Cody's Corner: Five Predictions for the 2023 Minnesota Twins

Brandon's brother Cody shares his thoughts on the 2023 Twins

Hello friends. Today, I’m delighted to tell you all that my brother Cody will write for Access Twins every now and then to give him a creative outlet to share his copious thoughts about the team.

Cody and I grew up Twins fans in far northern Minnesota in the early 90s, though he was paralyzed in a car accident so our days playing together ended extremely prematurely in 1994.

But with that said, his passion for the game hasn’t dimmed, and while he’s wanted to write for other outlets, I think I’m able to give him the unique ability to write whatever and whenever he wants with a little built-in editing.

This is us at a Twins game in 2013 at Target Field, by the way.

So with all that said, I’m very pleased to share with you his first post, on his predictions for the 2023 Twins.

The team ERA will finish below 3.50 (3.98 last year)

Only 5 teams did this last year twins finished 19th in 2022. Let’s start with the 5 teams to do this last year. Unsurprisingly the Dodgers finished at a minuscule 2.82 era. In my opinion, this is exactly how you win 111 games during the regular season. Second was the world-champion Houston Astros at 2.84, followed by the Yankees at 3.31, the Rays at 3.38 and lastly the Guardians at 3.43. The twins also added the best defensive catcher in the offseason.

Twins starters Will average at least 5 innings pitched per start

Thankfully the Dylan Bundy & Chris Archer era seems to be over. You know, have Pablo Lopez as your ace, Sonny Gray as your second starter, Tyler Mahle going third, & last year’s ace Joe Ryan slotting in as your fourth starter. The fifth starter isn’t clear as of today. Returning ace Kenta Maeda is returning from Tommy John surgery, Bailey Ober will be pitching somewhere but definitely seems to be major-league ready. If and when it comes down to it, you have Josh Winder, Louie Varland, & two eventual returning starters in Randy Dobnak & Chris Paddack. The front office has loaded this rotation. Now, will Rocco let them pitch over 5 innings? 

Byron Buxton will play at least 100 games

In the offseason the team added Nick Paparesta as their new head trainer. Paparesta has spent 28 years with 3 different franchises. His main focus is on soft tissue injuries. The primary problem with the team over the last few seasons. Hopefully this will keep stars like Buxton, Correa, & all the other essential players on the field. The added depth will also allow for these players to be rested more.

The twins bullpen will be a strength of the team

As I noted earlier, I expect Rocco to have a longer leash on his starting pitchers. With the starters going longer this should ease any extra duress on the relievers. Remember this year that you must pitch to 3 batters or finish an inning. The twins also have Jorge Alcala returning this year. This leaves Emilio Pagan & Cole Sands as your weakest relievers(if they make the team).

The twins win the AL Central and advance into the second round of the playoffs

The 2023 team is absolutely loaded. The depth on the roster would start on a majority of the other 29 teams. The backup center fielder is an elite defender and is capable at the plate as opposed to the backup center fielders of the past. The backup infielder was expected to be the everyday shortstop a month ago. The current right fielder is being shopped, they have his replacement ready & in house.