Twins Demote Deadline Acquisition; Make Call Ups

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Mick Abel, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Although the Minnesota Twins don’t have anything to play for in the standings the rest of the way, September gets to be a proving ground. They took two-of-three against a good San Diego Padres team. That level of play from a team trying to create a new identity is a good thing to see.

Over the final few weeks of the season Rocco Baldelli will hope to see more of those performances. The team has already been more aggressive on the basepaths, and young players are being empowered to impact the game.

With rosters expanding on Monday, although just by two spots to 28, Minnesota is infusing the group with more talent from Triple-A St. Paul.

Mick Abel demoted by Minnesota Twins

At last month’s trade deadline the MN Twins acquired young Philadelphia Phillies starter Mick Abel in a package for closer Jhoan Duran. That was easily their best move at the deadline, but it will take more time to pay off. After a brief cameo with Minnesota, he’s been demoted back to Triple-A.

It was Abel, not newly acquired Taj Bradley, that looked ready after three turns in St. Paul. Across 15 1/3 innings he allowed just three runs on seven hits while striking out 23. He did walk six though, and the command has always been an issue.

On Saturday Abel piggybacked five good innings from Bradley and blew up again. In just four innings for Minnesota he allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 14 hits. He walked three and only struck out that many as well.

The final month of the season should be about Abel getting it right at the big league level. He has a 2.22 ERA in 89 1/3 Triple-A innings this year. Unfortunately, he has proven across 29 big league innings that he isn’t there yet (7.76 ERA).

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Minnesota needs Abel to be a key cog in their future starting rotation. He is just 24 years old and made his big league debut this season. The future remains bright, but he’ll need to figure out where the chasm is between Triple-A success and big league ineptitude.

Reinforcements for MN Twins

There was a time when September roster expansion allowed teams 15 additional spots, from 25 to 40. Now big league clubs can add just two players, going from 26 to 28. After optioning Abel, Minnesota had three opening on Rocco Baldelli’s active roster.

Rather than make promotions for any notable names, the Twins decided to stay status quo. Noah Davis, Travis Adams, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. have all played for Minnesota this year.

Adams owns a 7.71 ERA (5.91 FIP) in a swingman role. He does seemingly fit into future plans, but hasn’t looked the part yet. Davis was a scrap heap pickup that has allowed five runs in just three innings. He pitched for the Dodgers this season as well, and has served up 19 runs (18 earned) in just nine innings.

Keirsey Jr. made the Opening Day roster for Minnesota but hasn’t been good. In 67 games he has a .111/.143/.183 line and a -11 OPS+. His speed and defense are the asset here, and something the Twins will lean into with a more aggressive approach.

Related: Former MN Twins Pitcher Going Home to Finish Career

Triple-A St. Paul still has a couple of weeks of games left. However, they are out of playoff contention, and seeing more meaningful names added to the Twins would have made sense. Cory Lewis, Marco Raya, Andrew Morris and others all could have been bullpen additions. Aaron Sabato seemed like a no-brainer power bat addition.

Maybe they still get their chance in the weeks to come.

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