The Twins Call Up Kendry Rojas
After the Twins’ bullpen struggled in the previous two losses, the team has decided to bring up a power arm from the minor leagues. This move comes ahead of their road game against the New York Mets on Tuesday, April 21. A source confirmed this information to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Kendry Rojas, a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher, is set to join the big-league bullpen. Rojas has been performing well at Class AAA St. Paul, where he hasn’t given up a run in six innings since recovering from a hamstring strain. He has allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five batters during that time.
Rojas is expected to take over Kody Funderburk’s spot on the roster. Funderburk will be placed on the paternity list as his wife, Alicia, is due to deliver on Monday. Funderburk recently went through chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma.
The Twins acquired Rojas in a trade last summer with the Toronto Blue Jays, involving Louis Varland. According to Baseball America, Rojas is ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the organization.
Despite some struggles after the trade last year, Rojas was added to the 40-man roster in November. He made a strong impression during spring training. In his two appearances at St. Paul, he threw fastballs that reached 99 miles per hour. Opposing batters swung at 45 pitches, and Rojas got 17 of them to miss, which is a 38% whiff rate.
In addition to his fastball, Rojas throws a changeup and a slider. During spring training, Twins catcher Victor Caratini shared his impressions of Rojas.
“I had never seen him before,” Caratini said. “I know he’s a good prospect, but I was really impressed with his command and the way he moved his pitches.”
Rojas grew up in Cuba and is set to make his MLB debut when he appears in a game. His rise through the minor leagues has been quick, with only 18⅔ innings pitched at Class AA and 38⅓ innings at AAA.
Key Details About Kendry Rojas
- Age: 23 years old
- Position: Left-handed pitcher
- Current Team: Minnesota Twins (promoted from Class AAA St. Paul)
- Recent Performance: No runs allowed in six innings, four hits, two walks, five strikeouts
- Fastball Speed: Reached 99 miles per hour during spring training
- Pitch Types: Fastball, changeup, slider
- MLB Debut: Scheduled to occur in an upcoming game against the New York Mets
Background and Career Highlights
- Trade History: Acquired by the Twins in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays last summer
- Ranking: Ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the organization by Baseball America
- Spring Training Impressions: Impressed teammates with his command and pitch movement
- Minor League Stats: Pitched 18⅔ innings at Class AA and 38⅓ innings at AAA
- Personal Life: Grew up in Cuba and is making his MLB debut
Impact on the Team
The promotion of Rojas is expected to provide a boost to the Twins’ bullpen, especially after recent struggles. With his strong performance at the minor league level and impressive spring training stats, there is optimism about his potential impact at the major league level.
Rojas’ ability to throw a high-velocity fastball and mix in other pitches gives the Twins a versatile option in the bullpen. His command and control have also been noted by teammates, which could help stabilize the pitching staff during critical moments in games.
As the Twins prepare for their upcoming game against the New York Mets, the addition of Rojas is seen as a strategic move to strengthen their roster. Fans are eager to see how he performs at the major league level and whether he can contribute to the team’s success.
