No major league team can have too many relievers. Last season, the Minnesota Twins had 28 of their 34 pitchers on the active roster come out of the bullpen, up from 24 in 2023.
Minnesota’s front office will likely address adding bullpen depth throughout the off-season. However, St. Paul has two pitchers they called up to Triple-A toward the end of the 2024 season, Jaylen Nowlin and Kyle Bischoff. Both could make their MLB debuts in 2025.
“It was kind of a shock,” Nowlin said about his call-up to Triple-A following his penultimate outing on Sept. 18. “I was supposed to go for two outings last week, Tuesday and Sunday. But after my Tuesday outing, they called me into the office and told me I was coming up to Triple-A. As the day went on I just got more and more excited just to be able to throw some more.”
“I was pumped,” Bischoff said about his call-up to Triple-A on Sept. 20. “I thought I had one more week, and then I was excited to get up here for two weeks. It’s been a really fun year to get up here and start learning from guys who’ve had big-league time. It’s pretty special.”
Nowlin was Minnesota’s 19th-round pick in 2021, while the Twins signed Bischoff out of the independent United Shore League in May 2023. One of these pitchers has gradually risen through the minors as a starter, while the other has been on the reliever fast track.
However, Nowlin and Bischoff had one thing in common last year: They spent parts of their seasons in Double-A Wichita with Wind Surge pitching coach DJ Engle. Engle worked on different things with Nowlin and Bischoff this season.
In Nowlin’s case, it was a matter of keeping his composure after he made mistakes against hitters on the mound.
“For me, it’s just been a battle all year, just trying to stay composed no matter what happens,” said Nowlin. “Baseball is very unpredictable, and anything can happen at any given moment. It’s just being able to come back and make that next pitch at all times.”
“I love that from Jaylin because that is something we have talked about and he has done a better job of that throughout this year,” Engle said. “Just understanding – and it’s not just him, too, there are a lot of other guys – the game is not going to feel bad for you.”
Relievers have more moments where a game can change instantly than starters. Nowlin experienced that first-hand in his first two relief outings for the Saints. On Sept. 14, he allowed three runs in his first outing. Nowlin only allowed one five days later, but it came off a home run. Still, he ended the season on a high note on Sept. 22, getting the last out of the fifth inning.
Nowlin throws a fastball, slider, sinker, and changeup. He uses the slider the most, similar to lefty Steven Okert last year. Nowlin needs to command the slider better. However, if he hones his pitches, he could fill in an opening in the Twins bullpen with Okert and Caleb Thielbar becoming free agents at season’s end.
“I just want to work on being more consistent, as consistent as possible, so I can be the same guy I can be every game,” Nowlin said. “And a positive for this year was my composure. In past years, I would let it get away from me a little bit. But this year, I’ve really been able to compose myself and really come back after anything that happens to me on the mound.”
Teammates Andrew Morris and Zebby Matthews have overshadowed Bischoff’s fast track from High-A to Triple-A this season. However, it doesn’t downplay how effective the 25-year-old was with his development at each level, going from a slow start with the Cedar Rapids Kernels with a 4.05 ERA in 28 games to a dominant 1.40 ERA and .164 opponents average in 19 innings with the Wind Surge.
“Kyle obviously came a long way this year. He started his season in Cedar Rapids and didn’t get off to the hottest start,” said Engle. “A lot of our biggest focus was just getting him in the zone. He has electric stuff, a lot of strikeout stuff coming out of the bullpen, and it’s really fun to watch when he’s clicking.”
Bischoff’s strikeout numbers were impressive at each level of the minors this season. He combined for 11.4 strikeouts per nine in total games this season. His walk numbers show room for growth, with his walk rate at 3.8 walks per nine.
Still, it’s unique for a reliever to strike out 78 batters and walk 28 in 61.1 innings in their first full year of pro ball. Bischoff would be making his pro debut at 23, but the Twins will likely give him an opportunity if he pitches well in St. Paul.
“I’ve taken big strides just being in the zone a bit more,” said Bischoff. “We have a new slider this year that has taken off. Right now, it’s just getting the changeup to be a consistent pitch that I can not only just get into the zone and get ground balls with but to also get whiffs with it. Right now, I’ve got two really good weapons, but I want to make it three really good weapons next year.”
The Twins will fill out their bullpen throughout the off-season, but Nowlin and Bischoff will be part of the mix. If Nowlin debuts early in 2025, he’ll be the second player drafted out of the 19th round from the 2021 draft to be in the majors. The other is Seth Halvorsen, who pitches for the Colorado Rockies and grew up in Maple Grove.
Minnesota’s minor league rotation depth has looked the best it has in decades. However, the same can be said for their bullpen, with pitchers such as Nowlin, Bischoff, and Travis Adams waiting for an opportunity in St. Paul.
