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Minnesota Twins: 3 Up, 3 Down for week of 5/27-6/2

By Chris Schad

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JUNE 02: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 02, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JUNE 02: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 02, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 05: Zach Littell #52 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of game two of a doubleheader on June 5, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 05: Zach Littell #52 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of game two of a doubleheader on June 5, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

DOWN: Zack Littell

While a piece from one Twins trade had a strong showing last week, a key piece from another deal didn’t have the same luck. Zack Littell was acquired in the Jaime Garcia trade back in the summer of 2017 and despite a 4.19 ERA at Triple-A Rochester, the Twins gave him his second cup of coffee when they designated Austin Adams for assignment on May 24.

Littell got his chance to prove his value in the Twins bullpen in the opener against the Rays on May 31, but things didn’t go so well for the 23-year old. Littell was roughed up as Tampa Bay struck for eight runs in 6.1 innings on the way to a 14-3 victory in the series opener.

Littell has shown promise in the minor leagues including his 2017 season in which he went 19-1 with a 2.12 ERA in the New York Yankees farm system. Those numbers haven’t translated over to Minnesota where Littell has now given up 25 runs in 26.2 innings and it is now believed that his future is more in the bullpen than as a starter.

On the heels of the disappointing performance, the Twins optioned Littell back to Rochester prior to Sunday’s series finale with the Rays in order to make room for the returning Mitch Garver. Despite the demotion, Littell still has plenty of time to figure things out and may make an impact for the big club down the road.

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