2015 AL Central Preview: Minnesota Twins

Starting Rotation

Mar 13, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) pitches during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Hughes
Ervin Santana
Ricky Nolasco
Kyle Gibson
Tommy Milone

The Twins had the worst ERA in the American League last season. That wasn’t because of Phil Hughes. Not only did Hughes have career bests in wins (16), innings (209.2) and strikeouts (186), he also posted the league’s lowest walk rate since 2005 (minimum 170 innings) walking just 16 batters for the year.

Kyle Gibson contributed 13 wins but his 4.47 ERA resembled more of a fifth starter than a number two. To help, the Twins signed Ervin Santana.

Santana had a solid year with the Atlanta Braves (14 wins, 3.92 ERA) but his four year, $55 million deal feels a lot like the deal Ricky Nolasco (3.70 ERA in 2013) signed the year before.

He walks too many and allows the long ball often. Tommy Milone looks to have earned the fifth spot in the rotation and is hoping to be more like the pitcher we all saw with the Oakland A’s and less like the pitcher we saw last season in five starts with Minnesota.

Next: Twins: Bullpen