When the Minnesota Twins allowed Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda to walk this offseason, the thought was that they would replace one, maybe even both. Acquisitions didn’t come for either, thanks to a Pohlad imposed $35 million cut to player payroll.
That has made life difficult on Rocco Baldelli, and his ability to navigate through a nine-inning baseball game this summer, because it’s made the starting rotation more inconsistent, which in turn has put a lot more stress on a very shaky bullpen.
Given all of the young pitching talent within the Twins organization, this looks to be a short-term problem. Two rookie starters, who debuted in the second half of the MLB season, have caught the eye of The Athletic’s Eno Sarris , who tabbed both David Festa and Zebby Matthews as two young MLB starters who are ‘set up for long term success’.
No. 6 Overall Minnesota Twins Prospect: (RHP) David Festa – 24 y/o
There was hype surrounding David Festa before the 2024 Minnesota Twins season began. He was among the highest-rated pitching prospects in the system. There wasn’t a gauge on when he’d be ready, but a good bet was that it would happen this season. touched on Festa’s development and a belief that the Slim Reaper will stick.
“Take out those two starts [first two] and he’s got 24 strikeouts against six walks in 18 1/3 innings and a 2.45 ERA, which lines up with a strong three-pitch mix and command…He got good marks for his command from scouts, only really ever saw a bad walk rate against the automated balls and strikes system in Triple A, and passes the eye test when it comes to command. He looks like he has everything he needs to succeed. “
Eno Sarris on what David Festa brings to the Minnesota Twins (The Athletic)
Related: Twins May Have Another Stud Pitching Prospect Up Their Sleeve Still
Even with the clunkers included, Festa owns an impressive 39/9 K/BB across his first 32 2/3 major league innings. Seven home runs during that span tells us he’s been prone to the long ball, but that can be fixed. For a 24-year-old, just getting his feet wet, it’s been an impressive rookie start.
No. 5 Overall Twins Prospect: (RHP) Zebby Matthews – 24 y/o
Zebby Matthews didn’t have the same prospect pedigree as Festa did coming into the year. Now though, you absolutely know his name. A former 8th round pick, Matthews earned his way to the big leagues in metoric fashion. He strikes out plenty and doesn’t give up walks. Pretty much like a minor league pitching machine that you don’t want to hit against. Sarris doesn’t see him as a fluke either.
“In his first two starts, the young Twin has shown good command of that 91 mph cutter and the 86 mph power slider, so maybe it’ll work. He comes with excellent minor-league walk and strikeout numbers too. Festa is probably a surer thing, but these two are a win for Twins player development.”
Eno Sarris on Zebby Matthews sticking for the Minnesota Twins (The Athletic)
It’s fair that Sarris sees Matthews having a bit more of an uphill battle to make it work. He doesn’t get the same extension that Festa experiences, and the movement on his fastball isn’t drastic.
Related: MLB Pipeline Ranks the Minnesota Twins How High After Recent Update?!
Matthews has understood where his limitations lie, however, and has crafted himself into a package that works. This sort of development for the Twins, especially of late round picks, is a massive boost to the organization as a whole.
More must-reads:
Local Minneapolis, MN
Most Popular
Comments / 0