Rocco Wants More Innings from MN Twins Starting Pitchers

If there has been a consistent criticism of Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli during his tenure, it has been that he pulls starting pitchers too soon. That isn’t exactly fair, since most teams in the MLB now try to keep their starters from facing opposing lineups three times through.

Historical numbers show that every time a batting lineup flips over vs the same pitcher, it favors the hitters. Plus, contrary to popular belief, the Twins have been quite willing to leave their starters in, when they have pitchers who are capable.

In 2023, Minnesota finished top five in innings pitched. Last season they were roughly league-average, but they lost Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan didn’t pitch for the last couple months of the year, due to the same injury Pablo Lopez just suffered earlier this week.

This season, with Pablo struggling through injuries and the Twins introducing a bunch of youngsters to the rotation, Minnesota starters have fallen to 20th in the MLB in innings pitched. With Pablo now out at least a couple months, we can expect that ranking to continue falling… right?

Well, not if Rocco Baldelli has anything to say about it. That’s right, your favorite “early hook” manager is determined to get more innings out of his starting pitchers, even without Lopez as part of the equation.

Recently, Baldelli told the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller that the new-look Minnesota Twins rotation needs to step up, not down, with Pablo out. Rocco made it clear he doesn’t want to rely more on the bullpen… he’s pretty much demanding for more from the rotation.

Minnesota Twins will ask a lot of young rotation arms

“When your starters can pitch you into the sixth inning and beyond, it does a lot of things to help a team. When you don’t have Pablo going into the sixth inning and seventh inning, you’re going to have to make up those innings somewhere.

We’ll obviously monitor and balance it, but there will be times where we’re going to do it and we’re going to need to do it and we’re going to be excited to do it. Our pen will be able to use the help with that as time goes on. Even if our starters are giving us good length, it still will benefit us to get more.“

Rocco Baldelli – Star Tribune

David Festa and Zebby Matthews have now both assumed spots in the Minnesota Twins starting rotation. Simeon Woods Richardson occupied one previously as well. That trio presents the most uncertainty for manager Rocco Baldelli.

The Twins bullpen has been good this season. Their value gets threatened the more they are asked to work. If the starting rotation can do its part, the the Minnesota Twins relievers remain a high-value asset.

Baldelli expects to get more from his young starters, and that will require performance from them and trust from him. Festa’s longest start this season is just five innings, and he never pitched past the sixth inning last year. Zebby Matthews never surpassed five innings as a rookie, and his seven-inning start against Seattle was a career-high. Simeon Woods Richardson was demoted largely for being a five-and-dive type on his own.

Zebby Matthews, 2Ks in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/L2zf5A3zkU

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2025

Thankfully both Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober have been as expected for Minnesota this season. Chris Paddack allowed nine runs in his first outing and has put up a 2.47 ERA (3.40 FIP) in 11 starts since. That trio leaves the Twins in a good place.

The recently promoted Travis Adams can help carry some of the burden. He’s a bullpen arm that has long been a starter. Minnesota now has a legitimate long-reliever. The more they rely on him though, and especially if it becomes a constant need, the less they will likely be getting from their young starting arms.

If Baldelli can get extended starts in games worked by his youth, then the Minnesota Twins should feel good about staying afloat while missing Lopez. Pablo won’t be taking the mound at least until August. If the postseason is going to remain in the picture, more from starting youth is exactly what Baldelli will need to get.