Article: 2016 Rochester Red Wings Opening Day Roster Revealed

[Seth Stohs]

Today on Periscope, the Rochester Red Wings announced their 2016 Opening Day roster. In 2015, the Red Wings put together a record of 77-67 for the third straight year (which is really quite remarkable, isn’t it?). They look to improve upon that record in 2016 and bring the International League playoffs back to Frontier Field.Several of the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects will begin the season with the Red Wings. Many of them are likely to spend time attempting to help the Minnesota Twins to their first playoff berth since 2010. As you look at this roster, it does help illustrate the type of depth that this organization has. That is something you will see through each of the four affiliates.

 

THE COACHING STAFF

 

Mike Quade returns for his second season as the Red Wings manager. The 59-year-old began coaching over 30 years ago and was the manager of the Chicago Cubs in 2010 and 2011. He will be joined on his staff by a couple of new coaches. Hitting Coach Chad Allen continues to work his way up the system. The former Twins outfielder was the Twins AA hitting coach the last three seasons. He has worked with several of the players on this roster. The pitching coach is Stu Cliburn. It is his 25th year in the Twins organization. He has been in the organization for well over a decade, the last several seasons in AA. He returns to Rochester where he was the pitching coach from 2006 to 2008.

 

THE ROSTER

 

The Rochester Red Wings roster is comprised of a good mix of young, high-ceiling prospects, some minor league veterans and everywhere in between. They are likely to be led by 2015 All Stars James Beresford and Taylor Rogers, but this is a nice, complete roster. (names in bold are on the 40 man roster)

 

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

• Tyler Duffey
• Jose Berrios
• Logan Darnell
• Pat Dean
• Alex Meyer

Duffey’s name was written in pencil for a spot in the Twins rotation, but he struggled immensely with all of his pitchers this spring and will begin the season with the Red Wings.It is likely he won’t need to be there long. That said, it could be a race to the big leagues now between Duffey and Jose Berrios, one of baseball’s best pitching prospects. Berrios struggled with command this spring, but that hasn’t been an issue for him in the past. Expect him to put up strong numbers early again and to be up in the season’s first half.Let’s hope he’s not starting the 2016 Futures Game.

 

Lefty Pat Dean was had a rough 2014 season in AA, but he was still pushed to Rochester last year. He had a terrific season and would up being added to the 40-man roster. The lefty will be joined in the rotation by fellow southpaw Logan Darnell. He began last year in the bullpen but moved back to the rotation and had an incredible month. In fact, some onlookers said that it was the best he had pitched as a pro. He was called up to the Twins but pneumonia meant that the Kentucky product didn’t pitch. He came off the 40 man but when he cleared, he went to big league camp and was among the final cuts.

 

Finally, after being one of the best International League starters in 2014, Alex Meyer had a frustrating 2015 that found him in the bullpen. He debuted with the Twins, but it lasted just two outings. He gets another shot to start in 2016, though it may be just as an attempt to build arm strength, work on pitches and work out of more situations.

 

PROJECTED RELIEF PITCHERS

Right-Handers: JR Graham, Brandon Kintzler, Loek Van Mil, David Martinez

Left-Handers: Buddy Boshers, Ryan O’Rourke, Taylor Rogers, Dan Runzler

 

The Twins certainly went out and acquired lots of left-handers in the offseason, and most of them pitched well and will stick as the season starts. But there are good right-handed arms too.

 

Let’s start with the guys on the 40-man roster. JR Graham and the Twins have been freed of the Rule 5 restrictions that caused him to need to stay in the big leagues throughout 2015. Hopefully Graham will be able to respond as well as Ryan Pressly did in the same scenario a few seasons ago. Ryan O’Rourke was called up midway through last season. He performed admirably against left-handers as he has throughout his career. He had a great camp. Rogers has been a quality starting pitching prospect since being drafted, but he went to big league camp with an opportunity to pitch out of the bullpen. After a slow start, he pitched well later. It is likely all three will surface with the Twins in 2016.

 

Veteran Brandon Kintzler was among the final cuts. After missing most of last season, he signed a minor league deal with the Twins. If needed, he could be called up early in the season. Van Mil was with the Twins a half-decade ago until he was traded to the Angels for Brian Fuentes. He became a journeyman at that point but returned to the Twins late last year. 28-year-old David Martinez came to the Twins this year on a minor league deal. He pitched in a combined nine games for the Astros in 2013 and 2014. Buddy Boshers and Dan Runzler were both signed out of independent leagues, and both impressed in spring training. They throw hard and each have good breaking balls. If they get to the big leagues, it will mark a great story.

