Justin Robert Topa is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. The right-handed reliever has built his career on his exceptional ability to generate ground balls and provide durable multi-inning relief work. Topa has played for four major league organizations since making his MLB debut in 2020, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and now the Minnesota Twins.
Justin Topa Bio
Justin Robert Topa was born on March 7, 1991, and grew up in New York State. He developed his love for baseball early, serving as a batboy for the Binghamton Mets during his childhood. This experience sparked his ambition to become a professional player. After an impressive high school career and a successful college tenure at LIU Brooklyn, Topa began his professional journey after being selected in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Early Life and Background
Topa attended Chenango Valley High School in New York, where he was a four-year letter winner. He led his high school baseball team to Section 4 Class-B Championships in 2008 and 2009. As a pitcher, he earned All-Conference honors and was named to the third-team All-State squad. He also excelled as a second baseman, earning All-Division recognition. Beyond baseball, Topa participated in golf, hockey, and basketball at Chenango Valley High School.
Following high school, Topa continued his baseball career at LIU Brooklyn. He completed his college career with 20 wins, 200 strikeouts, and 13 complete games. During the 2010 season, he earned multiple weekly awards including NEC Rookie of the Week three times, Louisville Slugger Player of the Week, Northeast Pitcher of the Week, and ECAC Co-Pitcher of the Week. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2012 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite the injury, the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 33rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but he did not sign with the team.
Path to Major League Baseball
Topa continued his recovery and wait for his professional opportunity. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 17th round, 509th overall, of the 2013 MLB Draft. He signed with the Pirates on June 13, 2013, and made his professional debut with the Jamestown Jammers of the New York-Penn League on June 18, 2013. In his debut appearance, he pitched one inning in relief against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, allowing one hit while striking out one batter. Topa finished his first professional season with a 5-2 win-loss record and a 2.19 earned run average.
He spent the 2014 season with the West Virginia Power but faced another setback when he underwent a second Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow, causing him to miss the entire 2015 season. He returned to play for the Bradenton Marauders in 2016 before being released by the Pirates on April 1, 2017.
Justin Topa Career
Independent League and Minor League Journey (2017–2019)
After being released by the Pirates, Topa signed with the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League in May 2017. Playing in the independent league allowed him to rediscover his passion for baseball. He appeared in 20 games for Rockland, posting a 3.50 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 110 and two-thirds innings. He began the 2018 season with Rockland as well, appearing in 4 games with a 4.43 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 20 and one-third innings.
On June 17, 2018, Topa signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. He spent the majority of the season with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, also appearing in one game for the High-A Down East Wood Ducks. In 9 appearances, primarily as a starter, Topa recorded a 5.71 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 41 innings. He elected free agency following the season.
Milwaukee Brewers (2019–2022)
On March 28, 2019, Topa signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent most of the season with the Biloxi Shuckers and also played for the Carolina Mudcats. On July 28, 2020, the Brewers added Topa to their 60-man player pool. He was called up to the majors for the first time on August 31, 2020, and made his MLB debut that night against the Detroit Tigers. Topa pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two batters. He finished the 2020 season with the Brewers and pitched two scoreless innings in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
On March 29, 2021, it was announced that Topa had suffered a flexor tendon strain and would miss the first half of the 2021 season. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 6, 2021, and was activated off the injured list on September 4, 2021. On May 30, 2022, Topa was placed on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury. He was activated on August 13 and optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. In parts of three seasons with the Brewers, Topa had an 8.35 ERA in 18 and one-third innings.
Seattle Mariners (2023)
On January 7, 2023, the Brewers traded Topa to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league pitcher Joseph Hernandez. The Mariners acquired Topa specifically because he excelled at inducing ground balls, a trait the team valued for their bullpen strategy. Topa was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to begin the 2023 season but joined the Mariners major league roster on April 10, 2023. In 2023, Topa appeared in 73 relief outings, recording a 2.61 ERA with 61 strikeouts, 3 saves, and 2 blown saves across 69 innings of work. His strong performance established him as a reliable option in the late innings for Seattle.
