Marco Antonio Raya (pronounced RYE-ah)...Instagram: @theofficialrayita...attended United South High School in Laredo, Texas, his hometown...went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA (18.0 IP), three walks, 36 strikeouts and a .054 opponent batting average in five games during his senior season...over three prep seasons for the Panthers, posted a record of 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA (70.2 IP, 28 ER), 44 walks, 98 strikeouts and a .189 opponent batting average...named 2020 Rawlings-Perfect Game First Team Senior Preseason All-American for Texas, as well as Preseason Underclass All-American Honorable Mention in both 2018 and ’19...participated in 2025 and '26 Twinsfest at Target Field.
2025
Spent first Major League Spring Training with Twins and was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on March 9...spent entire season with Saints...Began season in Saints rotation and made season debut on April 4, the club's fourth game of season, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts at Columbus...at age 22 was fourth-youngest pitcher to start a season on an International League Opening Day roster...Averaged three innings-per-start in first 12 starts from April 4-June 16...averaged five innings per start in final nine starts, from June 22-Aug. 14...Named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week a record four times on season: June 1, June 29, July 13 and Aug. 3...Recorded season-high eight strikeouts on June 22 vs. Toledo (5 IP)...Finished season in Saints bullpen, posting a .203 opponent batting average with nine walks and 17 strikeouts over 18.1 innings pitched, from Aug. 21-Sept. 20...Held right-handed batters to a .267 average, compared to .271 vs. left-handed batters...allowed eight home runs to both sides...Led Saints staff in games (30), starts (20), innings pitched (98.2) and strikeouts (102)...Finished season ranked by MLB.com as Twins' 18th-best prospect, eighth pitcher...Named by Baseball America as having the best curveball in the Twins system.
2024
Ranked sixth-best prospect in the Twins farm system by Baseball America entering 2024...Began season with Double-A Wichita, where he made all but one of his appearances on season...Named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week on April 21 with Wichita, pitching three shutout innings in a start on April 19 vs. Tulsa, with two hits allowed and four strikeouts...Named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week for second time on season on July 28, making one start for Wichita on July 26 at Amarillo, pitching five shutout innings, with one hit allowed and five strikeouts...Promoted to Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 16...Made one start for the Saints on Sept. 20 vs. Indianapolis, pitching 5.0 shutout innings, with five hits allowed, no walks and four strikeouts...At both levels combined, held right-handed batters to a .204 average with a .558 OPS, while left-handers hit .283 with an .832 OPS...Led Wind Surge in starts (24), ranked second in strikeouts (99) and fourth in innings pitched (92.2)...Ranked eighth among all Twins Minor Leaguers in strikeouts (99)...Also ranked second in starts (25)...Added to Twins' 40-man roster on Nov. 19...Ranked fifth-best prospect in Twins system by MLB.com entering 2025...Also ranked as club's eighth-best prospect by Baseball America; named as having best curveball and best slider by same publication.
2023
Ranked as sixth-best prospect in Twins system entering 2023 by MLB.com...Split the season between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita, going 0-4, 4.02 ERA (62.2 IP, 28 ER) with 22 walks and 65 strikeouts...Missed time on Kernels' seven-day IL from April 6-17 with right rotator cuff strain...Named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week three times, on May 28, June 18 and July 16...Was also named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Month for September...Named as having the best slider in the Twins organization by Baseball America entering 2023.
2022
Ranked as 26th-best prospect in Twins system by MLB.com entering 2022...Spent the season with Low-A Fort Myers, going 3-2, 3.05 ERA (65.0 IP, 22 ER) with 23 walks and 76 strikeouts in 19 games (17 starts)...Missed time early in season on Mighty Mussels' seven-day IL, undergoing oral surgery for wisdom teeth removal...After missing games in 2020 (COVID pandemic) and 2021 (rotator cuff injury), he made professional debut in a start on April 12 vs. Jupiter, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in 4.1 innings pitched, with one walk and four strikeouts...Earned first professional win in second start on April 19 at Dunedin, pitching 6.0 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts...Named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for that start.
2021
Missed entire season on FCL Twins' seven-day injured list with right rotator cuff strain.
