Facing the Yankees usually serves as a measuring stick for any young pitcher (especially with the word Twins on the front of their jersey). On Monday night at Target Field, Simeon Woods Richardson excelled in a game that meant a lot more to New York than to his own club. Against baseball’s most dangerous offense, the 24-year-old right-hander delivered the finest outing of his career, striking out a career-high 11 batters over six scoreless innings as the Twins cruised to a 7-0 victory.
It was the type of performance that leaves more than a final box score behind. It provided a glimpse of what Woods Richardson is becoming, and why the Twins may be able to count on him moving forward.
Steps Up Game Against Top Competition
Some pitchers wilt when the bright lights shine against baseball’s elite lineups. Woods Richardson seems to get sharper. Monday’s performance continued a trend that has seen him thrive against tough opponents, including the Tigers, Astros, Mariners, Cubs, and now the Yankees, the last of whom lead the majors in runs, home runs, slugging percentage, and walks.
9/15/25 (vs. NYY): 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 11 K, 3 BB
7/8/25 (vs. CHC): 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 K, 3 BB
6/26/25 (vs. SEA): 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 6 K, 1 BB
6/15/25 (vs. HOU): 5 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 4 K, 1 BB
4/13/25 (vs. DET): 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 5 K, 0 BB
“I’ve always been a competitor,” Woods Richardson said after the game. “I’ve always been one of those guys who wants to face the best, compete against the best. … If I can knock down the powerhouses, it’s like a miniature game that you play with yourself.”
The confidence translated into command and execution. Aside from two walks to Aaron Judge, New York’s hitters rarely threatened him, and maybe those walks were strategic; it’s only smart to be careful against the reigning AL MVP.
His Splitter is for Real
Perhaps the biggest revelation of the night was Woods Richardson’s pitch mix. For the first time this season, his splitter became the focal point of his arsenal. He threw it 33 times (36% of his pitches), and it generated eight swinging strikes, a career-high for the offering.
“Me and Jhonny [Pereda, catcher] looked at each other, and he was like, ‘Keep throwing [the splitter],’” Woods Richardson said. “‘Keep throwing it. Have confidence in it.’”
The approach paid off, especially against a power-heavy lineup that hunts fastballs. By leaning less on his four-seamer (just 35% usage) and more on his evolving splitter, Woods Richardson showed how his repertoire is still growing, and how difficult he can be to prepare for. There’s no way the Yankees were expecting to see his splitter that much.
Getting Better Throughout the Game
Manager Rocco Baldelli noted that Woods Richardson set the tone early and sharpened as the game progressed.
“In some ways, he was great early on, but it almost looked like he got even more focused as the game went on,” Baldelli said. “That’s not always an easy thing to do. … You’ve got to make nothing but good pitches, good decisions, and really be at your best. He was at his best tonight, and it was great to watch.”
That ability to sustain command and composure deeper into outings is a key step for any young starter. Woods Richardson pitched into the sixth inning in just four starts this season, and he’s only completed six frames two times. Against the league’s most relentless lineup, though, he proved he can handle that challenge.
What It Means for 2026
The Twins already know who their rotation anchors will be next year: Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and Bailey Ober provide a steady and proven top three. However, there is a possibility that the club explores trades of López or Ryan. The bigger question comes in filling the final two spots, and Woods Richardson is making a strong case to claim one of them.
He’ll face competition from multiple directions. Young pitchers Zebby Matthews and David Festa have shown flashes of potential, while Taj Bradley and Mick Abel (acquired in this summer’s fire sale) add another layer of intrigue. That creates a healthy level of competition for a young staff that could set the tone for the next Twins contender.
Monday’s masterpiece didn’t lock anything in, but it showed why Woods Richardson deserves to be part of that conversation. If he keeps taking steps like this, the Twins may not just have a back-end option; they may have another arm capable of elevating the rotation.
What stands out about SWR’s performance against the Yankees? Can his splitter be more of a weapon moving forward? Leave a comment and start the discussion.