In the world of baseball, blending art with science can be a game-changer, and that's exactly what the Minnesota Twins are aiming for with their recent acquisition, Taj Bradley. After arriving from the Tampa Bay Rays in a deadline trade for Griffin Jax, Bradley is finding his rhythm under the guidance of Twins pitching coach Pete Maki and bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins.
Maki, who transitioned from Duke University to the Twins in 2017, represents the scientific approach to pitching, while Hawkins, with his impressive 21-season MLB career, adds the artistic touch. Together, they’re crafting a unique coaching style that’s resonating with Bradley.
“They simplified a lot of stuff for me,” Bradley shared. “It’s all in one, all-encompassing. It’s a good mix of coaches and mentors that you can throw all into one person and be a great pitcher from it.”
The transition from the Rays, where Bradley was a fixture since being drafted in 2018, was initially jarring. His ERA spiked to 6.61 in six starts post-trade, and he admitted to rarely studying scouting reports in Tampa Bay. However, the Twins’ staff is tailoring their approach to his learning style, focusing on mechanical tweaks like maintaining consistency between the windup and stretch and hiding the ball longer from hitters.
Bradley’s spring training debut against a formidable Atlanta Braves lineup was promising. Over three innings, he allowed just one run, struck out five, and walked none. This performance caught the eye of new manager Derek Shelton, who’s getting acquainted with the Twins’ young pitchers after managing the Pittsburgh Pirates for six seasons.
“He was really good,” Shelton remarked. “That’s the heart of a really good order, and he stayed under control. … First impression of him getting into any kind of trouble and then being able to dial it in and make pitches was really impressive.”
A key focus for Bradley this spring is throwing more strikes and getting ahead in counts. Last season, his first-pitch strike rate dipped to a career-low 58.2 percent, causing him to fall behind in counts and give up hard contact. On Sunday, he threw 70 percent of his pitches for strikes, maintaining an impressive 95.8 mph average fastball velocity.
Bradley is also preparing to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, a nod to his heritage through his grandmother. This opportunity will see him leave Twins camp temporarily, but with three rotation spots open following Pablo López’s injury, his major league experience could secure him a spot.
Despite being younger than some of his competitors, Bradley’s 385 1/3 career innings give him an edge. His ERA of 4.86 includes standout performances, but his progress stalled in Tampa Bay. This offseason, Bradley worked on a revamped sinker to generate early outs and weak contact, particularly from right-handed hitters.
Twins coaches are also refining his splitter grip for more consistency. Bradley demonstrated its potential by striking out Ozzie Albies and inducing a double-play ball from Matt Olson.
Bradley’s diverse pitch arsenal is an asset, but finding the right mix has been challenging. The Rays struggled to unlock his full potential, leading to the trade. Now, the Twins are committed to tapping into his talent, with Maki’s scientific approach and Hawkins’ artistic flair guiding the way.
The trade for Bradley, swapping him for Jax, who was under team control through 2027, is a significant bet on the Twins’ coaching staff. It’s a gamble that could pay off if they can harness Bradley’s potential and consistency. The Twins are optimistic that Bradley will seize the opportunity and secure a spot in their rotation, blending art and science to achieve success.