Minnesota Twins replace Chris Paddack with young minor league pitcher

The Twins have promoted a minor league pitcher to take Paddack's roster spot.
Wichita Wind Surge v Amarillo Sod Poodles
Wichita Wind Surge v Amarillo Sod Poodles | John E. Moore III/GettyImages

Right-handed pitcher Pierson Ohl to join Twins for Tuesday’s game against Red Sox in place of Chris Paddack, according to Zone Coverage's Theodore Tollefson

Ohl, who the Twins selected in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, has yet to make his MLB debut. He has a 2.17 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 66 ⅓ innings across three levels this season.

Ohl, 25, primarily pitches as a long reliever out of the bullpen, but made two starts with Double-A Wichita and three with Triple-A St. Paul this season. He hurled four innings in each of his starts. Out of the bullpen, Ohl typically throws 2-4 innings.

Ohl relies heavily on a four-seam fastball and changeup mix. His fastball ranges from 91-93 mph while his changeup sits in the low 80s. He also occasionally throws a cutter, and can throw a curveball, slider and sinker. 

The Twins’ newest addition to the 26-man roster does not collect a ton of strikeouts, but can command the zone and limit free passes. Since being drafted out of Grand Canyon University in 2021, Ohl has managed a solid 3.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 366 strikeouts and 57 walks in 389 innings.

The Twins will most likely utilize Ohl in the same way they used Travis Adams. The Twins were planning on starting Paddack, whom they traded to the Detroit Tigers along with Randy Dobnak on Monday, on Tuesday.

The most likely plan the Twins will follow on Tuesday, based on how Rocco Baldelli has managed similar circumstances in the past, is using an opener before handing the ball over to Ohl, who can eat up to four innings if all goes to plan.

Minnesota Twins aim to win series against Boston Red Sox

Game 2 of the Twins’ three-game set against the Red Sox is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Righty Lucas Giolito is expected to make the start on the mound for Boston, and the Twins have yet to announce their starter, but are expected to utilize the bullpen for the entirety of the game.

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