Cody Christie

Image courtesy of Nick Wosika--Imagn Images In an unexpected turn of events or perhaps a deeply expected one, if you’ve followed this team’s patterns, the Minnesota Twins have reportedly added former slugger Miguel Sanó back to the roster. Not for power. Not for production. But for the psychological well-being of the rest of the lineup. “We needed a guy who could strike out in a way that makes Carlos Correa look like Tony Gwynn,” said one unnamed front office official while nervously adjusting his WAR spreadsheets. “Sanó just has that gift. Watching him flail at three consecutive breaking balls really puts things into perspective for everyone else.” The move comes as the Twins’ offense continues to struggle to put up crooked numbers, unless you're looking at strikeouts, in which case they’ve become calligraphic artists. A “Strikeout Sink” Strategy Correa, who currently leads the team in hitting into soul-crushing double plays, welcomed Sanó’s return with cautious optimism. “Honestly, having Miguel back out there is huge for me,” said Correa. “Now when I ground into a double play, people will be like, ‘Well at least he hit the ball.’ It’s all about relativity. The man’s a walking empathy generator.” Manager Rocco Baldelli, in between managing bullpen usage like it's a chess match with a time bomb, said the team is leaning into what he called the “Three True Outcomes” lifestyle (walks, home runs, and strikeouts) though the emphasis is heavily weighted toward just one of them. “We’re basically ignoring two-thirds of it,” he said. “We’re going all-in on strikeouts. If you can’t stop the bleeding, sometimes it’s best to just open the floodgates and call it therapy.” Sanó: “Each K is a Statement” In a post-workout press conference that mostly involved him hitting balls off a tee into the back of the batting cage at 117 mph, Sanó offered his thoughts. “Every strikeout is a statement piece,” Sanó declared, holding up a bat labeled 'FIP THIS' in Sharpie. “Analytics said I had to change. I say no. I will strike out 200 times to prove the system is flawed. Art is pain. Baseball is suffering.” He then struck out against the pitching machine, which wasn’t even turned on yet. Front Office Blinded By Exit Velocity (Again) Asked what convinced them to bring Sanó back, a member of the Twins analytics department responded without blinking: “Have you seen the exit velocity? It’s like watching Thor swing a tree at a meteor. Sure, it only happens once a week, but when it does, wow.” “Exit velo is the new batting average,” they added, before walking into a wall while staring at a Blast Motion chart. Fanbase Already Disappointed — In Advance Season ticket holders have been quick to voice their concern, but mostly in that resigned, passive-aggressive Midwestern way that’s uniquely Minnesotan. “I already lowered my expectations this year, but this move made me realize they weren’t low enough,” said Dan Gustafson of Chaska. “It’s like rewatching a bad sequel because you forgot how much you hated it. Miguel’s back, and so is my ulcer.” Still, others are cautiously hoping for a fairy tale ending, or at least a mildly interesting Twitter clip. “If he can just connect on one ball and break a Statcast record, I’ll take it,” said Jenny Lee from Eagan. “Even if we lose 9–1. Just give me that one GIF to believe in.” With Sanó back in the fold, the Twins may not be better, but they’re certainly something. Sometimes you don't need production, just the illusion of chaos to make everyone else look stable. And if that illusion strikes out 3.2 times per game? Well, at least he’s consistent. View full article

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey (photo of Kala'i Rosario), Rob Thompson (photo of Emmanuel Rodriguez) MONDAY’S TRANSACTIONS RHP Ruddy Gomez assigned to FCL Twins from Fort Myers. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE CONTENT -Top 20 Twins Prospects, May 2025 Update: Two New Names to Know -Twins Daily Minor League Report (5/11): Carson McCusker Crushes Again, Jay Thomason Comes Through -The Minnesota Twins Have a New Top 100 Prospect -Twins Daily Minor League Report (5/10): Emmanuel Rodriguez Plays Late-Inning Hero in St. Paul -Twins Minor League Report (5/9): Wichita Surges Back; Rotations Get Rocked -Twins Minor League Report (5/8): Wild Game in St. Paul Ends with a Walk-Off Win -Twins Minor League Report (5/7): Mike Ford Sends Everyone Home Happy -Is Billy Amick the Minnesota Twins' Long-Term Solution at First Base? -Twins Minor League Report (5/6): We're Making "Carson McCrusher" Happen… -Twins Minor League Week in Review (4/29-5/5): April Showers Bring May Power WEEK IN REVIEW Triple-A: St. Paul Saints Overall: 20-15 (5.0 Games Out of First) Last Week: 5-1 On Monday, Mickey Gasper is the Triple-A International League’s Player of the Week after a red-hot series in which he hit .478 (11-23) with two doubles, four home runs, and six RBI. Gasper’s four homers and his 11 total hits are both tied for the most in minor league baseball. His .571 on-base percentage, 1.087 slugging-mark, and 1.658 OPS are all the highest in the minors over the last six days among hitters with at least 20 at-bats. St. Paul capped off a tremendous week on Sunday. With the win the Saints have won 10 of their last 12, won their last three series, and are a season-high five games over .500 at 20-15. The Saints have homered in eight consecutive games thanks to a Mickey Gasper solo homer on Sunday. Two batters later Carson McCusker crushed the fifth hardest hit in franchise history, a 115.0 mph laser over the left field wall, his 10th of the season. Travis Adams started and went four innings allowing two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out one. Emmanuel Rodriguez drove a first-pitch fastball out to left field for his second home run in as many days to flip a one-run deficit into a one-run lead late. Earlier in the game, threw out a runner at third that was trying to go first to third on a single. For Rodriguez, it was the sixth time that he has homered in back-to-back games in his professional career. It was also his first two home runs in 2025. Zebby Matthews started on Saturday and finished with 5 1/3 innings in his seventh start of the season. He struck out four and issued no walks on five hits. His season ERA dipped to 1.93 after allowing just one unearned run. In Friday’s blowout loss, Gasper finished with a career high four hits, going 4-5 with a double, home run, RBI, and a run scored. On back-to-back nights, Mike Ford and Mickey Gasper hit three-run walk-off homers. It was just the second time in franchise history the Saints have won back-to-back games in walk-off fashion and the first with walk-off homers. Jair Camargo added a three-hit game on Thursday with a double and two runs scored. Ryan Fitzerald homered in back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, Carson McCusker hit two more home runs with one leaving the bat at 114.7 mph. He is nearly halfway to the Saints single season home run record (21). David Festa continued to perform well after returning to Triple-A. He went 5 2/3 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven. He threw 72 pitches (50 strikes) and got 16 swings and misses. What’s Next: The Saints are off on Monday and return to action in game one of a six-game road series against the Iowa Cubs at 6:38 p.m. CST. Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge Overall: 19-14 (1.0 Game Up) Last Week: 4-2 With their series victory, Wichita moved into first place in the Texas League North Division. Noah Cardenas smashed a lead-off home run in the ninth to lead the Wichita Wind Surge to a Sunday victory. The team ended the week with four straight victories. John Klein threw three innings of scoreless relief as part of Sunday’s win as he gave up just two hits with a walk and a pair of strikeouts. On Saturday, the Wind Surge scored three runs in the eighth and ninth innings to cap a late rally. It was the seventh come from behind win for Wichita and second when trailing after seven innings. Every Wind Surge batter had a hit in the game. Christian MacLeod started Saturday’s game. He threw his longest appearance of the season, striking out three over four innings. Pierson Ohl, Jarret Whorff, and John Stankiewicz combined to retire 11 of the final 12 hitters in the comeback win. On Friday, the Wind Surge trailed 3-0 entering the seventh inning and pushed across five unanswered runs. Kala’i Rosario connected on a two run homer in the seventh. Andrew Cossetti hit a three-run later in the same inning. Aaron Rozek retired 15 straight hitters from the last out of the bottom of the first and the opening out in the last of the sixth. He pitched six innings and allowed three earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts. It was the first quality start of the year for Wichita. Ricky Castro and Jaylen Nowlin allowed just two baserunners over the final three innings. Nowlin earned his first professional save after striking out two in the ninth. Aaron Sabato had a three hit game on Thursday. It was his first three-hit performance of the season and fifth overall multi-hit game. Connor Prielipp threw his longest outing of the season, four frames of three-hit baseball with a career-high tying six strikeouts. Trent Baker threw five innings of one-hit baseball with three walks and six strikeouts, one shy of his season-high. On Thursday, Tanner Schobel had his first four-hit performance of the season, and ninth overall multi-hit game in 2025. Rubel Cespedes records his team-leading fifth multi-RBI performance. The six doubles Wichita hit on Tuesday were