Cody Christie

The Twins made multiple roster moves on Thursday, but one came much later than expected. Just a couple of hours before first pitch against the Marlins, Minnesota scratched center fielder Byron Buxton from the lineup because of soreness in his right hip flexor. Buxton had originally been scheduled to serve as the designated hitter and hit leadoff before the club made the late change. With Buxton unavailable, Austin Martin moved into the leadoff spot while Josh Bell stepped in as the designated hitter. Given how important Buxton has become to Minnesota’s offense over the last month, any injury concern immediately grabs attention. The timing is especially unfortunate because Buxton is in the middle of arguably the best power stretch of his career. After launching another leadoff home run on Wednesday night, he now has 15 home runs in his last 26 games dating back to April 13. No player in baseball has hit more homers during that stretch, with Buxton sitting two ahead of Kyle Schwarber. Even with a relatively quiet opening couple of weeks to the season, Buxton’s 15 home runs still rank tied for second in the American League and tied for third in all of baseball entering Thursday’s games. What has made the run even more impressive is the consistency. Since April 21, Buxton has not gone more than three games without leaving the yard. Wednesday’s blast was the 23rd leadoff homer of his career and his third already this season. The Twins have leaned heavily on his ability to create instant offense at the top of the lineup, especially with injuries and inconsistency affecting other parts of the roster. Over a larger sample, the production becomes even more eye-opening. Since May 14, 2025, Buxton has hit 41 home runs in just 128 games. Expanding the sample to his last 162 games dating back to April 1, 2025, he has clubbed 50 home runs. He is also currently on pace for 56 home runs this season, which would easily surpass his previous single-season career high of 35 set in 2025. That is superstar-level production from a player who has often battled injuries throughout his career. That is why Thursday’s scratch immediately raises concern, even if the Twins are initially calling it soreness. Minnesota has already dealt with a wave of pitching injuries this season, and the lineup looks entirely different when Buxton is unavailable. The Twins are already adjusting to life without Matt Wallner after his surprising option to Triple-A St. Paul earlier in the day. That move opened the door for Martin to take over as the club’s primary right fielder, making Buxton’s absence even more noticeable in an already reshuffled lineup. For now, the Twins will hope the move was simply precautionary and not something that lingers. Because over the last month, few players in baseball have been more dangerous than Byron Buxton. View full rumor

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Yasser Mercedes) For much of the past four years, Yasser Mercedes has been one of those names that scouts and development staff could not quite let go of. The tools were always impressive. The results were not. Signed by the Minnesota Twins in January 2022 for $1.7 million, Mercedes arrived as a highly-regarded international outfielder with impact potential. He ranked among the top 20 international prospects in his class. The expectation was not immediate production, but rather gradual growth built on loud raw tools. However, that growth has taken longer than expected. In his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, Mercedes showed flashes of offensive ability that validated the investment. But when he reached the Florida Complex League in 2023, the transition exposed the gaps in his game. Pitch recognition wavered, timing slipped, and the strikeout totals climbed. Even so, the organization stayed patient. A return to the Complex League in the following season brought improvement—enough to earn a brief look at full-season ball in Fort Myers. That stint, however, was too small to draw firm conclusions, and the results were uneven at best. The underlying traits have never been in question. When Mercedes is right at the plate, he looks like a completely different hitter. The bat speed is well above average, and the raw power shows up in every part of the strike zone. When his approach is disciplined, he is capable of controlling at-bats, working deep counts, and drawing walks at a strong clip. At his best in the Dominican Summer League and again in stretches in the Complex League, he showed an ability to shrink the zone and force pitchers into uncomfortable spots. The challenge has always been sustaining that version of himself. Injuries have played a major role in the stalled development. A hamstring issue, a quad strain, and a shoulder problem all interrupted his progression across 2023 and into 2024. Those setbacks did not just limit playing time. They also disrupted rhythm, which is critical for a hitter still learning to translate raw ability into consistent performance. Defensively, Mercedes has split time in center field while also profiling as a potential right fielder long term, thanks to a strong throwing arm. The defensive versatility has helped keep him on the field, but the organization’s priority has remained clear. He needs uninterrupted at-bats. That opportunity finally came in 2025 at Fort Myers, but the results were difficult. Across 94 games, Mercedes slashed .186/.296/.307 (.603) and produced 10 home runs and 13 doubles, but the strikeout rate climbed to 25.1% while the game power came in streaks rather than sustained stretches. Even a winter ball assignment in Puerto Rico did not provide a reset, as strikeouts again outweighed contact. That is what makes the start of 2026 so notable. Returning once more to the Florida State League, Mercedes has finally looked like a hitter who is putting the entire skill set together. Through 21 games, he has produced a .321/.439/.642. The power has been real with six home runs, two triples, and four doubles. He has also added value on the bases, converting 11 steals in 13 attempts. Perhaps most encouraging is not the stat line itself, but how it is being built. The strikeout rate has dropped by more than three percentage points, while the walk rate has climbed above 17%. That combination suggests a more controlled approach rather than a simple hot streak. The Twins have been searching for more impact talent developed through the international market in recent years. While Emmanuel Rodriguez remains one of the organization’s premier success stories from that pipeline, the overall list of high-end international contributors beyond him is thin. That reality has placed added importance on players like Mercedes finding their footing. In response, the Minnesota Twins have restructured parts of their international scouting and development operation over the past several seasons. Those changes are still too recent to evaluate in full, but players already in the system are often the first indicators of whether adjustments are working. Mercedes is one of those early test cases, even if his signing predates the overhaul. Now assigned to Cedar Rapids, where Mercedes is over a year younger than the average age of the Midwest League competition, he is stepping into a new challenge at an accelerated pace. The question is no longer whether the tools are real. That has never been in doubt. The question is whether the adjustments he is showing in Fort Myers can hold against better pitching and over a longer sample. For the first time in a while, the answer feels at least somewhat open. The development path has been uneven, interrupted, and