Blue Jays: Former top prospect makes his MLB debut with the Twins

Acquired at the 2019 MLB trade deadline as part of the Marcus Stroman trade package, Simeon Woods-Richardson found himself in the Blue Jays system for roughly two years, starting in High-A Dunedin (at the time) and advancing to AA New Hampshire in 2021 (with the 2020 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Although he had a solid start to his AA stint with the Fisher Cats, posting a 2.16 ERA through his first six starts, the right-hander struggled just before heading to Tokyo to participate with the United States Olympics squad. Through five starts prior to leaving, Woods-Richardson allowed 23 earned runs and 16 walks through 20.1 innings, allowing 25 hits compared to 28 strikeouts.

While over in Tokyo, the former Mets second-round pick was traded to the Minnesota Twins alongside top prospect Austin Martin in exchange for start José Berríos, with Woods-Richardson finishing the season in AA with the Witchita Wind Surge.

This year, SWR has split the season between AA and AAA, earning the promotion back in mid-August. Collectively this campaign, Woods-Richardson owns a 2.77 ERA with a 9.6 K/9 and a 3.0 BB/9 through a career-high 107.1 innings split between both levels.

Former Blue Jays prospect makes his MLB Debut against the Detroit Tigers

With the Twins out of playoff contention and needing a starter today against the Detroit Tigers, the club called him up to make his MLB Debut at Comerica Field. Ranked as the Twins’ #6 overall prospect, Woods-Richardson had a very solid debut, going five innings while allowing three hits and three earned runs with two walks and three strikeouts.

Woods-Richardson got into some trouble early, as a walk to leadoff hitter, Akil Badoo, combined with a stolen base and throwing error by the catcher would later score on a fielding error committed by first baseman José Miranda. A wild pitch and another throwing error would score a second run, with the Twins committing three errors in the first inning alone. There was almost a third run but Miguel Cabrera was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Woods-Richardson and the Twins would settle down after that, with the right-hander earning his first strikeout against Víctor Reyes to end the second inning. A solo home run by Eric Haase in the third inning would be his only other run allowed and the 22-year-old would walk away with the loss, as the Twins offense could only muster two runs on the day.

This will likely be his only start this season in the big leagues, as the Twins only have three games left on the year before the season comes to a close on Wednesday. That being said, after setting a record for the longest name in MLB history for a Major Leaguer, it is likely the former Blue Jays prospect will be in the mix for a starting rotation job next season with the Twins.