The early weeks of the minor-league season are often about shaking off rust and adjusting to new levels, but a trio of Twins arms are already in midseason form. From Triple-A St. Paul to Low-A Fort Myers, Minnesota’s pitching pipeline is flashing both upside and results. This week’s hot sheet highlights three standout performances that underscore just how deep this system has become on the mound.
LHP Connor Prielipp (St. Paul Saints)
How He Got Here: Prielipp entered the season as the Twins’ top pitching prospect, and he has done everything possible to build off a tremendous 2025 campaign. Finally healthy after years of elbow issues and multiple surgeries dating back to his college days, Prielipp captured Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors and climbed to Triple-A by season’s end. Minnesota handled him with care, limiting him to 82 2/3 innings, but that total still exceeded his combined workload from 2020 through 2024.
Hitting the Hot Button: Prielipp wasted no time setting the tone in his start last week. He retired the first five hitters he faced before allowing a two-out single in the second inning. That minor blemish did little to slow him down as he quickly induced a ground ball to end the frame.
The third inning was where everything clicked. Prielipp struck out the side on just 12 pitches, overpowering hitters with efficiency and command. His only real mistake came in the fourth inning, when he surrendered a leadoff home run, briefly trimming the Saints’ lead. Outside of that swing, he was dominant. Prielipp worked five innings, allowing just one run on four hits while walking one and striking out a career-high eight. It looked every bit like a pitcher knocking on the door of the big leagues—and the door is open to him, as he joins the parent club on their road trip this week on the taxi squad.
LHP Kendry Rojas (St. Paul Saints)
How He Got Here: Rojas arrived in the organization as part of the deal that sent Louis Varland to the Toronto Blue Jays. At the time, Twins officials viewed him as an underrated arm with the potential to crack top-100 prospect lists. That optimism took a hit after a rough introduction to Triple-A, where he allowed 25 runs in 27 1/3 innings. Injuries have also played a role, limiting him to just 280 innings across five professional seasons since he signed out of Cuba.
Hitting the Hot Button: Rojas followed Prielipp in the start mentioned above, as he continues to build back up after opening the year on the injured list. His fastball showed life immediately, punching out the first batter he faced. He scattered a couple of singles across the sixth and seventh innings, but otherwise kept hitters off balance. The only moment of trouble came in the eighth, when he allowed a single and a walk with two outs, but he responded by striking out the next hitter to escape the jam.
Rojas finished with 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out two. More importantly, he looked healthy and in control, which is exactly what the Twins need from him at this stage. He was in a perfect position to take over the roster spot (briefly) vacated by Kody Funderburk going on the paternity list, and will probably get at least a look in the bullpen during the team’s series against the Mets.
RHP Riley Quick (Fort Myers Mighty Mussels)
How He Got Here: Quick’s path to pro ball has been about patience and recovery. After returning from Tommy John surgery at the University of Alabama, he posted a 3.92 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings. The Twins selected him with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 draft and signed him for $2.69 million. Rather than rushing him, Minnesota opted to hold him back until 2026 to carefully manage his workload.
Hitting the Hot Button: Quick is already rewarding that patience. In his second professional start, he tossed three hitless innings while striking out five hitters on just 48 pitches.
Through his first two outings, Quick has yet to allow a hit across five innings, while racking up 10 strikeouts. The raw stuff that made him a first-round pick is showing up immediately, and the early results suggest he could move quickly if he continues to throw strikes and maintain his health. He won’t be in the lower levels of the minors for long.
This week’s hot sheet is a reminder that Minnesota’s pitching pipeline is more than just potential. Prielipp and Rojas could make their big-league debuts this week, and Quick is flashing the upside that made him a high draft pick. If this is what the early season looks like, the Twins may soon face a different kind of challenge: figuring out how to fit all of this pitching talent into their long-term plans.
What stood out about these prospects over the last week? What other prospects are you keeping an eye on? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!