at times discouraging. But players with this kind of bat speed and raw power do not disappear quietly from prospect lists. They either adjust or they stall. Early signs in 2026 suggest Mercedes may finally be moving toward the former. The next test is consistency over a full season against real competition. If that arrives, the Twins may finally be seeing the version of Yasser Mercedes they envisioned when they made the investment four years ago. What stands out about Mercedes in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins always knew Connor Prielipp’s arm came with risk. That was part of the profile long before he reached the big leagues. A former first-round talent who underwent Tommy John surgery twice before establishing himself professionally, Prielipp’s path has never resembled that of a typical starting pitching prospect. Now the Twins are asking him to do something he has literally never done before. Pitch every fifth day against major league hitters while carrying a workload that continues to climb into unfamiliar territory. Friday night against Cleveland showed both the challenge and the upside. Prielipp’s outing began with immediate disaster as the Guardians loaded the bases against him in the first inning. A defensive mistake from Luke Keaschall opened the door for trouble before Rhys Hoskins added a sacrifice fly and Travis Bazzana launched his first career home run. What looked like it might become another short outing instead turned into one of the most encouraging performances of Prielipp’s young career. After the rocky opening frame, the left-hander settled in completely. He dominated over the next four innings, piling up six strikeouts while allowing very little hard contact. Even though he was charged with the loss, only one of the four first-inning runs counted as earned because of the Keaschall error. More importantly, he pushed through five innings while throwing a career high 93 pitches. “It wasn't my cleanest inning of all time, but the team needed me, and I was able to buckle down and get through five,” Prielipp said. That quote probably explains exactly why the Twins are so intrigued by him. The stuff has always been there. The swing and miss ability is real. The fastball explodes at the top of the strike zone, and the slider can disappear underneath bats. The question has never been whether Prielipp has enough talent to start in the majors. The question has always been whether his body can withstand the demands it entails. Right now, the Twins are discovering the answer in real time. Minnesota already appears ready to slow things down. Prielipp’s next turn in the rotation lines up with Thursday’s series finale against Miami, but the Twins have listed the spot as TBA. Everything points toward the organization giving him extra rest while carefully monitoring his innings and recovery. “This is just being mindful of the player, because we really like him and believe in him,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said prior to Prielipp’s last start. “We have to be thoughtful that way. He will be monitored very closely, and I’ll presume it will happen for the foreseeable future.” That balancing act is complicated because Prielipp’s current workload is unlike anything he has handled before. MLB.com’s Matthew Leach recently asked him how he was feeling physically with the demands of major league life, and Prielipp admitted that pitching every fifth day is difficult. That may sound routine for established starters, but for him, it is completely new territory. Last season, Prielipp crossed the five-inning mark only twice in the minors. He topped 80 pitches only twice all year. In his last two major league starts alone, he has already surpassed 90 pitches both times. The Twins have also pushed him to complete at least five innings in three of his five starts. That jump matters. Minor league pitching schedules differ from those in the majors. Mondays are typically off days across the league, which naturally creates more recovery time between outings. Organizations also carry larger pitching staffs because development matters more than squeezing every possible inning out of a prospect. Young pitchers are often removed early, regardless of effectiveness, simply to protect health and preserve long-term value. There are clear benefits to that philosophy. Pitchers avoid unnecessary wear and tear during critical developmental years. Teams can gradually build strength while refining mechanics and pitch design. Organizations also gain more opportunities to evaluate multiple arms rather than overwork a single prospect. Prielipp is probably a perfect example of why teams take that cautious approach. Given his injury history, there is a reasonable argument that aggressive workloads earlier in his career could have derailed him completely. At the same time, there are downsides to modern pitching development. Pitchers can arrive in the majors without ever learning how to manage fatigue deep into outings or bounce back quickly between starts. Five innings and 75 pitches may dominate player development plans, but major league rotations still require durability. Starters eventually need to navigate lineups a third time, adjust when they lose command, and survive when their best stuff is not present. Prielipp is learning those lessons against major league competition because the Twins do not really have another choice. Minnesota’s pitching depth has collapsed faster than anyone expected. Pablo Lopez is out. Taj Bradley is on the injured list. Mick Abel is sidelined. David Festa still has not contributed in the majors this season because of injuries. Simeon Woods Richardson has struggled badly enough, but the Twins have reached the point where there are few realistic alternatives available. What once looked like an organizational strength now feels dangerously thin. That reality places additional pressure on Prielipp. Under normal circumstances, the Twins might have preferred to shelter him more aggressively. They could have skipped starts more often, capped outings earlier, or even shifted him into shorter bursts to preserve innings. Instead, they need him to hold together meaningful portions of the rotation. That creates both opportunity and risk. The opportunity is obvious. Few pitchers in the organization possess Prielipp’s upside. Even Friday’s outing demonstrated how overpowering he can become once he settles into a rhythm. Over those middle innings against Cleveland, he looked every bit like the high-ceiling arm the Twins envisioned when they drafted him. The risk is equally obvious. Every additional inning pushes him further beyond any workload he has carried before. Every five-day turnaround becomes another test his body has never experienced. The Twins are trying to develop a future starter while simultaneously relying on him to help stabilize a damaged rotation in the present. That is not an easy line to walk. For now, the Twins appear committed to remaining cautious while still letting Prielipp compete. Extra rest periods will likely continue. Shorter outings may appear periodically, even when he is pitching well. Some inconsistency is probably inevitable as he adapts to the rhythm of a full major league schedule. But Friday may have revealed why the organization is willing to take the risk in the first place. Prielipp got punched in the mouth immediately. He could have unraveled. Instead, he regrouped, attacked hitters, and delivered four outstanding innings afterward while reaching a career high pitch count. That combination of stuff, resilience, and competitiveness is exactly what teams dream about in a young starter. The Twins just have to figure out how to protect it long enough for him to fully become one. Are the Twins handling Prielipp appropriately? Should they have pushed him harder in the minors? