Minnesota Twins Recall Glen Perkins for an Emotional Return
The Minnesota Twins recalled lefty Glen Perkins, returning the former Gopher to the pro squad
The Minnesota Twins recalled former closer Glen Perkins to the Twins on Thursday night, allowing him to make his first appearance for the Twins since April 10th, 2016.
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Perkins ascent and career
Glen Perkins is a Minnesotan through and through. He was born in St. Paul, went to high school in Stillwater, went to college at the University of Minnesota, and then he was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2004 draft.
Perkins worked his way all the way to the major leagues as a starting pitcher, putting up some very impressive stats along the way and finding himself ranked as a top prospect in 2006 and 2007, reaching as high as the #66 prospect in Baseball America’s rankings before the 2007 season. He struggled through injury in 2007 before making 19 relief appearances with the Twins, showing very well in the role.
After just a handful of starts in 2008 in AAA Rochester, he moved up to Minnesota and spent the season as a starter, posting a 4.41 ERA over 26 major league starts. He struggled through the next two seasons as a starter before converting full time to relief in 2011 and immediately finding success. By the end of 2012, he’d taken over as the Minnesota Twins closer a role he held through 2015.
Perkins made three All-Star games with the Twins (2013, 2014, 2015), saving 120 games for the Twins before shoulder issues forced him off the mound in early 2016. Extremely distraught, he penned this tweet:
— Glen Perkins (@glenperkins) June 22, 2016
It wasn’t the spring, but he has accomplished making it back to Target Field, and good on him for it!
Next: Twins offseason free agent plen
This was Perkins’ response to his recall. It’s certainly easy to love a player that obviously loves the opportunity to play this game and for your favorite squad!