Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley continues to power his way to a breakout campaign.
Leading 1-0 in the third inning Thursday at Kauffman Stadium, Bradley faced Bobby Witt Jr., the Kansas City Royals’ generational talent, with baserunners on first and second.
Set up by consecutive 90-mph cutters, Bradley released the fastest pitch in Twins franchise history – again. Witt watched the 100-mph four-seam fastball sail into catcher Victor Caratini’s mitt.
Home-plate umpire Cory Blaser called Witt out on strikes. The ABS Challenge System was not needed.
Unlike an edit on the Twins’ record books.
Twins’ Taj Bradley overpowering opponents
For the second time in five days, Bradley established a new mark for the fastest delivery by a franchise starter in the pitch-tracking era.
Bradley (1-0) pitched six scoreless innings Thursday, allowing five hits and striking out three during the 5-1 series-ending victory. In two starts, he posted a 0.87 earned-run average and 1.16 WHIP.
Joe Ryan may be developing into a staff ace, but Bradley could evolve into the Twins’ most valuable pitcher. Entering Friday’s home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, they are 2-0 when Bradley starts and 0-4 when he doesn’t.
One inning after overpowering Witt, Bradley faced a base-loaded, two-out situation. Setting up Lane Thomas with consecutive 99-mph fastballs, both of which were fouled off, Bradley escaped with a swinging strikeout on a 90-mph cutter.
A former top prospect with the Tampa Bay Rays, Bradley, who has a four-year career mark of 19-27, continues to re-establish himself with the rebuilding Twins.
Will his 2026 breakout include his first trip to the All-Star Game?