The Minnesota Twins like to have their pitchers throw a lot of strikes. The problem with that last year was that batters were digging in and swinging hard early in counts, and the Twins’ pitchers got hit pretty hard for the most part. The Twins are hoping for improvement out of the starting rotation in 2012. Here is a look at the starting rotation as of today:

#1: Carl Pavano: 36-year old righty Carl Pavano is mis-cast as the ace of the staff. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Twins last year and he was 9-13 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Pavano has now pitched in 77 games (all starts) in his first three years with the Twins and he is 31-28 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 291 games (273 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 106-102 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Pavano is an innings eater, but he’s not an ace.

#2: Scott Baker: 30-year old righty Scott Baker is the Twins’ best starting pitcher, when healthy. Baker pitched in 23 games (21 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He has now pitched in 163 games (159 starts) in his first seven years with the Twins and he is 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. The Twins need Baker to stay healthy the whole way in 2012 if they are going to try to get out of the cellar.

#3: Francisco Liriano: 28-year old lefty Francisco Liriano is maddenly inconsistent. He can throw a no-hitter one night and five days later give up 7 runs in the first inning. He pitched in 26 games (24 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Liriano has now pitched in 134 games (113 starts) in his first six years with the Twins and he is 47-42 with 1 save, a 4.19 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Twins hope that Liriano brings his A-game a lot more in 2012.

#4: Jason Marquis: 33-year old righty Jason Marquis will likely be the #4 starter for the Twins. He’s a lot style wise like Carl Pavano as he is an innings eater when healthy. Marquis pitched in 23 games (all starts) for the Nationals & D-Backs last year and he was 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He has now pitched in 326 games (267 starts) in his first 12 years in the show and he is 104-98 with 1 save, a 4.55 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

#5: Nick Blackburn: 29-year old righty Nick Blackburn is going to have to beat out lefty Brian Duensing and righty Andy Swarzak if he wants to win the #5 job in the starting rotation. Blackburn pitched in 26 games (all starts) for the Twins last year and he was 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He has now pitched in 126 games (118 starts) inn his first five years with the Twins and he is 39-46 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Blackburn is a control freak that doesn’t miss a lot of bats. He has given up 860 hits (94 homers) in his first 720 innings of his major league career, and that’s not good.

Brian Duensing: 28-year old lefty Brian Duensing will battle Blackburn and Swarzak for the #5 job in the starting rotation this spring. The Twins might want to use him in the pen in 2012 as he has been a decent reliever so far in his career. Duensing pitched in 32 games (28 starts) last year for the Twins and he was 9-14 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. He has now pitched in 109 games (50 starts) in his first three years with the Twins and he is 24-19 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.

Andy Swarzak: 26-year old righty Andy Swarzak is another Twins’ pitcher who pounds the strike zone. He pitched in 27 games (11 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 4-7 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Swarzak has now pitched in 39 games (23 starts) in his first two years with the Twins and he is 7-14 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Swarzak will likely pitch out of the bullpen if he doesn’t win a job as a starter this spring.

Matt Maloney: 28-year old lefty Matt Maloney is a live longshot to make the Twins’ starting rotation. He pitched in 8 games (2 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 0-3 with a 9.16 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP. Maloney also pitched in 15 games (14 starts) in Rookie+AAA-ball last year for the Reds and he was 7-1 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has now pitched in 22 games (11 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 4-9 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Maloney never really got a fair shot with the Reds.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: C-

53-year old manager Ron Gardenhire stresses the fundamentals and that has really helped the Twins win a lot of games during the regular season under him. The Twins were 94-68 (58%) during the regular season in 2010 but they were 0-3 against the Yankees in the playoffs. The Twins are now 802-656 (55%) during the regular season in Gardenhire’s first 9 years in charge. But, Gardenhire’s post season record with the Twins is downright pathetic as they are 6-21 (28.6%) under his watch. Maybe this will be the year that the Twins take the next step under Gardenhire.

The Twins have lost a lot of quality relievers in the off-season, so they are hoping for some young guys to step up as well as a good return year out of Joe Nathan. 36-year old righty Joe Nathan missed all of last season due to Tommy John Surgery. But, he appears ready to resume his role as the closer of the Twins in 2011. Nathan has pitched in 412 games (0 starts) in his first six years with the Twins and he is 22-12 with 246 saves, a 1.87 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He only has given up 271 hits in his first 418 2/3 innings with the Twins and he has 518 whiffs, which shows just how dominating he has been.

27-year old righty Matt Capps will be the Twins’ top set-up man in 2011 and he will also be a fallback option in case Nathan runs into some issues. Capps pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 2-0 with 16 saves, a 2.00 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) overall for the Twins & Nationals last year and he was 5-3 with 42 saves, a 2.47 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Capps has now pitched in 345 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 24-22 with 109 saves, a 3.37 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.

26-year old lefty Jose Mijares will be the top lefty in the pen for the Twins in 2011. Mijares pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He has now pitched in 128 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Twins and he is 3-4 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.

27-year old righty Anthony Slama comes into this season as the Twins’ #28 prospect according to Baseball America, so he will likely get another chance with the Twins in 2011. Slama pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA and a 2.36 WHIP. He also pitched in 54 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 2-2 with 17 saves, a 2.20 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.

