Q&A with Twins Relief Ace Taylor Rogers

The term “relief ace” used to be reserved for the closer. The guy who entered at the beginning of the 9th inning when his team was winning by three or fewer runs to finish the game and get the save.

Attitudes shaped by analytics have changed that definition. Today, many teams use their best reliever during the highest leverage situations. That could mean starting the 9th inning or entering the game in the 6th with based loaded and one out.

Taylor Rogers is that guy for the Twins. Since 2017, the left-hander has posted a 2.68 ERA, a WHIP of 1.11, struck-out 166 batters while walking just 44 in 158 innings.

I chatted with the 28-year-old in the Twins clubhouse during the last homestand (note: the tone near the end of the interview was much more playful than the written words imply).

DZ: Well, the season’s off to a great start. What’s been working from your perspective so far? For you and the team?

ROGERS: Well, we hit a lot of homers so that’s pretty good. I think from a pitcher’s side of things, we’ve been able to put together a plan that’s going to move forward and starters stick to it for the most part and it kind of gives us an advantage to go in there and do the same thing, knowing that when we’re working together it will work.

DZ: You’re kind of one of the veteran guys on the team now, you’re on there for a few years. What feels different this year versus maybe the last three or four years?

ROGERS: Hard to say. Every year at spring training, you always have such an excitement for the year and you always think you’re going to be pretty good, but this year was a little different at spring training. It felt like everybody just kind of knew we were going to be good but we didn’t really talk about it. And then we got off to a really good start and pretty much everybody just comes in and does their job and goes home. That’s about it.

DZ: Over the past few years, you’ve kind of evolved into kind of a high leverage guy, get plugged in in the late innings whenever it seems like the team really needs a big out or two. How’s that role been for you? What’s that mindset like?

ROGERS: It’s been good. You know, it’s one of those things you kind of have to take a step back. Rocco…and everybody said (they would) kind of look to me for the biggest outs of the game. Sometimes that’s not in the ninth. It could be in the sixth, seventh or eighth. It’s an important role so I really enjoy it.

DZ: It seems like in general it’s just a pretty good time to be a relief pitcher right now. You guys get appreciated a lot more than maybe you did 10, 15 years ago.

ROGERS: We do?

DZ: Yeah? Everybody’s talking about bullpen now…Especially in the post season, it’s all about the bullpen.

ROGERS: Yeah, yeah, I guess so. Maybe…

DZ: It seems like the salaries may be going up a little bit too…

ROGERS: I don’t … I disagree.

DZ: Okay. What’s your take?

ROGERS: I think a couple things changed. Pretty much kind of like offensive lineman. You only get recognized when you screw up. That’s about it. It’s funny, at the end of last year when we didn’t give up a run for the last two months of the season, we didn’t talk to anybody. Then this year, same kind of deal. When we gave up the homer against Milwaukee here. Then all of a sudden, you’re talking to 20 people. So that’s the way it works. I’m not complaining, I’m just staying that’s just the way it is.

DZ: Fair. I get it…I don’t know if you know Casey Fein. He was around here years ago.

ROGERS: Yeah.

DZ: He said you’re only as good as your last out, your last batter.

ROGERS: That’s right.

DZ: Pretty much that was his attitude.

ROGERS: That’s right.

DZ: Let’s see. You just kind of answered everything. One kind of off the wall question: I notice your jersey…(it) seems really baggy, really big on you. Is that just a style you’re comfortable with?

ROGERS: Yeah.

DZ: What’s the story behind that?

ROGERS: I never really thought too much about it.

DZ: Really?

ROGERS: I just wear the jersey they gave me. That’s about it.

DZ: No different sizes? What size do you wear?

ROGERS: I don’t even know (checks the jersey hanging in his locker) – 48.

DZ: 48, okay. You ever get a 44, 46?

ROGERS: Yeah, it never really crossed my mind.

DZ: All right. I thought I would ask.

See more of David Zingler’s 2019 athlete interviews: June 19: Ryan Eades June 16: Jason Castro May 18: Seimone Augustus April 24: Ryne Harper April 21: CJ Cron February 2: Caleb Truax

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