When conversations turn to Minnesota Twins franchise favorites, it is easy to focus on the bats that carried October runs or the defenders who made iconic plays. Just as often, however, the foundation of Twins baseball has been the men on the mound. From Hall of Fame starters to lockdown closers, the organization has consistently produced pitchers who defined eras and gave fans confidence every fifth day or in the ninth inning.
MLB Network has been creating lists of the franchise favorites for the lineup and pitching staff. Last week, I attempted to create the Franchise Favorite Lineup; it led to plenty of discussion. Minnesota’s best players can be debated, and that adds to the intrigue of the exercise. Here are five starters and relievers, with some honorable mentions at both spots.
SP: Johan Santana (36.1 rWAR, 10th in franchise history)
Santana stands at the top of any Twins pitching discussion. At his peak, Santana was not just the best pitcher in franchise history, but one of the most dominant arms in baseball. His two Cy Young Awards and ability to control games made him appointment viewing. For a stretch in the mid-2000s, the Twins felt they had the best pitcher in the sport, and that advantage shaped the entire organization.
SP: Bert Blyleven (48.9 rWAR, 5th in franchise history)
Blyleven represents both longevity and excellence. His curveball became legendary, and his statistical résumé places him among the game’s greats. While some of his best years came elsewhere, Blyleven’s time with the Twins included critical contributions to championship teams. His Hall of Fame plaque connects Minnesota to baseball history in a tangible way.
SP: Brad Radke (45.3 rWAR, 6th in franchise history)
Radke may not have the same national recognition as others on this list, but his importance to the Twins cannot be overstated. Radke was reliability personified, taking the ball year after year and giving the team a chance to win even when the rest of the roster floundered around him. In an era defined by efficiency and control, Radke embodied what the Twins valued in a frontline starter.
SP: Jim Kaat (35.6 rWAR, 11th in franchise history)
Kaat bridged generations of Twins baseball. His durability and competitive edge anchored the early years of the franchise, and his success helped establish credibility for a young organization. Kaat’s career longevity and eventual Hall of Fame induction underscore his importance both in Minnesota and beyond.
SP: Jack Morris (2.1 rWAR)
Morris brings big-game gravity. While his time with the Twins was brief, his impact was unforgettable. Morris’s performance in the 1991 World Series remains one of the most iconic pitching efforts in baseball history, and that single season cemented his place in Twins lore. He might be the most debatable name on the list, but his place in franchise history is hard to ignore.
RP: Joe Nathan (18.4 rWAR)
Out of the bullpen, Nathan is the standard, with a borderline Hall of Fame career. He transformed the closer role in Minnesota, combining dominance with consistency. He ended his career with 377 saves, and 260 of those came in a Twins uniform. Ninth innings felt shorter when Nathan was on the mound, and his run as one of baseball’s elite closers gave the Twins a level of certainty that few teams enjoyed.
RP: Rick Aguilera (15.5 rWAR)
Aguilera served as the Twins’ primary closer for nearly a decade, finishing his Minnesota career with 254 saves, the most in franchise history until Nathan arrived. Beyond the numbers, Aguilera was trusted in the most significant moments, anchoring the bullpen during the 1991 championship season. His ability to execute in October solidified his place among the most essential pitchers the Twins have ever had.
RP: Glen Perkins (9.0 rWAR)
Perkins represents the modern Twins reliever who also carried emotional weight with the fan base. A Minnesota native who became a three-time All-Star closer, Perkins brought both performance and connection. His peak seasons reminded fans that bullpen dominance could still be homegrown.
RP: Eddie Guardado (9.5 rWAR)
Guardado thrived in chaos. Nicknamed “Everyday Eddie” for a reason, he took the ball whenever needed and delivered in countless high-leverage moments. His versatility and fearlessness made him one of the most trusted arms of his era.
RP: Jhoan Duran (7.3 rWAR)
Duran is the newest name on the list, but his inclusion already feels justified. With triple-digit velocity and a devastating breaking ball, Duran has redefined what is possible out of the Twins’ bullpen. His trade last year was disappointing, because he could have been one of the top relievers in team history had he stayed in Minnesota. Though it will be a footnote instead of a headline in team history due to his early exit, the electricity of Duran’s signature entrances is one of the brightest spots in an often dark recent stretch of team lore.
The honorable mentions highlight the depth of Minnesota’s pitching history. Starters like Camilo Pascual, Dave Goltz, Frank Viola, and Jim Perry each had stretches where they carried the rotation and left a lasting imprint. In the bullpen, Taylor Rogers, Griffin Jax, Juan Rincon, Al Worthington, and LaTroy Hawkins all played key roles in stabilizing late innings across different eras. Leaving any of them off a favorites list is less an indictment than a reminder of how many meaningful arms have passed through the organization.
Together, this group tells the story of the Twins through pitching. It is a history built on reliability, timely dominance, and moments that still linger in the memory of anyone who has followed the team long enough.
Who would you add to the list? Who should be taken off? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
Are you interested in Twins history? Then check out the Minnesota Twins Players Project, a community-driven project to discover and collect great information on every player to wear a Twins uniform!