Jose Berrios Will Hit The Ground Running With Minnesota Twins

What has been a disastrous April for the Minnesota Twins, one that is getting worse with both Ervin Santana and Kyle Gibson going to the DL, is about to get a silver lining. With those two starters unavailable for at least the next two weeks, the Twins are set to call up their top prospect, pitcher Jose Berrios, who is poised to hit the ground running when he makes his major league debut.

Despite being just 21 years old, Berrios is more than ready for the big leagues. He was nearly unhittable in three Triple-A starts this season, posting a 1.06 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 17 innings. Berrios was nearly as good all of last season while traversing Double-A and Triple-A, which was why it was so puzzling that the Twins only gave him 4.1 innings in big league games during spring training when he could have been a legitimate contender to make Minnesota’s opening day roster.

Nevertheless, Berrios is set to get his chance in the majors, and there’s little reason to expect a significant drop in his performance from what he’s done in Triple-A early in the season. Despite being undersized, Berrios has incredible stuff, featuring a mid-90s fastball, a curveball that has developed into a swing-and-miss pitch, and a changeup that he will not be afraid to use against big league hitters. He also pounds the strike zone and is a great athlete with impressive arm action.

In short, Berrios has all the tools to succeed in the majors right now. He has the stuff to be a frontline starter, and he’s a natural competitor who will pitch with an edge. Perhaps more important is the fact that Berrios has faced Double-A and Triple-A hitters at such a young age, not to mention the fact that he’s started two Futures Games. He will have the poise and maturity to handle being on a big league mound for the first time.

It all adds up to Berrios being able to experience instant success in the big leagues. With Santana and Gibson both going to the DL and Tommy Milone sporting a 5.40 ERA, the Twins are in desperate need of help in their rotation, and Berrios is just what they need. He’s expected to ultimately feature at the top of Minnesota’s rotation, and there’s every reason to expect Berrios will get there sooner rather than later.