After 154 minor league appearances encompassing 327 innings, former University of Maine All-America East first team pitcher Cody Laweryson is going to realize his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues.
The Minnesota Twins have called Laweryson up from their AAA franchise in St. Paul, Minnesota.
He will pitch out of the bullpen.
The 27-year-old Laweryson began the season with AA Wichita in the Texas League before being called up to St. Paul in the International League during the first week of June.
Between the two teams, the 27-year-old Laweryson has a 2-4 record and a 2.86 earned run average spanning 34 games, all in relief. He has converted six of seven save attempts and has two holds.
He has thrown 44 innings and given up 42 hits while striking out 45 and walking 14. He has given up two homers.
Over his last five outings, he has given up just three hits and one earned run in 7 ⅓ innings with seven strikeouts and three walks.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Laweryson was a 14th round draft choice of the Twins in 2019. He was the 419th overall pick.
He is from Moscow, Maine and went to Valley High School in Bingham.
He was a multi-sport standout in high school.
Laweryson was chosen a Texas League All Star in 2022 when he posted a 5-0 record and a 1.06 ERA for Wichita.
But he had to battle hip, shoulder and oblique injuries in 2023 and 2024 and had his share of struggles. He had a 4.80 ERA in St. Paul in 2023 and a 6.82 ERA in Texas last season.
But he has been healthy this season and it shows in his velocity, as he reached a career-high 97 miles-an-hour with his four-seam fastball after throwing it in the 90-93 mph in previous seasons.
“I’m throwing a lot harder than I have the past few years,” Laweryson said in late May. “In this day and age, this is what you have to do. Everyone from the right side in a big league bullpen is throwing 94-96.”
He credited the velocity bump to having a healthy offseason for the first time in several years.
“I would run into nagging injuries at some point,” Laweryson said. “But I was able to get into the weight room. I had a completely healthy throwing program and it carried into spring training.”
The Twins kick off a nine-game homestand on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It will be the first of three games vs. Arizona.
They will also host the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series next week.
The Twins are 64-82 this season.
