The Minnesota Twins' spring training has revealed a surprising standout in the pitching department: Cory Lewis, whose unique knuckleball has caught the attention of teammates and catchers alike. This pitch is not just any ordinary knuckleball; it’s thrown at a remarkable velocity of around 85 mph, differing from the traditional floating knuckleballs that are slower and much easier to predict. Catchers have shared their experiences, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of Lewis's delivery. They recount stories of close calls on missed catches and the challenge it presents both for them and opposing hitters.

Lewis, who was named the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year in 2023, showcased his knuckleball during his Grapefruit League debut against the Detroit Tigers, where it resulted in several whiffs from batters. The pitch's erratic movement forces catchers like Jair Camargo to improvise, as the PitchCom device lacked the ability to communicate knuckleball calls, leading to creative solutions during live pitching. Whether this unique pitch will earn Lewis a spot on the major league roster remains to be seen as he is expected to begin the season at Class AAA St. Paul.

As the fantasy baseball season approaches, identifying key pitchers for points leagues becomes essential. Focus on strikeouts and innings pitched, as these factors heavily influence scoring. Top targets for 2025 include Minnesota Twins' Pablo Lopez, a starter with a consistent ERA below 4.10 and nearly 200 strikeouts last season. San Francisco Giants' Logan Webb offers incredible value with his innings leader status and strong ERA, making him an ideal mid-round choice. St. Louis Cardinals' Sonny Gray, entering his 13th season, maintains impressive strikeout numbers and low WHIP, further solidifying his mid-round appeal. Finally, despite a season-ending injury, Twins' Joe Ryan's strikeout potential makes him a worthy selection in rounds nine or ten.

Bailey Ober, the Minnesota Twins pitcher, is focused on overcoming setbacks following a challenging start to his 2024 season. Despite a disastrous outing in Kansas City, where he allowed eight runs, Ober is determined to not let these moments define his career. He had an impressive season previously, tallying 18 quality starts, the most by a Twins pitcher in the past decade after Pablo López’s 20 in 2023.

Ober's approach is one of resilience; he rebounded from his poor performances by allowing only one run in his next two starts combined. His pitching coach encourages this mentality by referencing historical successes, including Pedro Martinez's impressive 1999 season, which also had its hiccups. Ober’s ability to adapt and improve has drawn praise from teammates, highlighting his mix of pitches and deceptive throwing style that keeps batters off balance.

As MLB spring training approaches, the potential for trades looms large as teams look to shake up their rosters. The Oakland Athletics are eyeing left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery from the Arizona Diamondbacks as they seek to meet payroll requirements, while the Diamondbacks look to offload his hefty contract.

The Boston Red Sox are also in the mix, possibly acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal that would involve a significant prospect exchange. This move could enhance the Red Sox's infield defense by shifting Rafael Devers to first base.

In a notable move, the New York Yankees are reportedly considering a trade for batting champion Luis Arráez from the San Diego Padres, aiming to bolster their lineup. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles are eyeing right-hander Luis Castillo to strengthen their pitching staff, with the Seattle Mariners potentially receiving Ryan Mountcastle in return.

The Atlanta Braves are looking to solidify their rotation by targeting Pablo López from the Minnesota Twins, while the New York Mets could make a splash by acquiring center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox, who might demand a promising prospect in return.

The Minnesota Twins' success in 2025 is closely tied to the performance of their pitching staff, which is generating significant optimism. ESPN's preseason rankings place the Twins' starting rotation seventh in the majors, trailing only teams like the Mariners and Yankees. The rotation is expected to include Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, and David Festa.

Bailey Ober's development serves as a model for the Twins' pitching prospects, showcasing the team's ability to cultivate talent. After being drafted in the 12th round, Ober has steadily improved, culminating in a career-best 178⅔ innings pitched last season with a notable 26.9% strikeout rate.

Steamer's projections further bolster the Twins' expectations for 2025, ranking them tied for the second-best ERA+ in the majors, only behind the Red Sox and Braves. With an ERA+ of 106, the Twins are projected to be 6% better than the league average. Among the starting pitchers, Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan are highlighted, ranked 11th and 17th respectively.