Yes, Jensen is a small addition. In 2023, after switching to the bullpen in an attempt to find greater intensity in his work, he suffered from terrible control issues. He was placed on the Cubs’ 40-man roster in order to shield him from the 2022 Rule 5 Draft; however, they ended up dismissing him in the middle of the season, and he played out the remainder of the year in the Mariners organisation.
His fastball can reach the upper 90s when he’s at his best. However, that pitch doesn’t have the best shape, and he hasn’t yet discovered a supporting offering that makes it work. At Fresno State, he began his collegiate career as a swingman before becoming into a dependable and productive starter during his draft year. When the Cubs selected him with the 27th pick overall, they were hoping he would develop into a mid-rotation starter. That, of course, never occurred, and at the higher levels of the minors, he has had difficulty throwing strikes with an expanding mix.
This one seems like a straight wager on the arm and the athleticism that contributed to Jensen’s allure five years ago. It’s not necessarily a terrible thing. It is likely that the Twins will attempt to drastically reduce the number of pitches in his repertoire by getting rid of his awful sinker, focusing more on his cutter and a fastball with some relative cut, and possibly adding a sweeper or true slider. In the worst case scenario, they temporarily used one of the few available roster spots. They may, at most, have a really talented individual who is very much in Cole Sands’ mould.
