Twins' Joe Ryan: Adding two new pitches this spring
Rotowire
Ryan has added a new slider and a split-finger pitch to serve as his changeup this spring, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "Joe's slider, to me, really stood out. I'd call it a new pitch. He may call it the same pitch and a different version of it. But that's really exciting," said manager Rocco Baldelli.
Ryan threw his fastball 60.1% of the time last season with success (.300 slugging against), but he gave up eight of his 20 home runs allowed on his slider (.497 slugging allowed). He also visited the Driveline baseball performance center to help with the new pitches. Ryan doesn't have great velocity (91.5 average mph fastball), but he has an extremely deceptive four-seam fastball that helped him generate an above-average 9.2 K/9 and 12% swinging-strike rate. As a flyball pitcher (27.7% GB%), home runs can be a worry (1.2 HR/9), so an improved offspeed repertoire could work wonders. Monitor the progress of his new pitches this spring.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Strikes out eight in win
Rotowire
Ryan (13-8) earned the win against the Tigers on Friday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking one over six innings.
Ryan tossed 65 of 91 pitches for strikes across six frames. He allowed six baserunners, but none of them reached home. This was a bounce-back game for the righty, who gave up three runs in four innings to the Angels in his last start. His Friday appearance was his third quality start in his last five games, all three of which resulted in wins. In five September starts, Ryan ended up with a 2.20 ERA and has lowered his season ERA to 3.55.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Lasts only four innings Saturday
Rotowire
Ryan did not factor in the decision against the Angels on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over four innings.
All three of the runs Ryan allowed came in the third inning, and he was pulled after four shaky frames. The right-hander struggled with his control, issuing multiple free passes for the seventh time in his past eight starts. The walks hadn't hurt him in his previous two trips to the mound -- he pitched 14.2 scoreless innings while picking up two wins in those outings -- but they contributed to an elevated pitch count and consequently a short appearance Saturday. Ryan has shown plenty of promise this season, posting a 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12-8 record while notching over a strikeout per inning.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Dominant victory Sunday
Rotowire
Ryan (12-8) earned the win Sunday in Cleveland, striking out five in 7.2 innings while allowing three hits, two walks and a hit batsman.
After not allowing a hit in seven innings in his last start, Ryan didn't allow a hit Sunday until the fifth inning. He was in control throughout the game and only one baserunner reached scoring position while he was on the mound. The 26-year-old is a strong candidate for American League Pitcher of the Week as he tossed 14.2 scoreless innings while striking out 14 and allowing three hits in two starts. His next start will likely be next weekend against the Angels.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Throws seven no-hit innings
Rotowire
Ryan (11-8) pitched seven no-hit innings to earn the win over the Royals on Tuesday. He allowed two walks and struck out nine without allowing a run.
Ryan was nearly untouchable during his time on the mound. He threw 72 of 106 pitches for strikes while inducing 13 whiffs. The high pitch count prevented him from going for a place in history, and reliever Jovani Moran lost the combined no-hit bid in an ugly ninth inning. Tuesday marked the third time in 24 starts Ryan's gone at least seven innings. It was his fourth scoreless outing of the year, lowering his ERA to 3.83 with a 1.11 WHIP and 133:41 K:BB through 129.1 innings. The 26-year-old righty is tentatively scheduled to start a key divisional matchup in Cleveland this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Shaky control in eighth loss
Rotowire
Ryan (10-8) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, giving up four runs on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander continues to battle his control; Ryan has issued at least three free passes in three of his last four starts, posting a 4.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 21.1 innings over that stretch. While he's been able to limit the damage somewhat, 26-year-old is likely running out of gas at the end of his first full season in the majors -- he tossed 92.2 innings across all levels in 2021, but is already up to 125.1 frames this year.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Tuesday's start postponed
Rotowire
Tuesday's game between the Twins and Yankees was postponed due to rain and Ryan will start in a doubleheader Wednesday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
He will end up getting a couple extra days of rest in between starts. Ryan had a 4.13 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB in 32.2 innings across six August starts.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Yields five runs in loss
Rotowire
Ryan (10-7) took the loss against Boston on Wednesday, tossing five innings and allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out eight batters.
All five of the runs Ryan gave up came in the third inning, when he served up a grand slam to Xander Bogaerts and a solo shot to J.D. Martinez. Though the right-hander racked up 19 swinging strikes and punched out eight batters, the poor frame was too much for Minnesota to overcome. Ryan has largely impressed this season, but he has allowed at least five runs on three different occasions, including a 10-run shelling against San Diego on July 29. He's still managed to post a decent 3.88 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while racking up 121 strikeouts over 118.1 innings overall.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Dominant in 10th win
Rotowire
Ryan (10-6) gave up two hits and three walks over six shutout innings to earn the win in a 9-0 victory over the Giants on Friday.
Ryan leaned heavily on his fastball with success. The Giants whiffed on the pitch 25 percent of the time and Ryan mixed in a highly effective selection of offspeed offerings to garner 17 swinging strikes on 107 pitches. Ryan's dominant showing helped the Twins snap a six-game losing streak. It was his first scoreless appearance since April 27 and the 26-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.65 with the performance. He is expected to make his next start against the Red Sox.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Strong showing in loss
Rotowire
Ryan (9-6) took the loss Sunday against Texas, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six in 6.1 innings.
