MN Twins Legend Thinks He Can Fix Bailey Ober

If the Minnesota Twins are going to be competitive this year, the rotation will have to carry them. Despite a few offseason additions on offense, the lineup still leaves plenty to be desired. And until Derek Falvey does something about it, let’s just avoid talking about the bullpen.

Meanwhile, Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan represent arguably the best one-two punch in the American League. Below them, the Twins have a lot of talented young depth with a ton to prove.

And in between Ryan, Lopez and the rest of the staff, there’s Bailey Ober, who’s coming off a clunker 2025 season that he cannot afford to repeat in 2026. How does he make sure this summer is different?

Well, MLB hall of famer and MN Twins legend Bert Blyleven has one idea that he plans to help Ober implement this spring.

Bert Blyleven going all in on Minnesota Twins Bailey Ober

No longer a member of the broadcast booth, Bert Blyleven remains engaged with the Minnesota Twins organization. And this spring, Bert told Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) that he can fix Bailey Ober with one rather significant tweak — moving from the left to right side of the pitching rubber.

Hall of fame pitcher Bert Blyleven will spend three weeks in spring training with the Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., beginning Feb. 12. He’ll suggest a move for starter Bailey Ober’s slider.

“He’s over on the first base side of the pitching rubber,” Blyleven told the Pioneer Press last week. “If he moved over to the third base side — 12 to 18 inches over — his slider’s going to be more attractive to the hitter rather than missing down and away.

“To me, pitching’s always geometry, planes and angles. Over the years, you talk to great hitters, what’s the hardest pitch to hit? It’s a good fastball down and away with something on it. And if you’re over on the first base side (of the rubber), visualize it to a right-handed hitter down and away — it’s straight.

“But what if we move over 18 inches; now that ball’s coming at the hitter down and away at an angle.”

Pioneer Press

After posting a 3.98 ERA (3.82 FIP) during the 2024 season, hope was present that another level could be achieved. Unfortunately Ober was often pitching through injury and finished with a 5.10 ERA (4.90 FIP) across 146 1/3 innings.

Blyleven believes moving six inches to the right will give Ober a better angle on his breaking ball. Logically, it makes sense. By starting on the right side, the pitch will start almost behind right handed hitters, making breaking balls and fastballs more difficult to see.

Planes and angles certainly help, but what would also help Ober is a Bert Blyleven curveball, considered the best in baseball history.

“You know what, if I were on the first base side, I could not visualize where I was starting my curve ball,” Blyleven added. “Everybody has their different philosophies, but it’s the art of pitching rather than throwing.”

Pioneer Press

Bailey Ober, Nasty Changeups. 👌 pic.twitter.com/hvBeQK8nq3

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 7, 2025

Ober has never been a velocity arm, and using his 6’9″ frame to get extension is part of a path to success. However, last year he averaged a career-low 90.2 mph on his fastball, and it’s clear he’s not effective in that range. If Blyleven can unlock something, then the Minnesota Twins may be back in business.

A legendary pitch from the MN Twins legend

Beyond just shifting positioning on the rubber, Blyleven sees an opportunity to expand Ober’s arsenal. The former Twins great threw one of the most devastating 12-6 curveballs in major league history. If there’s someone to learn that from, he’s it.

75 Seconds of Bert Blyleven's Ridiculous Curveballs.

Arguably, the best RHP curveball of all time. 👑 pic.twitter.com/zhRubdbP7V

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 18, 2023

Last season Ober threw his fastball 35.7% of the time. That usage was the lowest of his career, and it’s not shocking when it’s lacking so much quality. He upped the slider rate to a career-high 28.2%.

A curveball isn’t new to Ober as he threw it more than 10% of the time during his first two seasons. Last year though he flipped benders just 3.8% of the time. If Blyleven can help tweak that offering, it’s a whiff pitch that Ober could rely on.

With lower velocity, Ober will never blow fastballs by opposing hitters. The closer more he can sit in the 14-15% whiff range that he has in previous season (as opposed to 11.7% in 2025), the better off he’ll be. Getting there is a mix of deception, extension, and changing speeds.