Taj Bradley

Bradley once looked set to be a mainstay in the Rays rotation, but he took a step back last season which caused Tampa Bay to trade him to Minnesota, where the Twins will try to revive his strikeout potential. Bradley began the season in the Rays rotation with a new cutter to reduce his homers allowed (1.43 HR/9 in 2024). However, it didn't go well as he had a 4.61 ERA and a sharp decline in his strikeout rate (to 7.7 K/9 from 10.0 K/9 in 2024) in the first half before begin sent to Triple-A. He was then traded to the Twins where he struggled once back in the majors with a 6.51 ERA and 1.72 HR/9, but at least an improved strikeout rate (9.2 K/9). Bradley has above average velocity (96.3 mph average fastball) but walks too many batters (9.3 BB/9). His cutter improved slightly with a new grip, but it didn't make up for the decline in his splitter which went from a +4 Run Value pitch in 2024 to -4 last season, according to Baseball Savant. The Twins initially sent him to the minors after he was acquired to work on his splitter, so there's upside if his new organization can help him find the right pitch mix. He'll need to improve because he doesn't have a set spot in Minnesota's rotation and could begin the season in the bullpen or minors if he fails to impress this spring. Read Past Outlooks