Griffin Jax may have moved on from the Minnesota Twins, but he’s still got their fans cheering him on. This right-handed pitcher has always been a crowd favorite, and his latest performance only cements that reputation.
On Sunday night, Jax took the mound for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic semifinals against the Dominican Republic, a game loaded with anticipation and star power. The stakes were high, and Jax delivered when it mattered most, helping hold the DR to just one run.
Jax’s sixth inning was a masterclass in composure and skill. He faced some of baseball's elite hitters-Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Machado, and Junior Caminero-and retired them in order on a mere seven pitches.
Guerrero’s two-strike changeup sent a 100.1 MPH rocket into center field, but Pete Crow-Armstrong was there to make the play. Machado followed with a blistering 109.6 MPH grounder that Bobby Witt Jr. handled with ease.
Jax then wrapped up the inning by inducing a 96.7 MPH lineout from Caminero, who had already homered earlier.
This outing earned Jax a hold, adding to his impressive World Baseball Classic stats, including two strikeouts over 2.2 perfect innings. His performance against the Dominican Republic was a standout, supported by a stellar bullpen featuring Tyler Rogers, David Bednar, Garrett Whitlock, and Mason Miller.
For a pitcher who’s had his ups and downs in the majors, seeing Jax shine on this international stage is a joy for Twins fans. With the championship game on March 17, there’s hope he has another spectacular outing left in him.