The Minnesota Twins are adding some pitching depth to their organization. The Twins have reportedly claimed right-handed starting pitcher Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Miami Marlins.
After making six starts for the Marlins this season, Gillispie was designated for assignment. The Twins already had an open spot on their 40-man roster, so there was no further roster move needed. Gillispie has been assigned to Triple-A.
It was a rough look for Gillispie at the Major League level this season with the Marlins. Through those six starts, Gillispie had an ERA of 8.65 in 26 innings of work.
Gillispie was a victim of the long ball, responsible for six home runs during his work with the Marlins this season.
Twins roster move: RHP Connor Gillispie was claimed off waivers from the Marlins and optioned to Class AAA.
Gillispie, 27, had an 8.65 ERA in six starts for Miami. That fills the last open spot on the Twins’ 40-man roster.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 23, 2025
Twins just picked up a rival’s reject in Connor Gillispie
Gillispie made his Major League debut with the Twins’ American League Central rival, the Cleveland Guardians, last season.
Pitching out of the Guardians’ bullpen in a short stint, Gillispie posted a 2.25 ERA in eight innings of work. After being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Gillispie was selected by the Guardians in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. He was granted free agency last offseason, bouncing around between the Atlanta Braves and Marlins.
At 27 years old, Gillispie appears to be nothing more than a depth arm for the Twins. Throughout his minor-league work, the right-handed pitcher has flashed signs of potentially being a capable swingman at the Major League level, but has yet to put it together consistently.
As the Twins are navigating through the injuries to Pablo López and Zebby Mathews, their rotation has struggled. David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson were the options the Twins chose to replace their injured starters, and neither has provided stability to the rotation.
Following a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, Rocco Baldelli wasn’t shy about expressing the need for his pitching staff to make adjustments
If the struggles of the rotation continue, it’s fair to suggest that Gillispie could get a look within the next few weeks. Otherwise, it’s a safety net in case the Twins move arms at the trade deadline next month.
