Ranking the Minnesota Twins starting rotation

#2 – Jake Odorizzi

Looking at the numbers, it’s easy to argue that Jake Odorizzi is the best overall pitcher the Minnesota Twins currently have. I’m giving him the number two spot simply because Berrios isn’t far off and has better numbers for an extended period of time. After all, baseball is a marathon, not a sprint.

His numbers on the year are truly outstanding. In 14 games, Jake has a 2.24 ERA and 85 strikeouts through 76.1 innings pitched. Anytime a pitcher is averaging at least a strikeout per inning, it’s safe to say they’re probably having a fairly successful season (in most cases). Jake has only averaged over one strikeout per inning once in his big league career back in 2014 with Tampa Bay when he had 174 strikeouts in 168 innings pitched.

He has been known as a bit of a fly ball or pitch-to-contact type of pitcher but has been terrific in all facets of the game so far this year. His 10-2 record on the season has boosted his total win/loss record to 57-50 for his career. His last outing against Kansas City was one of the more brutal outings for Jake this year. Even with that, Jake only gave up 4 earned runs and was still able to strikeout 7 batters.

If not for the game against the Phillies where Jake went 2/3 of an inning and gave up 4 earned-runs, his numbers would be even better. Being only 29 years old, Jake is proving that he still has much more to offer the game. Being rather skeptical about the trade for Odorizzi much of last year, I’m certainly glad he’s proving me wrong.