Is Zebby Matthews the Town's 2026 X-Factor

[RG94]

Ok, I know it’s only October, but I can’t stop thinking about the rotation next year.

We all saw Zebby Matthews get thrown into the fire in 2024. The results were up and down, which is fine for a rookie. But man, the stuff he showed in the minors has me hyped.

*Why I’m buying in:*

1. *That command is stupid good*. 114 strikeouts to 15 walks across 3 levels in 2024. You don’t fake that. He throws strikes with 4 pitches and sits 94-96. Not elite velo, but when you locate like that, it plays.

2. *We need him*. Let’s be real - Pablo and Joe Ryan can’t do it alone. With Sonny gone, we need a cheap #4 starter who can give us 150 innings. Free agents cost $15M for that. Zebby costs league minimum.

3. *He’s adding a sweeper*. Saw a few clips of him working on it. If he can actually command that thing by spring, his K-rate jumps. That’s the difference between AAA depth and a real rotation piece.

I’m not saying he’s an ace. But if Zebby breaks camp as the 5th starter and holds it down, that changes the whole ceiling for 2026.

*Question for y’all*: Who’s your sleeper pick for the rotation next year? Festa? Soto? Or are we rolling with Zebby?

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[Brock Beauchamp]

57 minutes ago, RG94 said:

Ok, I know it’s only October, but I can’t stop thinking about the rotation next year.

We all saw Zebby Matthews get thrown into the fire in 2024. The results were up and down, which is fine for a rookie. But man, the stuff he showed in the minors has me hyped.

*Why I’m buying in:*

1. *That command is stupid good*. 114 strikeouts to 15 walks across 3 levels in 2024. You don’t fake that. He throws strikes with 4 pitches and sits 94-96. Not elite velo, but when you locate like that, it plays.

2. *We need him*. Let’s be real - Pablo and Joe Ryan can’t do it alone. With Sonny gone, we need a cheap #4 starter who can give us 150 innings. Free agents cost $15M for that. Zebby costs league minimum.

3. *He’s adding a sweeper*. Saw a few clips of him working on it. If he can actually command that thing by spring, his K-rate jumps. That’s the difference between AAA depth and a real rotation piece.

I’m not saying he’s an ace. But if Zebby breaks camp as the 5th starter and holds it down, that changes the whole ceiling for 2026.

*Question for y’all*: Who’s your sleeper pick for the rotation next year? Festa? Soto? Or are we rolling with Zebby?

-

Hey RG, you'll get a lot more traction on this if you post it over in the Twins forum:

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