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Updated: Projecting The Minnesota Twins 2015 Starting Rotation

By Ted Schwerzler |
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As the Winter Meetings come to a close, the Minnesota Twins have been linked to many, but time themselves to no one. Torii Hunter was signed to a one-year deal prior to the Meetings, and since, the Twins have shift their focus more towards the mound. With a signing involving Ervin Santana looking likely, it’s time to take a look as to what the Twins 2015 starting rotation could look like.

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In 2014, the Minnesota Twins struggled to compete thanks to poor performances on the mound once again. If the turnaround is going to start in 2015, it will begin first and foremost from the mound. For the first time in a long time, the Twins have a significant amount of options when it comes to rounding out their rotation.

While Spring Training will likely sort out who rounds out the Twins starting rotation, there is significant reason to be excited that quality arms will fill it. Let’s take a look!

Sep 24, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (45) pitches in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

To start with the first and only lock, Phil Hughes is your opening day starter and ace. Last season, Hughes was extremely impressive, and finished seventh in the AL Cy Young race. With a 3.52 ERA and an 8.0 K/9 ratio along with a new major league record in BB/K ratio, Hughes made an immediate impact for the Twins. The level of productivity brought from Hughes should be expected to continue. Having previously only pitched for the Yankees, Hughes was haunted by a poor stadium that terrorized his home pitching statistics. He has always been a good pitcher, and the move to Target Field was a huge boost for him. Expect the success to continue in 2015.

Sep 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ervin Santana (30) pitches during the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The likely number two starter for the Twins isn’t yet on the roster. I fully anticipate Minnesota coming to terms with Ervin Santana. The thought is that he would be inked to a deal that would be four years in duration, and clock in around a $15 million average annual value. Minnesota was in on Santana last season before he signed with the Atlanta Braves, and the loss of a draft pick doesn’t seem to be detrimental this time around. Santana owns a career 4.17 ERA along with a 7.2 K/9 ratio. He projects extremely similar to another Twins pitcher, and that actually is a good thing.

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Coming to Ricky Nolasco, a guy that is very much like Ervin Santana, the Twins find their third starter. Ricky Nolasco was abysmal in 2014, but he has a chance to chalk it up as a mulligan. Word around the league was that Nolasco spent much of the season pitching injured. Removing the outlier that was 2014, Nolasco has thrown to the tune of a 4.33 ERA and 7.0 K/9 since 2010. He is a quality pitcher, and if the Twins can get him to return to his previous National League form in 2015, he sets up as a very solid middle of the rotation option.

Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

In the fourth spot, the Twins send out a guy that should take some big steps forward this season. Now fully acclimated to the major league level, look for Kyle Gibson to settle into the role. He’ll be 27 in 2015, and have plenty of experience on his side. His FIP of 3.80 was considerably better than his 4.47 ERA a season ago, and lowering his BB/9 total to 2.9 was a step forward as well. Gibson is never going to strike a ton of batters out, but expecting a breakout season from the former first round pick is entirely logical.

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tommy Milone (49) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Rounding out the rotation in the fifth starter spot is Tommy Milone. After scooping Sam Fuld up off of waivers, and then dealing him back to the Athletics for Milone last season, Terry Ryan got a quality starter in return. Milone was hurt down the stretch last year as well, but his 3.98 career ERA is more the good enough to play in Target Field. Not a big strikeout guy, Milone has just a 6.5 K/9 ratio, the Twins will look for Milone to keep them in games rather than win them on his own.

There you have it, our projected 2015 Minnesota Twins starting rotation looks like this:

  1. Phil Hughes
  2. Ervin Santana
  3. Ricky Nolasco
  4. Kyle Gibson
  5. Tommy Milone

That leaves Trevor May, Alex Meyer, and Mike Pelfrey out in the cold of sorts. Remember, the Twins allowed Anthony Swarzak to walk this offseason, so there is already a need for long relief help out of the bullpen. I think one of either Meyer or May start the season in the Rochester rotation, with long relief being filled by offseason acquisition Tim Stauffer. Pelfrey may have to prove he can be effective in short bursts, something having a fastball that doesn’t miss a lot of bats may struggle with.

Looking at that one through five, the Twins may not rival some other clubs that went out and got sure fire Cy Young types, but the rotation looks respectable on paper, and should be more than a good start for the 2015 Minnesota Twins.

Next: Positional Battles: Who's Fighting For The Twins Rotation?

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