Taj Bradley Elevates Game with New Study Routine Ahead of Start Against Padres
Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley shook things up before his start against the San Diego Padres on Saturday by diving into scouting reports for the very first time. In a standout performance, Bradley threw five impressive innings, yielding just one run on a single hit while striking out six batters. Unfortunately, the Twins’ bullpen couldn’t hold onto the lead, and their offense faltered, resulting in a 12-3 defeat as San Diego erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning.
This outing marked a significant improvement for Bradley compared to his previous start. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays just before the trade deadline, he struggled in his debut, allowing seven runs on nine hits. After that experience, he recognized the need for change. "I just never did it at all," Bradley shared with the Star Tribune. "I was kind of out there blind the whole time. After my last outing, I had a lot of soft contact, so I figured now is the time to get my head in the books and learn a bit about the hitters I’m up against."
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli expressed confidence in Bradley’s new approach, stating, "Honestly, whatever helps guys take the mound with confidence and allows them to do their job well is what I want them to focus on. If he’s throwing the ball like that, whatever his mentality is, that’s the mentality he should have because that’s the mark of a very good major league pitcher."
Taj Bradley was selected by the Rays in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut in 2023, finishing the season with a 5.59 ERA over 23 games. Currently, he holds a 4.82 ERA in 23 appearances split between the Twins and the Rays this season.
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