 

PROJECTED LINEUP

• James Beresford 2B (expect that Beresford will play all around the infield)
• Jorge Polanco 3B (Polanco will likely play 3B, 2B, SS, and even some OF)
• Max Kepler LF (Kepler will play all three outfield positions)
• Kennys Vargas 1B (will also be able to DH)
• Reynaldo Rodriguez RF (can play both corners and first base)
• Darin Mastroianni CF (will play all three OF positions)
• Adam Brett Walker DH (will eventually get some time in LF, maybe 1B)
• John Hicks C (We’ll see Juan Centeno’s name in the lineup quite a bit too)
• Wilfredo Tovar (primary SS, but will play 2B and 3B as well)

BENCH - Heiker Meneses, Stephen Wickens, Buck Britton, Juan Centeno

 

This lineup has a good mixture of guys with plenty of AAA experience. A year ago, Beresford played in the AAA All Star game in 2015 and was named to the International Leagues’ Postseason All Star team. Reynaldo Rodriguez joined him on the Postseason All Star team. This spring, he helped the Colombian WBC team qualify for next year’s competition. Darin Mastroianni had a terrific spring training this year, hitting over .400 while playing all around the outfield. Wilfredo Tovar has big league time with the Mets in recent years. Known for his defense, he’ll bat lower in the lineup.

 

There are also a couple of highly ranked prospects in this lineup. After a breakout season last year in Chattanooga, he was the Southern League MVP, Max Kepler is now a consensus Top 60 prospect in baseball. Jorge Polanco’s bat is MLB ready, but he needs to find a position he can play regularly. Adam Brett Walker has been discussed frequently in the Twins Daily forums because of his immense power and propensity to swing and miss.

 

THE PROSPECTS

Even with Tyler Duffey, Miguel Sano, Trevor May and Eddie Rosario all having graduated from prospect status, but the system is still strong. This Rochester roster has a couple of elite prospects and several players with tremendous upside.

 

Here is a quick look at which Red Wings found their names in a variety of Twins Prospect Rankings and then which rank in the national rankings.

 

Twins Prospect Rankings

Twins Daily Top 10: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (7), Meyer (8)

Seth Stohs Top 30: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (8), Walker (10), Meyer (14), Rogers (17),

Jeremy Nygaard Top 30: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (5), Walker (12), Meyer (14), Rogers (15),

Cody Christie Top 30: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Walker (11), Meyer (15), Rogers (17)

Nick Nelson Top 10: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (8), Meyer (9)

Steve Buhr Top 15: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (8), Rogers (10)

Baseball America Top 31: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Meyer (12), Rogers (14), Walker (17)

FanGraphs Top 25: Berrios (2), Kepler (4), Polanco (5), Meyer (8), Rogers (16), Walker (25)

Keith Law Top 20: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Meyer (10)

John Sickels Top 20: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Walker (8), Meyer (11)

Aaron Gleeman Top 40: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Walker (13), Meyer (14), Rogers (22), O’Rourke (38), Dean (40)

Ted Schwerzler Top 15: Berrios (2), Kepler (5), Rogers (8), Walker (11), Meyer (12)

MLB.com Top 30: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Walker (11), Meyer (12), Rogers (14)

Baseball Essentials Top 20: Berrios (3), Kepler (5), Polanco (6), Walker (10), Meyer (11)

 

Twins in National Prospect Rankings

Baseball America: Berrios (28), Kepler (30), Polanco (99)

MLB.com: Berrios (19), Kepler (44), Polanco (97)

Baseball Prospectus: Berrios (17), Kepler (60),

KATOH (FanGraphs): Kepler (1), Berrios (18), Gordon (82), Polanco (89)

 

PREDICTIONS

 

First Hitter Promoted to Twins: 1.) Jorge Polanco, 2.) Max Kepler

First Starting Pitcher Promoted to Twins: 1.) Tyler Duffey, 2.) JO Berrios

First Relief Pitcher Promoted to Twins: 1.) Brandon Kintzler, 2.) Ryan O’Rourke

 

TWITTER FOLLOWS

 

Rochester Red Wings: @RocRedWings

Radio Voice: @JoshWhetzel

Red Wings Radio Show: @RWRadioShow

Beat Writer - Democrat & Chronicle: @KevinoDandC

Also: @njrowan, @MorrieSilver8, @CJFee

 

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[nater79a]

So, I don't see alot of natural closers in the relief corp. Looking at a closer by committee approach?

