Ten positions in ten days: Pitcher

As we count down to opening day, we’ll be taking a look at each position for the Twins, the presumed starter, and the other options in the organization. Today we’ll be looking at the pitching staff.

The Starters:

Jose Berrios: He threw a 3.84 ERA last season, and needs to prove that he can be the ace the Twins so desperately need. ZiPS projects him to regress slightly, and twirl an ERA of 3.93.

Kyle Gibson: Last season, Gibson lead the team in innings pitched, barely missing 200. Gibson has finally found consistent success after years of up-and-down perfomance. This season, he needs to prove that his 3.62 ERA in 2018 is for real, and that he deserves a big extension.

Jake Odorizzi: Odorizzi hopes to prove that 2018 was an aberration, as his 4.49 ERA was the worst he’d seen since his rookie year. The Twins also need him to step up, as his spring numbers weren’t impressive.

Michael Pineda: It’s been two years since Pineda pitched in a MLB game. He was an effective pitcher for the Yankees before requiring Tommy John surgery, and suffered an unrelated injury during the rehab process. Minnesota needs him to prove that he can still be that same pitcher he was before the injury, and he is a pending free agent, so he could be either extended or traded midseason.

Martin Perez: Perez was a really bad pitcher for the Rangers last year, but he is still young. The Twins believe they have made some highly effective changes to his mechanics, increasing his velocity and hopefully creating positive results

The Bullpen Guys:

Ryne Harper: A 30-year old rookie, Harper has bounced around minor league baseball. He earned a spot on the roster with a fantastic spring, and continues the trend of a NRI for the Twins making the MLB squad out of camp.

Adalberto Mejia: Mejia had an outside shot at the starting position battle, but was never really a contender once the Twins signed Parker. He projects to serve as a left-handed long reliever option, and spot starter.

Taylor Rogers: Rogers pitched incredibly well in the second half of last season, and needs to prove that things are for real. If he has a hot start to the season, expect to start hearing his name in nation circles.

Trevor Hildenberger: Hildenberger had a rough season last year, although some believe that was due to overuse and/or misuse by former manager Paul Molitor. At any rate, the Twins will hope that he can regain the form they saw in 2017.

Blake Parker: A new signing, previously with Las Angeles, Parker is the most established veteran in the bullpen, and will likely begin the season pitching in the highest-leverage roles.

Trevor May: May is in the second season after missing major time due to Tommy John, and many players finally reach their peak in that second year. May is among the most likely players to break out this season for the Twins, and will likely get a shot to be their closer.

Next up... REAL BASEBALL IN A COUPLE HOURS