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Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Twins’ potential targets at the trade deadline

By Chris Schad

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 14: Jake Diekman #40 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning of the game on June 14, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 14: Jake Diekman #40 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning of the game on June 14, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

9. RP Jake Diekman (Kansas City Royals)

Jake Diekman is another option that Twins fans will probably say “No way,” to when taking a glance at his overall stats. The Royals right-hander has 5.06 ERA this season and a 0.7 HR/9 rate would give even the biggest iron stomachs indigestion as we head into August and September. However, a deeper diver reveals that Diekman could be the power arm the Twins need.

In 37 1/3 innings this season, Diekmann has picked up 54 punchouts which equates to a 13.0 K/9 rate. In addition, his stuff has been low-key filthy as FanGraphs has him at a 16.4% swinging strike rate with a 45.8% chase rate. The issue here has been his control as he’s allowed a staggering 5.3 walks per nine innings this season, which is something the current stable of Twins pitchers could provide if they’re interested in that sort of thing.

In any event, the Twins are going to need a couple of relievers if they really want to fix the bullpen. Unless they go all in and get one of the top guys on this list, they could do worse by adding the swing-and-miss stuff of Diekman.

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