Another Top Prospect Called Up to Help Twins Bullpen

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Marco Raya, Minnesota Twins
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins bullpen stinks. That’s not news, after the front office did very little to improve a group that was decimated last summer at the trade deadline.

Austin Voth was the latest temporary plug that failed to patch the sinking ship on Tuesday against the Dodgers, when he went promoted to provide innings on Tuesday night against the Dodgers, where he allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 11 hits in 4 innings of work, after youngster Kendry Rojas went 2 innings and allowed just 1 earned run and 1 hit (4 K’s).

Marco Raya promoted by Minnesota Twins

So Wednesday, the MN Twins needed pitching reinforcements (again). After designating Voth for assignment, general manager Jeremy Zoll finally turned to an arm — RHP Marco Raya — that has a real chance to stick in the big leagues, if he pitches well.

Raya, a 23-year-old 4th round pick (2020), has long been considered a name to watch in the MN Twins system, rising as high as the No. 53 prospect in baseball by Baseball America back in 2023.

Unfortunately, as has been the case for many of Minnesota’s top prospects over the years, his luster quickly faded due to injuries. However, there’s no doubting Raya’s talent.

Related: MN Twins Not Trading Superstar; Rest of Deadline Plan Still Foggy

Marco Raya posted a tough 6.02 ERA with Triple-A St. Paul last season, in 98 2/3 innings of work. The 5.54 ERA across 39 innings this season isn’t exactly heartwarming, either, but a look under the hood shows reason for optimism.

After allowing 17 runs in 12 1/3 innings during April, he has turned it around the past two months. Since May, Raya has pitched 25 2/3 innings allowing just eight runs (2.80 ERA) with a 24/2 K/BB. Across eight innings in June, he has held the opposition scoreless with a 7/0 K/BB.

When Raya is at his best, he’s showing command and staying in the zone on a consistent basis, which he has done for the better part of two months now, earning him this promotion.

Kody Funderburk back too

Kody Funderburk is also back as another left-handed option replacing Kendry Rojas. After pitching two innings for the Twins on Tuesday, Rojas continues to need to work on command. He walked three batters and has an 18/13 K/BB at the big league level this season.

Arms like Justin Lawrence, Austin Voth, and the continued revolving door in the Minnesota Twins bullpen are nothing more than dart throws. The front office is trying to capture lightning in a bottle on the fly, and it’s only worked out with Yoendrys Gomez.

Raya represents a different sort of addition. He is an internally developed prospect that has been ticketed for this role over the past two seasons. It looks like he has turned a corner of late, and could finally assume a legitimate bullpen role.

This season Raya has averaged 96.0 mph on his fastball, and he pairs it with a strong slider. The velocity is there for him to push triple digits, and if the command can stay alongside it, that’s when he’s at his best.

Derek Shelton isn’t immediately going to put Raya in leverage spots, but he has the upside to be a guy that can assume one of the top tiers in this otherwise lackluster group.

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