Simeon Woods Richardson had a perfect reaction after 6-3 win over White Sox

Perhaps the third time was the charm for Simeon Woods Richardson.

He had made two appearances for the Minnesota Twins over the last two seasons, but things were starting to look grim for the former top prospect. He was fine in 2022 in a start against, but allowed three runs on three hits in a loss to Detroit. Things went off the rails for him in 2023, when he was lit up by the Nationals for five runs on seven hits in less five innings of work.

Woods Richardson also struggled out of the gate this season down in St. Paul, posting a 7.56 ERA before getting called up to pitch the second game of a doubleheader last week.

His third trip back to the 26-man roster has heads turning and smiles forming all over Twins Territory. Woods Richardson dominated the Tigers and followed that performance up with another great outing against the White Sox on Thursday.

It wasn't the prettiest of starts, but Woods Richardson showed the type of stuff that the Twins have been hoping he would. He pitched five inning and allowed two runs, but he also struck out six batters and now owns a 1.000 WHIP alongside a 2.45 ERA.

Simeon Woods Richardson had perfect reaction to another solid start for Twins

Minnesota took the lead over Chicago after Woods Richardson had exited the game, so he didn't get the win but he did show enough to warrant another start in the rotation. It seems that he's now on track to firmly settle into that No. 4 starter role as Louie Varland's replacement, something that is not lost on him in terms of how important this opportunity is and how cathartic his success feels.

After the win, Woods Richardson talked about what it meant for him to finally be getting a shot at becoming part of the Twins rotation and thriving under the bright lights.

"Long time coming. A lot of blood, sweat and tears over the years. But yeah, it’s actually a sense of humbleness, one; thankfulness; gratitude. But now I get back to work," Woods Richardson said.

Woods Richardson was the second of two top prospcts the Twins acquired from Toronto as part of the Jose Berrios trade back in 2021. Austin Martin was the other player, and now Minnesota is reapig the benefits of that deal in ways that are worth the wait.

He still has some work to do, but Woods Richardson seems to be on the right path. Just like last year, when the Twins called up Royce Lewis and Edouard Julien, this could be the watershed moment for SWR in which he officially takes his place as a key piece of Minnesota's future.

His next start is lined up to be against the White Sox again next week, and if he can make it three solid performances in a row then there's no question his place in the rotation is secured.

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