Bobby Nightengale

@nightengalejr

Minnesota Twins beat writer for @StarTribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 5d

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ Trade grades from the Twins’ deadline deals. ⚾️ Yoendrys Gómez, remaining in the closer’s role, is grateful to receive a vote of confidence from Derek Shelton. ⚾️ Farm system updates. Sign up link (it’s free!): link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

Mets trade reliever A.J. Minter for minor league infielders Billy Amick and Bruin Agbayani.

Grade: A

This isn’t the same Minter who was regularly throwing 97 mph fastballs a few years ago, but he brings a World Series pedigree to the Twins bullpen. He hardly walks anybody. He’s given up a few homers, which is where he’s giving up his runs, but he was one of the best lefty pitchers who was moved at the trade deadline.

Amick has huge power, hitting 26 home runs this year, but it comes with a lot of strikeouts. Plus, he’s probably a first baseman defensively, so his baseball value will be tied mostly to hitting homers. Agbayani is recovering from a rotator cuff injury. He looks mostly like a second baseman, so there will be pressure on his bat to ascend to higher levels.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 5d

Just over two years after Kaelen Culpepper was taken with the #21 pick in 2024, he’s a big leaguer. Story: www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 12d

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ Ryan Kreidler stepped up for the Ryan Baseball Classic, where around 1,000 Ryans cheered him on. (Joe Ryan says he is the ultimate Ryan, though.) ⚾️ Jack Anderson’s wild week in the Twins bullpen. Sign up link: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

When the Twins were contacted about the “Ryan Meetup,” they staged a pregame Ryan parade where all the Ryans could take pregame lap around the field after batting practice. Then the group of Ryans — many of whom wore name tags — sat beyond the center field wall. There was no doubt who drew the loudest cheers.

“They were going crazy,” Kreidler said. “Even between innings, if I got the ball in my hands at all. I think it was in the first inning, somebody threw the ball in from the outfield, I caught the ball and they just started cheering. Like, I couldn't do any wrong out there.”

Kreidler, to his credit, gave his cheering section what they wanted to see. In a 2-0 win over the Athletics, he delivered the Twins’ first hit with a ground-rule double in the third inning, drawing huge cheers. Then he stole third base, garnering more applause and “Let’s go Ryan!” chants.

“It felt like something your buddies would do for you in a high school basketball game almost,” Kreidler said.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 14d

A celebratory night for the Twins, even with a Byron Buxton injury. Royce Lewis delivers a walk-off hit hours after GM Jeremy Zoll vowed to add to the bullpen. “We’re going to use this next week to do everything we can to find ways to improve the club.” www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

Since spring training, owner Tom Pohlad and the Twins front office set a goal of playing competitive baseball into September.

“The good news is there is alignment across the board,” Zoll said. “We want to make the team better. The clubhouse wants us to keep the group together and keep pushing forward. The fans want us to be better and have a winning product.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 18d

The pregame Ryan parade. Heard someone say there were more than 970 people named Ryan who purchased Twins tickets tonight. Story on the Ryans: www.startribune.com/look-out-min...

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 19d

Twins first-round pick Vahn Lackey checking out Target Field today.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 19d

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ All-Star week highlights, including a nice gesture by Jhoan Duran to honor Twins coach Luis Ramirez. ⚾️ Prospects playing well after midseason promotions. ⚾️ Reusse shares a Ted Williams-Sid Hartman story. Sign up: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

Ryan enjoyed chatting with Dylan Cease (they chatted about Cease’s routines and how he’s remained a consistent 180-inning pitcher), Mike Trout (Ryan’s last start before the break was against the Angels, so they talked through their at-bats) and Louis Varland (fun memories together).

Ryan also had a chance to meet Barry Bonds, one of his favorite players as a kid growing up in the Bay Area.

Bonds "goes to the same grocery store as my dad. It’s right next to our house, so he rides by and they ride the same roads all the time,” Ryan said. “That was really cool. Hopefully, we’ll get out and go for a ride. I’ve got to get in a little better shape. He’s a beast on the bike, so it’d be fun to do that.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 26d

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ How Andrew Morris developed into a key reliever in the Twins bullpen. ⚾️ Answering mailbag questions (topics ranging from the trade deadline to which St. Paul Saints are on call-up watch). Sign up link: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

In the bullpen, his pitches are playing way up. He’s repeatedly hitting 100 mph with his fastball. His slider, which StatCast labels as a cutter, is becoming more reliable. He still throws a changeup.

