Jordan

Balazovic

The 25-year-old hurler has an opportunity to play with the Doosan Bears in the Korea Baseball Organization, so the Twins granted him his release so he can play overseas. Balazovic posted a 5.60 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 49/15 K/BB ratio over 35 1/3 innings at Triple-A St. Paul this season.

Minnesota made its fourth round of cuts and are now down to 41 players left in spring camp. Miranda spent time down in Triple-A last season with a .686 OPS across 181 plate appearances and played in 40 games with the Twins. His .211 AVG last season with Minnesota and with the signing of Manuel Margot this offseason, the 25-year-old will continue to grow in the Twins’ farm system.

Even though he looked like Balazovic might be adequate in relief after moving to the pen last season, no team thought it was worth taking a flier on the former top prospect. It’s his first outright assignment, so he’ll remain with the Twins and likely pitch out of the pen at St. Paul.

Once considered the Twins’ top pitching prospect, Balazovic had an awful 2022 and was sent to the pen early last season. He made his major league debut in June and wound up with a respectable 4.44 ERA in 24 1/3 innings for the Twins, though that came with an unimpressive 17/12 K/BB ratio. Being out of options hurts his stock and probably played a role in the move today, but it doesn’t seem very likely that he’ll clear waivers.

The 25-year-old was once one of the Twins’ best starting pitching prospects, but he will transition to a bullpen role for the foreseeable future. Balazovic had a rough 2023. During spring training, he broke his jaw in an altercation before posting a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 18 appearances with the big league club. The right-hander is out of options and would be exposed to waivers if he doesn’t make the roster out of camp.

The move clears the way for Joe Ryan’s return from the injured list. Balazovic has a 4.44 ERA and 17/12 K/BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings over 18 relief appearances with the Twins this season. He figures to return at some point in September.

The former top prospect has made the transition to the bullpen this year, posting a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 18 appearances for the Twins. He also posted a 4.79 ERA across 35 2/3 innings in Triple-A; although, that also came with a 31.1 percent strikeout rate that has not carried over to the majors yet. He will get another crack at holding down a bullpen job with Oliver Ortega placed on the IL.

The 26-year-old had a 4.30 ERA in 14 2/3 innings with the Twins. He posted an impressive 1.82 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 34 2/3 Triple-A innings. Jordan Balazovic will take his spot in the Minnesota bullpen.

The Twins wanted to add a fresh arm to their pen and after tossing 36 pitches on Saturday, Balazovic was unlikely to be used in the next couple of days. The 24-year-old has a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 18 appearances for the big league club this season.

Balazovic needed just 40 pitches to get 11 outs, which seems big for his short-term future. Perhaps he’ll be sent back to Triple-A anyway, but since he should only be unavailable for two days, he has a chance of sticking around.