Twins expect to promote top prospects this summer

The Minnesota Twins are focused on their pitching depth as they prepare for the upcoming season. Last year, the team used 53 players, including 32 pitchers, highlighting the need for strong depth. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted that while they are optimistic about their current pitching lineup, they must remain vigilant against possible injuries and setbacks. This year, the Twins have more starting pitchers than they have had in recent seasons. Coaches are now managing 11 pitchers as potential starters, compared to just six last year. David Festa and Zebby Matthews gained valuable experience last season. Festa had a solid performance with a 3.81 ERA, while Matthews impressed during spring training with a strong showing. Behind Festa and Matthews, other promising pitchers include Andrew Morris, Marco Raya, Travis Adams, and Cory Lewis. Morris has been a standout in spring training, hitting fastball speeds up to 98 mph. Raya has potential with powerful pitches, while Adams and Lewis have shown consistent minor league performance. Another pitcher, Connor Prielipp, is also being watched closely. He has not pitched above A-ball yet due to injuries but has shown great promise with his speed and strikeout capabilities. The team believes they are in a better position this year to deal with injury challenges. Additionally, the Twins are likely to promote top prospects Luke Keaschall and Emmanuel Rodriguez to the major league lineup this summer. Keaschall has impressive statistics from last season and is recovering from surgery, while Rodriguez is dealing with an ankle injury but showed potential last year. Future prospects, like Walker Jenkins, are being closely monitored. Jenkins, while inexperienced, has drawn comparisons to former player Joe Mauer for his batting style. Others like Payton Eeles and Kala’i Rosario may also contribute once they regain their form. As the team builds on their successes from last year, including a division title, they are counting on both veteran players and new prospects to maintain their competitive edge.