Twins' Taj Bradley: Science Meets Art on Mound

Taj Bradley, acquired by the Minnesota Twins from the Tampa Bay Rays last July 31 in a trade for Griffin Jax, is benefiting from a distinctive coaching philosophy. Pitching coach Pete Maki, grounded in scientific principles, and bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins, representing the artistic side of pitching, are working together to refine Bradley's approach.

Bradley, who was drafted by the Rays in 2018, experienced a midseason trade that prompted him to re-evaluate his game. He has embraced the Twins' staff's tailored coaching, focusing on mechanical consistency and strategic pitch hiding. This has led to a more comfortable and effective spring training, highlighted by his debut performance against the Braves where he struck out five in three innings without allowing a walk.

His focus this spring has been on throwing more strikes and getting ahead in counts, a key area for improvement after his first-pitch strike rate dipped last season. Bradley's ability to command the strike zone and utilize his diverse pitch mix effectively was evident in his recent outing, where he averaged 95.8 mph with his fastball. He is preparing to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic next month, which will involve a temporary departure from Twins camp.

Despite his participation in the WBC, Bradley's experience and potential make him a strong contender for an open rotation spot, especially following Pablo López's season-ending injury. His 385 1/3 career innings logged provide a distinct advantage over other young pitchers competing for rotation spots. The Twins are betting on their coaching staff to unlock Bradley's full potential, aiming to achieve what the Rays could not.