have seen their stock rise during the 2024 campaign. Gonzalez or another top-10 pitching prospect like Marco Raya might be enough to headline a package. There would likely need to be other players involved from outside the team’s top prospects, though. The Mets can also leverage the qualifying offer process in any deal for Alonso. If New York keeps Alonso, they will assuredly extend him the qualifying offer, which comes with draft pick compensation if a player signs with another team. A compensation-round pick is valuable, including more money added to a team’s draft pool. A team trading for Alonso must provide New York something worth more than the potential draft pick they would acquire if he leaves. It’s also worth noting that an acquiring team can’t extend a qualifying offer to Alonso, because of the rules in place as part of the collective bargaining agreement. What are other trade considerations? New York is paying Alonso over $20 million this season, so he will still be due close to $7 million for the season’s final two months. Minnesota cut payroll this winter because of the uncertainty surrounding their television rights. There might not be room to add Alonso’s contract, absent the Mets sending some money to pay down the end of the deal. To do this, the Twins might have to send more value in prospects to make up the difference. However, there is another way to make the money work. To balance the money, the Twins could include a veteran player with a higher salary. Minnesota shopped their veterans this winter, and Jorge Polanco was the only player traded. Christian Vázquez would be due a little over $3 million for the season’s last two months, plus the $10 million remaining on his contract for next season. Vázquez’s offensive performance has dipped in 2024, but he continues to provide strong defense, with a Fielding Run Value and framing in the 82nd percentile or higher. Perhaps New York would be interested in adding catching depth to offset Alonso’s contract; they did recently DFA catcher Omar Narváez. However, the Twins would still need to include multiple prospects to make a competitive offer. How does Alonso fit with the Twins? Alonso has seen a slight drop in his home run production this season, after averaging more than 40 home runs in the five full seasons played since he came to the big leagues in 2019. He’s been an All-Star the last two seasons, including finishing in the top eight for the NL MVP in 2022. In 58 games this season, he is hitting .239/.315/.477, with a 130 OPS+. Carlos Santana has been the Twins’ primary first baseman this season, posting a 92 OPS+ in 54 games. However, his bat has improved recently, with an .841 OPS since Apr. 25. One of Minnesota’s most significant weaknesses this season has been the struggles of the team’s left-handed bats. Alonso is a right-handed hitter with almost identical splits against lefties (.867 OPS) and righties (.862 OPS) for his career. His OPS has dropped to .778 this season versus right-handed pitchers, but it’s 33 points higher against right-handed starters. He’s an impact bat who can make a difference for the stretch run. Home runs help to win games in October, but Alonso has been limited to three playoff games with the Mets. New York lost the Wild Card Series to San Diego in 2022, but the club won the middle game when Alonso hit a homer. Minnesota needs to be creative at the upcoming trade deadline, and adding Alonso can bolster the lineup. However, he might be one of the biggest bats moved this year, and plenty of teams will be interested in his services. Should the Twins try to add Alonso? What should the team be willing to give up? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins had an inconsistent on-field performance during May, but multiple pitchers compiled strong totals for the month. Who had the best performance in May? The answer may surprise you. The Twins had an inconsistent on-field performance during May, but multiple pitchers compiled strong totals for the month. Who had the best performance in May? The answer may surprise you. Minnesota’s bullpen carried the team through the season’s first month, with three relievers finishing in the top five for Twins Daily’s top pitchers of the month. Brock Stewart, Griffin Jax, and Cole Sands were vital to many of the Twins’ early successes. Stewart has been on the injured list, and Sands has seen a decline in performance, so May has seen some different names move up the rankings. One starting pitcher has stood out compared to the rest, so let’s jump into this month’s rankings. May Pitchers of the Month #4 – Chris Paddack – 6 G, 3.60 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 35.0 IP, 6 BB, 33 K, 0.20 WPA Paddack is in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, so there is always concern about how many innings a pitcher can throw. He’s thrown 95 pitches or more in three of his starts this month, including an eight-inning gem at Cleveland, where he limited the Guardians to two earned runs on three hits. His velocity has dropped in recent starts, so it will be interesting to see if the Twins find a way to give him extra days off throughout the season. #3 – Griffin Jax – 12 G, 2.19 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 12.1 IP, 3 BB, 16 K, 0.70 WPA Jax had a rough patch earlier this month, allowing earned runs in three straight appearances. Since then, he has made seven straight scoreless appearances with ten strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Jax has seven holds and a save while ranking second on the team in WPA behind the next player on this list. His 32.6 K% and 25.6 K-BB% were the highest totals among the team’s bullpen. Jax ranks in the 95th percentile for K% and Whiff%, and he’s struck out 38% of the right-handed hitters he has faced, which ranks in the top five among AL relievers. Other relievers struggled during May, so it’s hard to imagine where the team would be without Jax. #2 – Simeon Woods Richardson – 5 G, 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 25.1 IP, 5 BB, 17 K, 0.87 WPA Woods Richardson has been critical to the team’s rotation during May. The team was hoping not to need him until later in the season, but he’s proving he can get hitters out at the big-league level. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his five starts this month. Here’s where Woods Richardson ranks among MLB rookies with 35.0 or more innings pitched this season: ERA (3rd), BB/9 (4th), HR/9 (3rd), and Opponent SLG (3rd). SWR went six straight starts without factoring into the decision, which was the second-longest streak in Twins history. He picked up his second win at the final start of the month and brought notes about the team’s performance to his postgame interview. Winner – Joe Ryan – 5 G, 2.51 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 32.1 IP, 4 BB, 32 K, 0.64 WPA Ryan is putting up first-half totals that will put him in the conversation to make the AL All-Star team. In May, he held opponents to a .193/.220/.319 (.539) slash line while pitching into the sixth inning in all five starts. His best start of the month came in his final appearance against the Royals on May 27th. In seven innings, he held Kansas City to one earned run on four hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. With the performance, his season ERA dropped under 3.00 for the first time since his third start of the year. He recorded six straight quality starts from April 24 to May 27, leading the Twins with eight quality starts this season. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in ten of his 11 starts. Among qualified AL pitchers, he ranks in the top 10 in WHIP (3rd), BB/9 (3rd), K/9 (9th), IP (7th), K/BB (4th), FIP (5th), and Situational Wins Saved (8th). According to Baseball-Reference, Max Kepler is the lone Twins player with more WAR than Ryan this season. With Pablo Lopez struggling, Ryan has looked like the staff's ace during the past month. Congrats to Joe Ryan on his strong performance over the last month. To make his first All-Star team, he must continue to pitch well in June. What do you think? How would you rank the top Twins pitchers based on their April performance? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins hired Derek Falvey and Thad Levine in November 2016, and their stamp is clearly on the organization. So, what have been the club’s worst free agent signings under their tenure? Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski, Scott Taetsch, Denny Medley -USA TODAY Sports The Twins hired Derek Falvey and Thad Levine in November 2016, and their stamp is clearly on the organization. So, what have been the club’s worst free agent signings under their tenure? Christian Vázquez is nearly halfway done with his three-year, $30 million contract, and his performance has been subpar in a Twins uniform. At the time, it was easy to see the reasoning behind the front office targeting one of the best free-agent catchers. Ryan Jeffers had struggled in 2022 (86 OPS+), so the club wanted someone who could step into a regular catching role. Hindsight is 20/20, and the team would likely want to be out from under his contract at this point. Where does the Vázquez contract rank among this front-office regime's worst free-agent signings? Honorable Mention: Dylan Bundy (-0.2 rWAR), Addison Reed (0.0 rWAR), Lance Lynn (0.1 rWAR), Logan Morrison (-0.2 rWAR), J.A. Happ (-1.8 rWAR) 5. Josh Donaldson rWAR: 3.7 The Twins signed Donaldson to a four-year, $92 million contract in January 2020. He provided the most value out of the players on this list, but he wasn’t worth $21.75 million per season. Minnesota’s front office had initially planned to target front-line starting pitching with the team’s payroll flexibility and pivoted to Donaldson after the top-tier starters had already signed. Thankfully, the Twins were able to dump the final two years of the contract on the Yankees, including the $8 million buyout of his contract option. The front office thought Donaldson could be a veteran presence to push the team to the next level, but that never came to fruition. 4. Andrelton Simmons rWAR: -0.1 Simmons is one of the best defensive shortstops in MLB history, and the Twins hoped he could bring that elite skillset to the team. He signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal leading into the 2021 season. His offensive performance had typically been slightly below average, but it fell off a cliff with Minnesota to the point he was nearly unplayable. In 131 games, he posted a 57 OPS+ and saw his defense take a step back too. Also, he became a clubhouse distraction for his vocal stance against the COVID-19 vaccine before testing positive himself. The Twins hoped Simmons could be a one-year stopgap at shortstop, but there were better ways to spend his contract. 3. Christian Vázquez rWAR: -0.7 Vázquez still has a year and a half left on his three-year, $30 million deal, so there is time for him to accumulate value and fall off this list. He continues to provide solid defensive numbers, including ranking in the 79th percentile or higher in Fielding Run Value and Framing. During the offseason, rumors circulated that the Twins attempted to trade veteran players to cut payroll. However, the front office loves to use a two-catcher rotation, which has continued this season despite Vázquez’s poor offensive performance. He has caught a lot of innings during his career, and the end of his contract might not be pretty. 2. Alex Colomé rWAR: -0.7 Hopes were high for the 2021 Twins after back-to-back AL Central titles, and the front office added Colomé to be a veteran presence in the bullpen. He combined for a 2.27 ERA (201 ERA+) and a 1.03 WHIP in the two seasons before signing with the Twins. His first month was a disaster as he allowed eight earned runs in 8 2/3 innings while being charged with three blown saves. He had a -2.2 WPA in April as he nearly single-handedly took the Twins out of contention by the month’s end. Colomé settled in after the first month with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.05 WPA for the remainder of the season, but the damage had already been done. 1. Matt Shoemaker rWAR: -1.8 Minnesota’s failure to develop starting pitching forced the front office to sign cheap veteran options to fill rotation holes. Shoemaker and J.A. Happ were brought in during the same offseason and posted the exact rWAR total, but Shoemaker ranks higher for multiple reasons. He had an 11-game stretch from April 11- June 11, where he posted an 8.10 ERA with opponents combining for a .905 OPS. He was removed from the rotation before struggling as a reliever, too. Minnesota demoted him to Triple-A where he voiced his concerns about the alterations the coaches attempted with him during the season. The Twins released him on August 2, and his big-league career ended abruptly. Nearly every player on this list fit a specific role for the Twins when the team targeted them in free agency. Unfortunately, Minnesota is rarely in the market for the best available players, especially with ownership's self-imposed payroll limits. Free agency can force some teams to make poor investments, but those chances are even higher when a front office is forced to shop in the bargain bin. Who should rank in the top five for worst free agent signings by this regime? Does someone else need to make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Major League Baseball is an international game, played in a country where English is the primary language. For many players, this environment can result in parts of interviews being lost in translation. Former Twins pitcher Jorge López made headlines this week, and other players have recently dealt with similar issues. Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports Major League Baseball is an international game, played in a country where English is the primary language. For many players, this environment can result in parts of interviews being lost in translation. Former Twins pitcher Jorge López made headlines this week, and other players have recently dealt with similar issues. Jorge López will be remembered in Twins circles because of the lopsided trade that brought him to the organization. The Twins sent four prospects, including Yennier Canó and Cade Povich, to Baltimore, and López lasted less than a year in the organization. In parts of two seasons, he posted a 4.81 ERA (86 ERA+) with a 1.41 WHIP, while being worth -0.2 WAR. Things couldn’t have gone much worse in Minnesota, but the end of his tenure with the Mets has become even more memorable--for all the wrong reasons. On Wednesday, López pitched for the Mets in their 10-3 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was ejected by third-base umpire Ramon De Jesús, and threw his glove into the stands on his way off the field. Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza referred to the glove toss as “unacceptable.” Mendoza and David Stearns, the Mets' president of baseball operations, spoke with López after the game and decided to designate him for assignment. Drama also followed López into his postgame interview, during which emotions were still high from the on-field incident and his meeting with team officials. One of the quotes garnering the most attention was when López appeared to say the Mets were “the worst team in, probably in the whole f------ MLB.” Asked to clarify whether he was saying he was on the worst team, he said, "Yeah, probably, it look like." However, the words could be clearer, as evident in the video below. English is not his first language, so there may have been a misinterpretation. Some interpreted it as López actually saying, “I think I been looking (like) the worst teammate probably in the whole f—ing MLB.” It’s also easy to notice that he is doing the entire interview without help from the Mets' communication department. López might have made this choice, but having an interpreter there can ease some of the burden for players who do not have English as their first language. The Twins may have had a similar situation recently, without the big-market drama associated with López and the Mets. Minnesota was on a seven-game losing streak, and frustrations started mounting for the players and manager. Some quotes came out after a frustrating loss that might have been tied to a translation error for someone who is not a native English speaker. The Twins lost versus Cleveland on a walk-off home run, a tough pill to swallow, especially with the team’s star closer on the mound. Jhoan Durán threw a first-pitch curveball to Will Brennan, but stated after the game that he disagreed with that call. "It's not my decision," Durán told reporters. "I thought that [Brennan] wasn't good with fastballs. I'm an employee here, so whatever I need to throw, I need to throw it." Some Twins fans were upset with Durán’s comments, because it felt like he was not taking full responsibility or was throwing the coaches and other players under the bus. Durán has been attempting to do more frequent interviews in English, but there can still be errors with phrases or finding the appropriate words. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was asked about Durán’s comments before the next game. "I think he's just frustrated and was looking for a way to vent," Baldelli said, "I thought it was unusual. I wasn't expecting it. I like to handle our stuff here with a conversation in the clubhouse." Sometimes, it is abundantly clear what a player means by a specific quote. However, there are instances, like López and Durán, where quotes might not match what the player was genuinely trying to say. MLB continues to grow and become more international, so it is vital to support players so their quotes aren't skewed to grab headlines. After a spate of issues like these littered over the first decade of the 21st century, MLB took steps about 10 years ago to make interpreters available to more players, on a more robust basis. Whatever was meant and whatever was actually relayed in each of these cases, we can be grateful for that progress, but perhaps even more support and care is necessary, on all sides of such situations. Should teams do a better job of ensuring players are supported during postgame interviews? What’s the best approach for situations like this in the future? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

In 2023, the Twins saw a historic rookie class outperform expectations by a significant margin. Many of these now-sophomores are struggling in 2024, though, so how can Minnesota get them back on track? Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports In 2023, the Twins saw a historic rookie class outperform expectations by a significant margin. Many of these now-sophomores are struggling in 2024, though, so how can Minnesota get them back on track? The Twins have had some outstanding rookies throughout their history. However, the Class of 2023 is arguably their best group ever, based on their overall performance and impact on the team. Minnesota hoped those players would be essential parts during the current season, but that hasn’t come to fruition. What needs to happen for these players to return to impacting the big-league team for the better? Edouard Julien, IF 2023 Recap: Julien burst onto the stage during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with Team Canada, so it seemed like a matter of time before the Twins called him up. In 109 games, he posted a 132 OPS+, with 16 doubles and 16 home runs. He finished with the fifth-most walks ever among Twins rookies, and only Colorado’s Nolan Jones had a higher OBP among rookies with a minimum of 350 plate appearances. Some evaluators were critical of his defense at second base, but he made great strides, especially in the second half. 2024 Struggles: Julien posted an .830 OPS in April, with five doubles and seven home runs. However, May hasn’t been kind to him, with an OPS hovering around .500. He has been limited to one extra-base hit in 75 plate appearances, and hasn’t hit a home run since his two-homer game back on Apr. 25. The Twins have dropped Julien down in the batting order, but he might need something else to wake up his bat. Solution: Julien might best serve the Twins with a reset at Triple-A, especially with Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee returning from injury. Matt Wallner, OF 2023 Recap: Wallner entered last season as the Twins organization's reigning Minor League Player of the Year. He mashed at Triple-A with a .927 OPS, and it got to the point where it seemed silly for him to still be with the Saints. Minnesota called him up for good in the middle of July, and he ended the season with impressive power totals. In 76 games, he hit .249/.370/.507, with 11 doubles and 14 home runs. From the team’s viewpoint, it seemed he had surpassed other former first-round picks like Trevor Larnach and Alex Kirilloff. 2024 Struggles: Wallner began the year on the Twins’ Opening Day roster, but went 2-for-25 (.080 BA) with 17 strikeouts. The team was forced to demote him to Triple-A, where he has an OPS below .630 despite playing in an offensive-friendly environment. There have been flashes of his powerful swing from his rookie season, but he’s lacked consistency. Batters with Wallner’s offensive profile are prone to slumps, so he must prove his 2023 season was not a fluke. Solution: Other outfielders have surpassed him on the organizational depth chart. He needs to rediscover his swing to be a big-league option. Louie Varland, RHP 2023 Recap: The Twins needed Varland to serve multiple roles during the 2023 campaign. He began the year as a starter and posted a 5.30 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP in 10 games. Opponents combined for a .848 OPS against him, as he allowed more than one home run per game (14 homers). Minnesota moved him to the bullpen for the stretch run, and he was electric. In 12 innings, he allowed two earned runs (both solo homers) with 17 strikeouts and one walk. It created a tough decision for the team about what role he should serve in 2024. 2024 Struggles: Varland was scheduled to begin the year at Triple-A, but Anthony DeSclafani’s season-ending injury changed those plans. He began the year as the team’s fifth starter, but flopped. In four starts (16 2/3 innings), he allowed 17 earned runs, including six home runs, which isn’t sustainable at the big-league level. The Twins demoted him to Triple-A, where he has a 4.41 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. Those totals are a little deceiving, because the Twins are treating his starts like spring training games wherein he works on specific pitches or locations. Solution: The Saints continue to use Varland as a starter, but it's getting close to time for him to shift back to the bullpen. The Twins are finding ways to win despite the poor performances of their sophomores. Cleveland and Kansas City have built a lead atop the AL Central standings. To get back in the division race, production from all parts of the 40-man roster will be required. Minnesota needs these players not only for 2024, but for years to come. Which player is most critical to the team’s second-half success? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Yankees had a 40-man roster crunch back in 2018, so the Twins traded a teenage pitcher for Jake Cave. Since that move, there have been long-term ripple effects for multiple teams. Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports The Yankees had a 40-man roster crunch back in 2018, so the Twins traded a teenage pitcher for Jake Cave. Since that move, there have been long-term ripple effects for multiple teams. Trades can have long-term ramifications for organizations beyond the players initially acquired in them. One such Twins trade was discussed on a recent episode of Gleeman and the Geek. Entering the 2018 season, the Yankees had too many MLB-caliber players on their 40-man roster and were looking to make a deal before the season began. The Twins were among multiple teams interested in acquiring Jake Cave. To complete the deal, Minnesota sent Luis Gil, a 19-year-old pitcher in the rookie leagues who had struggled with arm injuries. He was far from the big leagues, and the Twins liked what Cave could offer the team as a backup outfielder. Let’s examine the ramifications for the two players involved in the deal, and another decision tied to Cave’s time with the Twins. Jake Cave Ramifications Cave played a part-time role in parts of five seasons with the Twins. He hit .235/.297/.411, with a 93 OPS+ in over 1,000 plate appearances. In his first two seasons, he averaged a 112 OPS+ with double-digit doubles and home runs. As a left-handed batter, he’s been used mostly in a platoon role throughout his big-league career, and his OPS is 168 points higher versus right-handed pitching than against southpaws. He played all three outfield positions with the Twins. He generally looked stretched in center field, but he showed some strong skills in the corners. Cave has continued to find big-league opportunities, even after leaving the Twins. Last season, he played 65 games for the Phillies and was on their roster for the NLCS. He’s currently a member of the Rockies, and has a 67 OPS+ in 38 games. Minnesota’s front office correctly identified Cave as a big-league-caliber fourth outfield option for multiple seasons. Luis Gil Ramifications Injuries have marred Gil’s professional career, but he is off to a tremendous start with the Yankees this season. In May 2022, he underwent Tommy John surgery, and he finally returned to the minor leagues at the end of last season. New York is desperate for pitching this season after losing Gerrit Cole until at least June. Gil cracked the roster as the number-five starter and may well be on his way to making the AL All-Star team. In 10 starts, he has posted a 2.11 ERA, with a 1.01 WHIP and 31.7 K%. He leads all of baseball with a 4.4 H/9, and his Baseball Savant page is lit up with more red than the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Gil has only pitched over 100 innings in one professional season, so he will likely be on an innings limit this season. A lot can go wrong with pitcher development from the DSL to the MLB level, and Gil had already dealt with a significant injury, so the Twins can’t be faulted for trading him. LaMonte Wade Jr. Ramifications Wade Jr. isn’t directly related to the Cave trade, but the team had a decision to make in 2021 tied to both players. Minnesota had too many outfielders on their roster, and traded Wade for reliever Shaun Anderson. The Twins didn’t stick with Anderson for long, as he allowed nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings before being claimed off waivers by the Rangers in June. Cave and Wade could have served a similar role for the 2021 Twins, but it seems like the Twins made the wrong choice. Wade has posted a 119 OPS+ In over 370 games with the Giants. Over the last two seasons, he has been getting even better at the plate and in the field. In 51 games this season, he has a league-leading .472 OBP, mainly thanks to the best walk rate in the league. He’s also found a defensive home at first base, where he has an OAA and a Fielding Run Value in the 86th percentile. Wade has been one of the NL’s best players this season, and that’s tough for Twins fans to watch. Which player is a more significant loss for the Twins, Gil or Wade Jr.? Will Gil have an innings limit this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Last season, the Twins used a tremendous trio of rookies to bolster the second-half roster on the way to a division title. What’s the updated ETA for some of the team’s top prospects in 2024? Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Brooks Lee) Last season, the Twins used a tremendous trio of rookies to bolster the second-half roster on the way to a division title. What’s the updated ETA for some of the team’s top prospects in 2024? Fans get excited about the possibility of young talent impacting the big-league level, especially with top prospects garnering hype well before they reach the majors. Every year, prospects reach the big-league level and have varying impacts on the roster. Some players will struggle, while others will find immediate success. Here are five prospects from the updated Twins Daily Top-20 prospect list that can still impact the big-league roster this season. Brooks Lee, IF Current TD Ranking: 2 Lee likely would have already made his big-league debut if he had been healthy enough to start the year. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury toward the end of spring training that ended up being a herniated disc. Lee started his rehab assignment last week and should rejoin the Saints shortly. Last year, he posted a .731 OPS in 38 Triple-A games, so the team will likely want him to find some success at the level before giving him a call-up. ETA: July Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF Current TD Ranking: 3 Rodriguez has dominated the Double-A level to begin the 2024 season, putting himself into the conversation as the team’s top overall prospect. There seems little left for him to work on at Wichita, so he should don a Saints jersey before midseason. The Twins have been getting a lack of offensive production from the team’s left-handed hitting outfielders, so there might be pressure to push Rodriguez to the big leagues. However, he is only 21 years old, so there is no reason to rush him (yet). ETA: September David Festa, RHP Current TD Ranking: 4 The Twins have already needed to dig into their starting pitching depth this season, with Louie Varland struggling and Simeon Woods Richardson taking his rotation spot. Eventually, there will be another need at the big-league level, and Festa is showing that he is nearly a finished product. Over the weekend, he set the Saints franchise record with seven consecutive strikeouts in five scoreless innings. His 36.8% K rate is the highest of any Triple-A pitcher, with a minimum of 150 batters faced. ETA: July Marco Raya, RHP Current TD Ranking: 6 Raya is an intriguing prospect because the Twins have been cautious with his usage throughout his professional career. Last season, he never faced a batter beyond the fourth inning, and that trend has continued this season. His strikeout rate has jumped from 20.8% last year to 29.1% in 2024. It’s interesting to consider if the Twins might shift him to a bullpen role for the stretch run so he can help the big-league team. Minnesota would need to be in contention but he has the pitch mix to be a dangerous relief option. ETA: September Yunior Severino, IF/DH Current TD Ranking: 18 Severino was added to the 40-man roster this winter after tying for the minor league lead with 35 home runs. Minnesota assigned him to Triple-A this season, and he’s struggled to find consistent success at the plate. In 42 games, he has posted a .611 OPS with a 33.9 K%. His walk rate has jumped nearly two percent this season while being over two and half years younger than the average age of the competition in the International League. Severino is on the 40-man roster, so the team might need to turn to him sometime in the second half. ETA: August Would you change any of the ETAs? What other prospects can help the team in 2024? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Metrodome’s scoreboard posted a simple message when the opposition issued a free pass to first base, “Walks will haunt.” In an era where strikeouts are king, the Twins pitching staff is avoiding the ghosts associated with walks. Image courtesy of © Tommy Gilligan, Matt Krohn, Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports The Metrodome’s scoreboard posted a simple message when the opposition issued a free pass to first base, “Walks will haunt.” In an era where strikeouts are king, the Twins pitching staff is avoiding the ghosts associated with walks. Twins starting pitchers have been put into some challenging situations this season, with the team’s offense disappearing for stretches of games. This lack of offensive production puts extra pressure on the starting staff to avoid base runners because any run could be the difference between winning and losing. When the club scores more runs, there is less pressure on every pitch, making it easier for the starters to find their rhythm on the mound. The Twins' starting pitchers have had a clear strategy in recent weeks: to avoid walks, so let’s look at the numbers and see if it is sustainable. Pablo López leads the Twins starting pitchers in more than one way. Over the past 14 days, he has posted a 1.3 BB% with a 0.5 BB/9 and an 18.0 K/BB. Last season, his 6.0 BB% was the second-best total for his career, and he lowered that to 4.0 BB% through his first ten starts in 2024. Baseball Savant ranks his BB% in the 92nd percentile, and his walk improvements might be tied to pitch mix changes. He is throwing his four-seamer more regularly this year (+5.7%), and that pitch has produced a 28.1 Whiff% and a 23.1 Put Away%. López’s overall results have been below last season, but he’s leading the way when avoiding walks. Bailey Ober has been known for his control throughout his professional career, and that trend has indeed continued into 2024. Over the last 14 days, he has a 2.5 BB% with a 0.9 BB/9 and a 14.0 K/BB. For his career, Ober has averaged a 5.0 BB%, and he’s rarely strayed from that total. His strikeout totals have been the biggest surprise this year. He’s posted a career-high of 26.6 K% and has led the staff with a 35.0 K% over the last two weeks. His most significant pitch alteration has been the addition of a cutter to his pitch mix. He throws the pitch 23% of the time, and batters have been held to a .316 SLG against it. Ober pounds the strike zone, and that trend will continue. Joe Ryan has seen some of the most considerable improvements regarding walks, with his 3.8 BB% and his 1.4 BB/9 being career-best totals. Over the last two weeks, he has had the highest walk rate among the team’s starters, but he is making strides compared to earlier in his career. Simeon Woods Richardson (3.3 BB%) and Chris Paddack (3.6 BB%) are also helping the team’s record-setting pace. SWR has struggled with walks, including a double-digit walk rate in two previous seasons. Minnesota worked with him on his mechanics entering the 2024 season, and the overall results have been positive. Paddack is in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, which can come with some control issues. However, he is pitching near his career marks regarding walks. During Minnesota’s recent anti-walk campaign, the team’s starters easily lead baseball in BB%. The Twins have a 2.9 BB% over the last two weeks, and the second-ranked Dodgers and Tigers have a 5.1 BB%. Minnesota’s 7.2 K/BB is also at the top of the league, with LA and Detroit second at 4.5 K/BB. It seems unlikely that the Twins starters will sustain a walk rate that is an outlier compared to the rest of the league. However, it has clearly been a focus for the staff, and they understand the demons that can follow when allowing free runners to reach base. Can Twins starters sustain their current walk rate? Which starter has the best chance to continue avoiding walks? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Walker Jenkins and Brooks Lee are returning from injury, while Emmanuel Rodríguez is slicing up the Texas League. Has Rodríguez done enough to surpass the other two players and rank as the organization’s top prospect? Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Walker Jenkins) Walker Jenkins and Brooks Lee are returning from injury, while Emmanuel Rodríguez is slicing up the Texas League. Has Rodríguez done enough to surpass the other two players and rank as the organization’s top prospect? Prospect lists have evolved, especially in an age with more data pouring forth from the minor-league levels. Previously, the national outlets would reevaluate their lists once per year and release those lists during the offseason. Now, there are opportunities and platforms to update lists regularly. Some players get injured or perform poorly, while others graduate from prospect eligibility. At Twins Daily, the writers and readers vote on the team’s top prospects, and the site’s list shows how a player's stock has risen or fallen, with the list being updated earlier this week. The Twins had a consensus trio at the top of the organization’s rankings entering the 2024 season. Walker Jenkins was the team’s number-one prospect, with the three national outlets ranking him in the top 16. Twins Daily ranked Brooks Lee second, and MLB.com ranked him in their top 20. Emmanuel Rodriguez was a consensus top-65 prospect by the three national outlets, but there were still flaws that he needed to address as he climbed the organizational ladder. A lot has changed through the season’s early months, so how much have there been changes to these three players' rankings? Walker Jenkins, OF Level: Low-A Jenkins was the fifth overall pick in a loaded 2023 MLB Draft, and he didn’t disappoint in his professional debut. In 26 games, he hit .362/.417/.571 with 12 extra-base hits and a 13.3 K%, to go with a 8.6 BB%. Minnesota sent the 19-year-old back to the Florida State League, the level where he finished last season. However, he strained his left hamstring while making a play in the outfield on that league's Opening Day. Jenkins recently started a rehab assignment, so he should soon be back to full-fledged Low-A action. Overall, he is at another level as a prospect, similar to Joe Mauer and Byron Buxton. Outside of the injury, there has been little to move his prospect ranking, so Twins Daily (and other national outlets) will continue to rank him as the team’s top prospect. Brooks Lee, IF Level: Triple-A Like Jenkins, Lee’s 2024 season has been stalled by an injury, but the two players started their rehab assignments together. He suffered a back injury toward the end of spring training that ended up being a herniated disc. Otherwise, Lee likely would have made his MLB debut by now, with injuries at the big-league level this season. Last year, he hit .275/.347/.461, with 39 doubles and 16 home runs in 125 games between Double- and Triple-A. His OPS dropped 110 points after being promoted to the Saints, but he was over four years younger than the average age of the competition in the International League. Lee is the closest player to making a big-league impact, so there is less variance in his potential outcomes. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF Level: Double-A Rodríguez is one of the organization’s most exciting prospects, and his hot start at Double-A will be hard for evaluators to ignore. In 32 games, he is slashing .262/.463/.561, with 18 extra-base hits. He’s the third-youngest position player in the Texas League, and he has yet to face a pitcher younger than himself. Rodríguez continues to walk at an extremely high rate (26.5 BB%), but his strikeout rate is also very high, at 28.6%. There is some concern with his passivity at the plate, especially as he gets closer to the big leagues. He must balance being patient and attacking pitchers when he gets his pitch. Rodríguez has also shown the ability to stick in center field, while being a threat on the bases with nine steals in 11 attempts. His ceiling is extremely high; it might be the highest of any Twins prospect. When evaluating prospects, looking into a player’s ceiling and floor is essential. For this trio, their ranking by highest ceiling would be 1. Jenkins, 2. Rodríguez, and 3. Lee. For the highest floor, it’s the exact opposite. Jenkins can potentially be a future superstar, but there are no guarantees he will make it to the big-league level. Lee will most assuredly make his big-league debut, but his overall skillset is limited compared to the other two. Rodríguez has shown five-tool talent, even when being pushed to the upper levels of the minors at a young age. Here’s how I ranked the team’s top three prospects entering June: Jenkins Rodríguez Lee How would you rank the Twins' top three prospects? Should Rodríguez be ranked ahead of Lee? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Frustrations started mounting for the players and manager, especially in some quotes to the media. Did a players-only meeting save the team from further disintegration? Image courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Frustrations started mounting for the players and manager, especially in some quotes to the media. Did a players-only meeting save the team from further disintegration? The Minnesota Twins have been Jekyll and Hyde this season, with a 7-13 stretch to open the season, followed by a 17-3 stretch, which quickly devolved into a seven-game losing streak. It was the team’s longest losing streak in six years. Following Monday’s 12-3 thrashing by the Nationals, Twins players held a players-only meeting to stop the team’s downward spiral. Minnesota’s bats woke up on Tuesday, and they blew out the Nationals by a final score of 10-0. Byron Buxton led the way with a pair of home runs, and the Rally Sausage made a return appearance in the nation’s capital. On Wednesday, the team secured a series victory with good pitching and more bombs, this time from Max Kepler and Carlos Correa. The aura around the team is far from being normalized, especially after some key events over the weekend pointed to internal trouble. On Sunday, the Twins lost on a walk-off home run, a tough pill to swallow, especially with the team’s star closer on the mound. Jhoan Durán threw a first-pitch curveball to Will Brennan, but stated after the game that he disagreed with that call. "It's not my decision," Durán told reporters. "I thought that [Brennan] wasn't good with fastballs. I'm an employee here, so whatever I need to throw, I need to throw it." So, who should get the blame for the pitch selection? Pitching coach Pete Maki and catcher Christian Vázquez held a mound visit with Durán before facing Brennan. Durán’s comments seemed like an out-of-character move from a typically reserved player. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was asked about Durán’s comments before Monday’s game. "I think he's just frustrated and was looking for a way to vent," Baldelli said, "I thought it was unusual. I wasn't expecting it. I like to handle our stuff here with a conversation in the clubhouse." Durán took two losses in the Cleveland series, surrendering a go-ahead home run on Friday night against José Ramírez and the game-ender to Brennan Sunday. His curveball was the culprit both times. Durán has seen a drop in velocity this season, forcing him to adjust his pitch selection. Many fans love watching his triple-digit fastball, but his curveball has been his best pitch throughout his big-league tenure. Frustration was boiling over, and that came out of the manager on Monday. Minnesota’s offensive woes continued in the first game of the series against the Nationals and Baldelli was as frustrated as he will show the media on camera. “The guy just stood out there and threw off-speed pitches for like four straight innings,” Baldelli said. “We didn’t do anything about it. We continued to wave at them and look for fastballs, which today, they weren’t coming, especially the first five, six innings. In this stretch of games where we’ve been struggling, that’s been a common theme. “You can’t take three, four, five innings to adjust to what the starting pitch is doing to you. That’s not quality professional baseball.” “I’ve seen a lot of streaky baseball,” Baldelli went on to say. “We all have. This is next-level stuff.” It is interesting that Baldelli would make such harsh comments, especially after calling out his closer for not keeping the “conversation in the clubhouse.” Any team mired in an extended losing streak will have tension. Thankfully, the Twins ended their brutal losing streak and can focus on some positives surrounding the team. There is still a lot of baseball left to play in the 2024 season, and the Twins need to ensure that the team stays out of their own way. Whose comments were more surprising, Durán's or Baldelli's? Will the players-only meeting be a turning point for the season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in uncharted territory, opening as favorites in the Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards, a 22-year-old, has led the team in the postseason. Since the Twins will be playing (figuratively and literally) in the shadow of the Wolves for the next week or more, we might as well ask: who are Twins history's best answers to Ant-Man? The Minnesota Timberwolves are in uncharted territory, opening as favorites in the Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards, a 22-year-old, has led the team in the postseason. Since the Twins will be playing (figuratively and literally) in the shadow of the Wolves for the next week or more, we might as well ask: who are Twins history's best answers to Ant-Man? Minneapolis will be busy on Friday night, with the Twins facing off against the Rangers and the Timberwolves squaring off against the Mavericks. Anthony Edwards has become the face of the franchise during the team’s current playoff run. He’s only 22 years old, and has a phenomenally bright future ahead of him. Let’s look back at the history of the Twins to find the best players in their age-22 season. Recently, Twins Daily launched the Minnesota Twins Players Project. What is the Players Project? It's a community-driven, wiki-style project focusing on Twins players of all stripes. It's open to all Twins Daily users, and we've had contributions of current players, past players, and players who never made the major leagues but played in the Twins farm system. Some of the players from this story have already been added to the project, and you can add others. Honorable Mention: Miguel Sano (2.0 WAR), Byron Buxton (2.0 WAR), Luis Arráez (1.8 WAR), Rod Carew (1.7 WAR), Zoilo Versalles (1.5 WAR), and Butch Wynegar (1.5 WAR) 5. Chuck Knoblauch: 2.1 fWAR Knoblauch burst onto the scene during the Twins' historic run to the 1991 World Series. In 151 games, he hit .281/.351/.350, with 31 extra-base hits and 25 steals. He finished two votes shy of being the unanimous AL Rookie of the Year, beating out future Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez. Knoblauch is one of the best on-field players in Twins history, with four All-Star appearances, two Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove. His tenure ended sourly in Minnesota, and his poor off-field behavior has been well-documented. He is, sadly, a reminder that great fame and success at such a young age can mask (or even engender) unacceptable decisions. 4. Tom Brunansky: 2.6 fWAR Brunansky had 138 big-league games under his belt before his age-22 season. He had been traded to the Twins in May 1982 with Mike Walters, for Doug Corbett and Rob Wilfong. In 1983, he hit .227/.308/.445 with 24 doubles, five triples, and 28 home runs. His 103 OPS+ was 26 points lower than his monster 1982 season, wherein he had a career-high WAR. He was an All-Star in 1985, when the Twins hosted the game at the Metrodome, including participating in the inaugural Home Run Derby. In 1987, he was a vital member of the team’s first World Series team. Unfortunately, the front office traded him to St. Louis for Tom Herr, in one of the most infamous trades in franchise history. 3. Carlos Gómez: 2.7 fWAR Gómez was part of one of the most famous trades in Twins history, too, when Minnesota sent Johan Santana to the Mets for four prospects. His age-22 season was his first year in Minnesota, when he posted a 77 OPS+ in 153 games. Gómez was known for his tremendous center-field defense, but struggled to find a consistent offensive approach with the Twins. He provided 20.1 defensive value and -14.4 offensive value in his rookie season. