16 former Minnesota Twins players who have chance to make impact during the 2025 MLB playoffs
Cubs UTL Willi Castro
The Twins traded Castro to the Cubs, who will host the San Diego Padres for a National League Wild Card Series this week, at this year's trade deadline in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong. Castro has struggled since becoming a Cub, slashing .170/.245/.240 (40 wRC+) in 110 plate appearances. Castro likely won't start during the postseason, but could see time as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.
Cubs LHP Caleb Thielbar
The Cubs signed Thielbar, who previously spent his entire career with the Twins, to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million this past offseason. Thielbar has ensured his contract has been worth it for Chicago, posting a 2.64 ERA with a 25.5% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate in 58 innings this season. Thielbar has typically pitched in late innings for the Cubs, so expect to see the former Twins lefty on the mound in high-leverage situations during the playoffs.
Cubs LHP Taylor Rogers
The Reds traded Rogers, who spent 2016-21 with the Twins, to the Cubs at the trade deadline this summer. Rogers had a 2.45 ERA in 33 innings with Cincinnati this season, but has struggled since joining the Cubs, posting a 5.09 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. However, two bad outings where he allowed three earned runs each are a huge reason for Rogers' high ERA. Given Rogers' MLB experience and previous success, the lefty will likely still pitch in close games for the Cubs this postseason.
Reds RHP Emilio Pagán
Believe it or not, Pagán is the closer for a postseason team. Pagán, whom the Padres traded to the Twins along with Chris Paddack in exchange for Taylor Rogers and Brent Rooker in 2022, has collected 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA for the Reds this season. Pagán and the Reds will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a National League Wild Card Series this week at Dodger Stadium.
Reds RHP Zack Littell
The Rays traded Littell, who played for the Twins from 2018-20, to the Reds at this year's trade deadline. Since being moved to Cincinnati, Littell has managed a 4.39 ERA with an 18.5% strikeout rate and 5.0% walk rate in 53 1/3 innings over 10 starts. Littell likely won't make any starts during the Wild Card Series, but he may come out of the bullpen and could make some starts later in the postseason if the Reds go far in October.
Brewers RHP Trevor Megill
The Brewers activated Megill, who has been the team's closer this year, from the injured list just in time for the postseason. Megill, who played for Minnesota in 2022, has 30 saves with a 2.49 ERA, 31.3% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate for the Brewers this season. Megill and the Brewers will face the winner of the series between the Cubs and Padres in the National League Division Series this weekend.
Phillies RHP Jhoan Durán
Durán, whom the Twins traded to the Phillies on July 30 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Mick Abel and catching prospect Eduardo Tait, is already a fan favorite in Philadelphia. Since becoming a Phillie, Durán has collected 16 saves with a 2.18 ERA, 27 strikeouts and one walk in 23 appearances. Durán and the Phillies will face the winner of the series between the Reds and Dodgers in the National League Division Series this weekend.
Phillies OF Max Kepler
After spending his entire professional career with the Twins, Kepler signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies this past offseason. Kepler got off to a slow start with Philadelphia and didn't play as much as he would have liked, but he has recently had more playing time due to his bat heating up and Nick Castellanos' struggles. Since Aug. 1, Kepler has hit .250/.309/.482 (116 wRC+) with seven home runs and 19 RBIs.
Phillies OF Harrison Bader
The Twins traded Bader to the Phillies at this year's trade deadline. It's safe to say the Phillies are happy with what Bader has provided them in his short time with Philadelphia, as the former Twin has played his way into becoming the Phillies' starting center fielder. In 194 plate appearances with the Phillies, Bader has slashed .305/.361/.463 (129 wRC+) with five homers.
Padres 1B Luis Arráez
Arráez, who won the American League batting title with the Twins in 2022, won batting titles with the Marlins in 2023 and the Marlins/Padres last year. He hasn't been nearly as productive this season, hitting .292 with a 104 wRC+, but he is still one of the last players opposing pitchers want to see at the plate with runners in scoring position.
Tigers RHP Chris Paddack
Paddack has a chance to help the Tigers, who will face the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Wild Card Series this week in Cleveland, in the postseason, but the former Twins pitcher may not play at all this October. Paddack certainly won't be making any starts this October, as he has struggled immensely since the Twins traded him to the Tigers in July, posting a 6.32 ERA in 47 innings with Detroit. However, the Tigers still may use Paddack out of the bullpen at some point this postseason.
Mariners C/DH Mitch Garver
American League AL MVP candidate Cal Raleigh will likely be the Mariners' starting catcher throughout the playoffs, meaning Garver, who won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023, will likely serve as a designated hitter or pinch hitter for the Mariners this October. Garver, who was with the Twins from 2017-21, is hitting .209/.297/.343 (86 wRC+) in 290 plate appearances with Seattle this season. Garver and the Mariners will play the winner of the series between the Tigers and Guardians in the American League Division Series this weekend.
Mariners 2B Jorge Polanco
Polanco has arguably had the best season of his career in 2025 since 2021, slashing .265/.326/.495 (132 wRC+) with 26 home runs and 78 RBIs in 524 plate appearances with Seattle. The Mariners re-signed Polanco to a one-year, $7.75 million contract this past offseason after acquiring him from the Twins the previous offseason.
Red Sox OF Rob Refsnyder
Refsnyder, who played in 51 games for the Twins in 2021, will likely start against left-handed pitchers and be used as a pinch-hitter for the Red Sox this postseason. Refsnyder, 34, has hit .302/.399/.560 in 166 plate appearances against lefties this year, but has slashed just .212/.268/.348 in 66 plate appearances against righties. Refsnyder and the Red Sox will play the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series this week in New York.
Blue Jays RHP Louis Varland
Varland getting traded to the Blue Jays this summer was arguably the biggest surprise the Twins pulled off at the trade deadline, as the right-handed pitcher has five years of control remaining and was one of the Twins' best relievers. Varland hasn't been as good with the Blue Jays, posting a 4.94 ERA in 23 2/3 innings, while he had a 2.02 ERA in 49 innings with the Twins this season. However, Varland has a 3.56 FIP and 28 strikeouts with Toronto, and he allowed zero runs in his last four outings. Expect the Blue Jays, who will play the winner of the series between the Yankees and Red Sox in the American League Division Series this weekend, to utilize Varland in high-leverage situations this postseason.
Blue Jays 1B Ty France
The Blue Jays placed France, whom they acquired as part of the Varland trade, on the injured list with left oblique inflammation on Sept. 23, but he will be eligible to return before the ALDS. In 103 plate appearances with Toronto, France has slashed .277/.320/.372. The Blue Jays will likely use the former Twins first baseman as a pinch hitter during the postseason.