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the early portion of the 2026 season trying to survive wave after wave of pitching injuries. From key starters to important bullpen contributors, the organization has rarely had its preferred staff intact for more than a few days at a time. Tuesday finally brought some encouraging news. Both Taj Bradley and Cole Sands made progress in their recoveries, offering some hope that reinforcements may not be too far away for a pitching staff that desperately needs stability. Bradley, who landed on the injured list Saturday with right pectoralis muscle inflammation, resumed throwing and played catch out to 90 feet. The 25-year-old also sought a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister after an MRI came back clean. That clean MRI result was already an encouraging development. Seeing Bradley begin throwing again only adds to the optimism surrounding his recovery timeline. “He played catch up to 90 feet today,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “So I think from there we’ll make sure we appropriately put the program together.” The Twins can hardly afford to lose him for an extended period. Bradley has been nothing short of electric in his first season with Minnesota, posting a 2.87 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 47 innings through his first eight starts. More importantly, he has brought a level of swing-and-miss dominance that the Twins' rotation has largely lacked in recent years. His raw stuff has consistently jumped off the screen. Earlier this season against the Kansas City Royals, Bradley became the first Twins starting pitcher to hit 100 mph since pitch tracking began in 2008. That type of velocity is rare anywhere in baseball, but especially within Minnesota’s pitching history. While any pectoral injury raises concern for a pitcher, there is at least some precedent for optimism. Bradley dealt with a similar injury while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024. That strain sidelined him for roughly a month before he returned to make 25 starts and throw 138 innings by season’s end. The Twins will likely proceed cautiously this time as well, especially considering how valuable Bradley has become to the rotation almost immediately after arriving in Minnesota. The encouraging updates did not stop there. Sands also took an important step forward Tuesday by throwing a bullpen session as he works his way back from a right forearm strain. Sands has been sidelined since late April and could soon progress to facing live hitters if everything continues moving in the right direction. Even though Sands’ traditional numbers do not immediately stand out, the Twins' bullpen has clearly missed him. The right-hander owns a 4.63 ERA in 11 2/3 innings this season, but some of the underlying metrics paint a more favorable picture. Sands has posted a solid strikeout rate while carrying a 3.65 SIERA, suggesting he has pitched better than his ERA indicates. His final appearance before going on the injured list may have offered a clue that something was physically wrong. Sands allowed two runs against Seattle on April 28 in an outing where his stuff appeared noticeably diminished. Perhaps most concerning was the drop in velocity. After averaging roughly 95 mph on his fastball in 2025, Sands sat closer to 93.1 mph this season before landing on the injured list. Any time a pitcher experiences declining velocity alongside forearm discomfort, alarms naturally go off. That is why simply getting back on a mound for a bullpen session qualifies as meaningful progress. The Twins currently have eight pitchers on the injured list, including starters Bradley, Mick Abel, David Festa, and Pablo López. That level of attrition would challenge any organization’s depth, even one that had eight or more starting pitchers on their depth chart to start the year. For now, there is still no official timetable for either Bradley or Sands to return. The Twins will almost certainly remain cautious, particularly with Bradley, given both his importance to the rotation and the nature of his injury. Still, after weeks of increasingly discouraging injury news, Tuesday finally gave the organization something it has not had much of lately: optimism. If Bradley can continue to progress without setbacks and Sands can build toward live batting practice soon, the Twins may finally begin to see light at the end of what has been a brutally difficult stretch for their pitching staff. View full rumor

There are dominant pitching performances, and then there are outings that feel almost impossible in the modern game. Bailey Ober’s complete game shutout against the Marlins somehow managed to be both. At a time when pitchers are judged by velocity, strikeout rates, and wipeout stuff, Ober carved through Miami with precision and efficiency instead. He needed only 89 pitches to complete nine scoreless innings. The performance also came at the perfect time with questions swirling about other parts of the Twins’ starting staff. Instead, he responded with one of the most memorable starts by a Twins pitcher in years. Here are the most amazing facts from Ober’s historic night. It was the first shutout of Ober’s career Ober had thrown complete games before, but Tuesday marked the first time he finished all nine innings without allowing a run. It instantly became the signature outing of his major league career. He threw the first Twins Maddux since 2017 Ober’s outing qualified as a Maddux, the baseball term for a complete game shutout thrown on fewer than 100 pitches. The Twins had not seen one since Ervin Santana shut out the Giants on June 9, 2017. The term is named after Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and was coined by baseball writer Jason Lukehart. Ober only needed 89 pitches Not 99. Not 95. Just 89 pitches to complete nine shutout innings. That level of efficiency feels almost impossible in today’s game, especially with teams working deep counts and prioritizing patience at the plate. “We were talking if under 100 is a Maddux, we’re going to have to name under 90 an Ober,” Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “He was just under control. He was executing pitches.” His fastball averaged just 88.8 mph That might be the most shocking part of the outing. Velocity has become one of the defining conversations around modern pitching, and Ober dominated an entire lineup while sitting below 89 mph with his fastball. He threw only three fastballs above 90 mph all night and totaled only nine pitches faster than 89 mph. He snapped a recent strikeout slump Coming into Tuesday, Ober had gone three straight starts with three strikeouts or fewer, leading to questions about whether his low velocity was starting to catch up to him. Instead, he struck out seven Marlins hitters. That total tied for his second highest strikeout game of the season behind only his 10 strikeouts against Cincinnati on April 19. It also matched his seven strikeouts against Boston on April 13. The 89 pitch total was somehow familiar Oddly enough, the last time Ober threw a nine inning complete game, he also threw exactly 89 pitches. That outing came on June 22, 2024, against Oakland in a 10 to 2 Twins win over the A’s. Ober joined an exclusive group in Twins history Ober now has two of the six complete games by a Twins pitcher since 1988 thrown on 90 pitches or fewer. The other names on that list include Carlos Silva, John Smiley, Bill Krueger, and