Minnesota Twins Sign Former Top Pitching Prospect, Was No. 9 Overall Pick

The Minnesota Twins have added an intriguing possibility to their pitching mix this spring, agreeing to a minor league contract with an invite to big league camp for 30-year-old Jeff Hoffman.

Right-hander Jeff Hoffman is in agreement on a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins, source said. The deal, which pays $1.3 million if he’s in the majors, includes an invite to spring training and opt outs on March 28, May 15 and June 15.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 26, 2023

Hoffman would earn $1.3M if he’s in the majors. If not, he has opt-outs on March 28, May 15, and June 15. There are also innings incentives, as he'll get a $50K payout for each of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 games pitched.

Looking at Jeff Hoffman and could definitely see him snagging a spot on Opening Day. 93rd percentile in fastball spin and had a slider and change with 37+% whiff rates and very poor contact allowed. No major platoon splits either.#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/QFAZ6NyYhH

— Cody Pirkl (@CodyPirkl) February 27, 2023

The former No. 9 pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Hoffman was famously part of the trade that brought Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto from the Colorado Rockies. 

He pitched in the thin air of Denver for five years and struggled mightily, posting a 6.40 ERA. 

He was finally freed from Coors Field in 2021 and 2022, where he fared a little better with the Cincinnati Reds. 

He had a 3.83 ERA and a 45:23 K:BB over 44.2 innings last season, but missed the second half of the season with forearm and elbow issues. He elected free agency after the year. 

Photo: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK