Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan had a dominant performance.
The Minnesota Twins took an impressive series against the New York Yankees over the weekend, taking two of three games. They now sit just three games under the .500 mark at 44-47, and it remains unclear whether they will sell at the trade deadline, especially if they continue to stack wins.
If they do sell, one player who is widely expected to move teams is right-hander Joe Ryan.
Ryan will likely decline his mutual option this offseason in search of a long-term deal, making him a rental piece at the deadline. He would still fetch a significant prospect package given how valuable he has been, and his stock has never been higher.
He was named to his second straight All-Star team on Saturday, and then just one day later on Sunday against the Yankees he tossed the best start of his season. Across seven innings, Ryan did not allow a single run, struck out nine hitters and gave up just three hits. The performance made franchise history in the process.
"Joe Ryan is the first Twins pitcher to throw seven or more shutout innings at Yankee Stadium since Johan Santana in 2005," wrote Twins reporter Aaron Gleeman on X.
Ryan's ERA now sits at 3.36 on the year and he has struck out 122 hitters across 104 1/3 innings. He has been the clear ace of the pitching staff this year with right-hander Pablo Lopez out for the season after undergoing right elbow surgery. Without Lopez, Ryan has carried an even heavier load. He has also picked up the slack for other arms in Minnesota that have struggled.
With Ryan's future still uncertain, it is impressive to see how far he has come in Minnesota. He was originally acquired in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2021 for aging slugger Nelson Cruz, a deal that the Rays have clearly lost in hindsight.
The Rays originally drafted Ryan in the 2018 MLB Draft, but he has spent his entire six-year big-league career in Minnesota and has developed into one of the most consistent and reliable starters in the American League. He is currently tied for the league lead in starts with 19, which speaks to his durability alongside his effectiveness.
Whether Ryan is a Twin past the deadline or not, performances like Sunday's are a reminder of exactly what this organization would be giving up if they decide to move him.
