February 22, 2010 – With Twins pitchers and catchers working out for the first time today, it is a good time to take a look at the top control pitchers in franchise history. The Twins always preach to their pitchers that walks will kill. If you want to pitch for the Minnesota Twins you need to get your pitches over the plate and force the hitter to put the ball in play. This strategy has worked for the Twins in the past and I don’t see it changing in the future. So let’s take a look and see what Twins pitchers gave up the fewest walks per inning pitched and at the same time compare how Washington Senators pitchers in the past compared to their modern day counterparts.
Minnesota Twins
| Rank | Pitcher | BB/9 | Innings pitched |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Silva | 1.303 | 773 |
| 2 | Brad Radke | 1.634 | 2,451 |
| 3 | Jim Merritt | 1.769 | 686 |
| 4 | Jim “Mudcat” Grant | 1.879 | 780 |
| 5 | Kevin Tapani | 1.959 | 1,171 |
| 6 | Scott Baker | 2.054 | 653 |
| 7 | John Butcher | 2.148 | 502 |
| 8 | Jim Kaat | 2.177 | 3,014 |
| 9 | Dean Chance | 2.250 | 664 |
| 10 | Allan Anderson | 2.320 | 818 |
Washington Senators
| Rank | Pitcher | BB/9 | Innings pitched |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Orth | 1.555 | 677 |
| 2 | Watty Lee | 1.794 | 526 |
| 3 | Dutch Leonard | 1.910 | 1,899 |
| 4 | Waletr Johnson | 2.074 | 5,914 |
| 5 | Garland Braxton | 2.115 | 583 |
| 6 | Doc Ayers | 2.301 | 1,122 |
| 7 | George Mogridge | 2.417 | 1,016 |
| 8 | Casey Patten | 2.430 | 2,059 |
| 9 | Charlie Smith | 2,240 | 822 |
| 10 | Roger Wolff | 2,442 | 527 |