How Did the Twins Let Ronny Henriquez Get Away?

In an offseason where the Miami Marlins were largely quiet, one low-profile move has turned into one of the biggest steals of the spring: claiming Ronny Henriquez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.

Now, midway through May, Henriquez looks like a key bullpen piece–or more–for a Marlins team fighting to stay afloat in the loaded NL East. Through mid-May, the 24-year-old righty has been electric: 8.1 scoreless innings in the month, with 12 strikeouts, just three walks, and a WHIP of 1.08. Opposing hitters are batting an anemic .188 against him.

A Waiver Wire Gem

To understand the magnitude of this pickup, consider this: Henriquez had been in the Twins' organization since 2021, but never fully stuck. He bounced between Triple-A St. Paul and the big league bullpen, flashing stuff but struggling to find consistency. The Twins, in need of a 40-man roster space, exposed him to waivers this past winter, and Miami pounced.

And now? They're the ones reaping the benefits.

What makes Henriquez's emergence so remarkable is how he's succeeding despite his size. At 5-foot-10, he's among the shortest pitchers in baseball. But that hasn't stopped him from touching 97-98 mph with regularity, causing opposing fans to second-guess themselves on how he can throw that hard. He pairs his electrifying sinker with a tight sweeper that's generating a 46.3% whiff rate.

This might be the best move Miami has made involving the Twins since the blockbuster 2023 trade that sent Pablo Lopez to Minnesota in exchange for Luis Arraez. That deal netted the Marlins a batting champion and added life to their lineup. Now, two years later, they may have pulled off a heist of a different kind–landing a young and high-impact reliever without giving up a thing.

May Breakout, Bigger Role Ahead?

Henriquez is more than just a fun story–he's quickly becoming an anchor in a Marlins bullpen that entered the year filled with more questions than answers. With most of Miami's most notable names getting dealt at the trade deadline (Tanner Scott and A.J. Puk), Miami didn't have very many experienced arms that they could lean on in high-pressure situations.

His 2.38 FIP and 29.1% strikeout rate aren't just good–they're elite. He's missing bats, limiting baserunners, and showing the kind of composure that suggests this isn't just a one-time thing. It's a breakout into a future All Star candidate in the years to come.

From the Marlins' perspective, this is a dream scenario: a low-risk move that turns into a major reward. For Henriquez, it's a chance to prove the Twins made a mistake letting him go, and to submit his claim as one of the league's most underrated power arms.

Minnesota might've blinked. But Miami didn't. And now Ronny Henriquez is reminding everyone that sometimes, the best talent isn't signed or traded for–it's claimed when nobody else is looking.