This Monday, the Minnesota Twins claimed right-handed starting pitcher Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Miami Marlins and immediately assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul. The acquisition came shortly after pitching prospect Andrew Morris was sidelined with a right forearm strain, highlighting the Twins’ urgent need to bolster their starting pitcher depth due to ongoing injuries within the rotation.
Pitching Instability Forces Minnesota to Look Deeper
While the Twins hope Gillispie won’t see major league action this year, the team’s starting staff has struggled with frequent injuries and inconsistent performances. Frontline starter Bailey Ober has been limited by a left hip injury and recent poor results, increasing pressure on Minnesota to call up reinforcements. If the injuries continue, Gillispie may be one of the few options available to fill starting roles in the rotation.
Organizational Depth Chart and Pitching Options
Besides Gillispie, the Twins could turn to Travis Adams, another pitcher on the 40-man roster who might make spot starts out of Triple-A. However, Gillispie’s prior major-league experience this season—six starts with Miami—places him ahead of Adams on the depth chart. Despite this, relying on Gillispie is not ideal considering his struggles over 26 innings pitched earlier in the year.
Analysis of Gillispie’s Performance and Pitching Arsenal
During his time with the Marlins, Gillispie posted an 8.65 ERA and a 5.69 FIP, along with a 23-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio, signaling significant difficulties. His pitches, including a sweeper, four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup, and occasional sinkers and curves, generally underperformed. Only his fastball showed average merit, while the others contributed positively to run value, indicating below-average effectiveness according to StuffPro metrics.
Potential for Improvement With Minnesota Twins
Gillispie’s main challenge has been the combination of below-average pitch velocity, location, and overall quality, measured as Stuff+. His best pitches are the four-seam fastball and sweeper, rated at 94 and 96 Stuff+ respectively. Given Minnesota’s reputation for helping pitchers refine their fastballs and breaking pitches, there is cautious optimism that Gillispie could improve after adjustments in Triple-A. Still, his role remains that of emergency depth rather than a long-term solution.
Looking Ahead: The Impact on Minnesota’s Rotation
As injuries continue to plague the Twins’ starting pitching, Connor Gillispie’s presence in their system is a direct response to the team’s current depth crisis. Although his previous performances raise concerns, Minnesota’s coaching staff will likely attempt to maximize his potential before any major league assignment. How effectively Gillispie can stabilize the rotation remains uncertain, but his acquisition underscores the urgent need for the Twins to address ongoing challenges in their pitching staff.