Minnesota Twins Spring Training Countdown: 15, Glen Perkins

The Minnesota Twins are just 15 days away from spring training. As we celebrate the end of the blustery temps and the return of the game we love, let’s look at team history surrounding that number.

The Minnesota Twins are preparing for a 2018 season with expectations after making the playoffs in 2017 as a Wild Card. We will have bring out numbers from team history that represent the number of days until spring training from now until pitchers and catchers report on February 13th.

The Minnesota Twins have celebrated local talent with late draft picks and offered Minnesota players the ability to play in front of their home crowd. One just retired recently, former #15, Glen Perkins.

Perkins Twins career

A Stillwater High School graduate, Perkins went to the University of Minnesota, where he was a standout for the Gophers. He was taken in the first round of the 2004 draft with the 22nd overall pick by the Twins.

Perkins moved quickly through the minor leagues and was up to the big leagues for a cup of coffee. He returned for another cup in 2007.

Perkins spent most of 2008 as a starter with the Twins, making 26 starts with a 4.41 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 151 innings with a 39/74 BB/K ratio. His number collapsed in 2009 as a starter, pitching to a 5.89 ERA over 96 1/3 innings. After continued struggles in AAA in 2010 as a starter, Perkins was moved to the bullpen.

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He stuck in that role immediately, winning a job opening day in the Twins bullpen in 2011, making 65 appearances, with a 2.48 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 61 2/3 innings, posting a 21/65 BB/K ratio.

Perkins took over the closer role in mid-2012, and he had an impressive run as the closer through 2015. In those four seasons, Perkins saved 118 games, throwing 251 2/3 innings with a 2.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 52/275 BB/K ratio.

Perkins ended his 2015 season early due to injury, and that cost him nearly all of 2016 and 2017. Combined, he threw just 7 2/3 innings in 2016-2017, and there were few more upset about that than Perkins himself.

Perkins released a letter in 2016 when he had to have season-ended surgery that was an incredible example of the type of player he was during his Twins tenure:

His presence in the community is still felt through a number of charities that he and his wife champion and will continue to work with in Glen’s retirement.

Next: Who next goes into the Twins team HOF?

For 15 days to spring training, we remember the Minnesota Twins recently-retired hometown hero, Glen Perkins!

Come soon, spring!!