Rick Aguilera. Before Tuesday night, Krueger had been the only pitcher in that group to record a complete game shutout. Ober finished stronger than he started Ober never lost command late in the game. He struck out the final two batters in the eighth inning, then needed only eight pitches to complete the ninth inning and finish off the shutout. Complete games barely exist in modern baseball. Complete game shutouts are even rarer. A complete game shutout in fewer than 90 pitches almost feels impossible in today’s version of the sport. What makes Ober’s performance even more memorable is how rare this style of pitching has become across baseball. Modern starters are often trained to chase velocity and strikeouts above all else. Teams monitor pitch counts aggressively, complete games have nearly disappeared, and many pitchers are pulled before even reaching the seventh inning. Ober not only finished the game himself, but he did it with a level of efficiency that feels pulled from another era of baseball. There was no overpowering 98 mph fastball or unhittable wipeout pitch carrying him through the night. Instead, Ober relied on command, sequencing, confidence, and an ability to consistently stay one step ahead of hitters. Every inning seemed to move faster than the last as Miami struggled to square anything up against him. By the end of the game, the crowd at Target Field understood they were watching something special. The outing also served as an important reminder about Ober’s value to the Twins rotation. Even when the velocity readings spark concern or the strikeout totals dip for a few starts, Ober continues finding ways to succeed against major league hitters. His margin for error may look smaller than many modern pitchers, but Tuesday showed just how effective he can still be when everything is working together. For Twins fans, it was the type of performance that will be remembered for years because of how unusual it felt. A complete game shutout on 89 pitches almost sounds impossible in today’s game. Bailey Ober made it look effortless. What stood out about Ober on Tuesday night? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Royce Lewis was supposed to be one of the central figures of the Twins' season. Even after years of injuries and interrupted development, the organization still believed the former first overall pick was ready to take another step toward stardom. Throughout the winter, the Twins made that confidence public. Derek Shelton and multiple members of the front office openly discussed their expectations for Lewis entering 2026, presenting him as a foundational piece of the lineup and one of the players capable of carrying the offense. Instead, the season has turned into something far more uncomfortable. Lewis opened the year hitting in the middle of the lineup, but the production disappeared almost immediately. The struggles became severe enough that the Twins dropped him to the ninth spot in the order, and more concerningly, he has regularly found himself losing playing time to Tristan Gray, a waiver claim who was never supposed to be part of this conversation. Since returning from the injured list on April 21, Lewis is hitting .125/.173/.188 (.361) with 15 strikeouts in 48 at-bats. The numbers themselves are alarming, but the larger concern is how lost he has looked against velocity. “It can be really hard when you feel like your career is going in a different direction,” Lewis said. “It’s been tougher because obviously we know there’s always someone on your tail. There’s always someone ready to take your next job. Every day I’m here fighting and working as hard as I can to show that I’m giving it my all to keep my job because I love what I do. I’ve been smiling. I feel fine leaving the game. But I think what scares me most is like, ‘Oh, they might try to get me out of here.’ When I leave the field, that thought does creep into my head.” The Twins are attempting to slow things down for him. Derek Shelton recently described Lewis’ absence from the lineup similarly to the brief reset Matt Wallner received earlier this season. The organization wants Lewis to work on his swing mechanics without the pressure of immediate game results while also allowing him a chance to mentally regroup. From the outside, the biggest issue is becoming impossible to ignore. Fastballs are beating Lewis consistently, especially in the upper part of the zone. During his electric rookie season, Lewis demolished four seam fastballs to the tune of an .842 slugging percentage. Last season, that number cratered to .332, while his Whiff% against four-seamers climbed to 25.5%. The decline produced an -8 Run Value against fastballs and forced pitchers to attack him differently. The problem has continued into 2026. Lewis currently owns just a .349 slugging percentage against four seamers with a 30.5% Whiff%. Perhaps even more concerning, his pulled air percentage has dropped from 31.4% during his rookie campaign to 24.1% this season. The explosive damage on pitches he once turned around with authority has largely vanished. When Lewis first arrived, his combination of bat speed and aggressiveness allowed him to punish velocity before pitchers could exploit weaknesses. Now the timing looks inconsistent, the swing decisions appear hesitant, and pitchers know they can challenge him in ways they could not just a few years ago. The Twins still believe the talent is there. “His work every day has been really consistent,” New Twins hitting coach Keith Beauregard said. “He’s focused with everything that he does. From a swing standpoint, as an athlete, we’re always trying to focus on getting guys into athletic positions and to feel flowy as a hitter. That’s always been the work with him.” The difficult reality is that patience becomes harder to maintain when the struggles continue for this long. Lewis has battled injuries throughout nearly every stage of his professional career, which have complicated his development timeline. At some point, though, the Twins need production instead of projection. Lewis understands that pressure better than anyone. “It feels like people around here sometimes are waiting for me to struggle so that they can write me off officially or get me out of here,” Lewis said. “It’s the first time in my career where it’s become a business instead of playing the game that I love.” That quote probably says more about Lewis's current state than any statistic can. For years, he was viewed almost entirely through the lens of potential. The injuries created sympathy and patience because everyone could still picture the superstar version of Lewis waiting on the other side. Now the conversation is changing. The Twins are trying to win games in the middle of a season that already feels fragile, and Lewis is no longer being judged on what he might become someday. He is being evaluated on whether he can help a major league lineup right now. The encouraging part is that fastball issues can sometimes be corrected quickly once timing and mechanics return. A small adjustment in posture, bat path, or swing decision-making can dramatically change how a hitter handles velocity. The discouraging part is that pitchers have clearly identified the weakness and will continue attacking it until Lewis proves he can beat it again. The Twins have invested years of belief into Lewis because the upside remains undeniable. But belief alone eventually stops mattering. This season was supposed to be about Lewis cementing himself as one of the faces of the franchise. Instead, he is fighting to hold onto everyday playing time. For both Lewis and the Twins, the clock is starting to feel much louder. Can the Twins fix Lewis’ swing? