Carson McCusker News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/carson-mccusker/ Minnesota sports, but different Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:14:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Carson McCusker News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/carson-mccusker/ 32 32 Twins Lose Veteran Starter in Latest Roster Moves https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ryan-jeffers-concussion-kriske-dfa-mccusker-ohl-recalled-roster-moves/ Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:14:40 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=68046 The Minnesota Twins are currently in the midst of their longest losing streak this season. They were mopped by the Chicago White Sox, and have continued to lose against the Kansas City Royals.

It’s not exactly surprising a mediocre team would get worse after the front office completed a trade deadline tear down. That has forced Rocco Baldelli to use a roster filled with less-than-ideal talent. It also hasn’t stopped players from getting injured.

Ryan Jeffers left Friday night’s game with a head injury, and the diagnosis has now gotten worse.

Ryan Jeffers dealing with concussion, MN Twins shuffle roster

What was originally called just a head contusion has turned worse for Ryan Jeffers. He now has a full-blown concussion and is being placed on the injured list.

It was unlikely that Jeffers would have reached a new career-high in games played this season. He sits at 114 with the team having just 20 to go. However, it’s now likely he has played his last game of the season.

Jeffers owns a .262/.353/.394 slash line with nine homers on the season. It’s bee an overall productive year at the plate, though his lack of power has been confusing. With 1.9 fWAR, he was Minnesota’s best chance to be the second player to surpass the 2.0 threshold this season.

The catching situation is now grave for Baldelli. Despite Jhonny Pereda having previously been promoted, he went unused behind the dish. Instead the Twins have opted to look at Mickey Gasper and his abysmal 35 OPS+.

Related: Twins Fans Happy to See Carlos Correa Traded?

Now Pereda and Gasper are the only catchers on the roster, and for 20 games Baldelli will have no one else to turn to. Christian Vazquez would like to return from an emergency surgery spurned by an infection, but time has all but run out.

Fringe additions come after latest DFA for Minnesota Twins

Rather than add anything of substance when rosters expanded, Minnesota chose to promote holdovers and leave their uninspiring talent in the mix. Since, Noah Davis continued to be terrible and was DFA’d. Brooks Kriske has finally seen the same fate.

We have seen Pierson Ohl before, and the results have been mixed (5.66 ERA 4.83 FIP in 20 2/3 innings). Still, there is future function there, and Minnesota using the September runway to play him makes infinitely more sense than what they have been doing for the past couple of weeks.

Related: MN Twins Fans Make Hatred for Pohlads 98.5% Loud and Clear

McCusker has been promoted previously, and drawn excitement from fans due to his ridiculous power. His season has flamed out substantially since his initial hot streak (.761 OPS last 18 games, .601 OPS in 49 games after initial demotion), but he’ll finally be given a bit of runway to end the year.

He’s not much of an outfielder, but a right-handed bat with pop could certainly be infused into the lineup.

]]> Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:14:44 +0000 Minnesota Twins MN Twins Reliever Takes Surprising Trip to IL… and Here Comes Carson McCusker https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/roster-moves-danny-coulombe-il-carson-mccusker-call-up/ Sun, 18 May 2025 17:43:23 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=63257 All the Minnesota Twins do is win, win, win no matter what. Seriously, the Twins have won 13-straight games and that now includes three straight without Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, who were both placed on the 7-day concussion list this weekend.

But on Sunday, they made a more surprising roster move, sending lefty reliever Danny Coulombe to the injured list with a ‘left forearm extensor strain’. In his place, the Twins have recalled starting pitcher Zebby Matthews to start on Sunday afternoon, a move that was reported on Saturday.

Minnesota Twins roster moves made official on Sunday

In another official move that was announced alongside the Coulombe for Matthews swap, Minnesota transferred infielder Luke Keaschall — and his right forearm fracture — to the 60-day injured list. That made room on the 40-man roster for the much anticipated MLB debut of young slugger, Carson McCusker, whose closest MLB comp is… Aaron Judge. But more on him momentarily.

The surprising injured list stay for Danny Coulombe significantly hurts the Minnesota Twins bullpen, which now needs another arm in the very near future. Not only was Coulombe the only lefty in the bullpen, but he had pitched 16.2 scoreless innings for Rocco Baldelli & Co this season, prior to his injury.

Not only is his ERA+ incalculable, but his 0.600 WHIP and 1.18 FIP are nearly just as impressive. The 35-year-old former 25th round draft pick in 2012 has already amassed 1.1 WAR, 5th most among MLB relievers, in part thanks to his 19 strikeouts vs just 2 walks allowed.

Onto the exciting news that was made official today, but yet another move that was actually reported on Saturday. He isn’t in the starting lineup Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee, but 6’8″, 250 lb right-handed slugger Carson McCusker is now on both the 40-man and active 26-man Minnesota Twins roster.

Here comes Carson McCusker…

Why has the fanbase been waiting so impatiently to see McCusker in a Twins uniform? Well, because the 27-year-old‘s closest comp is Aaron Judge. And not just because of his overwhelming human frame.

