I don't see it happening unless there's a major injury at 1B. Which is totally possible - Miranda's already got a bum arm and if Kirilloff goes down, someone needs to keep it warm. 

White's last MLB season was in 2019 when he hit .208 and had an OPS of .612 in 240 ABs.  The last few years he's been strictly an AAA guy, looks like at 32 years old he's just playing things out as organizational filler.  I don't think he'll make the team, he might not even make the St. Paul roster. 

It goes without saying of course that most of us would trade places with him in a second. The guy's living the dream, and will gladly show up to the ballpark and suit up if there's a team that wants him. 

Half of the roster would have to be on the IL for this to happen.

I’d say zero chance. Miranda has now been cleared for all activities and is starting to throw. Gordon has been cleared for all activities. Polanco is on track. If Kirilloff isn’t ready for opening day, and that looks very iffy, Larnach or Wallner will. We have Solano, Miranda, Gallo and Farmer who can play first. Then the question of who comes off the 40-man to make room? Yeah, zero chance. 

Current Spring OBP is .370 and OPS of .825.

Every spring training there is at least one guy who makes a better than expected impression.  Rarely does it lead to a significant contribution for the regular season that follows.  When it does, it is usually because the team has a giant gaping hole of some kind to fill.  It does not seem like we have a Justin Morneau-in-waiting candidate in the farm system for 1B.  I do believe there can be a home for him in Saint Paul if he wants it, but not at the expense of any hitters on the Twins 40-man roster.

We're already looking at a traffic jam of good bat, weak glove infielders that could learn 1B with three weeks of practice and are almost certainly more likely to produce an OPS+ over 100 than Mr White. Have a great year, take a lot of pictures, enjoy St Paul, but please don't block the exits when my prospects need to head over to Mpls.

Willi Castro is far likelier to make the team than White.

Castro has been having a stellar spring, he's young, and he could play all over the diamond with Miranda/Gallo/Farmer/Solano rotating in at 1B. To even have a shot at the opening day roster, it's likely that someone else other than AK would need to not be ready for the start of the season (someone like Gordon or Miranda). 

If they roster another journeyman vet over the half dozen young guys who are ready to play, I'd probably lose it.

3 hours ago, GKuehl said:

Willi Castro is far likelier to make the team than White.

Castro has been having a stellar spring, he's young, and he could play all over the diamond with Miranda/Gallo/Farmer/Solano rotating in at 1B. To even have a shot at the opening day roster, it's likely that someone else other than AK would need to not be ready for the start of the season (someone like Gordon or Miranda). 

I agree.

Castro is younger than Larnach and his 22 year old season in AAA was very good and much better than Larnach’s AAA at 24 and 25. Since then Castro has struggled at the major league level after being called up very young. His positional flexibility and early promise give him a good shot at bringing value to a major league team. A better shot than White and probably even Larnach.

On 3/12/2023 at 5:01 PM, Greglw3 said:

Current Spring OBP is .370 and OPS of .825.

Which means nothing to the decision of whether or not he makes the roster. He's playing a lot to allow for the guys who will make the team can get their work in and be done. 

I'd prefer Julian getting the start at firstbase over White if Kirilloff isn't available.

21 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Which means nothing to the decision of whether or not he makes the roster. He's playing a lot to allow for the guys who will make the team can get their work in and be done. 

If they’re healthy. I don’t recall in all my years following baseball a team not having started so many key players in even one game at this late date. Larnach has started playing games, apparently healthy which makes me wonder about Polanco,  Kirilloff and Buxton - especially Kirilloff.

Farmer, Solano, Willi Castro and Michael A. Taylor are superb acquisitions. I think they have to find a way to keep Willi Castro.

15 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

If they’re healthy. I don’t recall in all my years following baseball a team not having started so many key players in even one game at this late date. Larnach has started playing games, apparently healthy which makes me wonder about Polanco,  Kirilloff and Buxton - especially Kirilloff.

Farmer, Solano, Willi Castro and Michael A. Taylor are superb acquisitions. I think they have to find a way to keep Willi Castro.

 

FYI, Larnach was playing games at the start of spring before he got hurt and took a week off. He doesn't fit in the same category as Polanco, Kirilloff, and Buxton.

White will be the Saints fist basemen for the majority of 2023. Only a major injury will get him across the river.

Tyler White is making a good impression by hitting against AAA pitchers