“When I caught him in spring training picking up a spot start, did I expect him to be throwing 100 [mph] out of our bullpen?” Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “Absolutely not, but it’s really cool to see. He’s an absolute bulldog.”

After giving up runs in three consecutive appearances in early June, Morris entered the All-Star break on a 17-inning scoreless streak. In that span, he’s totaled 17 strikeouts, three walks and six hits allowed.

“Early in the season, I think it was a situation where he just didn’t have major league reps,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “The more reps he gets, the better we are.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· 29d

Byron Buxton, who wants to remain with the Twins for the rest of his career, chatted with Clayton Kershaw during the World Baseball Classic about spending his career with one team. “Just to see his reaction, though, I was like, ‘That’s going to be me.’” Story: www.startribune.com/byron-buxton...

Buxton has personal and professional reasons why he’s committed to the Twins. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star has spent almost half of his life in the organization.

He takes pride in his ability to play for one team, something he saw Joe Mauer do when they overlapped during his first few seasons. At the World Baseball Classic this spring, Buxton asked future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw about playing with the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout his career.

“I was like, ‘Dang, bro, the only thing you know is blue and white, ain’t it?’” Buxton said. “He was like, ‘Love it.’ Just to see his reaction, though, I was like, ‘That’s going to be me.’

“We’re blessed already to be able to play baseball, but to be able to do it with one team, and make your legacy there, that’s what makes it special. It’s somewhere you can always call home no matter what.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 13

🤔

National Basketball Players Association executive director David Kelly criticized the NBA's salary cap and luxury tax system on Friday, arguing that the newly implemented "second apron" must be "softened" or removed.

"We are not fans of the second apron," Kelly said. "We did not propose the second apron. We should have done a better job of fighting back against the second apron. In the future, we will have a much more unified union, and we will do a better job of fighting back. ... We're seeing [the apron system] decimate teams and force decisions to be made that are not basketball decisions."

Kelly, a former Golden State Warriors executive who succeeded former All-Star Andre Iguodala as the head of the players union in February, disputed NBA commissioner Adam Silver's contention that the apron system was designed to foster parity. Instead, Kelly argued the system was instituted in 2023 for "control cost purposes" related to player salary.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 12

The Twins, two games under .500, are tied with Seattle for the AL’s third wild-card spot with one game remaining before the All-Star break.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 10

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ Fun and unique draft week memories from Walker Jenkins, Royce Lewis and Zebby Matthews. ⚾️ A notable quote of the week by owner Tom Pohlad. ⚾️ How ex-Twin Brent Headrick found success with the Yankees. Sign up link: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

“Horrible,” said Twins prospect Walker Jenkins, who was taken with the No. 5 pick in 2023. “Oh my gosh, I was so stressed. It’s one of those things that you just have no clue what going to happen.”

If it was stressful for a top player in the draft, a lock to be taken in the first five picks, imagine how the weeks leading into the draft felt for Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews. He wasn’t a highly regarded draft prospect, often used as a multi-inning reliever in his final season at Western Carolina.

Matthews, an eighth-round pick in the 2022 draft, didn’t have an agent, so he took all the calls from teams. Plus, he entered the transfer portal in case he wasn’t picked, so he received a ton of phone calls from college coaches. He laughed as he recounted the stories this week.

“It was awesome to go through it without an agent because I got to talk to all the scouts and teams,” Matthews said. “But I don’t recommend it.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 5

Twins reliever Travis Adams throwing around a football with fans at Yankee Stadium.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 5

Byron Buxton says this is the most fun he’s had playing baseball. “It’s been a special group so far. I know I wouldn’t be here without them.” Joe Ryan says the Twins had a big opportunity to prove themselves before the trade deadline. www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

Buxton ruled out participating in the Home Run Derby after he participated in the event last year in Atlanta. He returned to the lineup Saturday after missing four games because of a right hip impingement.

