The Minnesota Twins may have fallen 5-3 to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, but all eyes were on starting pitcher Taj Bradley—and for good reason. The 25-year-old right-hander continues to be one of the most exciting storylines of the season, delivering a performance that had fans and analysts alike taking notice.
Bradley turned in his best outing of the year, pitching a season-high seven innings while allowing just two runs on four hits. He struck out seven batters and walked only two, throwing 73 strikes out of 114 pitches. With this start, he improved to 3-1 on the season with a stellar 2.85 ERA over seven starts—a remarkable turnaround for a pitcher who posted ERAs of 5.59 in 2023, 4.11 in 2024, and 5.05 in 2025.
The game started smoothly for Bradley, who didn't allow a hit until the third inning when J.P. Crawford launched a solo homer to right field. He settled in quickly, surrendering just one more hit until the seventh, when Dominic Canzone and Cole Young hit back-to-back doubles, tying the game at 2-2. The score remained deadlocked until Victor Caratini drove in a run with an RBI double in the eighth, but the Twins' bullpen couldn't hold the lead, giving up three runs in the ninth.
Bradley's resurgence is especially meaningful given his journey to Minnesota. The Twins acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline last season in exchange for reliever Griffin Jax. Initially, the deal seemed to favor Tampa Bay, as Jax posted a 3.60 ERA over 23 outings while Bradley struggled with a 6.61 ERA in six starts. But this season, the tables have turned: Bradley is thriving, while Jax has a 6.35 ERA over 12 appearances. It's a reminder that patience often pays off in baseball, and the Twins are reaping the rewards.
Bradley has quickly become Minnesota's most reliable arm, leading the team in wins, ERA, and strikeouts (44). At just $802,050 this season and under team control through 2028, he's not only a cornerstone on the mound but also a savvy investment for the franchise. As the Twins look to climb back from a 13-18 start, Bradley's continued growth is a bright spot worth watching—and a story that makes every game feel like a step toward something bigger.