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Connor Prielipp Tosses Encouraging Gem in Twins' Shutout Win
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- Connor Prielipp Tosses Encouraging Gem in Twins' Shutout Win
(Gary A. Vasquez - Imagn Images)
Prielipp may have turned in the best start of his young career.
After the Minnesota Twins ' disappointing finish to a late-game battle on Thursday, they bounced back to earn their fourth shutout of the year against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night, thanks to starting pitcher Connor Prielipp.
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Not only did Prielipp anchor the shutout, but he also turned in what may have been the most impressive outing of his career.
Prielipp logged seven innings of shutout baseball, as he tossed eight strikeouts, allowed just two walks and two base hits. Ultimately, he set up the Twins' bullpen for a stress-free night, which proved huge after an extra-innings contest that saw a chunk of relievers used in Thursday's loss. His seven innings also marked a career-best in a single game.
For Prielipp and the Twins, the result is exactly what the two parties hoped to see with the regular season's end right around the corner.
With Minnesota essentially out of postseason contention to date, heads are beginning to turn towards how the Twins will shape up for the 2027 season. In that conversation, the topic of starting pitching is initially up in the air.
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With the Twins' rotation depth looking slim, Prielipp is destined to see a solid chunk of innings after turning into a consistent starter in 2026. But his most recent performance is one to take note, as it may serve as a glimpse of what is to come from the left-hander.
Prielipp's 2026 season has been one that has been completely different from his others. The southpaw combined to toss 112 ⅔ innings in the minor leagues from 2020 to 2025, but has seen his workload take off in his rookie season.
After Friday's win, Prielipp's innings total is now up to 139 innings across the major and minor leagues this season, totaling 120 ⅓ of those frames with the Twins. Though he had gone through some struggles as of recent, he has begun to turn things around at an encouraging time.
With his seven shutout innings, Prielipp has now lowered his season ERA below five for the first time since August 14. Through his 23 appearances this season, 21 of those being starts, Prielipp now owns a 4.94 ERA.
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Including his outing on Friday, Prielipp has recorded a 5.26 ERA in his last seven appearances — a notable number considering his success on the mound against the Angels. His inability to dig deeper into games had become a subtle concern leading up to his latest start.
With only a week left remaining in the regular season, Prielipp is lined up to make one last start this season, which will come against either the San Francisco Giants or the Texas Rangers , to conclude his rookie year.