the most in a game this season. What’s Next: Wichita returns to home on Tuesday, May 13 to begin a series with the Arkansas Travelers at 6:05 p.m. CST. High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels Overall: 20-12 (1.0 Game Out of First) Last Week: 3-3 Khadim Diaw crushed a three-run homer to put Cedar Rapids up 4-0 on Sunday. Later in the game, Gabriel Gonzalez smacked a solo shot that turned out to be the difference in the game. Caden Kendle hit his second home run of the season on Friday. It was a two-run shot. Tanner Hall started on Thursday and did not allow an earned run in 4 2/3 innings on three hits with two strikeouts. Danny De Andrade came up with multiple big hits on Wednesday. In the first, he cracked an RBI double to plate the game’s first run. In a tied game with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, he produced a go-ahead RBI single that was the game winner. Cole Percival kept the Kernels in the game on Wednesday by pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Chase Chaney did not allow a run across six innings of work, striking out six while not issuing a walk en route to his second consecutive quality start and his first Cedar Rapids win. Behind Chaney, Samuel Perez did not allow a run in two innings out of the bullpen, and Jacob Wosinski pitched a perfect ninth to cap off the victory. What’s Next: The Kernels return home for a six-game series against Peoria next week. Game one is set for Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. CST. Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Overall: 15-18 (5.0 Games Back) Last Week: 1-5 Sunday’s starter was Eli Jones, who pitched five innings and allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out three. Ivran Romero was strong in relief on Sunday with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Roddy Gomez made his FSL debut on Saturday out of the Fort Myers bullpen. He pitched two scoreless frames and only allowed one hit. Jacob Kistin entered Friday’s game in a tough spot when the starter threw 35 innings in the first. He threw a season high 4 1/3 innings by allowing two runs on four hits. Zander Sechrist took the loss on Thursday but still had a strong performance. In a career-high five innings, he allowed one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts. The lefty threw just 47 pitches while collecting 15 outs. On Wednesday, Yasser Mercedes hit a game-tying two-run homer. It was his first home run at Hammond Stadium this season. Cole Peschl was charged with two runs which were the first earned runs he has allowed on the season. It ended a streak of 21 2/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run to begin his professional career. Fort Myers started the week with an exciting game as they recorded a season-high 16 hits enroute to a walk-off win. Jefferson Valladares capped off the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the eleventh inning. Earlier in the game, Byron Chourio hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot. Michael Ross went three innings by allowing one run on one hit and striking out four. What’s Next: After an off day on Monday, Fort Myers will travel to Jupiter to take on the Hammerheads on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m CST. Rookie: FCL Twins Overall: 5-1 Last Week: 4-0 Bryan Acuna reached base three times on Saturday including a home run. He drove in three runs and scored three runs. Luis Fragoza matched Acuna by reaching base three times in the same game. He had a double, two RBI, and a stolen base. Will Armbruester finished off two games during the week with a combined four scoreless innings. FCL Twins pitchers combined to hold the FCL Red Sox to two hits on Friday. Mitch Mueller earned a three inning save as he allowed one hit and struck out five. Hendry Chivilli earned his first professional win after his two shutout innings. Melvin Rodriguez pitched four shutout innings in his first appearance of the season. He allowed two hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Murphy Hernandez reached base four times on Thursday with two hits and two walks. He also scored two runs and drove in two runs. Ariel Castro had a big four RBI game including his first triple of the year. Ruddy Gomez earned his first professional win after coming into a jam on Tuesday. He combined for four outs and got them all via strikeout. What’s Next: The Twins will see the FCL Rays, Orioles, and Red Sox during the coming week. PROSPECT SUMMARY Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects. And, be sure to note the new, updated Top 20 rankings. Walker Jenkins (Wichita): On injured list Luke Keaschall (Minnesota): On injured list Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 4-16, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 9 K Charlee Soto (Cedar Rapids): On injured list Connor Prielipp (Wichita): 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids): 4-26, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 8 K Marco Raya (St. Paul): 1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K Andrew Morris (St. Paul): 5 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 8-26, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 0 BB, 9 K, 1 SB Dasan Hill (Fort Myers): Did not pitch Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 2-10, 4 R, 4 BB,33 K, 3 SB Cory Lewis (St. Paul): 4 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): On injured list Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids): 6-18, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K C.J. Culpepper (Wichita): On injured list Eduardo Beltre (FCL Twins): 0-11, 4 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 3 SB Tanner Schobel (Wichita): 9-27, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 7 R, 1 BB, 5 K Yasser Mercedes (Fort Myers): 3-24, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 11 K, 1 SB Carson McCusker (St. Paul): 9-23, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 2 SB Ricardo Olivar (Wichita): 4-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Hitter of the Week: Mickey Gasper, St. Paul Saints 11-for-23, .478/.571/1.087 (1.658), 2 2B, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 SB Pitcher of the Week: Connor Prielipp (Wichita Wind Surge) 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 6 K, 0 BB, 46 pitches (37 strikes), 9 swinging strikes Feel free to ask questions about any of this week's action. What streaks will continue in the new week? View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (Photo of Carson McCusker) As the calendar flipped to May, the Twins Daily prospect rankings saw two new faces break into Minnesota’s updated Top-20 list. These two players weren’t the only ones who moved compared to the organization’s preseason list. Luke Keaschall surpassed Emmanuel Rodriguez as the organization’s number two prospect. Connor Prielipp was the biggest riser, moving up five places to number five in the organization. While those names are a little more well-known, let’s focus on the previously under-the-radar players. No. 13– Billy Amick, 3B The Twins selected Amick with the 60th overall in the 2024 amateur draft out of Tennessee, where he hit 23 homers during his junior season. The Volunteers went on to win the College World Series. Amick wasted little time showing why the Twins invested a second-round pick in his bat. In his pro debut, he hit .222/.351/.413 (.763) with three doubles and three homers in 63 Low-A at-bats. There were some positive early signs that the Twins hoped would translate into his 2025 campaign. In 21 High-A games for Cedar Rapids during April, he slashed .342/.475/.447 (.992) with six doubles and one triple. Amick’s plate discipline has been a calling card in his early professional career, with a BB% above 15%. His strikeout rate sat below 20% last season and has increased to 26.3% in his first 99 plate appearances in 2025, so that will be something to monitor as he climbs the organizational ladder. What Makes Him Stand Out Amick’s profile is built on power potential and a polished approach. MLB Pipeline ranks his best tool as his power with a 55 grade. While he hasn’t yet found home-run power in April’s small sample, his combination of bat-to-ball skills and strength suggests 20-plus home runs across a full season. Defensively, his arm and actions at third base grade out as average to above average, giving him the potential to stick on the left side of the infield. Future Impact Amick’s advanced feel for hitting and emerging power profile project him as a corner-infield option in the upper minors by mid-2026. Given Minnesota’s need for right-handed thump and defensive versatility, he could be ticketed for Double-A Wichita by season’s end. Long term, Amick must show better pitch recognition especially when facing pitchers with better stuff in the upper minors. However, if he sustains his current approach, he could be the kind of high-floor bat that slots into Minnesota’s regular lineup by 2027. No. 19– Carson McCusker, OF McCusker is one of the best stories in the Twins organization. He went undrafted after his senior season at Oklahoma State and played parts of three seasons in the independent leagues before signing with the Twins. Minnesota signed him in 2023, and he quickly showed his power potential with 14 long balls and a .867 OPS in his first 46 games at Low- and High-A. Last season, the Twins moved him into the upper minors, and he continued to showcase his powerful swing. In 123 games, he hit .282/.353/.488 (.841) with 19 home runs, 30 doubles, and four triples. He was a challenging prospect