Bradley. Woods Richardson. Matthews. Abel. Who makes Twins' rotation?

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Following Zebby Matthews’ start against the Red Sox on Sunday, every contender for the Twins’ starting rotation has made four appearances against professional teams. And with a little more than a week left in camp, each of them has one more scheduled start, though Mick Abel could get two.

It remains a matter of four candidates for three spots behind Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, so here’s a look at where each of them stands as we hit the home stretch of the competition.

RHP Taj Bradley

Standard stats: 14 innings pitched, 4.50 ERA, 19 strikeouts, five walks, 1.43 WHIP

One key number: Has averaged 96.6, 97.7 and 97.0 mph on his four-seam fastball over his last three starts – all higher than his average in any of his three Major League seasons

The skinny: Bradley’s stuff looks electric this spring. He came into camp as a favorite for one of the open rotation spots, even before the injury to Pablo López, and he’s done nothing to change that impression. He had one rough start, on Feb. 28, but overall he’s looked very sharp and he seems comfortable and at ease. The Twins believe that Bradley is a high-upside, potential impact starter, and he’s showing hints that he might start fulfilling that potential this year.

Stock: Up

RHP Simeon Woods Richardson

Standard stats: 15 innings, 6.60 ERA, 13 strikeouts, four walks, 1.47 WHIP

One key number: Ground-ball percentage of 46.8% this spring; ground-ball percentage last season was 33.3%

The skinny: Woods Richardson feels good about how things are going, and in fairness to him, most of his peripheral numbers tell a better story than that 6.60 ERA. He was singled to death in his worst start, and even then he threw strikes. His splitter has looked excellent at times, and his best has been very good. Woods Richardson has certainly been good enough to look like he belongs, but he hasn’t gone into “leave no doubt” mode.

Stock: Hold

RHP Zebby Matthews

Standard stats: 15 innings, 4.80 ERA, 12 strikeouts, five walks, 1.33 WHIP (includes game vs. Puerto Rico but not college game)

One key number: Has not allowed a home run this spring

The skinny: Matthews’ potential remains robust, but he hasn’t dazzled the way he did last spring, when he was the best pitcher in camp. His fastball velocity is down a bit, and while he’s been effective, he hasn’t wowed very often. He is throwing strikes, which has always been his m.o., and he continues to work on finding the exact right balance of being in the zone but not in the middle of the zone. Matthews hasn’t seized a starting spot, but he also hasn’t really done anything to lose one.

Stock: Hold

RHP Mick Abel

Standard stats: 13 1/3 innings, 1.35 ERA, 17 strikeouts, one walk, 0.75 WHIP

One key number: Swinging strike percentage of 16.9 is highest of any Twins pitcher with at least seven innings pitched

The skinny: He’s simply been the best pitcher in camp. Even his least impressive outing, last time out against the Blue Jays, was solid. He’s throwing the most strikes, missing the most bats, looking composed and generally doing everything that could be asked of him. And though the numbers were against him at the start of camp as the pitcher with the least Major League experience, if Abel continues to pitch like this, he will force the Twins’ hand.

Stock: Way up