Bailey Ober, SP
Most guys are trying to use Spring Training to prove that they deserve a roster spot, but Bailey Ober is simply solidifying his place as a potential breakout candidate this season.
Ober took the leap last year to become part of the Twins starting rotation and has latched on as the team's No. 3 starter behind Pablo López and Joe Ryan. He put in the most work since his rookie season and the results paid off, with Ober finishing the year posting a, 8-6 record an a 3.55 ERA that propelled him to starting the Game 1 of the ALDS in Houston.
That seems to just be the start of things to come.
Aside from the one mistake to Castellanos, Bailey Ober looked fantastic today:
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) March 2, 2024
3 IP, 7 K, 0 BB, 1 ER, 1 H.
Showcased a relatively new arsenal and recorded 11 whiffs. pic.twitter.com/Snnpxr5aIZ
So far this spring he's pitched just 4.1 innings but has struck out 10 batters and boasts a 1.150 WHIP alongside an opponent batting average of .176. Bryce Harper was singing his praises after facing him over the weekend, going as far as wishing the rest of the AL Central luck of Ober can keep adding some heat to his pitches.
It's a long season but Ober looking this good so early on is one of the most positive signs we've seen all spring. The biggest thing the Twins needed to do this winter was replace Sonny Gray, which they failed to do externally. Saying Ober will step up and replace him is lofty, but he's on track to help take a chunk out of the production the team needs to make up and his upside is already looking insanely high.