Twins Spring Training is off and running in 2024, and this year's team is embracing some high expectations with an eye towards building on a 2023 season that ended in a four-game loss to Houston in the American League Division Series.
There were definitely highs, as the team broke two losing streaks, one the longest postseason losing streak in major North American sports, and then finally winning a postseason series for the first time since 2002.
If there's one thing this team can hang its hat on, it's starting pitching and leading the way is Pablo Lopez.
Lopez, who came to Minnesota in the trade that sent second baseman Luis Arraez to Miami, has quickly become a fan favorite and a leader in the clubhouse.
"I feel good, I feel extremely happy, and I really enjoy spring training," Lopez tells WCCO's Jason DeRusha in Fort Myers, Florida.
It was Lopez who took the ball in game one of the Wild Card round against Toronto and threw the Twins to the streak-busting win. And it was Lopez who threw one of the team's greatest postseason games ever in game two at Houston, going 7 innings, giving up zero runs and striking out seven.
For the Twins and Lopez, eventually dropping the series to Houston was a beginning, not an end. That means a lot of higher expectations in the Twins Clubhouse this spring.
"Spring training last year, the main thing was we didn't want 2022 to happen again," Lopez says. "The vibe this year is we want what we did last year but we want more. We're not going to settle for what we did last year. We're going to carry that momentum so we can develop it into something bigger."
Especially with last year's All-Star Sonny Gray signing as a free agent with St. Louis, the Twins will look to Lopez to anchor the staff in 2024. He'll get the ball for opening day March 28 in Kansas City, and it's a responsibility Lopez embraces.
"It means the world to me," he says. "Last year was my very first time getting that opportunity. This year, the feeling is the same. I'm honored, I'm extremely grateful and appreciative for what the Twins have seen in me. It's very encouraging. Having that opportunity to pitch the first game is something I will not take for granted. Set the tone for the year, right?"
He's a veteran on a staff that will be filled with mostly young arms. Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, Louie Varland and others will step into crucial roles for the staff in 2024. When it comes to being a leader, Lopez gives credit to the group.
"I think the main thing is having an open mind, open ears to getting as much feedback as you can. It's such a selfless group that we're always giving each other feedback all the time. I'm willing to give feedback but I'm also open to receive it. It's a constant support system, giving each other feedback. There may be times where I say something to the group, then there are times when someone else has something on their mind for the benefit of the pitching staff and it's such a selfless group. We have the mentality that we're all here to get better."
He adds that not only is this a staff of talented arms. They're ready to get after it this spring.
"I can tell that this group is hungry, and you just see it every day," Lopez explains. "We show up here early, everyone's doing their work, everyone's doing their preparation in order to get ready, to make sure that when we're on the field we're doing everything the right way. The little things to get better, to get better individually so then as a whole we can accomplish what we're looking for. That mindset, that shift in the mindset, that this 2024 group is going to do great things."
One thing Lopez says they need to do is be more aggressive, and not be afraid to get after the other team. But mostly? Don't be afraid to be great.
"We're going to carry the same mentality, the same philosophy," says Lopez. "From a pitching standpoint we're going to be aggressive in the zone, we're not going to be afraid of failure. At the same time, we're not going to be afraid of success either. I want to succeed. I'm not going to be afraid to try everything, take risks, make sure I'm on the mound with that mentality. When I'm on the mound I'm the guy that's going to attack the zone relentlessly."
Last April, the Twins had seen enough of Lopez to give him a four-year, $73 million extension. Lopez had spent that offseason working on a new pitch, a sweeper, and it made him more dominant during the season. It also increased his strikeouts. It was a large part of what made him so dominant in the postseason.
Lopez had a very solid 2023. He was 11-8 with a 3.66 ERA and a career-high 224 strikeouts. But his postseason was even better, where he went 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA in two starts. Now, Lopez says he's been working on refining those five pitches he throws, and expects to be even better in 2024.
"Last year, when I was behind in the count, I had the tendency of throwing two of the five pitches," says Lopez. "How do make it so I have the confidence so if I'm behind in the count, the batters, they don't have to rule out any pitches. They know I can throw every single pitch in any count and that's a very powerful weapon to have as a starter."
All of that leads to what should be a very exciting season for the Minnesota Twins.
"The only thing is, we're good, we're here to get people out, and we're going to do it as a team," he says. "What we have here is very special."
The Twins open the spring training schedule Friday night against the University of Minnesota in Fort Myers. That game can be heard live on 830 WCCO, 102.9 The Wolf, and the Audacy App (in-market restrictions apply). You can see the entire spring training broadcast schedule here.
Hear more of Jason DeRusha live from Twins Spring Training each day this week on 830 WCCO, the Audacy app, or anytime on demand. All of WCCO's broadcasts are presented by Lee County- "Islands and beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel", Sun Country Airlines and Margaritaville Resort Fort Myers Beach and Naples.