Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Simeon Woods-Richardson struggled against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a spring training outing on Thursday. The right-handed starter allowed three runs (two earned) in two innings of work. While he did not walk any hitters, Woods-Richardson recorded only one strikeout. The Twins were ultimately defeated by the Pirates, losing by a final score of 6-4.

There's obviously no need to overreact to one spring performance. When it comes to Woods-Richardson, though, there is reason for concern. Once a highly regarded prospect, he simply has not been able to put it all together at the big league level. 

Is Woods-Richardson still a pitcher who can positively impact an MLB team? At 25 years old, it is too early to give up on him. Still, his early-career results have been underwhelming. 

Woods-Richardson would love to have a breakout season soon. While he made his MLB debut in 2023, Woods-Richardson has only pitched in two mostly full seasons in the big leagues. In 2024, he appeared in 28 games, while in 2025 Woods-Richardson made 23 appearances.

His career ERA so far? 4.21. In the '25 campaign, he turned in a 4.04 ERA and 1.275 WHIP. He also walked 9.8 percent of the hitters he faced. His strikeout percentage did see an uptick, as he finished the year at 22.7 percent.

Nevertheless, Woods-Richardson has struggled. He will likely receive a spot in the Twins' rotation regardless of whether or not he bounces back in spring training. Pablo Lopez is injured and the team's overall starting pitching depth is lacking for the most part. In fact, he may even be the No. 3 overall starter in the rotation.

If Woods-Richardson endures another inconsistent season, one has to wonder if Minnesota will consider trading him. As mentioned, it is still too early to give up on him. However, this is a pitcher who will need to show the Twins something during the 2026 season. They may need to enter a rebuild soon, and Minnesota will have to decide if Woods-Richardson is part of the long-term plan.

His potential is present. It is not difficult to envision him breaking out soon. He will be a pitcher to closely watch both in spring training and during the upcoming 2026 regular season. 

The Twins will play their next spring training contest on Friday against the New York Yankees, with the game's first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM EST.