As much as Ryan was excited for his repeat selection to the All-Star team, his mind is still focused on his final two starts before the break and then playing well before the trade deadline.

“We have to keep winning baseball games,” Ryan said. “We have a good stretch this month ahead of us. Put our foot down and put ourselves in a spot to add [players] in a month, keep going from there and play baseball as long as we can this year and keep rolling.

“I know what I’m going to do in two weeks, but at the same time, it’s focus on the games that we have in front of us.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 4

The tarp is now off at Yankee Stadium. But the fans got treated to a nice Cape Verde goal during the delay.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 3

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ Edouard Julien, back at Target Field for the first time last week, was grateful for his time with the Twins. ⚾️ A look at how the Twins’ 2025 draft class is performing in its first full pro season. Sign up link: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig....

When he returned with the Rockies on the Twins’ last homestand, he was greeted with a tribute video. The Twins played back-to-back tribute videos, both lasting about a minute, for Julien and Willi Castro.

“I wasn't expecting it,” Julien said afterward. “I wasn't asking for anything, either. It was sad, for sure, to see all these memories, but it was cool. I'm very proud and happy they did it for me. It's a kind gesture.”

Julien spent a long time during pregame batting practice in his first game back at Target Field catching up with former teammates and coaches.

"I mean, they did everything for me,” Julien said. “They gave me a chance. When I came into the system, I wasn't a big prospect. I just worked and got better, and they gave me all the chances. I got to the big leagues pretty quick, and they gave me a chance to play every day. So, I owe them everything.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jul 2

Walker Jenkins was quick to help a kid who nearly fell in the 90-degree heat during the national anthem Tuesday. The kid, Lincoln, wrote Jenkins a note afterward. The latest on the Twins’ top prospect, nicknamed Captain America: www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

Lincoln fell into Jenkins’ arms and didn’t respond when Jenkins tried to talk to him. The 6-3, 210-pound outfielder picked the kid up in his arms and rushed him to the dugout, where he was met by a member of the Saints training staff. The Saints noted that Lincoln was doing well and bought a Jenkins shirt afterward, sharing video of the incident with the parents’ permission.

“I’m glad I was able to help,” said Jenkins, nicknamed “Captain America” when he played for a Team USA age-group team in high school.

“Thankful the kid is OK. For a minute there, I didn’t know what was going on, so I’m thankful. Lord willing, he was OK and good to go. He wrote me an awesome little note that I’m super thankful for, bought a shirt with my name on it. I was like, ‘He’s the man.’”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 28

A behind-the-scenes look at the popular “Celeb Look-Alikes” cam at Target Field. The Twins don’t use facial-recognition software or A.I. to find potential subjects. Instead, it’s an hourslong project to identify people for the biggest laughs. Story ➡️ www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 28

It was a fun way to watch Ohtani’s first few innings!

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 27

Ryan Jeffers is taking pregame batting practice on the field for the first time since his hamate surgery.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 26

Edouard Julien and Willi Castro catching up with former teammates and coaches at Target Field.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 26

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ Brock Stewart reflects on his time with the Twins, admitting his surprise and sadness when he was traded. ⚾️ The MLB draft is in two weeks and the Twins have the #3 pick. A look at the top players on the board. Sign up: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

His best season came in 2023, emerging from a minor league signing into a dominant late-inning reliever. He allowed two runs in 27⅔ innings, then gave up one hit and two runs in three postseason games.

“One of the few highlights of my career was being on that playoff team and pitching in big moments here at Target Field and in the playoffs,” Stewart said. “That was a very special season for me. It resurrected my career to be honest. That was really fun.”

Stewart pitched a scoreless inning in the clinching win of the wild card series over the Blue Jays, striking out two of three batters he faced. It was the Twins’ first postseason series win in 21 years.

“I’ll never forget how electric this place was during those playoffs,” Stewart said. “The place was shaking. Everybody was chanting together. It was very, very special. It just goes to show you what these fans are capable of if they put a good product out there.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 20

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 19

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ As the Twins try to rebuild their bullpen, which they tore down at last year’s trade deadline, they are prioritizing a variety of arm slots. ⚾️ The latest on Alan Roden. ⚾️ Twins-related links I’m reading. Sign up: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

Lawrence has a whippy sidearm delivery. Andrew Morris, meanwhile, has an over-the-top delivery, releasing pitches well above his head. Yoendrys Gómez has more of a three-quarters delivery, and it’s notably lower than where he had it a couple of years ago.