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The picture at the top of the MLB Draft is becoming clearer, and all signs point toward the Minnesota Twins focusing heavily on Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick. According to Baseball America, “Minnesota has had a lot of high-level decision makers scouting Vahn Lackey this spring.” That report lines up with how the draft board appears to be developing. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky has looked like the favorite to land with the Chicago White Sox at first overall for much of the year. He entered the spring as a strong candidate for the top pick and has only strengthened that case with his performance this season. The second pick belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays, and they have consistently been connected to prep shortstop Grady Emerson throughout the draft cycle. There is still a chance Tampa Bay pivots to Lackey if he remains available, but many recent mock drafts have Emerson heading to the Rays at number two overall. If the board falls that way, Lackey could slide directly into Minnesota’s lap. The appeal is easy to understand. At Georgia Tech, Lackey is continuing a strong tradition of first-round catching talent, including Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters, Joey Bart, and Kevin Parada. He has been one of the best offensive catchers in college baseball this spring while also showing the athleticism teams covet behind the plate. Through his first 47 games, Lackey is slashing .371/.491/.682 with a 1.173 OPS, 12 home runs, and nine stolen bases. That combination of impact offense and athletic ability has helped push him into the upper tier of this draft class. His rise has not been a traditional one. Lackey was a late bloomer in high school and did not receive Division I offers until his senior year. Even in college, his development trajectory has continued to trend upward as he has added polish to both sides of his game. Defensively, scouts believe there is still more room for growth. Lackey is agile behind the plate and moves well for the position, giving evaluators confidence that he can become a dependable receiver and blocker as he improves his consistency and focus. His arm strength and accuracy already stand out as major assets. For the Twins, that profile makes plenty of sense. The organization has leaned toward polished college talent in recent drafts, especially players with a blend of upside and relatively high floors, including Brooks Lee, Kaelen Culpepper, and Marek Houston. Catchers with Lackey’s offensive ceiling and athletic traits are difficult to find, and Minnesota may view him as one of the safer premium bats near the top of the board. If the Twins ultimately go in another direction, college pitcher Jackson Flora and prep shortstop Jacob Lombard appear to be among the other realistic options tied to the third pick. Still, as the draft draws closer, the momentum around Lackey continues to build. Unless something changes in the first two selections, the Twins may soon find themselves adding another cornerstone talent to the organization, and one who could eventually become the long-term answer behind the plate. View full rumor

The early returns on the Minnesota Twins bullpen have been exactly what everyone expected and somehow still worse. After shipping out reliable arms at last year’s deadline and following it up with an offseason spending plan best described as aggressively nonexistent, the front office entered the season with a relief corps held together by hope, minor league options, and a few guys who threw hard in a previous life. Through the first stretch of games, that theory has been put to the test. Leads have vanished quickly. Tie games have turned into deficits before the broadcast team can finish reading the pitching change graphic. Somewhere, a whiteboard labeled “Bullpen Plan” has simply been erased and replaced with a shrug emoji. For one Minnesota family, those late-inning adventures have become a weekly concern. “He just sits there in his chair and starts whispering things like ‘just throw a strike’ over and over,” said his daughter, Shannon. “At first, we thought he was talking to us. Then we realized he was addressing someone named Eric, who definitely could not hear him.” George Williams, the grandfather and a lifelong Twins fan, has reportedly developed a routine. When the starter exits the game, he leans forward. When the first reliever allows a baserunner, he exhales sharply. When the inherited runners score, he begins what family members have described as “low volume negotiations with the universe.” “It’s not yelling,” said his grandson, Tyler. “It’s worse. It’s like he’s trying to reason with the bullpen. Like if he explains it calmly enough, they’ll stop giving up doubles.” Concern reached a new level last Tuesday when the grandchildren attempted an intervention. With their grandfather briefly stepping away, they quickly inserted a DVD of the 1991 World Series, hoping to redirect the evening toward a happier memory. “We thought if he came back and saw Kirby Puckett rounding the bases, it might reset things,” said granddaughter Emma. “Instead, he looked at the TV, looked at us, and said ‘nice try’ before switching it back just in time to watch another walk.” Family members have begun discussing long-term solutions. “We’ve talked about limiting his exposure to innings seven through nine,” Shannon said. “Maybe just telling him games end after six now. He doesn’t check the standings as much as he used to. It might work.” There have also been attempts to reframe the experience. “I told him it’s about the journey, not the result,” said his son-in-law Mark. “He asked me to leave.” Neighbors have taken notice as well. One reported hearing faint commentary drifting through an open window. “It sounded like someone calmly listing every available bullpen arm in Triple A,” the neighbor said. “Then there was a long pause and a sigh. I’ve never heard a sigh like that.” Despite everything, the grandfather remains committed. “He won’t turn it off,” Emma said. “We’ve tried. He says if he’s watched this long, he’s going to see how it ends.” For now, the family has adjusted. They keep the remote nearby. The 1991 DVD remains on standby. And when the bullpen door opens, they give him space, knowing that what follows is less a baseball game and more a test of endurance. “He’ll be back tomorrow,” Shannon said. “He always is. He says maybe this time will be different.” No one in the room has the heart to argue. View full article