Ryan retired the side in order in each of the first three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth when Marcus Semien put a 3-1 pitch into the seats for a solo homer. He held the Rangers scoreless over the next two innings and was removed with one out and a man on third in the seventh. It was the first time he pitched at least six innings in his last eight starts. He has a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 21.2 innings over four outings in August. His next start will likely be at the end of next week against San Francisco.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Earns win Monday
Rotowire
Ryan (9-5) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 4-2 win over Kansas City. He struck out six.
Ryan was tagged for a two-run home run in the first inning off the bat of Vinnie Pasquantino but held the Royals scoreless the rest of his outing. While he recorded over a strikeout per inning with just 80 pitches through 5.1 innings, he failed to reach six innings for the seventh straight start. The 26-year-old has posted a 5.15 ERA since the beginning of July, so it seems the Twins are more actively managing his workload to help get his numbers back in line with the start of the season.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Handed fifth loss
Rotowire
Ryan (8-5) took the loss during Tuesday's 10-3 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings.
Ryan surrendered runs in each of his first four innings to fall in line for the loss, matching a season high by putting 10 runners on base. This represents 26-year-old's second hiccup in his last three outings, though he's held the opposition to one run in five of his other six turns since the start of July. Ryan carries a 3.95 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next start, scheduled for next week against Kansas City.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Bounces back for eighth win
Rotowire
Ryan (8-4) allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks while striking out nine across five innings to earn the win Wednesday against Detroit.
Ryan dominated the Tigers, racking up 18 swinging strikes on only 78 total pitches. It was a needed bouneback effort for Ryan, as he allowed 10 earned runs his last turn through the rotation. Setting aside that disaster, Ryan has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his five remaining starts since July 1. He now owns a 3.67 ERA with an 89:25 K:BB across 90.2 innings on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Lit up for 10 runs
Rotowire
Ryan (7-4) allowed 10 runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven over 4.2 innings Friday, taking the loss against the Padres.
The Padres teed off, tagging Ryan for five home runs that accounted for all but one of the 10 runs against him. This was just the second time he's been taken deep multiple times this year. Unsurprisingly, this was the 26-year-old's worst start of the season, and it inflated his ERA from 2.89 to 3.78 through 85.2 innings in 16 starts. He'll look to keep the ball in the yard in his next projected start, which is tentatively expected to be against the Tigers next week.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Secures seventh win
Rotowire
Ryan (7-3) earned the win Saturday in Detroit after giving up one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over 5.2 innings.
The right-hander kept the Tigers off the board through five innings , but Riley Greene tripled in the sixth and was brought home by Javier Baez to put Detroit on the board. It's the second straight start with exactly one run allowed for Ryan, through he failed to complete six frames in either contest. He has a 2.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 73:23 K:BB across 81 innings and tentatively lines up to pitch next weekend in San Diego.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Limits damage against Brewers
Rotowire
Ryan allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings Wednesday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.
Ryan surrendered a solo home run to Jace Peterson to account for his only earned run. He was otherwise effective, though he wasn't particularly elusive -- he induced eight swinging strikes on 78 total pitches -- and also walked more than two batters for the first time in his last seven starts. For the season, Ryan owns a 2.99 ERA and 66:22 K:BB across 75.1 frames.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Lasts four innings
Rotowire
Ryan allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out three across four innings Wednesday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.
Ryan limited damage effectively for most of his outing, but he allowed multiple baserunners in three of his four innings. That resulted in a short start -- he needed 85 pitches to record 12 outs -- that was ultimately spoiled by a two-run homer by Eloy Jimenez. Ryan has been inconsistent across five starts since returning from the COVID-19 injured list, maintaining a 4.47 ERA with a 21:6 K:BB across 26.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Strikes out seven in quality start
Rotowire
Ryan gave up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings in a 6-5 loss to the Guardians on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.
Ryan bounced back from a poor outing the last time out against the Mariners to pitch a quality start and miss plenty of bats. His 101 pitches are the second most he has thrown this season, and the three earned runs he gave up raised his ERA to an even 3.00 on the year. The rookie right-hander's 3.42 xERA and 4.47 xFIP suggest that his solid numbers to date could be in line for some regression. Ryan lines up to next take the hill this weekend at home against the Rockies.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Handed loss in return
Rotowire
Ryan (5-3) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 4.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Mariners on Tuesday.
Ryan threw 74 pitches (45 strikes) in the outing, but two-run home runs by Eugenio Suarez and Ty France were enough to sink him. The Twins provided virtually no support with just four hits (all singles) and two walks in the contest. Ryan has allowed more than two runs in just two of his nine starts this season, so it's safe to assume he was a bit rusty after a bout with COVID-19. He has a 2.81 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB across 48 innings this season, and he'll look to correct course next week at home versus the Guardians.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Joe Ryan: Activated Tuesday
Rotowire
Ryan (COVID-19) was activated ahead of his start Tuesday in Seattle.
He logged three scoreless innings while throwing 40 total pitches in his rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul last Thursday. If he is efficient in his first start back, Ryan could go deep enough to qualify for the win, but that's not a given.
