Joe Ryan made his spring debut on Tuesday against the Rays, and while the stat sheet shows a solid performance with no runs allowed and only two hits, the deeper story reveals a more nuanced picture. Despite the clean slate, Ryan didn't record any strikeouts and managed just three swings-and-misses out of his 48 pitches, all with his splitter.
For a pitcher who missed the first half of camp due to an injury scare and finished last season with a 4.67 ERA, this wasn't the most reassuring outing. But let's not hit the panic button just yet.
This was Ryan's first taste of live action this spring, and shaking off the rust is part of the process. Reaching nearly 50 pitches is a positive sign, especially considering his recent setbacks.
He's even gearing up to join Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, possibly pitching in the championship game next Tuesday.
Seeing Ryan on such a grand stage would be thrilling, especially with Byron Buxton already making waves in the WBC. However, there's a bit of unease about Ryan's unconventional ramp-up this spring. Coming off a shaky end to 2025 and dealing with back issues, the Twins fan in me is cautiously optimistic.
While Ryan has likely been building up on the side, his official spring showing has been limited to a three-inning appearance with less-than-stellar stuff. Now, he's set to travel and potentially pitch in a high-intensity environment, which could be risky.
Ryan is crucial for the Twins, whether as a leader in the rotation or as a valuable trade asset. His participation in the WBC feels like a gamble, but it's not as concerning as Bailey Ober's situation.
Ober, who posted a career-worst 5.10 ERA last year, has been battling physical and mechanical issues. Despite an offseason focused on recovery, his progress hasn't translated on the field. He finally made his first Grapefruit League start last Friday, showing promise but also some red flags: his fastball averaged under 90 MPH, even lower than last year's already reduced speed.
Ober insists he's feeling better, which is encouraging, but his velocity drop is worrying. Historically, he's come into camp with increased velocity, sparking hopes of a mid-90s fastball.
Now, topping out in the upper-80s is a concern. While he might manage with reduced speed by perfecting his changeup, his margin for error is slim.
On a brighter note, the Twins have seen promising performances from younger pitchers like Mick Abel, Taj Bradley, and Kendry Rojas, which bodes well for the rotation's future. However, the veteran trio expected to anchor Minnesota's short-term competitiveness is struggling.
Pablo López suffered a season-ending injury right at the start of camp. Ryan and Ober, both absent for the first half, have yet to find their rhythm. As Ryan heads to the WBC and Ober works on his velocity in Fort Myers, there's still time for them to regain form before the season opener.
A standout performance from Ryan on the international stage and an improvement in Ober's velocity in the coming weeks could restore confidence. But with less than two weeks until the opening series in Baltimore, where they're expected to pitch the first two games, the pressure is on.