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Player Outlook
Louie Varland's improved velocity turned him into a late-season weapon out of the bullpen and has put him in contention for a prominent role in 2024 - but it's not clear whether that will be in the rotation or bullpen. Varland's improved velocity (up to 95.3 mph average fastball from 93.9 mph in the majors the previous season) resulted in a strong year at Triple-A with a 9.8 K/9 and 3.97 ERA and 3.32 FIP. He was called up early in the season as a starter and had initial success with a 3.51 ERA in seven starts, but then gave up 17 runs in 15 innings in his next three starts and was sent to the minors in June. He was called up to the bullpen in September and was a dominant reliever with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB ratio with a fastball that touched triple digits. Varland has said he'd like to remain a starter, but it will be hard for the Twins to keep him out of the bullpen given his success. Still, he's in the mix for the fifth starter role this spring.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 148.58.7 68.0 4 3 71 17 4.63 1.22
2022 41.58.3 26.0 1 2 21 6 3.81 1.23
3y Avg. 928.4 47.0 2 2 46 12 4.40 1.23
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
30%
Roster
7%
Start
#93
SP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Twins' Louie Varland: Looks on track for rotation

    Varland is expected to open the season in the Minnesota rotation after president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Monday that Anthony DeSclafani (forearm) will open the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Varland has been a standout performer this spring with no runs allowed and 11 strikeouts against one walk through 11 innings in the Grapefruit League, but the fact that he has two minor-league options remaining was seemingly working against him in his competition with DeSclafani and Chris Paddack for the final two spots in the Opening Day rotation. However, with DeSclafani having been diagnosed with a forearm strain following a minor-league spring start over the weekend, Varland looks like he could have an extended runway in the Minnesota rotation. Expect Varland's average draft position to surge in the wake of the DeSclafani injury, given that the young right-hander had previously fared well in his initial starting opportunities in the big leagues last season with a 3.51 ERA through his first seven outings with Minnesota in 2023. He faded soon after and was eventually optioned to the minors, but he pitched well down the stretch upon rejoining Minnesota in a bullpen role last September. With Varland having now carried that late-season momentum into spring training, he may be in better position to enjoy sustained success as a starter in the big leagues over a longer period of time in 2024.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Strong spring as starter

    Varland threw three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Pittsburgh. He threw 34 pitches and another 11 in the bullpen as he prepares to be a starter, MLB.com reports. He's thrown seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and one walk this spring. Varland is competing with Anthony DeSclafani for the fifth starter role. He could begin the season with the job, as DeSclafani is working his way back from a sore right elbow. If Varland loses out on a rotation spot, it will be interesting to see if the Twins move him to the bullpen or keep him as a starter at Triple-A. Varland excelled as a reliever last season with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB while seeing his fastball touch triple digits.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Preparing as starting pitcher

    The Twins plan to have Varland stretch out as a starting pitcher this spring, although moving him to the bullpen remains an option, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He's been working on an improved two-seam fastball and slider in the offseason to help him win a spot in the rotation. Varland's improved velocity turned him into a late-season weapon out of the bullpen last year after working as a starter the first five months. As a reliever he had a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB while throwing a fastball that touched triple digits. He'll be in the mix for the final spot in the rotation this spring. If Varland loses out on the fifth starter role to Anthony DeSclafani, it will be interesting to see if the Twins move him to the bullpen or keep him as a starter at Triple-A. He could be an impact fantasy asset as a starting pitcher this season given his improvement last season and if a new pitch can broaden his arsenal.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Recall made official

    Varland was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. Varland made 10 starts earlier this season with the Twins, but he was recently moved to the bullpen at St. Paul and that's the role he'll fill now with the big club. The righty has the ability to go multiple innings, if needed, but his stuff has ticked up in relief so it wouldn't be a surprise if he eventually earns high-leverage appearances.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Promotion imminent

    Varland is expected to be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul prior to Monday's game against the Guardians, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Varland was recently moved to the bullpen at St. Paul, allowing one run with four strikeouts over four innings in his lone relief appearance. The Twins will use him out of the bullpen down the stretch, perhaps in a multi-inning role.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Moves to bullpen at Triple-A

    Varland has moved to the bullpen at Triple-A St. Paul as the Twins may consider him for a relief role in the majors in September, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He gave up one run over four innings working out of the bullpen Thursday. It sounds like he'd be used as a long reliever if called up in September.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Optioned to Triple-A

    Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. Varland was lit up for six earned runs over 4.1 innings in his last turn through the Twins' rotation Sunday versus the Tigers. The 25-year-old right-hander carries a 3-3 record with a 5.30 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB in 56 major-league innings (10 starts) this season. This move likely clears the way for Kenta Maeda (triceps) to rejoin the Minnesota rotation later this week.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Hit hard by Tigers

    Varland (3-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out four. Most of the damage came in the fifth, as the Tigers put up five runs in the frame including back-to-back homers by Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter. Varland has struggled in the month of June, allowing 17 runs over 15 innings (three starts) while also serving up five home runs. Though he is expected to be bumped from the rotation when Kenta Maeda (triceps) is removed from the 15-day injured list, Varland will likely have at least one more go-around as a starter and is tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Tigers next week.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Takes first loss of season

    Varland (2-1) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings against Toronto. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. The right-hander has made six big-league starts this season and given up more than three runs in only one of them. Homers remain Varland's biggest issue -- he's served up nine in 34 innings, and his 4.24 ERA hides an ominous 5.43 FIP.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Wins again Saturday

