Minnesota Twins: The 4 Twins With the Most to Prove in 2015
Mar 9, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky Nolasco’s first season as a Minnesota Twin almost could not have been worse.
Last off-season, Nolasco and the Twins agreed to a four year, $49 million contract which was the richest free agent contract ever doled out by the franchise at the time. Nolasco limped through 2014 with a 6-12 record while carrying an ERA of 5.38. He missed time during the middle of the season with elbow problems. Nothing seemed to go right for Nolasco, and the Twins still owe him many millions of dollars for at least three more seasons. September did show a glimmer of hope though. According to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, Nolasco posted a 2.93 ERA in his five September starts.
For his credit, Nolasco is saying the right things this spring. In Berardino’s piece, he said:
"“I can look at things any way I want to,” Nolasco said. “I’m always going to be hungry, I’m always going to be fighting and being competitive, no matter where I am, no matter what my situation is. Obviously there’s a little more to it this year, so I’ll just use it to my advantage.”"
Nolasco was given that big contract for a reason. He has had success at the Major League level in the past. He pitched well yesterday in a Spring Training start against the Toronto Blue Jays, posting 6 strikeouts and only yielding one earned run over his five innings. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come.