Twins sign reliever Alex Speas to a minor league contract.©(@mlbtraderumors)
The Minnesota Twins have signed right-handed reliever Alex Speas to a minor league contract, as reported by his agency on Sunday. The 26-year-old pitcher, known for his fastball that reaches 100 mph, has had a rollercoaster career in the majors, appearing in four big league games—three with the Texas Rangers in 2023 and one with the Houston Astros last season.
Speas made just one major league appearance this year on May 31, pitching two innings for Houston in a 6-1 defeat to the Twins, during which he gave up a home run to Carlos Santana. Although his fastball reaches impressive speeds, Speas has consistently faced challenges with control, a struggle evident in his minor league statistics.
Speas was selected by the Rangers in the second round of the 2016 draft, coming from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. In the minors, he has made 138 appearances, striking out 267 batters and walking 162 in 173 innings. In 2024, Speas was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from Texas and then traded to Oakland in April. He was subsequently claimed by both Houston and Boston during the season. Throughout 32 games in Class AAA, he posted a 12.13 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 43 walks in 29⅔ innings.
Speas will now look to prove himself with the Twins as he continues his journey in professional baseball.