    Varland (2-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts over five-plus innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels. Varland threw 60 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight win. He allowed three straight runners to reach in the sixth inning, including a Shohei Ohtani solo home run, before Jovani Moran was called on to work out of the jam. Varland has been solid through five starts this season, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through 28 innings. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Sleeper pitchers for Week 8 (May 15-21)

    Varland may be vulnerable to the long ball, but he's shown a knack for missing bats so far in his major-league career. He's a good bet to go six innings if he's able to limit the damage, so while there's some risk in starting him at the Angels this week, you could do a lot worse, too.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Cruises to first win

    Varland (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cubs. Varland faded a bit in the seventh inning, but it was another positive outing for the right-hander. He had no trouble earning his first win in four appearances this year as the Twins' offense racked up 16 runs in the contest. Through 23 innings, Varland has a 4.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB. With Tyler Mahle (elbow) done for the year and Kenta Maeda (triceps) not particularly close to a return, Varland should remain in the rotation for a road start versus the Angels.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Possible waiver wire pickups

    Louie Varland's second turn filling in for Kenta Maeda (or Tyler Mahle, if you prefer) was his best yet in terms of run prevention, but his 14 swinging strikes on 95 pitches were actually par for the course. Across three starts now, he has a 14 percent swinging-strike rate, which would jibe with the swing-and-miss potential he showed in the minors. Between Double- and Triple-A last year, he had 10.4 K/9 to go along with a 3.06 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. It's that last number that's a bit worrisome. His hit and home run rates were both fairly high, and when you look at the breakdown of his swinging strikes, they're distributed across several pitches. It suggests he's appealing more for his floor than his ceiling -- a mid-rotation arm with better-than-average strikeout potential rather than a burgeoning ace -- but nevertheless, he's appealing.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Gives up one in no-decision

    Varland did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Padres. He struck out six. Varland made his second consecutive start Tuesday, taking advantage of Tyler Mahle's (elbow) and Kenta Maeda's (triceps) injuries by turning in his best outing of the season. After giving up four home runs across his first two starts of 2023, Varland allowed just one extra-base hit while keeping the ball in the park against San Diego. Though it's unclear how long Varland will remain in the rotation, he is expected to take the mound at least once more and should be an intriguing streaming option considering he has racked up at least six strikeouts in each of his three starts this season.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Remains in rotation

    Varland is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Padres at Target Field. In his second start of the season with the big club last Wednesday and his first since April 14, Varland took a no-decision after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. Though Varland couldn't come through with a quality start, he managed to induce 15 swinging strikes among his 87 pitches, which bodes well for his outlook moving forward. Varland carries some risk as a relatively unestablished MLB arm, but with two starts likely on tap this week -- his second is expected to come Sunday at home versus the Cubs -- he could make for an appealing lineup option for managers who are chasing strikeout upside.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Sleeper pitchers for Week 7 (May 8-14)

    We've reached the point in this week's sleeper pitcher rankings where I have to make something out of nothing, and well, there seems to be some enthusiasm for Varland now that he has a consistent rotation spot. He's gotten whiffs at a nice rate so far, and while his matchups against the Padres and Cubs this week are anxiety-inducing, at least there's two of them.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Starting Wednesday

    The Twins will call Varland up from Triple-A St. Paul to start Wednesday versus the White Sox, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He's sliding into the rotation spot vacated by Tyler Mahle (elbow) and should get multiple starts with Mahle slated to miss more than a month of action. Varland holds a 4.20 ERA and 25:4 K:BB across 15 frames with Triple-A St. Paul this season and pitched well in a spot start earlier this season. He's not a bad deep-league streaming option against a struggling White Sox club.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Could get call-up Wednesday

    Varland is tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday for Triple-A St. Paul, but he could instead be called up from the minors that day to start for the Twins in Chicago against the White Sox, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. With Kenta Maeda (triceps) landing on the injured list Saturday and Tyler Mahle (elbow) likely to be deactivated no later than Tuesday, the Twins have two openings in their five-man rotation. Bailey Ober was already summoned from Triple-A to fill in for Maeda this past Saturday, and Varland looks like the next man up to replace Mahle. As Park notes, Varland's pitching schedule is synchronized with Mahle, so the Twins wouldn't have to alter their rotation order to swap Varland in. The 25-year-old right-hander previously impressed in his lone spot start with the big club April 14 against the Yankees (eight strikeouts, three earned runs allowed in six innings), and he's continued to perform well at St. Paul, with whom he's logged a 4.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB across 15 frames on the season.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Quality start vs. Yankees

    Varland gave up three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings Friday against the Yankees. He did not factor in the decision, but Varland's eight strikeouts were a career high. His velocity was up across the board compared to 2022, as he averaged 96.2 mph with his four-seam fastball and 91.4 mph on his cutter, which he threw 39 percent of the time. It was an impressive showing from Varland, but it's possible this will end up just being a spot start if Kenta Maeda (arm fatigue) will indeed be ready to start next week after having his turn skipped this weekend.
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  • Twins' Louie Varland: Officially promoted to majors

    Varland was called up by the Twins on Friday ahead of his start against the Yankees, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports. Varland has made one start for Triple-A St. Paul this season, allowing one run, four hits and a walk across five innings while striking out nine batters. He also fared well in his five major-league starts last season but will likely only stay in the majors for one appearance this time around, as Kenta Maeda (arm) should avoid spending time on the injured list. Cole Sands was optioned to St. Paul in a corresponding move.
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