All offseason the talk was that the Minnesota Twins needed
an ace. Someone that could slot into the rotation at the level of Jose Berrios
or higher would fit that bill. There was plenty of consternation when it took
moving Brusdar Graterol to land the piece, but Kenta Maeda is here to stay.
The Dodgers signed Maeda out of Japan and his first season
in the majors came at 28-years-old. Despite being relied upon for over 500
innings while with Los Angeles, Maeda was often shuffled back and forth between
the rotation and bullpen. Given their overall pitching strength it was a luxury
LA had, but one that wore on the Japanese star.
Deemed expendable this offseason and enticed by a flame
throwing prospect, the Dodgers made the move and Minnesota got their guy. Dubbed
a number three in the Dodgers rotation behind the likes of Clayton Kershaw and
Walker Buehler, there was always plenty of upside for the Twins to exploit. Fast
forward to the final week of the 2020 Major League Baseball season and Minnesota
seems to have found their ace.
Through 10 starts Maeda owns a sparkling 2.52 ERA. He has a
career best 10.5 K/9 and also is allowing a career low 1.5 BB/9. He leads the
league with a 5.3 H/9 and also has a league leading 0.758 WHIP. He’s got a 5-1
record in the decisions column, and Minnesota is 7-3 when he takes the ball. He’s
yet to miss a quality start in any turn, and he’s gone at least 6.0 IP in seven
of his 10 total outings.
No matter how you define the role of an ace Kenta Maeda has
embodied it this season. He’s been dominant. He’s been reliable. He’s been
consistent. Now it also looks like he’ll be rewarded as Minnesota’s game one
starter in the Wild Card round of the Postseason. Starting on Wednesday the 23rd
against the Tigers, he lines up to toe take the ball when the Twins open a home
playoff series.
There could certainly be some handwringing over the fact
that it’s Maeda and not Jose Berrios being entrusted with the opportunity to
set the tone in a short series, however this elevation of ability is probably
good for both of them. Berrios really struggled out of the gate this year for
the Twins, and despite being dominant of late, he had an uphill battle to climb.
It was hoped that 2020 would be another step forward for Jose, and while the
sum of all parts may represent as much, it’s again been a tale of two halves.
As Minnesota looks to rebuild their rotation again in 2021,
with plenty of departures pending, it will be a welcome relief that Berrios is
joined by another constant in Maeda. Neither of these guys will crack true ace
status across baseball, reserved for just the top ten or so arms in the sport.
However, both can pitch as staff aces, and the ability to be interchangeable or
play off of one another is something that Rocco Baldelli and his staff have to
be excited about for years to come.
It’s certainly not easy moving on from a prospect that has
been talked up for so long. When you have an opportunity to cash in for proven,
upper level talent though, you have to jump at it. Maybe Brusdar Graterol will
turn out to be more than Maeda ever is, but by that time Minnesota will be long
past the current window they’re looking to capitalize on.
You wanted an ace Twins fans, and he’s here, in the form of
Kenta Maeda.
