David Festa '18 Debuts for the Twins

     David's road to the "Bigs" was one of great determination but with an unpretentious start. He was a starter for the Pirates in 2018, but was overlooked by college scouts. He walked on at Seton Hall University, where his pitching career was interrupted by the Covid shutdown but where he later was an All-BIG EAST First Team performer as a senior, posting a 2.00 ERA, a .175 opponent's batting average with 67 strikeouts in 11 starts. 

     The Twins Scouting Department, prior to his call-up, noted: "David Festa is shaping up as another big win for Derek Falvey's pitching development pipeline. Drafted in the 13th round three years ago, the right-hander has steadily built up his velocity and stuff in the Twins system and is now a formidable force on the mound, laying waste to Triple-A hitters with a ridiculous 60 strikeouts through 39 innings. Through his first 13 starts with the Saints AAA, Festa posted a 2.81 ERA with just six home runs allowed in 52 innings'.