There was a time when covering a baseball team online felt almost limitless. Traffic climbed every year. Social media rewarded links. Search engines sent readers directly to articles. Digital advertising money flowed more freely, and national outlets aggressively expanded local coverage. For a market like Minnesota, that meant more writers, more perspectives, and more opportunities for Twins fans to engage with the team on a deeper level. That version of the internet is disappearing. The latest reminder came when Aaron Gleeman announced he was leaving The Athletic after the company asked him to move away from Twins coverage and focus more broadly on Major League Baseball from a national perspective. Gleeman declined and instead relaunched his independent subscription platform, AaronGleeman.com. His decision says a lot about the current state of sports media. For years, national outlets viewed local team coverage as a major growth area. Hiring respected beat writers created loyal audiences and helped establish credibility in regional markets. But the economics have shifted. Large companies increasingly want scale, national conversations, and content that can appeal to the widest possible audience. A team like the Twins still matters deeply to Minnesota fans, but local coverage no longer fits as neatly into the business model many national companies are chasing. That does not mean interest in the Twins is disappearing. In many ways, the opposite is true. Fans still crave daily coverage, analysis, prospect discussions, podcasts, and community interaction. The challenge is that the systems that once supported independent publishing are being squeezed from multiple directions at the same time. Social media platforms increasingly suppress links that send users away from their apps. Years ago, a well timed article could spread organically across Twitter or Facebook and bring in thousands of readers. Now, algorithms prioritize native content that keeps users scrolling instead of clicking away to outside websites. Search behavior is also changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence tools increasingly answer questions directly inside search engines or chat interfaces, reducing the number of clicks users make to actual articles. Someone searching for Twins statistics, trade rumors, or prospect reports may receive a summarized answer without ever visiting the source material that produced the information in the first place. For publishers, those changes are impossible to ignore. The digital media industry has spent the last few years navigating constant instability, and sites covering teams like the Twins are feeling pressure from every direction. Social media companies increasingly bury outbound links, AI generated summaries are cutting into traditional search traffic, and advertising revenue has softened as businesses grow more cautious with spending during an uncertain economy. That combination creates a difficult environment even for established brands. Smaller independent outlets feel the pressure even more because they rely heavily on loyal readers, direct traffic, subscriptions, and advertising revenue to survive. Is that something Twins fans should worry about? A little. But the impact on communities like Twins Daily is somewhat muted compared to many corners of online publishing because the foundation has always been different. Twins Daily was not built around viral social media moments or disposable clickbait headlines. It was built around a community that consistently values thoughtful discussion, prospect coverage, and independent reporting. That distinction matters now more than ever. Sites that depended heavily on algorithm driven traffic are discovering how fragile those systems can be once platforms change priorities. Independent communities with loyal readers are better positioned to adapt because the audience intentionally chooses to return every day. That relationship is far more stable than chasing temporary engagement spikes through social media outrage or manufactured controversy. Twins Daily has already survived storms that wiped out other outlets. COVID disrupted advertising markets across sports media. MLB labor stoppages froze traffic during critical parts of the offseason. Economic uncertainty repeatedly forced publishers to scale back coverage or shut down entirely. Through all of it, the site continued operating because readers treated it like more than content. They treated it like a community. That does not make the current environment easy. Independent publishing remains difficult, especially as technology reshapes how information is distributed and consumed. But it does reinforce why local coverage still matters. Fans want people who understand the history of the organization, the farm system, the personalities in the clubhouse, and the emotional swings that define a baseball season in Minnesota. National coverage can provide breadth. Independent local coverage provides connection. Gleeman’s decision to bet on that connection instead of accepting a broader national role may end up being one of the defining sports media stories in Minnesota this year. It reflects a growing realization that sustainable coverage may increasingly come from direct relationships between writers and readers rather than giant media companies chasing scale. The media landscape around the Twins is changing quickly. Some outlets will shrink. Others may disappear entirely. More writers may eventually choose subscription models or independent platforms over traditional media structures. But the core audience is still here. People still care about the Twins. They still want smart analysis. They still want prospect breakdowns, game reactions, and long form stories that go deeper than surface level takes. As long as that remains true, independent coverage still has a future. The platforms may change. The business models may evolve. The internet itself may look completely different five years from now. But the demand for authentic voices and communities built around shared passion is not going anywhere. View full article

Image courtesy of Elisa Chavez (photo of Garrett Spain) Most attention to prospects' progress is focused on the familiar names at the top of prospect rankings, but every year, there are less-discussed players who start forcing their way into conversations. Whether it is a former top pick trying to revive his trajectory, an overlooked organizational player breaking through, or a new arm flashing intriguing traits early in pro ball, these are the types of performances that can quickly change internal evaluations. This week’s hot sheet focuses on three under-the-radar names who have been putting together impressive stretches across the organization. 1B/DH Aaron Sabato, St. Paul Saints How He Got Here: The shortened 2020 draft created one of the strangest scouting environments in recent memory. Clubs were forced to rely heavily on prior evaluations after college seasons abruptly ended, and the Twins used the 27th overall selection on Sabato because of the offensive upside he showed at North Carolina. Minnesota signed him for a slot value bonus north of $2.5 million and hoped his bat would carry him quickly through the system. That has not happened consistently enough. Sabato’s profile has always depended almost entirely on power production, and the overall offensive numbers never fully matched expectations. From 2022 through 2024, he failed to post an OPS above .775 while splitting time between Double- and Triple-A. Last season, he showed minor improvements with an .809 OPS. Entering his age-26 season, the Twins sent him back to St. Paul looking for more consistency at the plate. Hitting the Hot Button: Sabato may no longer carry the prospect shine he once had, but he is producing as well as anyone in the organization right now. He recorded three multi-hit games during the week, highlighted by a four-hit, three-homer performance on Tuesday against Las Vegas. Over the last seven days, Sabato has slashed .455/.500/1.227 with five home runs and two doubles for a staggering 1.727 OPS. His last 28 days have been just as impressive, with a 1.264 OPS during that stretch. The defensive limitations still cap the ceiling, but left-handed power always earns opportunities. If Sabato continues driving the baseball like this, he could finally work himself into consideration for a major league debut sometime during the 2026 season. OF Garrett Spain, Wichita Wind Surge How He Got Here: Spain has quietly become one of the more traveled players in the upper minors. Toronto originally selected him in the 15th round of the 2021 draft, and he spent several seasons climbing through the