The Minnesota Twins’ lack of pitching depth was one of the reasons their 2024 season fell apart. But according to MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park, David Festa could be one prospect that can be part of the solution in 2025.
Park was part of a piece by all 30 MLB.com writers predicting a breakout candidate for each team in 2025. While Park already predicted a big year for top prospect Walker Jenkins earlier this week, he focused on Festa, who had an impressive major league debut with the Twins last season.
“His rookie season numbers didn’t tell the full story of the youngster with the big stuff who did everything the Twins want from a young pitcher: miss bats, don’t give away too many free bases, keep the ball in the ballpark,” Park wrote. “They were thrilled with their first look – and as Festa’s body develops and he gains more MLB experience, watch out.”
David Festa’s 2024 season could lead to a breakout for Minnesota Twins in 2025
A 13th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Festa popped on the radar with an appearance in the MLB Futures Game in 2023. While he didn’t make any top 100 prospect lists going into the season, he went 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 26 walks in 60.1 innings at Triple-A St. Paul before making his major league debut in June.
The call-up was part necessity as the Twins struggled with injuries on the back end of their rotation and Festa dragged through two starts, allowing 12 runs and four homers in 10 innings. But Festa looked like a different pitcher when he was recalled on July 24, posting a 3.81 ERA while striking out 69 batters and walking 22 over his final 54.1 innings.
Statcast was also kind to Festa in his rookie season as he logged a 31.7 percent chase rate (82nd percentile), a 28.4 percent whiff percentage (73rd percentile) and a 27.8 strikeout rate (82nd percentile) according to Baseball Savant.
The rookie success precedes a big opportunity for Festa in 2025. While Festa will compete with Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews and Louie Varland for a spot on the back end of the rotation, he could also become a lock if the Twins trade Chris Paddack or Pablo López before Opening Day.
If Festa can build off his rookie year, it will be a great development for the Twins and give them a breakout player for the 2025 season.