to gauge because he was already 26 years old, but there’s no question that he can hit. He opened 2025 on fire at Triple-A St. Paul, compiling a league-leading 1.067 OPS in 31 games during April, with seven home runs and four doubles. As with most power hitters, his game has a lot of swing and miss. Early in his professional career, he was striking out over 35% of the time, but he has pushed that total to below 30% over the last two seasons. What Makes Him Stand Out At 6-8 and 250 pounds, McCusker combines imposing size with surprising bat speed, driving balls to all fields and regularly generating exit velocities north of 110 mph. The Twins have seemingly spent multiple seasons searching for a right-handed power-hitting corner outfielder, and McCusker can fill that role at some point in 2025. Future Impact McCusker turns 27 on May 22nd, making him older than many top prospects. However, his track record of late-blooming success suggests a high floor as a Quad-A tweener who could slide into a bench or platoon role in Minnesota as early as late 2025. If the Twins face left-handed starters or need late-season pop off the bench, McCusker’s advanced approach and proven power could earn him a 40-man roster spot. In the long term, his outfield defense at Triple-A is good enough to stick in a corner, making a role as a situational hitter and occasional outfielder a realistic path to sustained big-league contributions. Neither McCusker nor Amick were household names this winter, but both forced their way onto the Twins’ updated Top-20 list by combining advanced tools with early-season production. McCusker’s brute power and veteran savvy make him a candidate for a late-season call-up, while Amick’s polished approach and burgeoning power could see him rise rapidly through High-A and Double-A. As fans and writers alike weighed ballots in early May, it was clear that these two prospects are now must-watch names in Minnesota’s pipeline. Their continued development will go a long way toward shaping the Twins’ run-producing outlook for years to come. What are your thoughts on the two additions to the Twins Daily Top 20 prospects? View full article

Image courtesy of ©Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Baseball’s loyalty landscape has transformed dramatically since the mid-1970s, when true free agency emerged, empowering players to test the open market. At the same time, the absence of a hard salary cap has allowed payrolls to diverge widely, with franchises like the Dodgers and Mets outspending smaller-market clubs by hundreds of millions annually. Today’s stars are often nomadic, chasing opportunities and record contracts across multiple cities, a stark departure from the days of career-long, one-club heroes who could be the face of a franchise. Generational talents now have less reason to stay put. Juan Soto began the 2025 season with his fourth MLB organization before turning 27. He debuted with Washington (2018–22), then moved to San Diego, New York (Yankees), and now the Mets. He's not the only superstar to bounce between franchises. MLB Network’s “Top 100 Players Right Now” list, unveiled in mid-February, highlights how common multi-team resumes have become. Remarkably, six of the top-12 players on that list have donned multiple uniforms: Shohei Ohtani (Angels, Dodgers), Mookie Betts (Red Sox, Dodgers), Juan Soto (Nationals, Padres, Yankees, Mets), Francisco Lindor (Guardians, Mets) Freddie Freeman (Braves, Dodgers), and Bryce Harper (Nationals, Phillies). Joe Mauer: A Hall of Fame Hometown Hero Mauer's career is a testament to the possibility of long-term player-team relationships. A St. Paul native, Mauer was the Twins' first overall pick in the 2001 MLB Draft. His 2009 season was historic, earning him the American League MVP award after leading the league with a .365 batting average. Retaining Mauer became a priority as the Twins prepared to move into their new home, Target Field, in 2010. In March 2010, the Twins signed Mauer to an eight-year, $184 million contract extension, making it the fourth-largest contract in MLB history at the time. The deal included a full no-trade clause, ensuring that Mauer would remain with the team through the 2018 season. This move secured a franchise cornerstone and energized the fan base as the team opened a new ballpark. Many fans will focus on the end of Mauer’s career when concussions forced him to move from catcher to first base. However, FanGraphs pegged his value to the Twins throughout his career at over $330 million, and he was paid just over $218 million. He entered the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, and his candidacy was likely boosted by his story of a hometown hero who played his entire career in Minnesota. Byron Buxton: A Different Path Buxton's journey with the Twins has been marked by immense potential but tempered by injuries. Drafted second overall in 2012, Buxton's athleticism and defensive prowess quickly became evident. However, injuries limited his playing time, preventing him from consistently showcasing his talents. Recognizing his potential, the Twins and Buxton agreed to a seven-year, $100 million contract extension in November 2021. The deal was structured to account for Buxton's injury history, featuring significant performance-based incentives. These include bonuses tied to finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting and additional bonuses for reaching specific plate appearance thresholds. This contract reflects a mutual commitment: the Twins' belief in Buxton's abilities and Buxton's desire to remain with the organization that drafted him. It's a strategic move that balances financial prudence with the potential for high rewards should Buxton stay healthy and perform at an elite level. Some fans will continue to view Buxton as not worth his contract because of his lengthy injury history. But it’s important to note that his $15 million per season is a total that a player of his skillset can easily reach. In 2025, FanGraphs already pegs him as providing the Twins with $12.4 million in value. Last season, Buxton was worth $29.7 million. Since signing his extension, he has been worth $18.65 million per season even with a terrible 2023 campaign ($4.7 million) and only a quarter of the 2025 season on the books. The Twins' Commitment to Homegrown Talent The decisions to retain Mauer and Buxton underscore the Twins' dedication to building around specific homegrown players viewed as generational talents. In an era where player movement is rampant, Minnesota's approach emphasizes stability and continuity. By investing in their own talent, the Twins foster a strong organizational culture and maintain a connection with their fan base. While some may question the financial wisdom of such long-term commitments, especially given the uncertainties of player health and performance, the Twins' strategy offers a counter-narrative to the prevailing trends in MLB. It highlights the value of loyalty from the organization and the players and the importance of cultivating a team identity rooted in homegrown success. As MLB continues to evolve, with players frequently changing teams in pursuit of new opportunities, the Minnesota Twins' commitment to retaining their homegrown stars like Mauer and Buxton stands out. The Twins offer a compelling example of how teams can navigate the modern baseball landscape while staying true to their roots. Did the Twins make the correct decision to keep Mauer and Buxton? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images MLB’s trade deadline may be months away, but unique circumstances could push teams to be active earlier rather than later. The Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles present a tantalizing potential trade match-up. Flush with offensive talent in its farm system, Baltimore could use a front-line arm to stabilize its rotation. Minnesota is deep in MLB-caliber pitchers and could bolster its offense or restock its high-leverage farm ranks. Both teams were expected to be in contention this season, and disappointing starts could mean the teams are looking to make an early splash. Jim Bowden, a former GM and writer for The Athletic, recently wrote about five potential trades he’d like to see this month. In the piece, he floated a package featuring LHP Cade Povich, corner infielder Coby Mayo, and RHP prospect Michael Forret to the Twins for RHP Joe Ryan. However, the Twins may covet different pieces, targeting higher-upside talent for the deal to make more sense for Minnesota. Joe Ryan’s All-Star Potential Ryan has delivered ace-like numbers through early May, with Twins Daily naming him the team’s top pitcher for the month. Over seven starts, Ryan is 2–2 with a 2.93 ERA, 47 strikeouts in 40 innings, and a 0.90 WHIP. His four-seamer and sweeper have combined to hold opponents to sub-.200 batting averages, and he has a career-best 3.2 BB%. Ryan is under club control through 2027, a critical component for an Orioles squad that was supposed to be in the middle of a winning window. Given Baltimore’s offseason departure of Corbin Burnes and setbacks to former top prospect Grayson Rodríguez, Ryan represents a plug-and-play rotation upgrade. Baltimore’s Young Hitting Wealth The Orioles boast one of the game’s most exciting hitting pipelines: Coby Mayo (3B/1B): Baltimore’s No. 2 prospect, Mayo is a corner infielder who has already gotten some big-league experience. Entering the 2025 season, he had a .921 OPS during his minor league career. He currently ranks as the 11th overall in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100. Samuel Basallo (C/1B): MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 Orioles farmhand Basallo turned 20 last year and hit 19 homers and 25 doubles en route to an appearance in the Futures Game. There are defensive questions, but his cannon of an arm might help him stick at catcher. MLB Pipeline ranks him as baseball’s 10th-best prospect. