Minnesota Twins: 5 best starting rotations of all-time
The Minnesota Twins have been on a mission to upgrade their 2018 starting rotation. As they do so let’s look at the best Twins starting rotations all-time.
The Minnesota Twins have a history that is filled with plenty of successes, headlined by World Series victories in 1987 and 1991. Of course, there are plenty of seasons we would like to forget as well. Here is the next installment of a series where we have been going through the top five of different position groups through Twins history. So far we have covered the outfield, middle infields, corner infields, and catching groups. Next up is the best starting rotations of all-time.
When we look at the past several seasons, “great” and “starting rotation” are not words we are used to putting together. That has in fact been the biggest focus of this past offseason as fans have awaited additions to the Twins starting rotation. 2018’s rotation still may not be a lock to make a list like this, but with the trade for Jake Odorizzi, it is moving in the right direction.
In 2017 the Twins rotation was led by Ervin Santana and the emerging Jose Berrios. While there are continued questions surrounding the ability of Santana to maintain the performances he has had for the Twins, he has continued to be a valuable pitcher for the Twins. In 2017 he pitched 211.1 innings, held a 3.28 ERA, and led the league in complete games (5) and shutouts (3).
Berrios started to show the type of starting pitcher the Twins have been hoping he would develop into in 2017. His second start on May 18th against the Colorado Rockies was a glimpse of who we hope Berrios continues to develop into as he pitched 7.2 innings and struck out 11 batters while allowing no runs. Over the course of the whole season, Berrios pitched 145.2 innings, a 3.89 ERA, and an 8.6 K/9.
There was quite a drop off in the rotation after that. Kyle Gibson was the next pitcher in line. The start of his season was rough, but in the second half, he seemed to find his form. In the second half, Gibson’s ERA dropped from 6.31 in the first half to 3.76 and his K/9 increased from 5.6 to 8.2. The next regular piece of the rotation was Bartolo Colon who signed with the Twins mid-season after being released by the Atlanta Braves. Colon’s numbers weren’t anything great, but his 5.18 ERA did bring some stability to the Twins rotation.
Those were the regular members of the rotation as the fifth position was a rotation of several different pitchers. If you have been following along with this series you already know that WAR has been a big part of determining the best of each position group. Looking at those 4 starters the Twins rotation had a combined WAR of about 6.6 with Santana leading the way with 4.2 WAR.
As we look through Twins history we will certainly find much better performances than that. Without further delay let’s look at number 5.
No. 4-2005 Starting Rotation
The success level was much different for the 2005 team when compared to the last Twins team we took a look at. In 2005 the Twins went 83-79 to finish third in the American League Central. Even if the team wasn’t able to make the playoffs, this Twins team had plenty of contribution from their rotation to reach those 83 wins.
That rotation’s success all started with its ace, Johan Santana. Looking back over Santana’s career it is incredible what he was able to do over the course of it and 2005 was no different. Santana threw 231.2 innings of baseball and maintained a 2.87 ERA as well as he led the league with a 9.2 K/9. 2005 also marked the first of four seasons in which Santana would be selected for the All-Star team.
Following Santana was Brad Radke who also topped 200 innings pitched 200.2 innings. In 31 starts, Radke went 9-12 with a 4.04 ERA. What was a bit of a surprise was the success that the Twins were able to get out of right-hander Carlos Silva. Silva was known to be able to induce ground balls and used that approach in 2005 to have one of his more successful seasons. He logged 188.1 innings, had a 3.44 ERA, while going 9-8.
The rotation was rounded out by Kyle Lohse who logged 178.2 innings to a 4.18 ERA. Joe Mays filled the fifth and final rotation spot as he pitched 156 innings and a 5.65 ERA. Due to the lack of success from the Twins as a whole, this group doesn’t look too impressive but as we start to look at their WAR the story changes.
Santana led the way as he registered a 7.2 WAR. That stands as his career third best WAR in a season and is tied for seventh in Twins history. The next three guys came in at Radke 2.8 WAR, Silva 3.5 WAR, and Lohse 2.5 WAR. Those four pitchers combine to have a 16.0 WAR for the 2005 season. Placing them here at number four on our all-time list.
No. 3- 1998 Starting Rotation
Putting together this series has proved again and again that baseball is truly a team game. So many times a really good position group has emerged out of some very bad seasons and this 1998 rotation is another one. Right in the middle of some bad seasons for the Twins, this team went 70-92 and finished 4th in the American League Central.
Making an appearance on this list again is a younger Brad Radke. In 1998 Radke pitched 213.2 innings which included 5 complete games and an ERA of 4.30. Two more encouraging numbers of Radke’s season was a 111 ERA+ and 3.90 FIP. Both suggested that Radke may have actually pitched a little better than his results often indicated.
Next was starter, yes starter, LaTroy Hawkins. During the 1998 season, Hawkins made 33 starts for the Twins and logged 190.1 innings and held a 5.25 ERA. As we will be able to see later WAR treated Hawkins pretty well, but we can begin to see why he eventually would find his home in the bullpen.
Rookie Eric Milton added 172.1 innings of his own but also showcased an ERA above 5 as it came in at 5.64 on the season. Milton did pitch one complete on May 3rd in a 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The 4th starter seems to have a name that unveils fond memories of announcers of different types introducing him, Bob Tewksbury. Tewksbury pitched 148.1 innings and an ERA of 4.79.
Lastly was veteran Mike Morgan who spent half of the season with the Twins before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. That player ended up becoming Scott Downs. Morgan logged 98.0 innings for the Twins and a 3.49 ERA. It was pretty clear why he drew some attention at the trade deadline with his experience and good numbers in 1998.
This rotation put together a combined 16.4 WAR. Radke led the way with his 5.3 WAR and the rest were Hawkins 2.1 WAR, Milton 2.0 WAR, Tewksbury 3.3 WAR, Morgan 3.7 WAR (this is probably cheating a little since Morgan’s WAR would be for his full season of work). That brings this group to third on our list.