Double Trouble on the Same Team
Courtesy of: Andy Kuno’s Instagram (@punkpoint)
During the NBA Draft a couple of weeks ago, Amen and Ausar Thompson (The Thompson Twins) made headlines and history as the first brothers to be drafted in the top five picks. They will be joining franchises brimming with other young talent, the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons, respectively. Sometime down the line, what would it look like for them to play together at the highest level (the NBA) and be on the same team? As for the MLB, the unique experience of being teammates has already come true for four sets of twins: José and Ozzie Canseco (1990 A's), Eddie and Johnny O'Brien (1953, '55-58 Pirates), Joe and Red Shannon (1915 Braves), and Taylor and Tyler Rogers (2023 Giants).
Courtesy of: San Francisco Giants
Taylor and Tyler faced off against each other multiple times last year, with Taylor making the jump to the National League, pitching for both the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers, after six full seasons with the Minnesota Twins (2016-2021). Tyler made his MLB debut with the Giants in 2019 and is the “original Rogers brother” in the minds of Giants fans.
Courtesy of: Taylor Rogers’ Instagram (@roge34)
Courtesy of: Taylor Rogers’ Instagram (@roge34)
At the annual Giants FanFest before the season, Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade Jr. had the most logical answer to tell the twins apart, “Just call them Rodge.” Of course, the easiest way to tell them apart is when they pitch. It’d be interesting if they could replicate each other’s pitching motions; it’d likely be more difficult for Taylor to replicate Tyler’s though.
It has been incredible watching them emerge from the bullpen so far this season and even a few times watch them pitch back-to-back. As the All-Star Break creeps closer, both are doing well overall. Despite a rough spot early in the season, Taylor found his groove. In his last 15 games, he’s had a 3-0 record, pitched 14.1 innings, and a 0.63 ERA. On the other hand, Tyler has been a workhorse, having appeared in 39 games and pitched 44.1 innings. In his last 15 games, he’s had a 2-0 record, pitched 16.1 innings, along with a 1.65 ERA.
Courtesy of: Andy Kuno’s Instagram (@punkpoint)
Courtesy of: Andy Kuno’s Instagram (@punkpoint)
The race for who’s the better pitcher among the Rogers Brothers is still alive and well with it being only halfway through the season and seems likely to continue in the years to come.