The Cloverdale Clovers took a pair of hits in the last week as TJ Friedl (wrist) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) both were knocked out of their Keeper Roster plans for 2024. GM Chris Shelley pivoted Monday morning, landing right-hander Bailey Ober (2FA/$5) from the Honolulu Hammerheads for a 2024 3rd Round Pick (32nd Overall).
Ober will now slot behind Tyler Glasnow and fellow Minnesota Twins hurler Joe Ryan.
Ober had a strong season that has him set to be a vital part of Minnesota's 2024 rotation. Ober began the season in the minors as the odd man out in a six-man rotation and got some spot starts in April before joining the rotation in May. He was sent down briefly in August to manage his workload, but finished strong with a 2.08 ERA over his last four starts (though he was hit hard in his lone playoff outing by giving up six runs in a loss). Ober doesn't have an overpowering fastball (91.4 mph average), but it's offset by his outstanding control (5% BB%) and above average off-speed pitches (slider, curve ball, change-up). His changeup became a lethal weapon by allowing just a .268 wOBA and helped lead to an overall 14.5% swinging K%. After throwing 144.1 innings, Ober shouldn't face any limitations on workload after staying healthy after struggling through injuries his first two major league seasons.
Of note, only 17 pitchers in the major leagues threw 140 or more innings with an ERA+ of 125 or better in 2023. Ober was one of them.
The Heads now hold a selections in the first and third rounds after entering the off-season without a selection until the 5th. GM Ross Horiuchi's move likely creates room for both Arizona Diamondbacks right-handers Brandon Pfaadt (Minors) and Ryne Nelson (2R/$3) to make the rotation behind Chris Sale, Tanner Bibee and Kutter Crawford with Chase Silseth (2FA/$5) remaining in the mix as well.