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (OF): A 2023 first-rounder, Bradfield’s game-changing speed (74 steals in 108 games last season) and strong contact skills make him a future everyday center fielder. He isn’t going to hit for a lot of power, so he must find other ways to get on base. Bradfield’s skillset is intriguing, so he could be tough to pry away from the Orioles. Beyond these headliners, the system houses tools-driven outfielders like Vance Honeycutt and Dylan Beavers, plus righty arms in Chayce McDermott, Michael Forret, and Nestor German. Together, these players form a deep, diverse pool of tradable assets. Twins’ Rotation and Prospect Depth Minnesota already fields a capable rotation with Pablo López and Bailey Ober at the top. Their farm system seems to have started churning out arms, with players like David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Zebby Matthews already impacting the big-league rotation. Other arms, like Marco Raya, Andrew Morris, and Connor Prielipp, are close to the big leagues. With such depth, the Twins could afford to part with Ryan if they receive blue-chip hitting talent in return. Bowden’s Povich-Mayo-Forret Proposal Jim Bowden’s Athletic column suggested a package of: Cade Povich (LHP): A former Twins draftee who has pitched the last two seasons in Baltimore’s rotation. Over the last two seasons, he has posted a 5.31 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP while being worth -0.8 WAR. The Twins pounced on him for five earned runs in six frames during his start earlier this week. Coby Mayo (1B/3B): The power corner-infielder is the team’s second-best prospect. From Minnesota’s perspective, he is intriguing because of his offensive potential and proximity to the big leagues. The Twins have struggled to develop hitting talent in recent years, and Mayo could be one piece that will help the team over the next decade. Michael Forret (RHP): MLB Pipeline ranks him as Baltimore’s eighth-best prospect, but he started this year at High-A. The Twins may like his potential upside, which could be one reason to target him. However, he likely wouldn’t impact the big league roster until 2027. While this haul addresses Ryan’s departure, Povich’s middling upside makes it challenging for the Twins to want him included in a deal. The club likely prefers its internal options over Povich, so let’s see what other trade options are available in Baltimore’s system. A More Enticing Alternative: Basallo as the Headliner Instead, the Twins should insist on as the cornerstone, because his combination of 70-grade power, advanced receiving skills, and athleticism would fill multiple needs. With Christian Vázquez on an expiring deal, Basallo could impact the team’s roster as soon as 2026. The Orioles also have Adley Rutschman as the team’s long-term catching option, so they may be willing to part with Basallo, who would remain under team control deep into the next decade. Pairing Basallo with a secondary option like Forret or Bradfield Jr. could create a win-win. Baltimore leaves with a bona fide ace. Minnesota flips Ryan for a cornerstone catcher and more organizational depth. Baltimore’s plethora of hitting prospects matches perfectly with Minnesota’s pitching stockpile. While Bowden’s initial framework offers a solid starting point, the Twins should leverage their negotiating power to extract higher-ceiling talent in exchange for Ryan. Starting pitching comes at a premium, and MLB trades have played out that way in recent years. Both sides could craft a blockbuster at this stage that reshapes each franchise’s fortunes well beyond July’s trade deadline. What type of deal makes sense for the Twins and the Orioles? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Tim Vizer-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins have had a tumultuous start to the 2025 campaign, with an up-and-down performance that has made it difficult to gauge whether this team is a contender or a pretender. There have been positives, with the team’s starting pitching, Byron Buxton’s health, and various other parts of the roster. Yet, every team has some warning signs that will start to show. Five red flags are hiding in the team’s peripheral stats—figures that, if left unaddressed, could turn a competitive window into a rough slog. 1. Harrison Bader’s worrisome xBA Bader’s impact in left field has been twofold: dazzling defense and timely hits, especially in the season's early games. At first glance, his .280 batting average over the first few weeks suggests a renaissance. However, the underlying data raises a caution flag: Bader’s expected batting average (xBA) is in the bottom 9% of qualified hitters. In other words, based on exit velocity and launch angle, pitchers have been getting more favorable contact than his raw average would imply. His .210 expected batting average (xBA) quantifies that regression risk. Bader’s defensive skillset will keep him in the lineup, but if those barrels dry up, the Twins will need to plug the offensive hole or risk watching their left fielder’s batting average drift back toward reality. 2. Willi Castro’s paltry exit velocity Castro recently returned from a strained right oblique that may impact his overall numbers. More telling than his .232/.303/.362 slash line is an average exit velocity of just 84.9 mph, ranking dead last on the Twins and in the bottom 3% of hitters. Castro’s career average is 86.0 mph, itself below MLB’s 88.5-mph benchmark, but this season’s dip compounds worries about lingering discomfort or a mechanical hitch. While Castro’s profile has never hinged on pure power, dropping further behind the league average in exit velocity shrinks his margin for error. If that velo doesn’t tick back up, Minnesota will have to weigh patience against performance, especially from a pending free agent. 3. Twins pitchers’ alarming Hard Hit % Allowed Pitching was supposed to be Minnesota’s bedrock in 2025, but the staff’s Hard Hit % allowed ranks dead last in baseball. Many of the team’s starters struggled their first time through the order, but that has turned into improved performance since that point. Overall, many of the troubling totals are from some of the essential bullpen pieces: Griffin Jax (62.3% Hard Hit %), Louie Varland (60.9% Hard Hit %), and Brock Stewart (59.7% Hard Hit %). Such a high frequency of well-hit balls makes success unsustainable for relievers, who work in small samples with no safety nets. Minnesota’s rotation and bullpen depth will keep games competitive, but allowing that kind of premium contact makes for a razor-thin margin. Unless the Twins can refine pitch shapes or usage patterns, especially in high-leverage relief situations, that bottom-of-the-league slugging profile will impact the team’s ability to get back into the playoff race. 4. Louis Varland’s exit velocity conundrum Many in and around the Twins organization were excited about Varland’s transition to a full-time reliever this season. However, the early returns have been mixed. His 93.3 mph average exit velocity against ranks as the highest among Twins pitchers, placing him in the worst 2% of MLB. Varland has always been guilty of “meatballs,” or pitches hung over the plate that hitters feast upon. His poor exit velocity numbers are similar to his time as a starter, signaling it’s a mechanical or execution issue, not just a bout of bad luck. Manager Rocco Baldelli’s decision to deploy him heavily from the bullpen underscores how badly the Twins need his strikeout prowess. Yet, Varland must expand his arsenal around the zone to avoid turning his high-leverage offerings into easy run production for opponents. 5. Simeon Woods Richardson’s inflated xSLG Woods Richardson was the story of 2024’s first half, as he was the team’s best rookie (and arguably a rotation savior). But he has shown some cracks in his armor as big-league teams get an extended look at him. Through early May 2025, SWR’s expected slugging percentage (xSLG) clocks in at .533, nearly 90 points above his actual .445 mark. That gap suggests that when hitters do square him up, they’re hitting the ball with authority—and often in the air. This season's elevated projection is startling, compared to his 2024 xSLG of .373. The Twins have rewarded his 2024 performance by keeping him in the rotation, but other prospects are closing in on the big leagues. His spot isn’t in danger yet, but he’ll need to continue to refine his approach. Early-season anomalies rarely play out to their fullest possible extent, because luck and quick adjustments can blunt the greatest effects. However, Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff must acknowledge these hidden warning lights. This could include adjustments for Bader’s approach, re-evaluating Castro’s role, bullpen retooling for those being hit hardest, or pitch changes for Woods Richardson. And right now, some of Minnesota’s most critical contributors are posting underlying numbers that could point toward regression. Which statistic is most alarming? