FORT MYERS, FLA. – There are heralded prospects, and then there's Tyler Duffey.
A fifth-round pick in 2012, Duffey never cracked anyone's top-100 prospects list. The highest he rose was to 16th in Baseball America's list of top Twins prospects in 2015.
The wait was for Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano to take over Target Field. But the under-hyped Duffey arrived last season, and his impact on the starting rotation helped the Twins remain in the postseason race until the final weekend. While fans await the arrival of another elite prospect — Jose Berrios — Duffey remains.
At least for now. Duffey, in a battle with fellow righthander Ricky Nolasco for the final spot in the rotation, will pitch Monday vs. Pittsburgh in Bradenton. Nolasco will stay in Fort Myers to face Baltimore's Class A Frederick team, with a Twins coach or front-office executive there to evaluate him.
Manager Paul Molitor said he doesn't want the decision to linger, so expect an announcement Tuesday. That choice won't be made only on Monday's results, General Manager Terry Ryan said, but "every outing is a performance you take into consideration."
Regardless of what happens, Twins officials remain high on Duffey.
"He's got pitches," Ryan said. "He's got guts. He's got strength. He's got stamina. He throws it over and he's not afraid.
"He's got a chance to be a good major league starter."