2015 Twins: Who Paces The Strikeouts?

The Minnesota Twins have retooled their starting rotation heading into the 2015 season. With a handful of quality options, they will have a strong competition for the fifth starting spot for the first time in a few seasons. With pitchers capable of getting batters out, strikeouts should also rise this season. The question is, who paces the club?

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Last season the Twins saw only three pitchers total more than 100 strikeouts, and that number should be almost guaranteed to rise this season. Considering the quality and the pitchers added into the equation, Minnesota will have more than the stereotypical “pitch to contact” types to put on the mound.

Looking up and down the rotation, there are no options incapable of striking batters out, and that’s something that should benefit the Twins defense. Here is who we see leading the club.

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

5. Kyle Gibson

In 2014, Gibson owned a pedestrian 5.4 K/9 ratio. Not only is that mark relatively low, but he only totaled 107 strikeouts across just under 180 innings. Now another year removed from Tommy John surgery, the expectation should be that Gibson takes another step forward.

Likely slated to pitch out of the fourth spot in the rotation, Gibson should be able to find a more comfortable grove. With plenty of other storylines in the rotation around him, he no longer has the pressure of being the highly touted prospect. Look for Gibson to settle in and make 2015 a year in which he takes considerable steps forward.

While Kyle Gibson is never going to be a guy that mows batters down, he should improve upon his mark of a year ago. Expect a K/9 closer to 6.0 and a total somewhere near 120 strikeouts.

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Alex Meyer against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. Alex Meyer

Admittedly, Meyer is somewhat of a difficult case to predict. Assuming he doesn’t make the starting rotation out of Spring Training, he will likely be starting in Triple-A. Regardless of how the season starts, Meyer should break into the rotation by June, and that could come at the expense of Tommy Milone or Trevor May.

Although he hasn’t yet pitched at the major league level, Meyer is still considered a top-notch prospect with front of the rotation potential. Last season Meyer posted a 10.6 K/9 at Triple-A Rochester, and he struck out 153 batters over 130 innings pitched. The innings total should go up this season, and the K/9 mark is actually low based upon his career numbers.

With that in mind, Meyer will have his time in the major leagues shortened by the amount of time he is held down at Triple-A. He should have plenty of ability to strike batters out at the major league level, and reducing walks while improving command with only help his case. Expect Meyer to see a small dip in his K/9 facing major league hitters, but to total around 130 strikeouts this season for the Twins.

Sep 13, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (45) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning in game one of a doubleheader at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3. Phil Hughes

In 2014, it was Phil Hughes that became the Twins golden nugget in free agency, and it was Hughes who ended up being the ace of the staff. Behind a record-breaking season, Hughes looked every bit the part of a Cy Young candidate. While the expectation shouldn’t be that he would replicate that performance, continued success should be a realistic possibility.

Last season, in his first with the Twins, Hughes owned an 8.0 K/9 while striking out 186 batters. Both marks ranked amongst the best in his career, and helped to back an incredible 0.7 BB/9. In 2015, there is next to no doubt that Hughes will walk batters at a higher clip, if for no other reason that replication doesn’t seem possible.

Despite that, Hughes should continue to be one of the best strikeout pitchers on the Twins staff. While a small step back will likely take place, the Twins should be able to count on Hughes for around 160 strikeouts 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

2. Ervin Santana

Signed to the largest free agent deal in Twins history, Minnesota immediately bolstered their rotation with the addition of Santana this offseason. After pitching well for the Atlanta Braves on a one-year contract, Santana got the multi-year deal he was looking for.

In 2014, Santana owned the second best K/9 mark of his career at 8.2. He struck out 179 batters, and was a reliable workhorse for the Braves. Pitching in the AL Central with the Royals during 2013, Santana struck out 161 batters to the tune of a 6.9 K/9. While National League hitters provided a better opportunity for strikeouts, Santana returns to the AL Central now familiar with the division.

Expecting an increase on the second highest strikeout total of his career probably isn’t going to happen. Regardless, Santana should surpass the 200 inning plateau, and will likely compile around 170 strikeouts with a K/9 landing somewhere in the mid-to-low 7’s.