Following their 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday afternoon at Cool Today Field, the Twins announced that four pitchers had been assigned to minor-league spring training.
The Twins announced on Monday afternoon that lefty Brent Headrick and righties Matt Canterino and Simeon Woods Richardson had been optioned to St. Paul. In addition, right-hander David Festa was transferred to the Twins’ minor league camp.
Certainly, there were no shocks among the players sent down. With Opening Day little over three weeks away for both the Twins and the Saints, their starting pitchers should begin stretching. All four pitchers sent back to minor-league camp are slated to start the season in the Saints’ starting rotation.
Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Chris Paddack appear to have secured four of the Twins’ starting pitcher positions. Anthony DeSclafani and Louie Varland may be competing for the fifth starting spot, which the Twins may not need for the first few trips through the rotation due to early-season off days.
Varland is expected to start the season in St. Paul before being brought up when a starter is needed. Varland, Headrick, Woods Richardson, and Festa should be the Saints’ four starters. Randy Dobnak, who was relocated last week, should be a regular starter in St. Paul, as will a couple of veterans, including Caleb Boushley.
Festa, Twins Daily’s fifth-best prospect entering into the season, appeared in just one inning for the Twins during spring. The hard-throwing right-hander has a great three-pitch mix, but he needs to prepare for the season.
Brent Headrick pitched in three games this spring. He allowed only two runs in 6 1/3 innings (2.84 ERA), with both coming in the second inning of today’s game.
Canterino has as excellent stuff as anyone in the organization, but he hasn’t pitched much since the Twins selected him in the second round from Rice in 2019. In his two appearances, he allowed one run on three hits over three innings. He recorded five strikeouts.
Simeon Woods Richardson had a lot to prove heading into spring training, and I believe he opened some eyes. He pitched five innings, allowing 0 runs on one hit. He walked twice and struck out three hitters. More importantly, he was constantly driving between 92 and 94 mph. It was a target this offseason because he was reaching speeds of around 90 mph late last season. With a strong second half in St. Paul last year, as well as some new techniques and an improved fastball, he has re-established himself.
In addition to being the St. Paul Saints’ starting rotation, they will provide depth to the Twins pitching staff in 2024. If Varland opens the season in St. Paul, he’ll likely be the sixth starter. But once the season begins, each of them will have to struggle to prepare for the call.
Following Monday’s transactions, the Twins currently have 46 players in spring training camp. Of those, ten are non-roster players. They have 22 pitchers (4 non-roster), five catchers (2 non-roster), ten infielders (3 non-roster), seven outfielders (0 non-roster), and two utility players (1). Josh Winder is also on the 60-Day Injured List.
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