Related: New Minnesota Twins Promotions Bring Two Debuts

Yes, McCusker look like the right-handed version of the New York Yankees superstar, when he’s standing in the batter’s box, but Carson McCusker’s been hitting the baseball a lot like Judge recently too.

In 38 games this season down at Triple A St. Paul, the former undrafted kid out of Oklahoma State is hitting an absurd .350, with a 1.061 OPS built on 10 HR, 11 doubles, 13 walks and 36 RBI. He’s also struck out 46 times… but with these numbers, who’s counting?

While McCusker was undrafted after college, he was selected in the 26th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, out of Folsom Lake Community College, in Folsom (CA). Instead, he chose four years at Oklahoma State, where he slashed .294/.367/.519 (.886 OPS).

That wasn’t good enough to get a phone call during the 2021 MLB Draft, though. After going undrafted, McCusker played two summers of Independent League baseball, in the Frontier League.

Related: Origin of Minnesota Twins Spartan Helmet Celebration Revealed

Then in 2023, at 25 years old, he finally got his shot in affiliated ball, signing with the Minnesota Twins. Now, after 207 minor league games in the organization between single A and triple A, the right-handed hitting monster batted .290 with a .886 OPS (43 HR, 147 RBI).

Two years later, even if it doesn’t come Sunday, Carson McCusker will soon get his first opportunity to prove he can hit anywhere, including the big leagues.

]]> Sun, 18 May 2025 12:43:27 +0000 Minnesota Twins New Minnesota Twins Promotions Bring Two Debuts https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/zebby-matthews-carson-mccusker-promoted-byron-buxton-il/ Sat, 17 May 2025 23:29:30 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=63252 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.

]]> Sat, 17 May 2025 18:29:33 +0000 Minnesota Twins Twins Take Former Top Prospect Off 40-Man Roster https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/diego-cartaya-outrighted-40-man-carson-mccusker-watch/ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:02:58 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=62717 The Minnesota Twins welcome the Los Angeles Angels to Target Field this weekend. The good news is that they aren’t the juggernauts that the other LA baseball team is. The bad news is they are better than the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota has struggled to beat any team not named the White Sox or Braves this season.

Entering the weekend home series, nothing has come easy for the 9-16 Twins. So, how are they going tocrawl back to .500? One game and one series at a time. Thankfully, they are getting healthier. Royce Lewis starts a rehab assignment in St. Paul on Friday. If all goes well, he’s expected back in the big league lineup in short order.

On Thursday they played with just 25 players on the 26-man roster. That spot was being held for Pablo Lopez, who officially returned to the starting rotation on Friday. But after yet another fringe roster move this afternoon, they’re now down a spot (39) on the 40-man.

Diego Cartaya outrighted by Minnesota Twins

This offseason, the Minnesota Twins swung a trade for Diego Cartaya. The former top 100 prospect had fallen out of favor with the Los Angeles Dodgers and he seemed like a potential reclamation project.

Now struggling at Triple-A, the Twins saw an opportunity to slip him through waivers, and took it, outrighting Cartaya off the 40-man roster. After clearing outright waivers, he’ll remain in St. Paul with the Saints.

The 23-year-old Cartaya has played in seven games for the Saints this season, where he’s batting just .080/.207/.200. He has an 18/4 K/BB. His lone extra-base hit was a home run… for whatever that’s worth.

On Tuesday, against the Indianapolis Indians, Cartaya went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, signaling a move could be on the way. On the bright side, he did recorded a hit in his fifth at-bat… against one of the Indians position players, who were on the mound having fun at the expense of the Saints, during an ugly 16-4 drubbing.

It’s possible that Cartaya plays himself back into the Twins plans, but right now he’s just worried about getting right. The .892 OPS he owned as a 20-year-old in High-A looks like a mirage, at this point. In 2024, Diego Cartay posted a .643 OPS at Triple-A, with the Dodgers organization. Now, he’s down even worse.

Carson McCusker time for the MN Twins?

Although the Minnesota Twins have not yet announce a corresponding move, to bring the 40-man roster back to full-staff. The best candidate seems to be OF Carson McCusker. The former independent ball product was at Target Field on Thursday and even made an appeared on the Twins.TV pre-game show.

McCusker is an undrafted 26-year-old outfielder who’s hard to miss, at 6’8″. On the broadcast yesterday, they compared his physical stature to that of Aaron Judge, especially in the batter’s box. Since joining the Twins organization in 2023, all this kid has done is hit the baseball really hard.

Last year, between Double and Triple-A, the former 26th round pick posted a .282/.353/.488 slash line. He’ll drive some fans crazy with how often he strikes out. But with that hit 19 home runs. In 18 games for St. Paul this season, he owns a .302/.380/.667 line and already has six homers. Tuesday he launched his first career grand slam.

McCusker likely won’t hit for the same average at the big league level, but the power is legit. He would be another developmental success story for the Twins and can play both corner outfield spots. As a right-handed hitter he provides some platoon flexibility with Trevor Larnach, and he should bring more offense than what DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has been able to muster.

It remains to be seen how Minnesota will use the open 40-man spot. Maybe they have something cooking on the trade front. If it’s McCusker though, he’s a guy that could help to spark what has been a dismal offense.

]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:45:54 +0000 Minnesota Twins