The Twins acquired reliever Taylor Rashi, who was designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks, on June 8 and sent him to Class AAA St. Paul. One reason they liked him — he has had good AAA numbers but limited experience in the big leagues — was his extreme over-the-top arm slot.

“He’s got one of those cut-carry fastballs that it’s not going to overwhelm you with velocity, but it’s a really high arm slot,” General Manager Jeremy Zoll said of Rashi on WCCO’s “Inside Twins” radio show. “Think like Josh Collmenter or someone in that vein, maybe Mike Fiers. It’s funky. It’s a different look.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 17

Mick Abel pitched well in his second rehab start with Class AAA St. Paul. He allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) in five innings while striking out five. He was pitching with a huge lead, but he threw 44 of his 61 pitches for strikes. Fastball averaged 95 mph.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 16

ESPN’s Buster Olney made a list a dozen MLB execs under the most pressure for the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Tom Pohlad was the lone owner who made the list. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Pohlad is not a general manager, per se -- taking over as controlling owner when the Twins' sale was finalized in December -- but he will determine the direction of the team at the trade deadline. In spring training, he surprised rival executives by talking optimistically about how Minnesota would compete for a playoff spot in 2026 -- less than a year after the Twins had unloaded numerous players at the trade deadline.

Folks with other teams are wondering whether Pohlad will defer to a more objective analysis of the team's playoff chances -- according to Fangraphs, 19% -- and greenlight trade talks surrounding Ryan, Ryan Jeffers or maybe even Byron Buxton, who has a no-trade clause, and dive into a full rebuild. Or will he follow the example of Moreno and stubbornly keep his tradable players and play out a Hail Mary strategy to make the postseason?

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 12

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ How Mike Paredes, an 18th-round pick, made it to the majors. ⚾️ Justin Morneau is confident in Royce Lewis’ ability to handle first base. ⚾️ Updates on the top 10 prospects in the Twins farm system. Sign up link: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

Paredes has pitched fine since arriving in the big leagues. He’s given up five hits and five earned runs in 10⅓ innings (4.35 ERA) with eight strikeouts and six walks.

A solid start for a guy who has exceeded expectations throughout his career. He was an 18th-round pick out of San Diego State during the 20-round MLB draft in 2021, receiving a $75,000 signing bonus.

A strength of the Twins’ player development system is the club’s ability to turn guys like Paredes, the 549th player picked in his draft class, into major leaguers. He went from a guy, in 2022, averaging 90 mph with his fastball to averaging 93 mph in 2023. His strikeout rate increased, and he cut his home run rate in half.

“The strength and conditioning department, along with a lot of the pitching coaches, were just saying, ‘Hey, go in the offseason, make it a big goal for you to put on some good weight, and just see where it gets you on the velo side of things,’ ” Paredes said. “That was huge.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 6

Twenty-nine minutes into the rain delay, there is finally some rain.

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 5

Royce Lewis is doing more work on the right side of the infield at AAA. He likes second base while first base is a completely new position for him. He also told the Twins he’s willing to play the outfield if needed. Story @stribsports.startribune.com: www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

“The [first base] glove is the weirdest thing,” said Lewis, who is working on his defense with Saints manager Brian Dinkelman. “I put it on my hand and I’m like, ‘This is not normal, man.’ Even an outfield glove, it feels like it’s two times bigger than that. Just getting used to it. I think uncomfortable is OK. It’s not like it’s bad, but I’m trying my best to get up there.

“Second base [Wednesday] felt unbelievable. I’m really excited about that opportunity. I could see a long-term place or home there, as well as third. It’s fun to have both in the tool bag.”

Bobby Nightengale@nightengalejr· Jun 5

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter: ⚾️ Kaelen Culpepper knows he’s close to the majors and is doing his best to force the Twins’ hand. ⚾️ Mailbag Q on the Twins pitching. ⚾️ More on Trevor Larnach’s homer in the Allegheny River. Sign up: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...