Here's a simple assessment of the Twins' season thus far: the defense and bullpen have been horrendous, the offense forgot how to hit with runners in scoring position after the first 19 games, and the starting pitching has been very good. Unfortunately, Minnesota's outstanding starting pitching hasn't been enough to outweigh the team's negatives, as the Twins hold a poor 13-18 record. But we've talked enough about the bad parts of the Twins' 2026 team. Let's talk about the one major positive.
Twins' starting pitching has been outstanding in 2026
As of Thursday morning, the Twins' starting pitchers ranked ninth out of all 30 MLB teams in ERA (3.87), fourth in fWAR (3.3) and fifth in FIP (3.77). Here's how each of Minnesota's starting pitchers has fared this season:
RHP Joe Ryan — 3.76 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 25.2 K%, 5.8 BB% (38 1/3 IP, 7 GS)
Other than allowing five earned runs to the Kansas City Royals in unfavorable weather on April 1 and an uncharacteristically rough outing against the New York Mets on April 23, Ryan has allowed two runs or fewer in every other start this year. Unless the Twins make an unexpected turnaround, there's a good shot the team trades Ryan, who is under team control through next season, this summer.
RHP Taj Bradley — 2.85 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 25.3 K%, 8.6 BB% (41 IP, 7 GS)
Bradley has clearly been the Twins' best starter this year. Other than his rough April 24 outing against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he surrendered six earned runs and four homers, Bradley has allowed two runs or fewer in every other start this season. The Twins appear to be the early winners of the trade that got them Bradley for Griffin Jax, who has a 6.35 ERA over 11 1/3 innings with the Rays this year.
RHP Bailey Ober — 3.94 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 20.3 K%, 8.3 BB% (32 IP, 6 GS)
Ober's fastball has suffered a significant drop in velocity, averaging 91.7 mph in 2024, 90.3 mph in 2025 and 88.7 mph in 2026. He had the worst season of his career last season (5.10 ERA, 146 1/3 IP), but has pitched well this year despite his lowered velocity.
RHP Mick Abel (currently on 15-day IL) — 3.98 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 24.7 K%, 10.8 BB% (20 1/3 IP, 4 G, 3 GS)
Abel struggled in his first two starts of the year before hurling 13 scoreless innings across his last two outings. Unfortunately, he landed on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation on April 20. Luckily, the injury doesn't appear to be too serious.
Mick Abel played catch again today and feels good and isn't experiencing any discomfort. The next step is a bullpen in the coming days. If that continues to go well, potentially a rehab assignment. #MNTwins
— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) April 28, 2026
LHP Connor Prielipp — 4.00 ERA, 1.67 FIP, 30.6 K%, 8.3 BB% (9 IP, 2 GS)
Prielipp, the Twins' consensus top pitching prospect, took Abel's spot in Minnesota's rotation when the former Phillie landed on the IL. The Twins have kept Prielipp on a limited pitch count due to his injury history. In his first MLB outing against the Mets, the lefty allowed two runs in four innings on 82 pitches. He threw 84 pitches in his second start against the Seattle Mariners, allowing two runs in five innings. He's surrendered just five hits and three walks in the majors thus far.
RHP Simeon Woods Richardson — 6.30 ERA, 6.02 FIP, 15.4 K%, 9.6 BB% (30 IP, 6 GS)
Woods Richardson is the only Twins starting pitcher who is clearly struggling this season. He's never been able to strike out batters at an elite rate, but he had decent results the last two seasons for a No. 5 starter, posting a 4.11 ERA over 245 innings. His history suggests his stats will improve. Still, once Abel returns from the IL, Minnesota may move Woods Richardson, who is out of minor-league options, to the bullpen.
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