Twins Top Ten: Starting Pitchers

Yesterday at 07:07 PM

Ranking the Best in Minnesota History

Introducing "Twins Top Ten"

Over the next few months, I'll be taking a weekly look at the history of each position on the diamond and figuring out who is the best of the best since the franchise moved to Minnesota. This means that only players from 1961-on will be considered, but I will be taking into account their entire tenures with the franchise for those who moved along with the team. Leading off: Starting Pitchers!

The Best Starting Pitchers in Twins History

There are six men in the Twins Hall of Fame that have been induced for their contributions as starting pitchers, four former Twins starting pitchers in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Twins starters have won four Cy Young awards. I'll be looking at a variety of criteria, including years with the team, number of starts, bWAR, ERA+ (to compare different eras of baseball), strikeouts per 9 innings, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and accolades. Who are the top ten in Twins history (according to me)?

Honorable Mentions

• Jack Kralick (1959-1963): 5 Years - 93 Starts - 11.7 bWAR - 113 ERA+ - 4.9 K/9 - 1.99 K/BB - First No-Hitter in Twins History
• Dave Boswell (1964-1970): 7 - 150 - 11.2 - 101 - 7.5 - 1.88
• Scott Erickson (1990-1995): 6 - 153 - 12.7 - 103 - 4.8 - 1.44 - No-Hitter
• Jose Berrios (2016-2021): 6 - 135 - 10.0 - 104 - 9.0 - 3.08 - 2x All-Star
• Kevin Tapani (1989-1995): 7 - 180 - 19.1 - 108 - 5.6 - 2.84
• Jerry Koosman (1979-1981): 3 - 83 - 11.0 - 115 - 5.4 - 1.94

Toughest Omission: Camilo Pascual (1954-1966)

13 Years - 331 Starts - 33.2 bWAR - 106 ERA+ - 6.9 K/9 - 2.07 K/BB - 5x All-Star

I almost opted for the extended above-average tenure of Pascual (bridging from Washington to Minnesota) over the one shining year in the #10 spot, but ultimately went with the other guy.

10. Jack Morris (1991)

1 Year - 35 Starts - 4.3 bWAR - 125 ERA+ - 5.9 K/9 - 1.77 K/BB - All-Star - World Series MVP

It was only one year, but (much like with his Hall of Fame case) one single game makes him a tough one to leave off the list. The storied Game 7 10-inning complete game shutout was a feat that may never be repeated. Extra points for the St. Paul ties as well.

9. Dave Goltz (1972-1979)

8 Years - 215 Starts - 24.5 bWAR - 112 ERA+ - 4.9 K/9 - 1.80 K/BB

Rothsay, Minnesota's own Dave Goltz was a workhorse for the Twins for 8 years. His stats may not pop off the page, and he has no big accolades to share, but a 112 ERA+ over 215 starts is about as rock-solid as it gets.

8. Sonny Gray (2022-2023)

2 Years - 56 Starts - 7.8 bWAR - 144 ERA+ - 8.9 K/9 - 3.30 K/BB - All-Star

I found myself surprised that Sonny Gray even had an argument for inclusion on this list, but the ERA+, K/9, and K/BB numbers really jumped off the page in comparison to others. A short stint with the team is what kept him from climbing even higher.

7. Dean Chance (1967-1969)

3 Years - 93 Starts - 13.1 bWAR - 126 ERA+ - 6.8 K/9 - 3.04 K/BB - All-Star, No-Hitter

Dean Chance is another, like Sonny Gray, who had a short, dominant stint with the Twins. Unlike Gray, Chance went deep into games, leading the league in innings pitched and complete games in 1967. He threw the second no-no in Twins history that year as well.

6. Jim Perry (1963-1972)

10 Years - 249 Starts - 26.3 bWAR - 113 ERA+ - 4.9 K/9 - 1.89 K/BB- 2x All-Star, Cy Young

Jim Perry came to Minnesota in a swap for honorable mention Jack Kralick, and he lived up to his billing. The workhorse starter was a rotation fixture for the next 10 years, taking home the first Cy Young Award in Twins history in 1970.

5. Frank Viola (1982-1989)

8 Years - 259 Starts - 27.0 bWAR - 111 ERA+ - 6.2 K/9 - 2.33 K/BB- All-Star, Cy Young, World Series MVP

The 1987 World Series MVP, "Sweet Music" spent the first half of his career climbing to the upper echelon of starters in the league. After his 1988 Cy Young award, the Twins shipped him away mid-season to the Mets for a package that included Twins HOF'er Rick Aguilera.

4. Jim Kaat (1959-1973)

15 Years - 433 Starts - 30.6 bWAR - 110 ERA+ - 5.5 K/9 - 2.54 K/BB - 2x All-Star, 12x Gold Glover

Hall of Famer Jim Kaat still boasts the most starts in Twins history. He wasn't one to strikeout many batters, but he definitely knew how to pitch with a 110 ERA+ over that enormous sample size. Kaat went on to pitch another 10 rock-solid seasons after being traded away.

3. Brad Radke (1995-2006)

12 Years - 377 Starts - 45.7 bWAR - 113 ERA+ - 5.4 K/9 - 3.30 K/BB - All-Star

Brad Radke may have been responsible for the maddening pitch-to-contact philosophy that infected the Twins of my childhood, but that's only because he did it so well. The lifelong Twin from nearby Eau Claire, WI was the definition of consistency throughout his career.

2. Bert Blyleven (1970-1976, 1985-1988)

11 Years - 345 Starts - 49.1 bWAR - 119 ERA+ - 7.1 K/9 - 3.02 K/BB - All-Star

Bert Blyleven and his signature curveball baffled hitters throughout his 22-year career en route to Cooperstown. Bert started his career here, won a World Series in his second stint, and is the all-time Twins leader in pitcher bWAR (over half of his career 94.5(!!!)).

1. Johan Santana (2000-2007)

8 Years - 175 Starts - 35.8 bWAR - 141 ERA+ - 9.5 K/9 - 3.79 K/BB - 3x All-Star, 2x Cy Young

Bert had a strong case for the top spot on this list, but ultimately it's my list and so I'm giving the nod to my all-time favorite Twins pitcher. Johan Santana and his "Bugs Bunny" change-up put up three of the best pitcher seasons in Twins history- he should rightfully have a third Cy Young in his trophy case. As a whole, his rate stats blow everyone else on this list out of the water and had he been able to stay healthy for a few more years with the Mets, we may be talking about him as one of the best left-handed pitchers of all time.

What do you think? Who did I miss? Who do I overrate, and who do I underrate? Let me know in the comments! I'll be back next week with the top ten relievers in Twins history.