I’ve decided to write a series of posts regarding the depth in the Twins system or possibly lack thereof depending on how you feel about a particular position. I plan to go position by position in hopes to shed some light on who could make an impact as early as 2025, or who may make an impact within a few years. I started doing this back in 2023 and then life happened, so let’s try again! I started with catchers and will work my way around the diamond from there! I’ll be using Roster Resource’s depth chart, which can be found at FanGraphs. The 1^st base list is short, mostly because players will move down the defensive spectrum over time. As you probably remember, Miguel Sano was signed as a lanky shortstop back in 2009. I will not be including Mickey Gasper, who was acquired from the Red Sox for Jovani Moran because Gasper is on the 40-man roster.

Here is a short write up of each player at 1^st base in the Twins System that is not on the 40-man roster. I’ll include how they were acquired, and the highest level played at in 2024.

Mike Ford

Free Agency, 2025

Highest Level: MLB, most recently in NPB in Japan

               Mike Ford is likely a depth signing and if he can make some noise in Spring Training, could carve out a role on the 2025 Twins. Ford will be playing his age 32 season in 2025 and has shown small flashes of looking decent, as recently as 2023 where he hit 16 home runs with the Mariners. In 2024, he was signed by the Reds and after 17 games of hitting .150/.177/233, he was released and finished the year in Japan with the Yokohoma DeNA BayStars. He only played six games with the BayStars going 4-for-20 (.200) with 1 HR. In early December, it was announced he would not be returning making him a free agent. Could the Twins catch lightning in a bottle? Sure, there is a chance, but expect to see Ford in St. Paul until he triggers an opt out, or he hits enough to be called up to the bigs.

Yunior Severino

Free Agency, 2017

Highest Level: AAA

               If you follow prospects, you have probably seen or heard Severino’s name a handful of times over the past few years. Severino is a switch hitter and his power is his calling card, having hit a combined 56 home runs over the past two seasons in Wichita and St. Paul. Severino has been with the Saints in AAA since being called up during the 2023 season when he was tearing up AA pitching. You may remember Severino has a 3^rd base prospect, but he has moved down the defensive spectrum and played just 1^st base and DH this past year in St. Paul. He hasn’t shown to have a great glove, so DH is the likely position. If he hits enough, he can become a part time 1^st baseman and DH but he will need to do something to separate himself.

Aaron Sabato

1^st round – 2020

Highest Level: AA

               Sabato had a rough start to his career in the strikeout and batting average department, as many on Twins Twitter would remind you if his name ever came up. In 2024, he still struck out a ton, but could he have turned in a corner after being called up to Wichita and hitting 10 home runs in 85 games at the AA level. He will remind you a lot of other guys the Twins have had in past years (looking at you Miguel Sano and Joey Gallo) where he strikes out a lot, and hits for some power. The former 1^st round pick still has time to develop, but 2025 will be a big year for the soon to be 26 year old.

Jefferson Valladares

AAA Rule 5 Draft, 2024

Highest Level: A with LAD

               Valladares was picked in the AAA rule-5 draft this past December. The soon to be 23 year old from Venezuela was in single-A with the Dodgers in 2024 where he hit for approximately league average. He appears to be a lottery ticket type prospect and we’ll see if the Twins organization can unlock something to take him to the next level.

Who on this list will you be keeping track of in 2025?