Twins Video
The Twins have played 104 games this year. In the first 52, they went 15-37, digging into a hopelessly deep hole. In the second 52, they went 25-27. They're still mired in last place because of that horrendous start, but they have been playing decent ball for two months now.
The offensive breakthrough has been a striking component in this improvement. Over the first 52 games, the Twins posted a .686 OPS while averaging 3.7 runs per game. In the latter 52, they posted a .774 OPS and averaged 5.2 runs.
Yet, we all know the reason they are still two games under .500 over the past couple months despite their prolific scoring. It's pitching, which is also the reason many fans are understandably skeptical of the club's ability to turn around and contend in 2017.
Recognizing this, Antony told reporters last week that he was honing in on starting pitching, noting that "we don't have a lot of guys that are right on the cusp." This is indeed true, and especially problematic with questions swirling around so many players that figure to be in the rotation mix next year.
Against this backdrop, the acquisition of Adalberto Mejia from the Giants looks like a master stroke by Antony and the front office. While he's not an ace-in-the-making, Mejia is a big, young, MLB-ready left-hander whose stock is on the rise. The 23-year-old crept onto Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list for the first time last month, appearing at No. 91 on the site's midseason update. With a still-developing slider, he has struck out 24 percent of batters faced between Double-A and Triple-A this season, improving over his previous career mark of 20 percent.
At the Futures Game three weeks ago, Twins prospect J.T. Chargois started the top of the ninth for the U.S. team. Mejia started the bottom half for World, closing out a victory with his scoreless frame.
He is exactly the kind of arm the Twins needed to add, and they did so while giving up a player that, in my opinion, should have been behind Eduardo Escobar in the shortstop pecking order anyway.
This team has given up the most runs in the American League, and is on pace to allow more than any Twins squad since 1996. Obviously, there are many legitimate reasons for concern about the pitching staff's outlook.
On offense, the pieces are already in place. Turning this rotation into one that can contend is easily the most pressing task Antony or his replacement will face.
But it feels a bit less insurmountable with Mejia joining Jose Berrios, who makes his return to the big-league mound on Monday night, as promising young hurlers that are on right on the cusp.
MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
— Latest Twins coverage from our writers
— Recent Twins discussion in our forums
— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
— Become a Twins Daily Caretaker
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.