Twins' hard-throwing lefty prospect duo impresses in MLB debuts

NEW YORK -- The Twins played a Major League game on Wednesday night, one that counts in the 2026 standings. For the record, they lost, 3-2 to the Mets, to fall back to .500 and into third place in the American League Central. It was a tough and disappointing loss.

But if, as you watched, you found yourself dreaming a little bit about future seasons rather than worrying quite so much about ’26? Well, you’re not alone.

A pair of high-octane lefties from Minnesota’s burgeoning farm system made their debuts in the defeat. And while there were some hiccups, it was very easy to see why everyone is so excited about both Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas.

Prielipp started and pitched four innings, allowing two runs with six strikeouts and no walks. Rojas was next, pitching two scoreless with three walks, no K’s, but two critical double-play balls. Rojas hit 97 miles per hour or higher nine times. Prielipp got 10 swinging strikes and topped out at 97.3. Lefties like these don’t come around every day -- but sometimes they arrive two on the same day.

“You're excited when you see guys in our system that come up and perform,” said manager Derek Shelton. “Left-handed power arms, there's not a ton of them in the game. Those guys were both rushing it up there mid-to-high 90s. It's exciting to see.”

Prielipp, the Twins’ No. 5 prospect, was a 2022 draftee who has an extensive injury history and a top-tier slider. He got the start in place of the injured Mick Abel, and while he only lasted four innings, he absolutely held his own against a star-studded New York lineup.

After permitting a run in the first on two base hits, he retired the next eight in a row. A lineup featuring Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor among plenty of other big names didn’t spook Prielipp in the slightest.

“I’ve been calm my whole life, so it’s really not been a big problem for me,” he said. “But yeah, that first inning, the noise, it’s loud, it’s hard.”

Getting to the big leagues was the culmination of a long road for the University of Alabama product, who has already had Tommy John surgery twice.

“Whenever someone goes through as much adversity as someone like Connor did,” said general manager Jeremy Zoll, “going through two rehabs without pitching in meaningful games in pro ball yet, you’re just always rooting for someone like that to get a chance.”

Rojas, who ranks No. 10 in the system, came over from the Blue Jays’ organization last summer in the Louis Varland trade. He packs an even higher-velocity fastball than Prielipp, and while he’s probably a little farther away from sticking in the big leagues, he might have an even higher ceiling. He’s likely only here for a short stint right now, since he was recalled to take Kody Funderburk’s roster spot while Funderburk is on the paternity list.

Rojas permitted a leadoff single in the fifth, then got Bo Bichette to hit into a twin killing. An inning later, he erased a leadoff walk with another GIDP ball.

“I was just trying to make a good pitch and I did it and I got the ground ball to get the double play,” said Rojas through interpreter and assistant pitching coach Luis Ramirez.

The Twins were elated to get Rojas in the Blue Jays deal, and were only willing to deal Varland because the Cuban lefty was part of the return. But upon his arrival last summer, he struggled in Triple-A. It’s been a different story this year; he was very impressive in Spring Training and has pitched well in the Minors since getting past an early hamstring injury.

“I think he’s got a really good head on his shoulders,” said Twins ace Joe Ryan. “Takes care of his stuff, super humble, asks a lot of questions. Definitely wants to be great. It’s just a good sign to add someone like that. Obviously, it’s fun to watch him pitch.”

It’s very easy to envision both of them as late-inning bullpen weapons for Minnesota in the relatively near future, and not all that hard to picture one or both of them as rotation stalwarts. Those days may not be this month or even this season, but following Wednesday, they’re clearly on the horizon.