Minnesota Twins Flamethrower Has a New Pitch

In 2024, the Minnesota Twins entered Spring Training with what they believed was one of the better bullpens in baseball. Unfortunately, that belief had turned to doubt by the time they left Fort Myers, and headed north for the start of the regular season. From there, injuries in the relief corps only made the situation worse.

In 2025, the Twins seem to yet again have one of the best bullpens in the league, on paper. Through the first few Spring Training games they have shown exceptionally well, too. But the biggest question about the MN Twins bullpen this summer surround Jhoan Duran, who took a step back in 2024, thanks to injuries that bothered him throughout the season.

Last spring, he left Florida with an oblique strain that hampered him all season, sapping both his velocity and effectiveness. As we now get ready to turn the calendar over to March, Duran is back to full health and he used the offseason to develop another weapon for his pitching repertoire.

Jhoan Duran could be even nastier for Minnesota Twins

It’s well-known that Jhoan Duran — who comes out of the Twins bullpen to the MLB’s greatest intro — is one of the hardest throwers in baseball, with his fastball topping out around 104 mph. The 27-year-old Dominican also throws a curveball and 100 MPH splinker. But in 2025, according to what he told the Star Tribune’s Jim Souhan, Duran is debuting on a new pitch — a changeup.

“Right now I’m playing with the baseball a little bit because I’m trying out a new pitch. Can’t tell you what it is. Right now, if I were a manager or general manager, I don’t know how I’d figure out who to put in the bullpen. Everybody looks so good.”

Duran playing coy with his new offering (Star Tribune)

One of the reasons that Duran is so nasty as a reliever is that he has a starter’s arsenal. Minnesota moved him to the bullpen, due to health concerns, but he has thrown four pitches during his entire big league time. The Twins moved Duran off of his slider, after his rookie season.

Last summer, Jhoan Duran’s fastball averaged a career-low 100.5 mph, which forced his usage of that pitch to a career-low 40.7%. As a result, he relied way more on his splinker, while throwing the curveball at the same rate he always has.

Jhoan Duran, 102mph Fastball and 99mph Splinker, Overlay pic.twitter.com/c270mZtW8t

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024

Last year Duran finished with a pedestrian 3.64 ERA across 54 1/3 innings. His 2.85 FIP suggested that number was a bit inflated but the 10.9 K/9 was also a career-low. This time around he should be angling to get back to the 1.86 ERA he posted as a rookie, or the 12.1 K/9 from 2023 as one of baseball’s best bullpen arms.

Related: 3 Minnesota Twins Position Battles to Watch at Spring Training

If Duran is able to master a changeup, the velocity differences between his fastest and slowest pitches could be absolutely devastating for opposing hitters. If healthy, we should expect Duran will again get back to his previous velocities on his fastball.

In theory, Duran’s changeup should act a bit like his splinker does, with a downward fade into right handed hitters, which will make it even more difficult for opposing hitters to pick up. A season ago Griffin Jax took over as the Minnesota Twins’ best reliever. Together, the pair should make for one of the best back-end bullpens in the MLB.

MN Twins bullpen should be a strength

As Duran suggested, the Minnesota Twins bullpen should be a strength for the roster this year. Rocco Baldelli has plenty of the spots already filled in. Jorge Alcala and Michael Tonkin are probably the bottom two on the totem pole, and there are plenty of players trying to push for their spots.

Tonkin worked a scoreless first outing of the spring before giving up three runs on four hits (one of which left the yard) against the Yankees this week. Brought back by Minnesota on a $1 million deal for 2025, his leash may be limited.

Related: Time for Twins Pitching Prospect to Sink or Swim

The back-end of the bullpen shouldn’t shift much. How the middle-innings and early relief efforts shake out remains to be seen. Louie Varland, Matt Canterino, and a whole host of prospects at Triple-A St. Paul should have the ability to impact those opportunities.

It’s great to have a pitcher like Jhoan Duran. It’s even better to know that the group pitching before he gets the ball should hand him a lead to protect on a relatively consistent basis.