Twins Pitcher of the Month: August 2022

[Theo Tollefson]

The Twins are making their way back into first place slowly but surely and they have (at least) four pitchers to thank for their performances in August that helped kept them in postseason contention. 

 

The Twins received much needed additions to their rotation at the start of August with Tyler Mahle, Jorge Lopez, and Michael Fulmer. As great as these three pitches have been for the Twins, none of them pitched as well as four others who have been with the team all season.

These four Twins have been crucial arms keeping them in the race for the division title and a trip to October. Without further ado, here are the Twins Daily rankings for pitcher of the month.

Honorable Mention #3: Dylan Bundy
Bundy had his best month with the Twins over the course of August. The transition from a brutal month of July where Bundy posted an ERA just under 6.00 and had an opponent's baBIP of .300, he became the Twins second most reliable starter in August. 

Over his five starts, Bundy posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, walked only five batters, and brought his opponent’s baBIP down to .244. Bundy also pitched a one-hitter against the Rangers on August 19 when he went five and a third innings to get the Twins their only win in that series. 

Bundy’s consistency of hitting the strike zone was key to his success for the month of August. As long as he can maintain that consistency in September and work as many innings as possible per start, Bundy’s arm will be critical in getting the Twins to the postseason.

Honorable Mention #2: Caleb Thielbar
Thielbar has continuously improved on the mound each month as the Twins season has gone on. August was without a doubt some of the best pitching Twins fans have ever seen in Thielbar’s career in Minnesota. 

For August, Thielbar made 13 relief appearances and pitched 12 innings. He only allowed 10 base runners on eight hits and two walks. And only one of those base runners scored off Thielbar bringing his ERA for the month to 0.75. 

The Twins front office are relying on Thielbar to be the key lefty for the remainder of this season in the Twins bullpen. Jovani Moran is back to give him support but as long as he keeps up the success of August for the remaining games, he should be a big threat to opponents in the postseason.

Honorable Mention #1: Sonny Gray
Gray carried the Twins starting rotation for the month of August over the course of his five starts. Working 26 2/3 innings, Gray managed to keep opponents from gaining more than seven runs against him as he posted a 2.03 ERA for the month.

In addition to the low ERA, Gray had an impressive 30 strikeouts averaging 10.1 K per nine, along with an opponent's batting average of .189 for the month. The only real concern for Gray in August was allowing the most walks in a month on the season with 13. However, five of those came in his first start of the month on August 4 against the Blue Jays. 

Now that August is over, Gray makes the first start from the rotation in September. As long as the walks decrease and the strikeouts keep coming, Gray could be the ace to get the Twins into the postseason. 

Twins Daily Pitcher of the Month: Jhoan Duran
Duran may have earned this award for throwing the fastest off-speed pitch in MLB history alone. But he deserves the recognition for much more than that. 

Over the course of August, Duran was practically untouchable. He posted a .171 opponent batting average over the month, struck 17 of 44 batters faced, and only walked three. And only one of those runners came home to score against Duran giving him a 0.77 ERA for the month in 11 2/3 innings. 

Duran has been the best Twins pitcher overall in the second half of the season as he has made 15 relief appearances in that time with a 0.66 ERA, 13.5 K per 9, and hitting the fastest pitches on the radar gun in every relief appearance.

The sky certainly seems to be the limit for the Twins' top rookie as he will only continue to set records for Twins relievers as the final month of the season begins. 

What do you think? Was Duran the right choice, or maybe one of the starters? August was much better to Twins pitchers than July, and June, and... Let us know what you think in the comments below. 

 

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[Karbo]

Duran should be the closer!

[Doctor Gast]

Absolutely Duran is the winner. He's been lights out all season!

[mikelink45]

This, like the hitter, was an obvious and good choice.  I just wish he did two innings instead of one to reduce the potential for lesser relievers to appear.  He still wants to be a starter so let him stretch out. 

If you look at the other end of the pitching lineup, I notice Pagan's disappearance, but am not impressed with Lopez as the closer - like Karbo I move him to the end of the game.  But how often can we use him?  He has been in 49 games - 38% of the Twins games.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Duran needs to be closing and Lopez needs to be the set up guy, even though Lopez was obtained to close. Duran has beaten Lopez out for that position. It happens. It will make the Twins a better team.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Duran needs to be closing and Lopez needs to be the set up guy, even though Lopez was obtained to close. Duran has beaten Lopez out for that position. It happens. It will make the Twins a better team.

Duran should face the best hitters, in the 8th or 9th. 

[minman1982]

8 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Duran should face the best hitters, in the 8th or 9th. 

I agree. Let's set Duran up to face the part of the order which is the most dangerous toward the end of a close game.  He is the best relief pitcher, so don't put him in the traditional 9th inning closer box.  I absolutely hate it when a lesser relief pitcher gives up a game tying or lead changing hit in the 8th to the other teams best batter because they are saving him for the 9th to close the game.