Minnesota Twins (2024–Present)
On January 29, 2024, the Mariners traded Topa, Anthony DeSclafani, Gabriel González, Darren Bowen, and cash to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Jorge Polanco. Topa joined the Twins for the 2024 season and was a key component of their bullpen before suffering an injury. On May 15, 2024, Topa was diagnosed with a partial tear in the patellar tendon in his left knee. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and was shut down for six weeks. Topa was activated from the injured list on September 25, 2024, and appeared in three of the Twins final five games of the season, allowing no runs and one hit in two and one-third innings. His ability to return and contribute late in the season demonstrated his resilience and determination.
Driving Style and Strengths
Topa has established himself as a ground-ball specialist, a quality that has made him valuable to multiple organizations throughout his career. His ability to induce weak contact and keep the ball in the park has contributed to his effectiveness as a relief pitcher. He has demonstrated durability, capable of pitching multiple innings when needed, and has shown the ability to pitch in high-leverage situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Topa reached several significant milestones throughout his professional career. His MLB debut on August 31, 2020, marked the culmination of years of perseverance through injuries. His first MLB strikeout came during that debut appearance. His trade to the Seattle Mariners in January 2023 represented a new chapter, where he enjoyed his most successful MLB season. The acquisition by the Twins in January 2024 placed him with a team with postseason aspirations.
Justin Topa Career Wins
Throughout his professional baseball career, Justin Topa has accumulated experience across multiple minor league levels and four major league organizations. His career statistics through the end of the 2024 season reflect his journey as a reliever who has contributed across various roles.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Topa made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on August 31, 2020. His most productive MLB season came with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, where he appeared in 73 games with a 2.61 ERA and recorded his first three MLB saves. His ability to pitch effectively in back-to-back situations and multiple innings made him a valuable piece of the Mariners bullpen. Through the 2024 season, Topa has appeared in 105 MLB games across three teams, contributing primarily as a middle and late-inning reliever.
Other Wins and Performances
Topa has accumulated significant minor league statistics across various levels. His standout minor league season came with the Rockland Boulders in 2017, where he posted a 3.50 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 20 appearances. His early professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates system included a 5-2 record with a 2.19 ERA in his debut season with Jamestown in 2013.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career (2013-2024) | 6 | 141 Strikeouts | N/A |
Justin Topa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited information is publicly available about Justin Topa family background. He grew up in New York State and was influenced by baseball from an early age, serving as a batboy for the Binghamton Mets during his childhood. This early exposure to professional baseball played a significant role in shaping his career aspirations.
Personal Life
Justin Topa is married to his wife Trish, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2023. Topa has spoken publicly about the importance of his family throughout his career. He remains close friends with Jamie Keefe, his former manager with the Rockland Boulders, highlighting the lasting relationships he has built during his baseball journey. Topa has collected baseball cards since childhood, a hobby he shared with his father. In 2024, he appeared on Topps baseball cards for the first time while playing for the Seattle Mariners. He expressed excitement about collecting different versions of his first professional baseball card.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant chapter in Justin Topa career as he continues with the Minnesota Twins organization. After joining the Twins late in the 2024 season following his recovery from a patellar tendon injury, Topa has the opportunity to establish himself as a consistent contributor in the Twins bullpen. The Twins view his ground-ball ability as an important asset for their pitching strategy, particularly in a division known for hitter-friendly ballparks.
Topa brings experience from three major league organizations and has demonstrated the ability to pitch effectively in various roles, from setting up in the seventh and eighth innings to serving as a closer. His resilience in returning from injury and his track record of inducing weak contact make him a valuable piece for the Twins as they compete for a postseason spot. The Twins coaching staff has emphasized the importance of having reliable arms in the bullpen, and Topa has shown throughout his career that he can be counted on for key outs in crucial moments.