Lewis Thorpe

Thorpe entered last season as a candidate for the rotation, but didn't make the initial major league roster. When he was called up, he was largely used in long relief and struggled with a 6.06 ERA and poor underlying numbers. Thorpe had a promising 25% strikeout rate in 2019, but that plummeted to 13% along with a drop in velocity to an average 89.7 mph fastball from 91.3 in 2019. Thorpe showed promise at Triple-A in 2019 with strong peripherals, striking out 29.5% of batters while walking just 6.2%. His 13% walk rate last season was uncharacteristic from the good control he displayed in the minors, so it may be best not to read too much into a small sample size of seven appearances. Thorpe still has mid-rotation upside with a slider and curveball that could settle in as 50-grade to 60-grade offerings despite a low-90s fastball. He'll compete for a fifth starter role or long relief role this spring.

Thorpe made his debut in late June and went on to make two starts and 10 relief appearances for the Twins. His 6.18 ERA in 27.2 innings was far from good, but there are reasons to be optimistic about the young lefty's future. He managed a 3.47 FIP underneath that bloated ERA on the strength of a 25.0 K% and an 8.1 BB%, both of which beat the league average. His 4.58 ERA in 96.1 innings for Triple-A Rochester doesn't look great either, though he posted strong peripherals there as well, striking out 29.5% of batters while walking just 6.2%. Thorpe has a full repertoire and decent command, so the Twins likely want to keep him as a starter for the time being, especially if the durability concerns that held him back early in his career continue to fade. He should have a chance to compete for a starting role in spring training, though he likely needs a bit more seasoning in the minors.

After missing the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and mononucleosis, Thorpe has re-established his prospect status. He had a 3.58 ERA with a 10.9 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 at Double-A and then held his own in four Triple-A starts with a 3.32 ERA and 10.8 K/9. The southpaw throws a low-90s fastball, a slider and a curveball, all of which could settle in as 50-grade to 60-grade offerings, giving him mid-rotation upside. He has good control (2.5 BB/9) and polish for his age, but will need to work on keeping the ball in the park (1.1 HR/9) against upper-level hitters. Even though he missed two full seasons, the native Australian just turned 23 and will begin the season at Triple-A. Holding up over a full season for a second year in a row would be a big accomplishment for Thorpe. He is the most intriguing of the Twins pitching prospects likely to spend significant time in the majors this season.

Thorpe missed two seasons due to Tommy John surgery and mononucleosis, but made a promising return in 2017, with his fastball clocking in at 92-94 mph. He has quality off-speed offerings, but doesn't quite have frontline upside. His 2.69 ERA was supported by a 2.92 FIP and 1.21 WHIP with High-A Fort Myers. The Aussie's 26.8 percent strikeout rate ranked seventh in the Florida State League, but his 9.9 percent walk rate was also one of the highest marks in the league, so throwing more strikes will be paramount if he is going to make it as a starter. Most importantly, he stayed healthy for a full season, and his stuff appears to be almost back to his pre-surgery form. He gave up four runs and struck out seven in six innings in his lone appearance at Double-A Chattanooga, where he will head for the start of 2018. The Twins will up his workload, and as a 22-year-old who is already on the 40-man roster, they could promote him aggressively if he holds his own early on.

Thorpe was one of the Twins' top pitching prospects prior to needing Tommy John surgery in March of 2015. He hasn't pitched since, as he missed all of 2016 due to mono. His health remains a mystery and it's possible he may not return to his prior form, as the Twins didn't protect him from the Rule 5 draft in December by adding him to the 40-man roster. When he last pitched in 2014, Thorpe posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with a 80:36 K:BB ratio in 71.2 innings at Low-A Cedar Rapids at just 18 years old. Thorpe will need to show he's healthy to maintain any kind of prospect luster, and the Twins will likely bring him along slowly following the lengthy layoff.

Thorpe is considered to have one of the highest ceilings among pitchers in the Twins' farm system, but the Australian will be working his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2016. Thorpe suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament at the end of the 2014 season. He tried to rehab the injury only to have a setback in spring training that required surgery. When he last pitched in 2014, Thorpe posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with a 80:36 K:BB ratio in 71.2 innings at Low-A Cedar Rapids at just 18 years old. This year will be considered a success if he can get back to that form by the end of the season.

The electric Australian is considered to have one of the highest ceilings among pitchers in the Twins' farm system, but he's at least several years away from making an impact at the big league level. In 71.2 innings at Low-A Cedar Rapids, Thorpe posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with a 80:36 K:BB ratio, which is quite impressive for an 18-year-old taking his first crack at full-season ball. His season ended early in September due to a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, so he'll need to show he's healthy next spring. A strong season at High-A could put him on the fast track to the majors.

Thorpe has emerged as a top pitching prospect for the Twins after an impressive season for Minnesota's team in the Gulf Coast Rookie league. He had a dominating 64:6 K:BB ratio in 44 innings with a 2.05 ERA, all at age 18. He made just eight starts (four relief appearances), so we'll need to see how he holds up with a larger workload. But his first full professional season could signal great things to come.