A Brief List of Former Twins Since 2010 to Bring Back Some Hope for 2015

[the_youngster]

Randy Flores
Rob Delaney
Matt Fox
Ron Mahay
Matt Tolbert
Brendan Harris

Jim Hoey
Phil Dumatrait
Steve Holm
Dusty Hughes
Erik Hacker
Jason Repko
Chuck James
Rene Tosoni
Brian Dinkelman

Matt Maloney
Luke Hughes
Clete Thomas
Sean Burroughs
Erik Komatsu
Kyle Waldrop
Tyler Robertson
PJ Walters
Pedro Hernandez
Luis Perdomo
Jeff Gray

Shairon Martis
Josh Roenicke
Alex Presley
Darin Mastroianni
Wilkin Ramirez
Doug Bernier

Chris Colabello

 

 

This is a brief list of some (but not all) of the many players, often forgotten, who have contributed to the Twins since the opening of Target Field in 2010. These are only minor players who have occupied places on the roster, to many fans' dismay. Some were fun to watch, guys to root for. I loved watching Mastroianni run. I cheered on the feel good story of Colabello, and the rise of one of MLB's seldom Australians in Luke Hughes. Ron Mahay was a solid LOOGY for the inaugural season of Target Field. And Brendan Harris was for some reason my mother's favorite player (along with JJ Hardy, so it was a truly disappointing trade for her). Doug Bernier is even still waiting around for another chance from AAA. These were not top prospects in the organization (Luke Hughes, Kyle Waldrop, and Tyler Robertson were probably the closest to being good prospects), with many of them being from the immense pool of AAAA journeymen. Yet many of these players were necessary to keep the team somewhat afloat as they sank each of the last four years. Were they the best options? No. Could better teams have been constructed by the front office? Almost certainly. But nonetheless, the Twins relied on these types of players far too much in the last half decade, which has been painfully clear.

 

This year we begin the season with Eduardo Nunez, Shane Robinson, Blaine Boyer, and Aaron Thompson as the most notable AAAA players (you could also add in Herrmann). In the wake of the Santana suspension, and the subsequent moves which have disappointed much of the fan base, pessimism has once again shrouded the brief ray of hope we enjoyed as fans this spring. But as gloomy as things have become, there is still the rest of the roster, a roster slowly filling up with the talent we have patiently waited for. Brian Dozier, Oswaldo Arcia, Kyle Gibson, Danny Santana, and Kennys Vargas have all established themselves for the upcoming season. The Twins actually have legitimate top prospects in the upper minor leagues, both hitters and pitchers. Good things are formulating in Minnesota, even if the present is gloomy. I look forward to seeing Buxton, Sano, May, Meyer, Berrios, Burdi, Reed, Rosario, and whoever else may get their chance in MLB this year. 

[USAFChief]

I admit I had no idea there's been that many Twins just since TF opened.

 

Well played.

[Hrbowski]

What about Jason Marquis? I think he is often forgotten to.

[D. Hocking]

Looking at some of those names -- how did we miss the play-offs during those years?!

[Kwak]

Cole DeVries, Sam Deduno, Scott Diamond, Kevin Correia, and more(?)

[the_youngster]

Oh there can be many many more, but I tried to avoid listing established major leaguers, top prospects, or guys who spent a good length of time as starters. Otherwise, yes, add in Marquis, Correia, De Vries, Deduno, Diamond, Hendriks, Benson, Valencia, Capps, Fuentes, Rauch, Bartlett, Kubel (the second time), and so many other guys who either were briefly good and slowly fizzled out, or guys who never put anything together and yet still occupied roster spots.

[Thrylos]

Wilkin Ramirez &  Doug Bernier are not former Twins.  Still with the organization

[Boom Boom]

I would add Jordan Schafer to the list of AAAA players on the current roster.

 

A lot of the guys you listed weren't Plan A. They were called up mid-season due to injury or ineffectiveness. The real test for this season is who is called up in those situations. Will it be the top prospects, or more low-upside journeymen? The Pelfrey over May decision has me a bit discouraged.

[Rosterman]

Check out the rosters section (both majors and minors) at the www.twinscards.com site and get a great overview of the many names, major and minor league vets, that played in the Twins spectrum! 

[Hrbowski]

If you go back to 2009 you could add AAAA player RA Dickey.

[Danchat]

Guys you will be able to add in around 1-2 years:
Jordan Schafer

Shane Robinson

Eduardo Nunez

Chris Herrmann

Eric Fryer

Mike Pelfrey

Tommy Milone
Blaine Boyer

Aaron Thompson

Lester Oliveros

Tim Stauffer

Brian Duensing

[goulik]

Guys you will be able to add in around 1-2 years:

Jordan Schafer

Shane Robinson

Eduardo Nunez

Chris Herrmann

Eric Fryer

Mike Pelfrey

Tommy Milone

Blaine Boyer

Aaron Thompson

Lester Oliveros

Tim Stauffer

Brian Duensing

Ouch! I don't like you anymore...

[DaveW]

Needs more Nishioka.

 

In sad news, sony music entertainment took down the Nishioka story youtube video. Jerks.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Guys you will be able to add in around 1-2 years:
Jordan Schafer

Shane Robinson

Eduardo Nunez

Chris Herrmann

Eric Fryer

Mike Pelfrey

Tommy Milone
Blaine Boyer

Aaron Thompson

Lester Oliveros

Tim Stauffer

Brian Duensing

 

Ricky Nolasco says hi too.....