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Minnesota Twins: 3 Ways to Fix the Starting Rotation in 2021

By Otto Johnson

Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins takes the ball from Matt Shoemaker during the fourth inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins takes the ball from Matt Shoemaker during the fourth inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Twins staring pitcher Lewis Thorpe delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Los Angeles at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Rotation Solution No. 2: Call up Lewis Thorpe Permanently

If Kenta gets his control out of the way, then that leaves just one spot in turmoil: Matt Shoemaker’s spot. Shoemaker has been a disaster since signing a one year, $2 million contract in the offseason, posting a 6.43 ERA and a 6.17 FIP with a career-low 6.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

At this point, it may be time to move on and cut losses. Designating Shoemaker for assignment is not a huge loss either, as he hasn’t been a very successful pitcher recently. Shoemaker has had a brutal past five years, only allowing an ERA below 4.50 once in that span.

The Twins can immediately make the situation better by calling up Lewis Thorpe permanently as the fifth starter. While he may not be the best pitcher available long-term, calling him up would be a great way to see if the changes he’s made will stick.

Through his first three appearances this year, Thorpe has a 4.50 ERA and 2.70 FIP, suggesting that with better defense, his ERA would be even better. His strikeout numbers are low, but his walks/nine innings rate of 1.8 would be one of the best on the team.

The Twins need to see what they have in Thorpe, and having a second left-handed starter in the rotation would be great. The former No. 13 prospect in the system last year, Thorpe had a brutal 2020. Calling him up could give him the ability to prove that he can be the starter the Twins had envisioned him to be, and he can only do that if he takes Shoemaker’s spot.

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