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Brad Rempel-Imagn Images MINNEAPOLIS—After a particularly “character-building” start to the 2025 season, the Minnesota Twins are taking a bold new step in fan engagement by unveiling Therapy Kiosks throughout Target Field. (Well, really only on the first level, because no one is sitting in the upper deck.) These kiosks are designed to help fans process the emotional trauma that comes with watching a team that can beat up on the White Sox and Angels, but also get walked off multiple times in the same series immediately thereafter. “Twins fans are resilient,” said Twins President Derek Falvey at a press conference unveiling the kiosks. “But we also recognize that watching this team over 162 games can feel like emotional CrossFit. Sometimes you need more than rally sausages and rally squirrels. You need a licensed professional—or at least a screen that nods sympathetically while you scream into it.” The kiosks, positioned just outside the concourse restrooms and directly across from the “We’ll Get ‘Em Tomorrow Night” merch stand, will offer five-minute guided meditations, emotional check-ins, and a feature called “Relive the 1991 Season” that loops Game 7 highlights to remind fans that once upon a time things were good. But this isn’t just about mental health: the team is attempting to get more butts in the seats. With attendance down nearly 20% in April (which Falvey diplomatically referred to as “an atmospheric and competitive alignment challenge”), the team hopes these kiosks will offer just the right mix of catharsis and consumerism. “After each session,” Falvey added, “fans will receive a buy-one-get-one-free helmet sundae coupon. We’ve found that nothing dulls the sting of a blown 7th-inning lead quite like shared ice cream in a plastic batting helmet.” The idea was reportedly conceived during a marketing brainstorm where someone suggested “emotional damage control” and another replied, “We’re halfway there with Twins Twitter anyway.” To test the kiosks, the team ran a simulation last week during a road trip to Cleveland, wherein the Guardians walked off the Twins twice, with the kind of soul-crushing precision usually reserved for tax audits. A group of longtime season ticket holders (who are mostly still around out of habit and inherited guilt) were invited to test the kiosks in real time. Paul Hesterman, 54, who has had seats since the Metrodome days, described the experience: “I screamed into the virtual therapist's face for 90 seconds, and when I was done, it just said, ‘It’s okay to feel this way.’ Then it played a flute version of ‘We’re Gonna Win Twins.’ Honestly? Cathartic.” Marge Kranz, 76, used her session to vent about the bullpen. “I told the kiosk I’m not mad, just disappointed. It nodded. Then it printed me a coupon and told me to hydrate. This is more validation than I’ve had in 60 years of Twins fandom.” The Twins aren’t ruling out expanding the concept. “We’re looking into an off-season grief processing kiosk, too,” Falvey hinted. “Maybe something fans can use when we trade someone they like for a reliever with ‘upside.’” While no one knows whether the kiosks will actually increase attendance, one thing is certain: in a season full of uncertainty, Twins fans now have a place where they can scream, cry, and leave with ice cream. Because in Minnesota, hope springs eternal—until about mid-June. View full article

Image courtesy of David Malamut (Kyle DeBarge) MONDAY’S TRANSACTIONS INF Edouard Julien optioned to St. Paul Saints INF Mickey Gasper optioned to St. Paul Saints Dalton Shuffield retired. Matt Canterino placed on full-season injured list. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE CONTENT -Walker Jenkins and Other Twins Top Prospects' Injury Return Timelines -Twins Minor League Report (5/4): With The Twins Affiliates on Sunday the Force Was -Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month: March/April 2025 -Twins Daily Minor League Report (5/3): Eduardo Beltre's Grand Slam Leads FCL Twins to Opening Day Win! -Twins Minor League Reliever of the Month: March/April 2025 -Twins Minor League Report (5/2): Sire Jeferson Morales Powers Saints -Twins Daily Minor League Report (5/1): Tanner Schobel Celebrates Return to Top 20 Prospect Status with Huge Game for Wichita -Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month: March/April 2025 -Twins Minor League Report (4/30): A Clean Sweep -One Twins Prospect May Be Following in Luke Keaschall’s Footsteps -Twins Minor League Report (4/29): David Festa Sinks the Clippers -Minnesota Twins April Minor League Standouts: A New Pitching Prospect Emerges at Cedar Rapids -Twins Minor League Week in Review (4/23-4/28): Winning Baseball is Fun WEEK IN REVIEW Triple-A: St. Paul Saints Overall: 15-14 (6.0 Games Out of First) Last Week: 4-1 The Saints secured their first series win in nine tries on the road against the Columbus Clippers. The week started with the Saints winning back-to-back games at Huntington Park for the first time in franchise history. The team entered play this week with the lowest winning percentage by any minor league team in any ballpark over the last five years. They had won fewer than 30% of their games in Columbus. Rain continued to impact the team. Saturday was scheduled to be a doubleheader but both games were cancelled. St. Paul will now play 148 games this season. Zebby Matthews went four innings on Sunday by allowing two runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out five. Will Holland returned to the Saints this week as he had fractured his left hand this spring. On Sunday, he cracked a two-out solo homer, his first of the season. Royce Lewis went 1-for-5 on Sunday with a single. On Friday, he finished 0-for-4. Overall, he went 4-for-23 on his rehab with one double. Also on Sunday, Michael Tonkin (on MLB rehab) tossed his best outing with the Saints going two shutout innings allowing one hit and striking out three. On Friday, Jeferson Morales hit two home runs in a game for the first time in his career. David Festa set the tone early in the week for the Saints. He allowed a two-out, two-run homer in the first and settled in. He allowed just one other baserunner and retired the final 11 men he faced. He went six innings allowing two runs on three hits and struck out seven. The Saints backed up Festa with a three-homer night from Carson McCusker, Anthony Prato, and Mike Ford. What’s Next: The Saints return home to begin a six-game series against the Buffalo Bisons starting on Tuesday night at 6:37 PM CST. Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge Overall: 15-12 (1.0 Games Out of First) Last Week: 3-3 Wichita finished April with a 14-9 record, marking the best-ever record in April in team franchise history. Mike Paredes begins his year by not giving up an earned run over 23 innings pitched out of the bullpen before an RBI single on Sunday. Also on Sunday, Kyler Fedko’s on-base streak ended at 21 games, standing as the current high across all of Double-A. In Saturday’s loss, Michael Martinez, Jarret Whorff, and Joel Cesar combined to allow just an earned run on four hits throughout the final four and one-third innings of the night. Ben Ross had a three-hit game on Friday and followed it up with his second homer of the season on Saturday. Aaron Rozek gave up just one run on four hits with five strikeouts over four and one-third innings of relief on Friday. Ricardo Olivar is up to a team-leading nine multi-hit games after a three-hit Friday night. On Thursday, Wind Surge batters connected on four home runs over the first two innings led by Tanner Schobel’s multi-homer night. The four long balls are the most hit in a game so far this season. Pierson Ohl made his first start of the season with Wichita. In four innings, he allowed three hits with five strikeouts. John Klein, Jaylen Nowlin, and John Stankiewicz combined to retire seven of the final eight batters in Thursday’s game. Trent Baker, Paredes, and Cesar combined for the third shutout of the 2025 season for the Wind Surge on Wednesday. Paredes and Cesar retired the final 11 batters while Baker earned his first win of the season after pitching five innings with two hits, a walk, and four punch outs. To start the week, Christian MacLeod made his second Double-A start of the season and allowed just two baserunners across the opening three innings. He was hit on the side of the head by a first-inning line drive but still completed three innings. What’s Next: Wichita continues their road trip with a six-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Tuesday at 11:05 AM CST. High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels Overall: 17-9 (1.0 Game Out of First) Last Week: 5-1 Jeremy Lee picked up his second win of the season on Sunday. He allowed one run over five innings while striking out four. Spencer Bengard followed Lee and pitched four shutout innings with two strikeouts. On Thursday, Nate Baez homered and Kevin Maitan had two extra base hits to lead the offense as the Kernels completed a four-run comeback. Jacob Wosinski picked up a six-out save while striking out three to preserve the comeback victory. In a tied game in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kyle DeBarge blasted a go-ahead solo home run to put the Kernels on top for good in Wednesday night’s game. Chase Chaney pitched six complete innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts en route to the first quality start for a Kernels pitcher this year. Cedar Rapids got their week off to an explosive start. The Kernels’ offense scored ten runs on 13 hits, including home runs from Danny De Andrade and Gabriel Gonzalez. The Cedar Rapids bullpen was dominant in the win. Gabriel Yanez, Logan Whitaker and Paulshawn Pasqualotto combined to not allow a run in 5 1/3 innings in relief, striking out four while allowing just three hits. What’s Next: Cedar Rapids heads on the road for the first time in two weeks. They start a six-game series against the Beloit (Don’t call us Snappers) Sky Carp at 6:05 PM CST on Tuesday. Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Overall: 14-13 (Tied for First) Last Week: 2-4 Jay Thomason cracked two doubles as part of a multi-hit effort on Sunday. His OPS is .989 for the season. Miguel Briceno and Jefferson Valladares both hit their first home run of the season on Sunday. Dasan Hill left his start on Saturday after 1 1/3 innings without allowing a run. The team has yet to update as to why he left his start. On Friday, Fort Myers’ offense exploded for nine runs on 12 hits. Six players had multiple hits with Daniel Pena leading the way going 3-for-5 with a run scored. Every starter reached base at least once in the game. Jakob Hall made his second start and allowed one run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings with three strikeouts. Cole Peschl came on in relief on Thursday, striking out eight batters across 3 1/3 scoreless innings. On Wednesday afternoon, Mighty Mussels catcher Poncho Ruiz hammered a walk-off, two-run double to lift Fort Myers to a one-run victory. Ruiz reached base in all five of his plate appearances on the day, going 3-3 with two doubles and two walks. Zander Sechrist kept Fort Myers in that game. He had a scoreless outing over the final 2 2/3 innings by scattering three hits and a walk while picking up a pair of strikeouts. Jay Thomason launched his sixth home run of the season at 110.1 mph on Tuesday. His six homers were tied for the most in the Florida State League this season. What’s Next: Fort Myers returns home for a six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays starting on Tuesday at 6:05 PM CST. Rookie: FCL Twins Overall: 1-1 Last Week: 1-1 The FCL Twins suffered their first loss of the season by a final score of 5-3 on Monday against the FCL Pirates. Leonardo Rondon started and allowed one unearned run on three hits over three innings. He struck out five and walked one. Anderson Ramos took the loss after allowing four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ramiro Dominguez and Ariel Castro both had their first double of the season. On Saturday, the FCL Twins won their first game of the season 4-3. Eduardo Beltre’s grand slam provided all the offense for the Twins in the win. Joel Garcia pitched two shutout innings to start the game. He struck out four of the six batters he faced and only allowed one hit. Mitch Mueller earned the win as the allowed one earned run on five hits over four innings. What’s Next: The Twins have two games each against the FCL Pirates, Orioles, and Red Sox during the coming week. PROSPECT SUMMARY Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects. And, be sure to note the new, updated Top 20 rankings. Walker Jenkins (Wichita): On injured list Luke Keaschall (Minnesota): On injured list Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 1-5,1 R, 4 BB, 2 K Charlee Soto (Cedar Rapids): On injured list Connor Prielipp (Wichita): 2.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K Marco Raya (St. Paul): 3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 5-23, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB, 8 K, 1 SB Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids): 9-26, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 3 K Andrew Morris (St. Paul): 4 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids): 8-21, 1 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K Dasan Hill (Fort Myers): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K Cory Lewis (St. Paul): 4 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K Tanner Schobel (Wichita): 6-28, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 8-19, 1 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 8 BB, 3 K, 3 SB Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): 3-8, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K Yasser Mercedes (Fort Myers): 1-20, 1 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 8 K, 1 SB C.J. Culpepper (Wichita): On injured list Carson McCusker (St. Paul): 6-18, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 7 K Kala’i Rosario (Wichita): 3-19, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K Yunior Severino (St. Paul): On injured list PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Hitter of the Week: Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids) 8-for-19 (.421/.593/.790), 1 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 8 BB, 3 K, 3 SB Pitcher of the Week: Cole Peschl (Fort Myers) 3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 73 pitches (43 strikes, 58.9 strike%) Add you thoughts or questions about this week's games in the comments. View full article

Image courtesy of Abby Haling/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Soto), Rob Thompson / St. Paul Saints (Rodriguez), William Parmeter (Keaschall), Ed Bailey/ Wichita Wind Surge (Jenkins) In a season that began with high hopes for Minnesota’s top prospects, injuries have unfortunately tempered the excitement. It has become an unfortunate rite of passage for the Twins' top prospects to have their professional careers impacted by injury, including Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, and Alex Kirilloff. The list is seemingly endless. In 2025, Twins Daily’s four highest-ranked prospects have all been injured. While each injury carries its own timeline and uncertainty, the Twins remain optimistic in the long term about the impact these players can bring once healthy. Walker Jenkins, OF Injury: Left ankle sprain Jenkins opened camp and quickly suffered a sprained left ankle that slowed his preparation, causing him to miss a significant chunk of Grapefruit League action. Despite the early setback, Jenkins returned in time for the season opener at Double-A Wichita and was activated onto the roster, only to feel renewed stiffness after two games and eight plate appearances. The discomfort forced the 20-year-old outfielder back onto the injured list on April 9, where he received a cortisone injection to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation. A Twins spokesperson has since indicated that Jenkins will likely remain out through May, a frustrating twist for a player who entered 2025 as one of baseball’s top 10 overall prospects. With his blend of power, speed, and advanced feel at the plate, the Twins are in no hurry to push Jenkins back prematurely, preferring a fully healthy return that preserves his long-term development. Expected Return: Early-to-mid June Emmanuel Rodríguez, OF Injury: Left thumb strain Rodríguez has been a bright spot on the farm system charts since his 2023 debut, boasting the team’s second-highest ranked prospect and ranking No. 34 overall in MLB Pipeline. However, durability has raised concerns: Rodríguez tore a ligament in his right thumb, leading to surgery, and then saw his 2024 campaign limited to just 47 games due to lingering soreness. Although his spring ankle tweak proved minor and did not affect his Triple-A workload initially, Rodríguez suffered a left thumb strain on April 23 sliding into second base. Luckily, it was not the same thumb on which he had surgery last year. The Twins have listed him as day-to-day, with an optimistic timeline pointing toward an early-to-mid May return. Yet, given his thumb history, the organization is monitoring his rehab cautiously to avoid a repeat of last year’s setbacks. Expected return: Rodriguez returned to play over the weekend Luke Keaschall, IF Injury: Right forearm fracture The 22-year-old infielder Luke Keaschall lit up the majors with an electrifying debut, slashing .368/.538/.526 (1.065) over his first seven games, including three doubles and five stolen bases. Drafted in the second round of 2023, Keaschall entered April as a catalyst for what many hoped would be a revival of the Twins’ offense. That momentum came to an abrupt halt on April 25, when a Kyle Hendricks fastball struck Keaschall’s right forearm, resulting in a non-displaced fracture. The injury is particularly concerning as it affects the same arm that underwent Tommy John surgery last August, extending the expected recovery period to at least two months. Minnesota placed Keaschall on the 10-day injured list, but he’s a candidate to move to the 60-day IL if the Twins need a roster spot. Minnesota hopes Keaschall can get healthy and return to the lineup in the second half to provide a renewed spark for the team. Expected return: Early July Charlee Soto, RHP Injury: Right triceps soreness Soto, the 19-year-old right-handed pitcher, began the season with a series of dominant starts for Cedar Rapids. Through his first 13 innings, he allowed just two earned runs while improving his strikeout rate by nearly two percentage points over his 2024 finish, slashing his walk rate by 2.5%. Triceps soreness in his right arm prompted the organization to shut him down and place him on the seven-day injured list for rest and recovery. His timeline remains the most fluid of this quartet because the Twins need to see how his body reacts from time off. When he does return, the Twins’ development staff will manage his innings carefully throughout the remainder of 2025. Expected Return: TBD Injuries are an unwelcome challenge. As Minnesota navigates the ebb and flow of its prospect development, keeping Jenkins, Rodríguez, Keaschall, and Soto on track (albeit on individualized timelines) will be critical to ensuring the farm system’s potential translates into major league success. Once these key pieces are back on the field, the Twins’ future outlook will brighten considerably. Which player will return to the field first? Why do the team’s top prospects continue to get injured? