Griffin Jax

After making 14 starts during his rookie 2021 season, Jax transitioned to full-time relief last year. He didn't make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but was recalled a few days after the season started and quickly settled into his new multi-inning role out of the bullpen. Increased velocity (+2.8 mph on average) and a pitch mix adjustment followed the role change, as Jax's slider (48% usage) replaced his 4-seamer (34%) as his primary offering. The 28-year-old improved both his strikeout (26.9%) and walk (6.9%) rates with a 78:20 K:BB ratio over 72.1 innings. He also induced grounders at a 47.3% rate to create a profile that should be on deeper mixed league radars regardless of role. Jax quickly ascended Minnesota's leverage ladder and became one of their primary setup men, tying for the team lead with 18 holds. Expect plenty of volume - Jax was 11th among qualified relievers with 72.1 innings - along with decent ratios and potentially even saves in 2023.

Jax put together an up-and-down rookie campaign with a 6.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 65:29 K:BB across 82 innings. After starting 14 games in 2021, he'll move to the bullpen and try to win a middle relief role. Moving forward, he'll need to do a better job of keeping the ball in the park to find sustained success, as his 2.52 HR/9 in 2021 ranked third-highest among pitchers who threw at least 50 innings. He's had good control in the minors and success despite mediocre strikeout rates. He could be a late bloomer at age 27, as he threw just 40 minor league games from 2016 to 2019 as his ability to play minor league baseball was severely limited by Air Force obligations.

Jax, a 2016 third-round draft pick, pitched in just 40 minor league games from 2016 to 2019 as his ability to play minor league baseball was severely limited by Air Force obligations. While he's a bit old for a prospect (26 this season), he's shown promise at higher levels with a 2.67 ERA and 1.94 BB/9 at Double-A in 2019. He hasn't had great strikeout rates (6.7 K/9 in 2019), However. Still, he's still a bit of an unknown given his sparse minor league career. Minnesota should get a better picture with a full season in 2020. He could add rotation depth at Triple-A if all goes well.