![Connor Prielipp delivers a pitch as the Crimson Tide played Harvard Crimson in the first game of the weekend series Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Sewell-Thomas Stadium. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Alabama Vs Harvard](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2581,h_1451/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/2/01kgasta36gn0yj6pabt.jpg "Connor Prielipp delivers a pitch as the Crimson Tide played Harvard Crimson in the first game of the weekend series Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Sewell-Thomas Stadium. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Alabama Vs Harvard")
The Minnesota Twins will kick-off 2026 spring training at their home facility, Hammond Stadium, against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday, February 20. Their first game against an MLB opponent will be the following day, also at home, against the Boston Red Sox.
Including their matchup against the Minnesota Gophers and a game against Team Puerto Rico, the Twins' 2026 spring training schedule consists of 32 total games, 17 slated to take place at Hammond Stadium. The Twins' 2026 MLB spring training opponents will be the Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.
With spring training rapidly approaching, let's take a look at a potential breakout pitching prospect we can't wait to see compete in Florida.
Fans can't wait to watch lefty pitching prospect Connor Prielipp at Twins spring training
It's possible the Twins may convert Prielipp to a bullpen role since Minnesota's starting rotation is pretty full at the moment. The rotation includes Joe Ryan, Pablo López and Bailey Ober. The final two spots will likely be given to two of the following pitchers: Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, Taj Bradley or Mick Abel. Some of these guys could move to the bullpen as well.
However, the Twins may not be ready to give up on Prielipp as a starter just yet, especially since Ryan, López and Ober may be on the trade block this summer if the Twins aren't as good as they hope, which is very likely. Regardless of what the Twins' plans are for Prielipp, it'll be interesting to watch what role he plays in spring training.
Prielipp, the Twins' 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, accumulated the most innings (82 2/3) of his professional career last season. A second-round pick out of the University of Alabama in 2022, Prielipp pitched just 28 innings in college due to injuries. He has also dealt with injuries with the Twins, and the organization has been cautious with the young pitcher, ensuring he doesn't pitch too many innings.
Prielipp, who throws a mid-90s fastball along with a slider and changeup, began the 2025 season with Double-A Wichita, posting a 3.65 ERA (3.31 FIP) with a 27% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate in 61 2/3 innings across 19 starts before earning a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul on August 16. In five outings (four starts) with the Saints, Prielipp allowed 12 earned runs on 20 hits and 13 walks over 21 innings. ESPN has the lefty ranked as the 54th-best prospect in baseball.