By trading Maeda, Jar Camargo, and some cash to the Minnesota Twins on February 10th, 2020, they were able to get their hands on Brsdar Graterol and Luke Raley as well as the 67th in the 2020 MLB draft pick.
Maeda made his Twins debut on July 25, 2020. He won his 50th game in the Major Leagues on August 12th.
Against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 18, Maeda threw a no-hitter for eight innings. A new Twins record of 8 consecutive Ks with 2 BBs was set by him.
Eric Sogard, Maeda’s first opponent in the top of the ninth, hit a solo home run to end the no-hitter.
He was 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA in the 2020 season. He had the best WHIP in the majors (0.750). Shane Bieber won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, and he finished second.
Maeda has a 4.66 ERA in 2021 while going 6-5. After having Tommy John surgery on September 1, 2021, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Maeda will be out for the remainder of the 2022 season.
As a result, Maeda has played in three World Baseball Classics, one MLB All-Star Series, and the 2015 WBSC Premier12.
As a participant in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, and stated that he would use the tournament to determine whether or not he wanted to play in the major leagues.
Maeda pitched in two pool-round games, one each against China and the Netherlands, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.30 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 10 innings while allowing just two hits and one walk.
Although he only allowed a single run in five innings versus Puerto Rico in the semi-finals, he was the losing pitcher.
What Nationality Is Kenta Maeda?
Kenta Maeda is Japanese. He was born in Senboku-gun, Japan.