Blue Jays system without much offensive impact. By 2024, he had reached both Double A and Triple A, though the production lagged behind with a .550 OPS across 105 games. Milwaukee selected him during the minor league phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, hoping a change of scenery could unlock something offensively. While the results improved slightly with an 88 wRC+ and a .644 OPS, Spain found himself changing organizations again when the Twins grabbed him in the minor league phase of the 2025 Rule 5 Draft. Hitting the Hot Button: Spain put together one of the loudest offensive weeks in the organization. He doubled and tripled on Tuesday before exploding on Thursday with a 3-for-6 performance that included three home runs and six RBI. Across the last seven days, the 25-year-old has gone 7-for-22 with five extra base hits and a 1.264 OPS. There are still legitimate questions about age relative to level since he is older than the average Texas League player, but production matters, and Spain is finally giving the Twins something to notice. Organizational depth pieces rarely receive much attention until they force the issue. Spain is starting to do exactly that. RHP Justin Mitrovich, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels How He Got Here: The Twins selected Mitrovich in the ninth round of the 2025 MLB Draft after an accomplished collegiate career at Elon University. The New Jersey native served as a dependable weekend starter for three seasons and held down the Friday night role during both 2024 and 2025. Mitrovich logged a career high 89 1/3 innings during his final season while striking out 81 hitters across 15 starts. He wrapped up his Elon career with 243 strikeouts, which ranks fifth in school history, and earned multiple CAA Pitcher of the Week honors along the way. Minnesota viewed him as a polished college arm capable of moving quickly if the stuff translated into professional baseball. Hitting the Hot Button: Mitrovich made his professional debut on May 3 against Daytona and fired four shutout innings while allowing just three hits and striking out five. He followed that outing Saturday with three more innings and only one unearned run allowed while punching out four of the 11 hitters he faced. The most impressive number may be the swing-and-miss profile. Through his first two appearances, Mitrovich has generated 17 swinging strikes for a 16.3 percent swinging strike rate. That is an eye-opening figure for a pitcher making the jump into professional baseball. It is still an extremely small sample, but the Twins have shown a strong track record of identifying college arms who outperform their draft position. Mitrovich is off to a strong start in trying to become the next name on that list. Not every prospect story begins with national rankings and top 100 hype. Sometimes development takes longer than expected. Sometimes players need multiple organizations before things click. Sometimes, a recent draft pick immediately shows traits that stand out. Sabato, Spain, and Mitrovich all arrive at this point through very different paths, but each has given the Twins something worth monitoring closely. In a system searching for the next wave of contributors, under-the-radar names have a way of becoming important faster than anyone expects. What stands out about this trio? Will Sabato make his big-league debut in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins are approaching an uncomfortable point with two veteran relievers stashed at Triple-A St. Paul. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Saints relievers John Brebbia and Matt Bowman both have opt-out clauses in their contracts on Sunday, May 17. If the Twins do not add them to the major league roster, either pitcher could elect free agency. That creates an interesting decision for a bullpen that has largely stabilized after a rocky start but still lacks proven depth behind its core group. Brebbia entered the season as a relatively intriguing non-roster addition because of his extensive major league track record. The 35-year-old has appeared in parts of eight MLB seasons and, not long ago, was one of the most heavily used relievers in baseball. Back in 2022, he led the National League with 76 appearances while posting a 124 ERA+. The recent results, however, have been more uneven. Last season with the Tigers and Braves, Brebbia allowed 20 earned runs across 23 1/3 innings in 22 appearances. The Twins were betting that some underlying traits still pointed toward a useful bullpen arm. There are at least a few signs supporting that idea in St. Paul. Brebbia has made 13 appearances for the Saints and struck out 24 of the 81 batters he has faced. His 29.6% strikeout rate is his highest mark in multiple seasons, and he has issued only seven walks in 18 1/3 innings. The run prevention numbers have not been particularly attractive. Brebbia owns a 5.40 ERA after allowing 11 earned runs, but his 4.91 FIP suggests the performance may not be quite as poor as the surface stats indicate. The swing-and-miss ability is still there, even though the overall results have remained inconsistent. Bowman’s case is different because Twins fans already saw him contribute during the 2024 season. The veteran right-hander appeared in five games for Minnesota in 2024 and posted a 2.35 ERA across 7 2/3 innings. That came during a season in which he bounced between four organizations as a classic waiver-wire journeyman. Last season with Baltimore, Bowman struggled to a 6.20 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings, but he has looked significantly sharper with St. Paul this year. In 20 1/3 innings, Bowman owns a 1.77 ERA with a 3.20 FIP while striking out 25.9% of opposing hitters. He has also limited walks with a 7.1% walk rate. Perhaps most importantly for a Twins bullpen that has leaned heavily on certain arms, Bowman has provided real flexibility. He has thrown more than one inning in nine of his 13 appearances. His recent stretch has been especially impressive. Over the last 28 days, Bowman owns a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. At some point, performance has to matter, especially for a major league bullpen that can never have enough dependable depth options. The Twins may ultimately decide roster flexibility is more valuable than protecting either veteran from free agency. That is often the reality with opt-out clauses attached to veteran minor league contracts. Still, Bowman has made a compelling case to get another opportunity. He has already shown he can survive in the majors, he is throwing multiple innings consistently, and his production at Triple-A has been difficult to ignore. If the Twins are going to lose one of these relievers anyway, Bowman feels like the pitcher worth betting on before another organization does. View full rumor