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for J.J. Hardy in November 2009. With the Brewers, he developed into a two-time All-Star, winning a Gold Glove and collecting two top-16 finishes for the NL MVP. 2. Kent Hrbek: 3.3 fWAR Hrbek has been a Twins legend since his rookie season, and was a critical component of the team’s 1987 and 1991 World Series teams. In 1982, he was a 22-year-old playing in his first full season at the big-league level. He hit .301/.363/.485, with a 128 OPS+. He made his lone All-Star appearance that season and finished runner-up for the AL Rookie of the Year, behind Cal Ripken Jr. He hit multiple important home runs in his career, including the game-winning home run in his MLB debut at Yankee Stadium and a grand slam in Game 6 of the 1987 World Series. 1. Joe Mauer: 3.4 fWAR Mauer flew through the minor leagues as MLB's top-ranked prospect, and made his MLB debut without playing a game at Triple-A. His rookie season was cut short by a leg injury, so his age-22 season was his first full season in the big leagues. In 131 games, he hit .294/.372/.411, with a 107 OPS+. He provided value on both sides of the plate, and it was just the start of what he would bring to the Twins. Mauer won the 2009 MVP, three batting titles, six All-Star appearances, five Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves. He became only the third catcher to be elected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and his excellence started in his age-22 season. Of these players, Mauer is also the most directly comparable to Edwards, in that he, like Edwards, was the first overall pick and faced significant, immediate pressure to rescue a frustrated franchise. Of course, some of that pressure stemmed from his being a hometown kid, and Edwards doesn't have that extra burden or bond, but if he were to achieve anything akin to the long career and symbiotic relationship with the team that Mauer had with the Twins, Minnesota sports fans would have to count themselves among the luckiest in the country. For now, they'll just hope that Edwards gets the short-term on-field satisfaction (a championship) that eluded Mauer and his Twins teams. Do you agree with the rankings? Should one of the honorable mentions make the top five? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Twins fans love to see Jhoan Durán make his famous entrance at Target Field and throw triple-digit fastballs to secure a save. His velocity has declined in 2024, though, and that is forcing Minnesota’s closer to re-evaluate his pitch usage. Is it time to be concerned? Image courtesy of David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Twins fans love to see Jhoan Durán make his famous entrance at Target Field and throw triple-digit fastballs to secure a save. His velocity has declined in 2024, though, and that is forcing Minnesota’s closer to re-evaluate his pitch usage. Is it time to be concerned? Jhoan Durán's season hasn't gotten off to a perfect start. In spring training, the team shut him down after he felt tightness in his right oblique while warming up for a live batting practice session. He began the year on the IL and missed the season’s first month. Since returning, his results haven't matched those he achieved in previous seasons. He has set multiple velocity records during his big-league tenure, including a 104.8-mph fastball that he immortalized on the back of his custom cleats. During the 2023 season, he had four pitches registered at 104.4 mph or higher. He’s known for his high velocity, but a drop in velocity has changed how he uses his pitches this season. Four-Seamer 2023 Average Velocity: 101.8 2024 Average Velocity: 100.6 (-1.2 mph) Fans sometimes vent frustration on social media when Durán doesn’t come out and throw his fastball regularly. However, there is a method to the madness. Big-league hitters can square up a fastball, even when facing one with Durán’s velocity. During the 2023 season, batters posted a .375 SLG and a .311 wOBA, the highest totals he allowed on any of his pitches. Last season, he threw his fastball nearly 45% of the time, but he’s dropped that to 34.3% so far this season. His fastball reached 101.6 during Sunday’s appearance, but averaged around 100 mph. Duran’s four-seamer gets the majority of the hype, but it’s his worst pitch when it comes to results. For his long-term success, an increase in the usage of his other pitches might help. Curveball 2023 Average Velocity: 87.7 2024 Average Velocity: 86.5 (-1.2 mph) Durán’s most significant change in pitch mix this season has been an increased reliance on his curveball. Last season, he used his curve 27.7% of the time; he's increased that to 35.2%. Unfortunately, that’s the pitch he threw to Cleveland’s Will Brennan, resulting in a walk-off three-run home run Sunday. After the game, he told reporters that he wanted to go after Brennan with a fastball, and that it wasn’t his decision to throw the curveball. Opponents were held to a .125 xBA and .207 xSLG against his curveball in 2023, making it arguably his best pitch. The hook has given up the hardest contact this year, including two home runs. It will be interesting to see if he turns to other pitches if his curveball continues to get hit hard. Splinker 2023 Average Velocity: 98.4 2024 Average Velocity: 97.2 (-1.2 mph) Duran’s splitter is also a record-breaking pitch, as it was the first off-speed pitch in MLB history to be clocked at over 100 mph. He has also seen an increase in splitter usage, from 27.3% to 30.6% this season. The pitch is used less often because of its low Whiff%. During the 2023 season, batters posted a 26.8 Whiff% against his splitter, nine points lower than his fastball and over 10 points lower than his curveball. So far this season, batters have yet to get a hit versus Duran’s splitter, but his 12.5 Put Away% doesn’t make it an effective weapon. Last season, it resulted in a 31.0 Put Away%, so he must find a way to use this pitch more effectively. That could mean tweaking its entire profile, though, which would need to wait until this offseason. As it's currently working, the "splinker" isn't going to miss many bats, because it works more like a sinker than like a true splitter. It could be a good way for him to get ground balls and avoid the hard contact that has plagued the curve, but it has to be used carefully against left-handed batters. Minnesota’s success this season relies heavily on having a solid bullpen to close out games. Durán is critical to that success, so he must find the best pitch mix to deal with his decreased velocity. Baseball is a game of adjustments, and now that he seems not to be Mr. 104.8 anymore, it’s time for Durán to find what works best for him. Can Durán’s pitch mix adjustments help his results? Are you worried about his drop in velocity? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article