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April 30, 2024
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3 Key Takeaways from the Twins: Bailey Ober Impresses, Carlos Santana Finds His Groove, and Jhoan Duran Nears a Close

Even better, Carlos Correa’s comeback to a now productive batting lineup is close.

Twins signed Santana for a one-year deal worth .25 million, making him the most expensive and prominent addition to their team for the offseason. However, in his first 20 games, Santana only managed to hit .141 with no home runs. This raised concerns about whether the team should continue with the 38-year-old veteran, but several team officials dismissed the idea of giving up on Santana or any other respected veteran at this stage.Jhoan Duran brushed off the lack of his typically jaw-dropping fastball velocity after averaging “only” 98.1 mph in his first Triple-A rehab appearance last Tuesday, noting that it was his first game action in nearly six weeks and he was focusing on simply throwing strikes. Duran, who has been out since spring training with an oblique strain, allowed two runs on four hits.

Justin Topa, who has been out of action due to knee tendinitis since spring training, seems to be nearing a return to the Twins’ bullpen. He began a rehab stint at the Triple-A level on Thursday, tossing a scoreless inning and striking out all three batters he faced. However, his scheduled appearance on Sunday was washed out due to rain. On Thursday, his velocity appeared to be slightly lower than his usual mid-90s speed seen last season.
Bailey Ober’s first start of the season was the worst start of his career. Facing the Royals in Kansas City, he failed to make it out of the second inning, allowing three homers and eight total runs. It was so uncharacteristically bad, and added to his already abysmal history versus the Royals, that Ober and manager Rocco Baldelli both questioned if Kansas City “had something” on him.

Do not be fooled by his average 4.21 earned run average, Ober is actually pitching better than ever. His fastball has reached a career-high of 92.3 mph, his changeup is causing batters to swing and miss at a career-best rate of 42.6 percent, making it a valuable tool against left-handed hitters. He has also added a new cutter to his already impressive repertoire, making him a formidable five-pitch pitcher. This 6-foot-9 pitcher is known for his accurate throws.

Ober cutting through lineups

Duran’s second rehab appearance with the Saints on Saturday showed that he is back to his dominant self, with an average fastball speed of 101.8 mph and a scoreless, flawless inning. He even hit a top speed of 102.9 mph while striking out two batters and inducing six swings and misses. This performance indicates that the Twins’ closer is close to being activated from the injured list. And it’s possible that he won’t be the only one, as Correa may also be nearing his return.