Twins Excited About Ricky Nolasco’s 2015
A season ago, the Minnesota Twins signed both Phil Hughes and Ricky Nolasco to offseason contracts. It was Hughes that went on to have a record breaking season, and well, Nolasco struggled through much of the year. Now, poised to bounce back from an injury riddled season, Ricky Nolasco has plenty of fans in his corner. Count Opening Day starter Phil Hughes amongst those in his corner.
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While the storyline of the offseason may be that the Twins went out and signed Ervin Santana, securing another solid arm for the rotation, there should be no overlooking the Twins previous highest free agent contract. While Nolasco looked poor in nearly every outing a season ago, there was no doubt he was fighting off injuries for much of the campaign. With pressure removed due to a better staff as a whole, 2015 should be a fresh start for the former Marlins ace.
Mike Bernardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press caught up with Hughes after throwing a bullpen with Nolasco, and the reviews seemed to be glowing.
Phil Hughes raved about Ricky Nolasco's 2-seamer after their simultaneous pen session: "One of the best sinkers I’ve seen."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 23, 2015
Hughes on @RNolasco47 's pen: "That was encouraging to see. I think he’s really going to have a bounce-back year." #MNTwins
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 23, 2015
Hughes seems to mimic the same notions we have been suggesting here at Puckett’s Pond for much of the offseason. While it’s great that the Twins went out and signed Santana, they get another quality arm in 2015 considering Ricky Nolasco’s bounce back potential. If he can return to his normal form, the Twins should find themselves in a very solid spot when it comes to the talent in the rotation as a whole.
At this point, Ricky Nolasco is never going to be a top-tier starter in the American League, but expecting him to be better than average is a very real possibility. For a guy who projects as the Twins third starter, that’s something for the club to hang their hat on.
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