Image courtesy of © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins spent last summer’s trade deadline walking a fine line between cutting payroll, reshaping the roster, and trying to remain competitive in the future. Now that the 2026 season is underway, it is much easier to evaluate those deals based on their actual impact rather than on deadline-day reactions. To evaluate the overall impact, it's not enough to look at what the Twins gained; we also have to look at the roster impact had no trade been made. Some have barely registered on the current roster. Others have already altered the team's trajectory in meaningful ways. Here is a look back at the most impactful deadline moves from the perspective of the impact on the 2026 roster. Trades That Seem Unlikely to Impact the 2026 Roster A few deals simply have not mattered much in the grand scheme of the current season. Enrique Jimenez for Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak has not produced any noticeable effect on the major league club. Paddack and Dobnak were moved largely to clear innings and payroll flexibility, while Jimenez remains far from contributing in Minnesota. Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong for Willi Castro also fall into that category. Castro was a free agent at the end of the year. So far, the return has not impacted the current roster in any meaningful way either, though Gallagher was recently promoted to AAA-St. Paul. Garrett Horn for Danny Coulombe was another low-level move that has not significantly changed the outlook of the 2026 club. Coulombe provided bullpen depth, but neither side of the trade has created lasting ripple effects. 6. Hendry Mendez and Geremy Villoria for Harrison Bader This move always looked like a short-term rental for Philadelphia, and that is exactly what it became. Bader was heading toward free agency, so there was never a realistic scenario where he would still be patrolling the outfield for Minnesota this season. The interesting part of the trade now revolves around Hendry Mendez. Mendez earned a spot on the 40-man roster this winter and recently reached Triple-A. There are still several left-handed hitting corner outfielders ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, but injuries have a way of opening doors quickly. A major league debut sometime this season feels possible if Minnesota needs offensive reinforcements. 2026 Impact: Mendez has a chance to debut, so this trade still feels relatively low impact for 2026. 5. Matt Mikulski and $70 Million in Salary Relief for Carlos Correa This trade still feels surreal. The Twins moved Correa and attached it to a massive amount of salary relief, only to largely pocket the financial flexibility rather than reinvest it in the roster. Before his recent season-ending ankle injury, Correa was actually playing well and could have helped stabilize Minnesota’s lineup during the first month of the season. At the same time, the injury also reinforces why some in the organization were willing to move on from the long-term commitment. Correa’s absence likely would have become a major issue for Minnesota regardless of where he played. Mikulski has been released from the organization, leaving the biggest takeaway from this deal centered on ownership’s financial decisions rather than the actual baseball return. 2026 Impact: The Twins cleared Correa’s contract but failed to meaningfully reinvest the savings into improving the current roster. 4. Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel for Jhoan Duran This one has become complicated quickly. Tait remains years away from the major leagues, making him difficult to evaluate in the context of the current roster. Abel has spent much of the year dealing with injuries after suffering a setback in his recovery from right elbow inflammation. His recent tricep impingement and cortisone shot pushed his timeline back even further. Meanwhile, Duran looked dominant before suffering a strained left oblique. Prior to the injury, he posted a 1.35 ERA with five saves in 6 2/3 innings before recently returning to action. The frustrating part for Minnesota is obvious. A healthy Duran could be helping hold together one of the worst bullpens in baseball right now. Even if Abel eventually becomes a useful arm, the Twins desperately miss the stability Duran brought to the late innings. 2026 Impact: Minnesota badly misses Duran’s late-inning dominance, while Abel’s injury issues have delayed any return value. 3. James Outman for Brock Stewart Few moves have aged worse in the short term. Outman entered the season out of options, which essentially forced Minnesota to keep him on the active roster. Unfortunately, his production has been almost nonexistent. Through his first 28 games, Outman has produced a staggering -0.4 rWAR while occupying a roster spot that could be going to a younger or more productive player. The bigger issue is roster flexibility. Keeping Outman on the bench has prevented the Twins from cycling through alternative options that may provide more offensive upside. Stewart opened the season injured, but recently returned and made his first appearance over the last week. Even limited bullpen help would have been valuable for this roster, considering how disastrous the relief corps has looked for much of the year. 2026 Impact: Outman has negatively impacted the roster, while Stewart’s return to health could have helped stabilize Minnesota’s bullpen. 2. Kendry Rojas and Alan Roden for Louis Varland and Ty France This trade keeps looking worse by the week for Minnesota. The Twins bullpen has completely unraveled at times during the opening stretch of the season, and Varland has emerged as one of the best relievers in the American League. After stepping into Toronto’s closer role, Varland captured AL Reliever of the Month honors and has given the Blue Jays legitimacy at the back end of games. Minnesota’s roster could desperately use that exact presence right now. Roden has battled injuries at Triple-A and has not impacted the major league roster, while Rojas continues flashing electric stuff that may ultimately fit best in a bullpen role long term. The evaluation overwhelmingly centers on Varland. Right now, it is difficult to look at the Twins' bullpen struggles and not wonder how different games might feel with Varland handling the ninth inning. 2026 Impact: Varland’s breakout as Toronto’s closer has magnified how much the Twins need reliable bullpen arms right now. 1. Taj Bradley for Griffin Jax This is a clear win for Minnesota. While several other deadline moves have created frustration, the acquisition of Taj Bradley has been one of the few unquestioned bright spots on the roster. Bradley has emerged as the team’s most valuable pitcher, leading the club with a 1.7 rWAR while posting a 154 ERA+ through his first eight starts. Provided he gets past this recent pectoral injury, Bradley gives the Twins a legitimate chance to win every fifth day. Meanwhile, Jax has struggled since arriving in Tampa Bay as the Rays attempt to transition him into a starting role. The raw material remains intriguing, but the results have not been consistent. For a team searching for rotation stability after injuries and inconsistency, Bradley’s emergence has been enormous. Unlike some of the other deadline moves that created long-term questions, this trade already looks like one of the few decisions that is actively helping Minnesota compete in 2026. 2026 Impact: Bradley has emerged as Minnesota’s best starter and one of the few clear positives from the 2025 trade deadline. Trade deadlines are always judged too quickly. Some deals that looked smart in the moment now appear disastrous because of injuries, roster construction problems, or lack of reinvestment from ownership. Others that drew skepticism initially are beginning to show real value. What stands out most from the Twins’ 2025 deadline activity is how uneven the results have become. Minnesota clearly weakened parts of the bullpen and sacrificed valuable depth, and the consequences are showing up almost nightly this season. At the same time, Bradley’s emergence gives the organization at least one foundational piece to point toward as evidence that not every move was designed strictly to cut costs. Unfortunately for the Twins, one successful trade does not erase the growing list of questions surrounding the rest of the roster. Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article