Twins 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: An early look at how things might shake out
By Josh Hill
Twins Opening Day bullpen
Pitcher | Throws |
|---|---|
Griffin Jax | RHP |
Caleb Thielbar | LHP |
Steven Okert | LHP |
Justin Topa | RHP |
Josh Staumont | RHP |
Jay Jackson | RHP |
Brock Stewart | RHP |
Jhoan Duran | RHP |
The Twins have the league's best bullpen on paper, according to FanGraphs, but it's going to be a unit with a lot of new faces when Opening Day rolls around.
Jhoan Duran is still the closer and guys like Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar are familiar names but there was a lot more of an overhaul than it felt. Justin Topa is the shiniest new toy in Rocco Baldelli's chest, as he ended up being the most intriguing piece that came back to Minnesota in the Jorge Polanco trade.
Last year with Seattle Topa posted a 2.61 ERA, 2.93 xERA, 3.15 FIP, and 3.55 xFIP over 69 innings pitched. He very well could develop into the next-best reliever this side of Duran and is expected to eat up a ton of middle inning work this season. He's also throws sidearm, which isn't quantitative but is just a cool thing that adds to reasons he'll likely catch on as a fan favorite.
Steven Okert is a wild card, as he came over from the Miami Marlins in a one-for-one swap for Nick Gordon. He's out of options, like Gordon was, and didn't fit with Miami's bullpen plans but could add some value in Minnesota. He has a pretty solid sinker/slider combo and has a 3.70 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 194 career MLB innings. It's nothing special, but Okert likely starts the season on the 26-man roster and gets DFA'd if things don't work out.
Other new faces include Josh Staumont, a hard-throwing reliever from the Royals, and veteran journeyman Jay Jackson.