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Taylor Rogers 2022 Player Outlook: Projected Twins Closer Who Could See Role Change
3 years agoMinnesota Twins relief pitcher Taylor Rogers has been the source of some trade rumors this offseason. However, as the season nears, it's looking more likely that he will open the year with the Twins. He also currently appears to be the favorite for the team's closer role. Last year, Alex Colome and Hansel Robles led the Twins in saves, but both players are on the move this offseason. Rogers, meanwhile, was third on the team in saves last year, converting nine of his 13 save opportunities while pitching to a 3.35 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Rogers may have had some bad luck last year as his 2.51 xERA was far below his actual one. He had a career-best 35.5% strikeout rate last year, a significant improvement from 2019, when he recorded a career-high 30 saves and maintained a 32.4% strikeout rate. There's good reason to believe that Rogers will be an effective reliever in 2022, but it's hard to feel confident about both his role and what team he's pitching for. Will he remain in Minnesota throughout the year? Will he have a firm hold on the closer role wherever he is? These questions make him a draft day risk, but it's tough to find any closers you're confident in outside the top tiers. If you draft Rogers, just make sure to have backup plans as well.
