Trevor May

Touted by many observers in the spring as a prime candidate to claim the Twins' wide-open closer role, May never seized the gig, but he ultimately became a valuable setup man despite an inconsistent season. May began the season hot with a 2.35 ERA through May 15, then had a 5.09 ERA over his next 23 appearances. He finished strong with a 1.38 ERA and 11.8 K/9 the final two months. He showed a move to the bullpen suits him best as he pitched in 65 games, staying healthy after back issues and Tommy John surgery plagued his three previous seasons. May improved his velocity (95.6-mph average fastball) and has a strikeout rate north of 30% over the past two seasons. He reduced his walk and home-run rates, which had been problems before. He should be a good source of holds in a setup role (17 in 2019) and could get the occasional save since the Twins don't adhere to the traditional closer patterns.

May returned after missing a season due to Tommy John surgery and looked like a potential solution to the back of the bullpen. He underwent TJS in March of 2017 and returned to pitch in the minors in the first half. Once promoted to the majors in August, he showed increased velocity on his fastball (94.1 mph average) and an improved strikeout rate (12.8 K/9). He converted all three save chances when used in the closer role the final week. May has always had strong strikeout rates and good control, but hasn't been able to stay healthy -- he has also had frequent back issues. He never lived up to expectations as a starter (career 5.85 ERA), but has a career 3.75 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 100.2 relief innings. There shouldn’t be much hype surrounding May, given how late in the year he took over the ninth inning, so he has a chance to return significant value as a mid-round closer if his price remains affordable.

May looked set to win a spot in the rotation last spring after being used as a reliever in 2016, but he hurt his elbow and missed the season after Tommy John surgery. May had a 12.7 K/9 and 93.9 mph average fastball in 2016 but posted a 5.27 ERA as he struggled with a balky back. His strikeout rates suggest he could have success as starter or setup man, but he may need to spend significant time in the minors as he works his way back from injury. The plan is to stretch him out this spring to see how he looks as a starter, but he will be fighting an uphill battle to break camp in the rotation.

May looked set to become a key factor in Minnesota's bullpen, but his season was sidetracked with back trouble that helped result in a a 5.27 ERA and 1.5 HR/9. He finally excelled in the majors in 2015 when he moved to the bullpen by posting a 2.87 ERA and 37:8 K:BB ratio in 31.1 innings, but he was unable to replicate that performance last season as he had three stints on the DL with a back injury that caused him to struggle with his control (3.6 BB/9). Despite a seemingly lost season, May still struck out 12.66 K/9 and had a 93.9 mph average fastball. New Twins management has talked about moving him back to the rotation, but he'll have to show he's healthy before he wins any role on the 25-man roster this spring.

May appeared to finally turn the corner last season and learned how to get out major league hitters, but it's not clear if his future is as a starter or reliever. May was called up in April with an opening in the rotation and struggled initially with a 5.07 ERA in his first nine starts. He then rebounded with a 3.23 ERA and a 30:9 K:BB in 30.2 innings. However, May was the odd man out when Ervin Santana returned from an 80-game suspension and May was moved to the bullpen. He thrived in relief by posting a 2.87 ERA and 37:8 K:BB ratio in 31.1 innings, becoming the primary setup man late in the season. May has a strong 8.6 K/9, good control (2.0 BB/9) and decent velocity (92.9 mph average fastball), so he could thrive in either role and could be a sleeper if moved back to the rotation.

May has become one of the top starting pitching prospects for the Twins after a strong season at Triple-A. He was called up in August and hit hard in his first four starts, giving up 22 earned runs in 19 innings. The right-hander calmed down a bit thereafter with quality starts in two of his last three outings, but still had an ugly 7.88 ERA with the big club. Despite his struggles in the majors, he maintained his strong strikeout rate (8.7 K/9) from the minors. May needs to reduce his walks, but his strikeout rate could win him a spot in the major league bullpen next spring. He'll more likely begin the season at Triple-A, but is a candidate to join the Twins' rotation early in the season.

May didn't show much improvement in his second full season at Double-A as he again had a strong strikeout rate (9.5 K/9) with shaky control (4.0 BB/9). His walk rate improved slightly and scouts say he improved his offspeed pitches, notably his changeup. And he did finish the season strong with a 20:2 K:BB ratio in his last three starts and had an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League (3.21 ERA and 12:4 K:BB ratio in 14 innings). While his second season at Double-A may have dulled his prospect status, he still has a high strikeout rate that the organization lacks. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A and he could quickly climb to the majors if he walks fewer batters.

May opened last season as the Phillies' top prospect, but he is unlikely to top any lists this offseason. May's strikeout rate dipped with the move to Double-A last season, but it remained strong at 9.1 K/9. His walk rate rose and continues to be the biggest issue for May to address. He will also have to do a better job of keeping the ball in the yard after allowing 22 home runs last year. May's ceiling remains high, but there is still a lot of work for him to do. He'll get an opportunity to continue his advancement with the Twins after being sent Minnesota as part of the Ben Revere trade in December.

May's elite 12.12 K/9IP ratio in 2011 had him topping just about every Phillies prospect list this offseason. His 4.06 BB/9IP is a bit of a concern but it was an improvement from his control problems at High-A in 2011. If May continues to make progress with his control, he has front of the rotation potential. He will open this season with Double-A Reading, but may not see time in Philly until 2013 at the earliest.

May began last season at High-A Clearwater but a 90:61 K:BB ratio forced the Phillies to move him back a level to work on his control. May made some adjustments and went 7-3 with a 2.91 ERA and a 92:20 K:BB ratio in 65 innings at Low-A Lakewood after his demotion. He's an intriguing prospect and will get another shot at moving up to High-A ball again next year. If he can continue to maintain the control he showed at Lakewood the Phillies will have a special pitcher on their hands.

The Phillies selected May out of high school in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. May's 90-95 mph fastball is an impressive offering, and he mixes it with a solid curveball and an adequate changeup. He spent last season at Single-A Lakewood and posted a 95:43 K:BB ratio in 77.1 innings as a starter. His strong K/9 ratio makes him an intriguing prospect but the high walk rate will need to be improved upon.