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Royce Lewis has been sidelined since suffering a left hamstring strain while running out a ground ball in spring training, delaying his 2025 debut by several weeks. This marks the second straight season Lewis has opened the year on the injured list due to a muscular issue running the bases, after missing two months with a right quadriceps strain on Opening Day in 2024. The Twins lineup picture has changed since this spring, which could signal a shifting role for Lewis as he returns. Defensive Concerns at Third Base Lewis was drafted and developed as a shortstop in the Twins system. Throughout his professional career, scouts questioned his long-term defensive home, with many believing he’d need to move off shortstop. That became a self-fulfilling prophecy when Lewis bulked up during his rehab from multiple knee surgeries. His added muscle mass helped his power development but has hindered his speed. Third base seemed like a natural next step for Lewis, but the transition has come with some bumps. In 2024, Lewis committed six throwing errors in over 400 innings at the hot corner, tying for the fifth-highest total in Major League Baseball relative to his innings played. Statcast ranked his arm strength 28th among third basemen at an average of 84 mph, below the league average for the position. These defensive struggles, compounded by his recent hamstring injury, have cast doubt on his ability to handle the rigors of third base on a full-time basis. Potential Shift to Designated Hitter Minnesota could consider moving Lewis to DH for a variety of reasons. The team’s desire to preserve his offensive contributions is key, which could involve more DH time. The Twins have other options at third base, including some players who are considered better defenders. There is also a chance that keeping him off his legs could deter some injuries. By logging more games at DH, Lewis can avoid the lateral stresses and high-impact plays at third base, theoretically reducing the risk of hamstring and quadriceps strains. However, it’s important to note that many of Lewis’s soft-tissue injuries have occurred while running. Even as a DH, he’ll still be susceptible to those risks on the bases. Minnesota’s willingness to give Lewis a breather in the field could be the team’s best chance to keep his bat in the lineup daily. So, who are the team’s third base alternatives if Lewis is at DH? Brooks Lee In Lewis's absence, Brooks Lee has provided stability and strong defense at third base. His OAA ranks in the 84th percentile to start the season, even with him missing time on the IL. His reliable glovework and developing bat give Minnesota confidence to continue handing him the hot corner, even as Lewis gets up to speed. Willi Castro Utilityman Willi Castro is currently on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique but is expected to return around the same time as Lewis. He offers multi-positional flexibility, having logged time at second base, shortstop, corner infield spots, and DH this season. Castro’s ability to move around a patchwork infield makes him an ideal bench piece and spot starter at third base upon his return. Jonah Bride Acquired from the Marlins on April 16, Jonah Bride is a low-cost infielder whose bat the Twins hope to keep active low in the lineup. Bride had gone 4-for-40 with two RBIs in Miami before the trade and projects as a backup infielder who can play third and first base. He has already been worth 1 OAA at third base with the Twins. He won’t play every day, but the Twins might need to use him at third when he is in the lineup. Balancing Workload and Health Minnesota’s infield depth allows them to rest Lewis defensively without sacrificing quality at the hot corner. By rotating Lee, Castro, and Bride across third base and DH, the Twins can manage Lewis’s innings on the dirt, giving him days off in the field and reducing the accumulation of high-impact plays. This could be crucial for a player whose most recent injuries have come on the bases, ensuring that when Lewis does take the field, he’s fresh and focused on making clean plays. Lewis’s impending return is a significant boost for Minnesota’s lineup, but it comes at a time when protecting his health is paramount. A hybrid role (where he splits time between third base and DH) leverages his elite bat while preserving his legs and arm. Ultimately, this strategy could unlock Lewis’s full potential, allowing him to consistently stay on the field and contribute to Minnesota returning to contending. Should Lewis see more time at DH when he returns? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Funderburk will help the Twins this season. The others likely need to show a little more strikeout potential to move up the organizational ladder.

Image courtesy of © Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Last weekend, Joe Ryan unleashed what might be the single most electrifying pitch in Minnesota Twins lore. Clips of the pitch have gone viral on MLB’s platforms and Pitching Ninja’s social feeds, igniting debate over whether hyperbole can actually outpace reality in describing such a masterpiece. Underneath the highlight-reel spin and social-media frenzy, the pitch’s underlying metrics this season demonstrate why the sweeper has become Ryan’s secret weapon in 2025. Relive the Pitch In the sixth inning of Minnesota’s contest against the Los Angeles Angels, Ryan fell behind 2–2 to Kyren Paris before unleashing the now-famous sweeper that started over the heart of the plate and darted well into the opposite batter’s box. Paris bit hard, flailing at a pitch that moved more than a typical slider, resulting in a swinging strikeout. In the game, Ryan logged 26 swings and misses and contributed to his season-high 11 strikeouts over seven shutout innings. Social media accounts immediately seized upon the pitch’s absurd break. MLB’s official highlight package and Rob Friedman (Pitching Ninja) both posted the clip, highlighting the sweeper’s 30 inches of horizontal movement, nearly double the big-league average for breaking balls. Mechanics and Movement At 79.5 mph, Ryan’s sweeper sits comfortably between a traditional slider and a cutter, but it distinguishes itself with its combination of late, sweeping action and deceptive release point. According to Baseball Savant, Ryan’s 2025 sweeper averages 17.6 inches of horizontal movement, an increase of over two inches compared to last season. Further complicating matters for hitters is Ryan’s low three-quarters arm slot, a legacy of his early athletic background. His atypical delivery helps hide the ball until it’s too late for the batter to adjust. His 24-degree arm angle is lower this season than his career average, which adds some deception. Combined with a fastball that averages 93 mph and peaks in the upper 90s, Ryan’s arm action makes for a devastating runway: the heater elevates, then the batters’ eyes must rapidly account for a sweeping breaker at the very bottom of the zone. From Water Polo to the Mound Before he was drafted, Ryan was a standout water polo athlete whose shoulder strength and unconventional arm path translated naturally to baseball. He leveraged that background in high school and the minors to throw his fastball high in the zone with a unique spin, routinely generating whiffs on four-seamers alone. However, the majors demanded a more varied arsenal, prompting Ryan to develop and refine secondary offerings like the splitter and, most notably, the sweeper. Introduced in 2022, Ryan’s sweeper usage has steadily climbed from a novelty to an actual go-to pitch. In 2024, he threw it sparingly, but his Whiff Rate on the pitch hovered around 30 percent; this season, that figure has surged to above 40%, a full 10% jump year-over-year. Opponents now hold a .183 xBA and a .314 xSLG when facing his sweeper, underscoring its increasing effectiveness in generating weak contact or outright misses. Such data-driven optimization speaks volumes about Twins' pitching development. Coaches have helped Ryan extract maximal movement from the pitch without sacrificing control. His ability to elevate the fastball high and then follow with a sweeping breaking ball keeps hitters off balance, driving up his overall put-away percentage. Impact on the Twins While Ryan remains fundamentally a fastball-first starter, his newfound command of the sweeper has transformed him into a bona fide frontrunner for Minnesota’s rotation ace. Through April, he led Twins starters in innings pitched, strikeout rate, and WAR, earning Twins Daily’s Pitcher of the Month nod for April 2025 Ryan was once viewed as a back-end rotation piece but has become a true playoff-caliber starter. If last weekend’s “best pitch in Twins history” is any indication, opposing lineups have never faced a more daunting task than handling Ryan’s arsenal, especially when that signature sweeper is on the menu. Hyperbole may have fueled the claim that Ryan threw the greatest single pitch in Minnesota Twins history, but the combination of Statcast metrics, social-media buzz, and on-field context lends the assertion surprising credibility. As the season unfolds, Twins fans can savor moments like the 30-inch-break beauty, confident that Ryan’s best (or at least his most spectacular) stuff is still yet to come. Was Ryan’s sweeper the best pitch in Twins history? Can his slider continue to develop? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge Developing relief pitching in an organization can be a challenging endeavor. For various reasons, some players are shifted to a bullpen role early in their professional careers. Other players are used in a multi-inning piggyback relief role to help other starters manage their workload. One of the biggest challenges for relievers is the small sample size associated with their performance. One bad outing can haunt a player’s numbers for the entire season. Here are the top four relievers from the season’s first month. Twins March/April Minor League Reliever of the Month #4 - Paulshawn Pasqualotto (Cedar Rapids) - 7 G, 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 12 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 9 K The Twins selected Pasqualotto in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB Draft from the University of California, Berkeley. Last season, he split time between starter and reliever with mixed results, including a 6.66 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. The Twins moved him to a full-time bullpen role for 2025, and the results have improved significantly. Cedar Rapids has used him for two innings or more in four of his seven appearances. All his appearances have come in the eighth inning or later. On April 16, he pitched the final three innings of a Kernels’ extra-inning win while limiting batters to two hits and striking out four. He’s improved his K% by 1.4% and reduced his BB% by 0.6%. To be a viable long-term reliever, he must continue to see an increase in his strikeout totals. #3 - Jarret Whorff (Wichita/St. Paul) - 7 G, 1.98 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 13 2/3 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 18 K Whorff went undrafted in the 2022 MLB Draft, but the Twins signed him to a minor league deal early in the 2023 season. He’s made some spot starts during his professional career, and the Twins haven’t been afraid to move him up and down minor league levels on a needs basis. He began the 2025 campaign at Double-A, allowing one earned run on five hits in 10 2/3 innings. Minnesota promoted him briefly to St. Paul for one appearance in the middle of the month, where he allowed two earned runs in three frames with five strikeouts. He’s held batters to a .149/.216/.319 (.535) slash line with three extra-base hits. His K% jumped from 24.5% last season to 35.3% so far in 2025 while also lowering his BB% by 1.3%. Whorff is performing well in the upper minors and could be a relief option for the Twins in the coming years. #2 - Kody Funderburk (St. Paul) - 8 G, 0.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, 10 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 12 K Twins fans are familiar with Funderburk since the southpaw has made 40 appearances with the big-league club over the last three seasons. Minnesota took him in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, and he moved quickly through the organization in a left-handed relief role. Now, in his age-28 season, he’s in a group of relievers who will move up and down between Triple-A and the big leagues. With St. Paul, he’s posted strong numbers in what many considered a hitter-friendly league. Funderburk has a 32.4 K% and a 5.4 BB% while being especially dominant against lefties by holding them to a .592 OPS in 27 PA. The Twins will need Funderburk again at some point this season, so it’s critical for him to perform well at Triple-A. Twins Minor League Reliever of the Month - Mike Paredes (Wichita) - 7 G, 0.00 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 20 2/3 IP, 10 H, 6 BB, 15 K The Twins selected Paredes in the 18th round of the 2021 MLB Draft from San Diego State University. He split time as a starter and reliever early in his pro career before shifting to a full-time reliever role in 2023. In his relief appearances last season, he posted a 3.11 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and a 23.2 K% while the Twins were comfortable moving him back and forth across three different levels. Paredes’ usage has been unique this season, as he has significantly more innings pitched than the other names on this list. He’s one of just two qualified minor league pitchers who have yet to allow an earned run in 2025. He has pitched three innings or more in six of his seven appearances, and he’s limited damage by stranding runners( 94.1 LOB%). Batters have been unable to make solid contact against him with a .143/.221/.143 (.364) slash line. Paredes has also done a tremendous job at limiting home runs, with no home runs allowed this season and single-digit homers allowed over the last two years (2.6 HR/FB%). He won’t have a zero ERA for the whole season, but he’s provided significant value out of the Wind Surge bullpen. Flaws will be exposed with any reliever throughout the season as sample sizes start to grow. Paredes, Funderburk, and Pasqualotto will allow runs sometime in the coming weeks. However, their strong starts have helped put their team in the first-half playoff hunt. For relievers, it's about limiting damage and keeping your team positioned to win. All four of these arms have lived up to that expectation in April. How would your ballot look for the month? Should any other relievers make the list? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images In his first season as a full-time reliever, Louis Varland has flashed good swing-and-miss stuff. It's convinced Rocco Baldelli to deploy him more often out of the bullpen than any other Twin this year. But even as his strikeout rate soars, an old weakness has carried over from his days as a starter. Varland is leaving too many pitches in the middle of the plate, and opponents aren’t missing their invitations to tee off. From Starter to High-Leverage Reliever After splitting time between the rotation and bullpen the last two seasons, Varland has settled into a true reliever’s role in 2025. Through 15 appearances, Baldelli has leaned on him in more games than any other pitcher on the staff, using Varland in a variety of situations. The move makes sense: Varland’s four-seamer is up near 98 mph on short stints, and his secondary pitches play with added life when he doesn’t have to pace himself over multiple innings. Perhaps the most encouraging sign has been his strikeout rate. Varland is punching out 32.8 percent of batters faced, ranking in the top 8 percent of the league's hurlers. That surge in whiffs has come largely on the changeup and knuckle-curve, both of which gain intensity when thrown in shorter bursts. The Meatball Problem All of that swing-and-miss prowess can go for naught, though, when Varland loses the edges of the zone. Baseball Savant classifies pitches down the heart of the plate as “meatballs,” and for his career, Varland has served up 9.8% of his offerings right over the middle. That total is significantly above the MLB average of roughly 7.3%. Those mistakes have been punished: meatballs are prime targets for high-exit velocity contact and home runs. So, how has Varland been impacted by meatballs this season? Hard Contact Metrics Pull AIR % (Pulled Airborne Batted Balls): Hitters are pulling the ball in the air 25.7 percent of the time against Varland, up from roughly 18 percent in his starter years. Average Exit Velocity: His opponents’ average exit velocity is 93.1 mph, well above the league average, and in the worst 2 percent of pitchers. Hard Hit %: A whopping 62.9 percent of balls in play against him qualify as “hard-hit” (95 mph+), placing him in the bottom 1 percent of MLB arms. These figures underline the danger of meatballs: when he leaves a pitch waist-high, hitters punish it. Spotlight on the Changeup Varland’s changeup has been especially problematic. In 21 pitches thrown this season, he’s yielded a 1.667 slugging percentage, including two home runs and a double. He is only throwing this pitch against left-handed batters, and it comes with the caveat of being a small sample size. However, a changeup hung over the heart of the plate plays like a batting practice fastball, and opposing hitters have taken full advantage. A glance at his Statcast zone map shows a cluster of mislocated changeups right down the middle. Path Forward: Execution at the Edges If Varland is to take the next step as a late-inning weapon, his command must improve. Specifically: Fastball Location: While his heater can touch 100 mph, too many end up middle-middle. Working more around the edges and elevating more within the zone will keep hitters honest and reduce the risk of giving up power. Changeup Refinement: Better tunneling and late fade on the changeup could turn meatballs into chase-inducing off-speed pitches. Emphasizing release consistency and disguising arm speed will be key. So, too, though, will be generating more depth on the offering than he's managed so far in 2025. In this image, the red line connects the movement coordinates for his 2025 fastball and changeup, while the blue one connects his 2024 offerings. This year, the changeup has more run, but less depth, leading to more pitches left up. Even with the meatball issue, Varland’s 3.21 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 14 innings suggest that the raw stuff is plus-plus. His two seasons of relief work have shown he can handle high-leverage innings, and the strikeout upside is tantalizing. If Twins pitching coaches can help him tighten up the zone and avoid center-cut mistakes, Varland could become one of the most valuable relief options in the back end of the bullpen. Will Varland be able to solve his meatball problem? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article