Taj Bradley has emerged as the team’s biggest surprise of the Minnesota Twins 2026 season, transforming from a question mark into a potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher. C.J. Baumgartner breaks down Bradley’s rise, his improved strikeout rate, and the impact of the Griffin Jax trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. The discussion also highlights unexpected boosts from Ryan Kreidler and Kody Clemens, while considering just how far Bradley can carry Minnesota’s rotation alongside Joe Ryan. On the flip side, Matt Wallner’s disappointing season and its implications for the Twins outfield depth and trade deadline options come under scrutiny. The episode explores Wallner’s struggles, the ascent of prospects like Walker Jenkins and Alan Roden, and what this means for future roster moves. Plus, C.J. Baumgartner evaluates newly drafted catcher Vahn Lackey’s place in the Twins’ prospect rankings—could he soon claim the top spot in the system? Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-twins/ Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/ 00:00 Twins Biggest Surprise Discussion on Taj Bradley's breakout performance, detailed stats, and impact on the 2026 Minnesota Twins pitching staff, plus comparison with other surprise contributors. 13:39 Twins Biggest Disappointment Analysis of Matt Wallner's struggles, expectations versus reality, organizational implications, and potential future with the team. 23:00 Vahn Lackey Prospect Ranking Breakdown of new draftee Vahn Lackey’s fit within Twins prospect rankings, case for top prospect status, and overall system outlook. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon This Back To School Season, spend less on your kids, with Amazon. With Amazon’s low Back To School Prices, just spend less on your kids. Because every dollar you don’t spend on them, is a dollar you haven’t spent on them. Nutrafol Find out why Nutrafol is the only hair growth supplement brand trusted by MLB. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit https://Nutrafol.com and enter promo code LOCKEDONMLB. Stance Check out the ICON collection from Stance—premium comfort, performance, and durability designed for whatever your day brings. Use promo Code LOCKEDON at checkout for 20% off your purchase. Learn more at https://Stance.com. Stance. The Official Sock Partner of Major League Baseball. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at https://Indeed.com/podcast KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: lockedontwins.supercast.com #minnesotatwins #MLB #Twins Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
