The Minnesota Twins are making moves to bolster their pitching staff, and it's a homecoming for one of their former prospects. The team has agreed to a minor league deal with reliever Cody Laweryson, who was recently released by the Los Angeles Angels.
A familiar face returns to the Twins
Laweryson is no stranger to the Twins organization. He was initially drafted by them in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft from the University of Maine. The 6-foot-4 right-hander made his major league debut in September last year, impressing in five appearances with a 2.35 ERA and seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. But here's where it gets intriguing: despite his solid performance, Laweryson was non-tendered by the Twins during the offseason.
Statistical prowess, but questions remain
The 27-year-old (turning 28 in May) boasts an impressive statistical record in the minors, maintaining a 3.39 ERA and striking out 27% of batters faced over 327 innings. However, his arsenal may not be considered elite. Laweryson's fastball averages 93.2 mph, and he lacks a dominant breaking ball, typically sitting in the mid-80s with his cutter and changeup. And this is the part most teams seem to be hesitant about.
A crowded bullpen and a second chance
The Twins' decision to let Laweryson go initially is even more puzzling when considering their bullpen struggles. They had one of the weakest relief corps in the league, yet they chose to part ways with Laweryson. The Angels claimed him but quickly released him to make room for another player. Now, Laweryson gets a second chance with the Twins, who have invited him to big league camp.
With former major league relievers like Liam Hendriks, Julian Merryweather, Dan Altavilla, Matt Bowman, and Grant Hartwig vying for spots, the competition in the Twins' bullpen will be fierce. Laweryson's journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of baseball, where players can go from being released to earning another opportunity in a matter of weeks. Will he be able to secure a spot on the roster and prove his doubters wrong? Only time will tell, and the fans are eager to see how this story unfolds.
