The Minnesota Twins, reeling after a home series sweep by the Oakland Athletics, currently hold one of the worst records in the American League. With their playoff chances diminishing, fans have little encouragement to stay engaged as the team stands 9.5 games behind a postseason spot. However, this weekend’s pitching prospects might offer a reason for renewed attention, especially surrounding the anticipated major league debuts of right-handers Taj Bradley and Mick Abel at Target Field.
Pitching Prospects Taj Bradley and Mick Abel Poised for Debut
Bobby Nightengal Jr. of the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the Twins could call on Bradley and Abel to start games on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Abel has drawn attention after an impressive outing for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, where he matched a single-game franchise strikeout record by fanning 11 batters. Acquired from the Phillies in exchange for Jhoan Duran, Abel holds a strong 1.76 ERA over 15 1/3 innings this season, showcasing potential as a reliable arm.
Bradley, acquired from Tampa Bay in the Griffin Jax trade, has faced tougher challenges in his three starts with the Saints. Despite a solid debut allowing just one run in six innings, the 24-year-old righty gave up 11 runs in his next two appearances, resulting in a 7.53 ERA for the season. His 14 1/3 innings included four home runs surrendered, signalling areas where improvement is needed as he transitions to higher competition.
Future Rotation Shaping Up Around Young Starters
Both pitchers are considered part of Minnesota’s long-term rotation plans, promising to form the core of the team’s pitching staff for years ahead. With prospects like Zebby Matthews, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, and David Festa also in line for potential roles, the Twins could develop a strong starting rotation by 2026. The status of current pitchers Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan, who might be traded this offseason, will further impact how the pitching staff evolves.
Upcoming Series Against Chicago Could Showcase New Talent
The Twins enter the weekend series with the AL-worst Chicago White Sox, an opportunity for the club to assess its emerging pitchers on the big league stage. While a top-five pick in the 2026 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB Draft is unlikely to be the focus, the promotion of Bradley and Abel represents an attempt to inject new energy into a pitching rotation that has struggled to sustain success this season.