35-year old righty Clay Condrey had elbow problems last season. He only pitched in 5 games (3 starts) in Rookie+A+AAA-ball last year and he was 0-0 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Condrey last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Phillies. He has now pitched in 179 games (9 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 18-12 with 4 saves, a 4.10 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. If Condrey is healthy in 2011, he will help the Twins.

23-year old righty Alex Burnett looked overmatched as a rookie for the Twins in 2010. He pitched in 41 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. The Twins will need to see a lot of improvement out of Burnett in 2011 before they can really trust him.

27-year old righty Jeff Manship has not gotten a big audition by the Twins to this point in his career but that will likely change in 2011. Manship pitched in 13 games (1 start) for the Twins last year and he was 2-1 with a 5.28 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has now pitched in 24 games (6 starts) in his first two years with the Twins and he is 3-2 with a 5.49 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.

24-year old lefty Scott Diamond was a Rule 5 Draft Pick off the Braves’ roster over the winter and the Twins like him. Diamond pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 8-7 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has now pitched in 76 games (74 starts) in his first three years in the minors and he is 28-20 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.

28-year old lefty Dusty Hughes also will have a decent shot of making the Twins at some point in 2011. Hughes pitched in 57 games (0 starts) for the Royals last year and he was 1-3 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He has now pitched in 65 games (1 start) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-5 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. His control sometimes gets him into trouble but the Twins would likely help his straighten that out.

29-year old lefty Chuck James will also be a interesting guy to keep an eye on. James pitched in 26 games (7 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 10-1 with 2 saves, a 2.32 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2008 as he has been recovering from shoulder surgery the last couple years. He has pitched in 64 games (55 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 24-19 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. If James can stay healthy this year he might be able to help the Twins at some point in 2011.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE TWINS BULLPEN IN 2011: B-

The Twins re-signed 35-year old righty Carl Pavano over the winter to serve as the ace of the starting rotation. He started 32 games for the Twins last season and he was 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Pavano has now started 44 games in parts of two years with the Twins and he is 22-15 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Pavano is a workhorse at the top of the rotation who generally gives the bullpen a break every five days.

27-year old lefty Francisco Liriano has the best stuff on the Twins’ pitching staff. He started 31 games for the Twins last season and he was 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has not pitched in 108 games (89 starts) in his first five years with the Twins and he is 38-32 with 1 save, a 3.97 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Yankees are trying to pry Liriano away from the Twins but they should be smart and just say no.

28-year old lefty Brian Duensing will be in the rotation for the Twins from Day #1 in 2011. He pitched in 53 games (13 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 10-3 with a 2.62 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He has now pitched in 77 games (22 starts) in his first two years with the Twins and he is 15-5 with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. It’s smart for the Twins to use Duensing in the rotation to give the them a nice right/left balance.

29-year old righty Nick Blackburn will get a job in the rotation this season basically because of his contract. He pitched in 28 games (26 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 10-12 with a 5.42 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Blackburn has now pitched in 100 games (92 starts) in his first four years with the Twins and he is 32-36 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Blackburn doesn’t really deserve a job in the opening rotation for the Twins.

29-year old righty Scott Baker will likely be the #5 starter for the Twins in 2011. Baker started 29 games for the Twins last season and he was 12-9 with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has now pitched in 140 games (138 starts) in his first six years with the Twins and he is 55-42 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He’s a better pitcher than Nick Blackburn and should be a lock for the starting rotation.

26-year old righty Kevin Slowey is likely to be traded before opening day by the Twins unless one of the other five projected starters gets injured. Slowey pitched in 30 games (28 starts) for the Twins last season and he was 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 86 games (82 starts) in his first four years in which he is 39-21 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Slowey is better than Nick Blackburn but he’ll be much easier to deal because of his smaller contract.

28-year old lefty Glen Perkins might also get a shot to start some games for the Twins if the need arises. Perkins pitched in 13 games (1 start) for the Twins last season and he is 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. He has now pitched in 80 games (44 starts) in his first five years with the Twins and he is 19-12 with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Perkins has fallen behind some of the other starters on the Twins depth chart the last couple of years.

25-year old righty Andy Swarzak will also try to get back to the majors with the Twins in 2011. He pitched in 22 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last season and he was 5-12 with a 6.21 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. His only major league experience came back in 2009 with the Twins when he started 12 games and was 3-7 with a 6.25 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. He will have to pitch well in the minors to get another chance in 2011 with the Twins.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE TWINS STARTING ROTATION IN 2011: B+

31-year old righty swinging Michael Cuddyer played more games at 1B then he did in RF for the Twins last season. Both Cuddyer and the Twins hope that he can concentrate on playing RF full time in 2011. Cuddyer played in 157 games for the Twins last season and he was 165 of 609 (.271 avg, .753 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 14 homers, 81 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. His power was effected by the Twins move to Target Field so don’t expect him to crank more than 20 homers in 2011. Cuddyer had 2 errors in 66 games in RF last season while showing average range. He did show off a very strong throwing arm last year and he had 5 assists while playing RF in 2010.

Jason Kubel played in 83 games in RF last season and he made 4 errors there while showing average range. He did have six assists while playing RF last season as he showed off a good throwing arm. If everything goes the way it’s supposed to go for the Twins in 2011, Kubel will spend most of his time at DH this year. Jason Repko played 39 error-free games in RF for the Twins last year and he showed out of this world range there. He also had 5 assists while playing in RF as he showed off an excellent throwing arm.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE TWINS RF IN 2011: B