New Minnesota Twins Promotions Bring Two Debuts

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Zebby Matthews, Minnesota Twins'
Credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are in the midst of a 12-game winning streak that has pushed their overall record to 25-20. That has helped them to dig out of the 7-15 hole they begun the season with.

Unfortunately their last game in Baltimore, which finished a 6-0 season-series sweep, came with some substantial costs. A nasty collision between Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa now has each player on the 7-day concussion injured list.

Starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson also was demoted for his struggles this season. That means Sunday will be a day of debuts for a pair of Minnesota Twins prospects.

Zebby Matthews and Carson McCusker join Minnesota Twins

Zebby Matthews made his major league debut last season after putting together an exceptional run that began at High-A Cedar Rapids. Carson McCusker is an undrafted prospect that has raked since being signed out of indy ball. Both will join the MN Twins on Sunday.

Matthews will take over the rotation spot vacated by Woods Richardson. He has a 1.93 ERA and 38/9 K/BB across 32 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season. Last year he rose the ranks and earned top 100 prospect recognition for his strikeout and command ability.

That all remains, but he is a transformed pitcher this season. He averaged 95.6 mph on his fastball at Triple-A last season, and 94.9 mph at the big league level. It has since jumped to 96.5 mph this year, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him hit triple digits.

Matthews gives Minnesota an arm with higher upside at the back end of the rotation. The group’s 3.39 ERA is already 4th-best in the majors. His addition makes it that much more exciting.

McCusker will be making his major league debut when he takes the field. He’ll assume the roster spot vacated by Byron Buxton, who joined Carlos Correa on the concussion injured list.

Minnesota has never seen McCusker land on a top 100 prospect list but it’s impossible to ignore the production put forth by the 26-year-old.

In 24 games last season at Triple-A the slugger owned an .820 OPS. In 38 games this season McCusker is batting .350/.412/.650 with 11 doubles and ten home runs. He does strike out a lot with a 46/13 K/BB, so there is reason to pause in regards to the major league expectations.

McCusker never hit more than eight home runs in a season collegiately with Oklahoma State. He revamped his approach and has since become a pull power hitter. As a right-handed bat, he won’t factor into centerfield, but could provide thump for the corner outfield.

MN Twins need to get their stars healthy

It’s great that an opportunity presented itself for Matthews. Both he and David Festa own higher upside than that of Simeon Woods Richardson. It will be on Matthews now, and Festa in the future, to prove they have staying power at the big leagues.

McCusker’s opportunity comes as a reflection of Buxton’s injury. Correa has not been productive offensive this year, but his 3 DRS (defensive runs saved) and 7 OAA (outs above average) trend towards elite levels again. Buxton had previously missed just a single game while on the active roster, and he has led the team in fWAR (1.9).

It’s certainly fun that some of the franchise’s youth is getting a chance to compete. It’s not good that Minnesota lost two of their superstars in the process.

The collision between Buxton and Correa was a nasty one. It’s good neither needs surgery or had additional damage done. It’s also not ideal that their injuries are to their heads. The MN Twins franchise has seen the lingering effects those issues can cause (Joe Mauer/Justin Morneau) and neither player will be in the clear even after they progress through the concussion protocol.

For a short term situation the Twins can rally together and look to pick up their departed teammates. The outcome of the season as a whole will directly be impacted by how quickly Correa and Buxton can get back on the field and stay there.

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