As the Minnesota Twins continue to build towards a championship-caliber team, one area that has been a focus of improvement is their pitching rotation. With a mix of young talent and established veterans, the Twins have the potential to field a dominant pitching staff in the coming years. Here’s a look at what the Twins’ pitching rotation could look like in 2023.
1. Jose Berrios
Jose Berrios has been a staple in the Twins’ rotation since making his debut in 2016. The 26-year-old right-hander has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, including an All-Star appearance in 2018. Berrios has a career ERA of 4.21 and a strikeout rate of 9.2 per nine innings. If he can continue to improve his command and consistency, Berrios has the potential to be a top-tier starter for the Twins for years to come.
2. Jordan Balazovic
Jordan Balazovic is one of the top pitching prospects in the Twins’ organization. The 22-year-old right-hander was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and has steadily climbed through the minor league ranks. In 2019, Balazovic posted a 2.69 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 93 innings across three levels of the minor leagues. He has a fastball that can touch 97 mph and a devastating slider that could make him a strikeout machine at the major league level.
3. Jhoan Duran
Jhoan Duran is another promising young pitcher in the Twins’ system. The 23-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Eduardo Escobar trade in 2018. Duran has a fastball that can reach triple digits and a slider that has been described as “nasty” by scouts. In 2019, he posted a 3.76 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 115 innings across two levels of the minor leagues. If Duran can continue to refine his command, he could be a dominant force in the Twins’ rotation.
4. Kenta Maeda
Kenta Maeda was acquired by the Twins in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2020 season. The 32-year-old right-hander had a solid debut season with the Twins, posting a 2.70 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 66.2 innings. Maeda has a wide variety of pitches in his arsenal, including a slider, changeup, and splitter. He has shown the ability to pitch effectively as both a starter and a reliever, making him a valuable asset for the Twins’ pitching staff.
5. Randy Dobnak
Randy Dobnak is a bit of a wild card in the Twins’ rotation. The 26-year-old right-hander went undrafted out of college and worked as an Uber driver before signing with the Twins in 2017. Dobnak made his major league debut in 2019 and has been a solid contributor for the Twins ever since. In 2020, he posted a 4.05 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 40 innings. Dobnak doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he has excellent command and induces a lot of ground balls, making him a reliable option at the back end of the rotation.
Overall, the Twins’ potential pitching rotation for 2023 looks very promising. With a mix of young talent and established veterans, the Twins have the potential to field a dominant staff that could lead them to a championship. Of course, there are always variables that could impact the rotation, such as injuries or trades, but if these five pitchers can continue to develop and improve, the future looks bright for the Minnesota Twins.
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