The Twins have signed left-handed pitcher Caleb Baragar to a minor league contract. Minnesota’s Triple-A franchise in St. Paul has announced the transfer.
Baragar makes his return to affiliated baseball. The 30-year-old spent this year with the Lancaster Stormers of the independent Atlantic League. Baragar pitched 16 innings over three starts, giving seven runs (four earned) while striking out 18 and walking only five. Twins evaluators were intrigued enough to give him a non-roster look.
Baragar, an Indiana product, pitched in the majors for the Giants from 2020 to 2021. He posted a 2.78 ERA in 45 1/3 innings of bullpen work. Despite his pedestrian strikeout and walk statistics, San Francisco designated him for assignment in the 2022 spring training season. The Diamondbacks grabbed Baragar off waivers, however he was eventually outrighted off the roster. He has struggled at Triple-A over the last two years and has not reached the majors since his DFA.
Baragar has a 5.51 ERA in 47 1/3 innings for Arizona’s Triple-A squad two seasons ago. Things didn’t get much better last year after he signed a minor league contract with the Guardians. In 23 appearances, Baragar allowed 6.54 earned runs per nine. He had a good 27.9% strikeout rate but gave up far too many walks, allowing free passes at an 18.4% clip. Cleveland released him in early August.
He’ll strive to return to the majors against the Guards’ AL Central opponents. While starting in the Atlantic League, Baragar has spent the last four years pitching in relief in affiliated ball. Minnesota’s MLB bullpen includes southpaws Caleb Thielbar, Kody Funderburk, and Steven Okert. Aside from the trio in the high minors, they have few experienced options.
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