No Jacob Lopez in the series for the A's which is good news for the Twins. Nick Kurtz is also out for the season so he won't factor in. The Twins faced today's starter Jeffery Springs in the series in Minnesota on July 26. He made it through just 1 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs. (Twins won that game 11-8). Springs has not gone 6 innings since May 22, but his start for the Twins was his shortest in that stretch. This is his second start back from a hip injury. Hopefully the Twins can rough him up and take game one today en route to a sweep.
He is a college guy so he could move through the minors quickly. Unless he is a complete bust, he should be up well before 2030. I think the best case scenario for him would be early 2028.
I saw Theo Tollefson, promoted and number one pick and I got my hopes up initially. Alas, no Jenkins yet. Good for Lackey though. He has looked good, but not great in his time in Fort Myers so hopefully he can perform at a higher level in Cedar Rapids.
I was looking at the St. Paul Saints lineup today, and I think I would rather have any of their top 6 guys than Alex Jackson on the roster right now. (Jenkins, Ross, Wallner, E-Rod, Sabato, Mendez)
As of now, Lackey has had the most contributions of the top 3 picks. Emerson debuted in A-ball on August 19 and is 0 for 8. All that to say that it is way too early to start to worry about Lackey's slow start.
Fresh bullpen today for the Twins. I think everybody is available. We need to take 1 of the next 2 and then take advantage of a weak remaining Strengh of Schedule.