[matthew0211]

There are 26 players listed. Have they changed the AAA roster limit from 25? Will someone start on the DL?

[Thrylos]

Their announcement said that it was preliminary.   I suspect that they will have another catcher likely Carlos Paulino.  Mike Strong will likely be in the team as well, maybe even Marcus Walden.

 

I would be totally surprised if:

a. Polanco is not their opening day SS and

b. Alex Meyer is not their number one starter (btw he was the first person announced by the Red Wings' people)

 

Buddy Boshers and Dan Runzler do not belong in the same sentence.  Yes they both signed from the independents, but Runzler has 2 world series rings with the Giants.

 

Darnell might or might not start, per the Rochester people.  I suspect that he and Strong might alternate.

 

Interesting team with major deficiencies at the RHRP spot.  Would love to see a 7 game series between Chattanooga and Rochester

[strumdatjaguar]

I really want to wee Loek Van Mil get a September call-up.  Just want to see a Seven Footer pitch - no other reason!

[Seth Stohs]

 

So, I don't see alot of natural closers in the relief corp. Looking at a closer by committee approach?

 

I don't see much need for a traditional closers in the minors. This group should be guys used in various roles because those are the roles they'll have in the big leagues. The Twins don't need a closer. They have Perkins and Jepsen, and May and Pressly both have the stuff to be closers too. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

There are 26 players listed. Have they changed the AAA roster limit from 25? Will someone start on the DL?

 

Nope... they will have to put one guy on the DL before Thursday.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Their announcement said that it was preliminary.   I suspect that they will have another catcher likely Carlos Paulino.  Mike Strong will likely be in the team as well, maybe even Marcus Walden.

 

I would be totally surprised if:

a. Polanco is not their opening day SS and

b. Alex Meyer is not their number one starter (btw he was the first person announced by the Red Wings' people)

 

Buddy Boshers and Dan Runzler do not belong in the same sentence.  Yes they both signed from the independents, but Runzler has 2 world series rings with the Giants.

 

Darnell might or might not start, per the Rochester people.  I suspect that he and Strong might alternate.

 

Interesting team with major deficiencies at the RHRP spot.  Would love to see a 7 game series between Chattanooga and Rochester

 

Re Polanco, they've already said that he'll be playing around the infield and Tovar will likely play the most at shortstop. 

 

The list I gave is just the list of the five starters... David Martinez may also start, or could be in long relief. Doesn't really matter what order they start in. Also, weren't they just walking around the clubhouse. There was no other rhyme or reason to the order of the announcements. 

 

I know Runzler was a BIG part of those Giants World Series teams... They're both lefty relievers on the AAA Red Wings roster... seem like a couple of guys who could wind up in the same sentence often.

 

I'd be shocked if Strong is on the AAA roster. Same with Walden. Both are bullpen arms, probably in Chattanooga.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I really want to wee Loek Van Mil get a September call-up.  Just want to see a Seven Footer pitch - no other reason!

 

Understandable. I saw him throw a couple of bullpens, but not in a game... Reports last fall were him throwing really hard.

 

[jorgenswest]

Thanks Seth. The best part of TD is the quality coverage of the minor leagues.

[jimbo92107]

I really want to wee Loek Van Mil get a September call-up.  Just want to see a Seven Footer pitch - no other reason!

I'd love to see Van Mill do a side-arm delivery where he strides between home and third base, pivots and throws a sweeping curve. What baseball player would stand in for a pitch coming from that angle?

 

Then I'd like to see him cock his head and throw a straight overhand pitch with a release point about eight feet in the air. 

 

He probably doesn't do either of those things, but it'd be cool.

[ashbury]

 wee Loek Van Mil

Probably the first time anyone has hung that nickname on him since he was a toddler.

 

[twinssouth]

Ok. Going out on a limb, Meyer will put it all together and be our future Ace. Good move by the FO to have him start. Fingers crossed he can pull it off.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Ok. Going out on a limb, Meyer will put it all together and be our future Ace. Good move by the FO to have him start. Fingers crossed he can pull it off.

 

Good decision, and if that is accurate, we will all be thrilled!!

[GMinTraining]

Do they allow you to bring up an extra pitcher for double headers like they do in the MLB?  I would think they would allow 26 guys in MiLB because they have so many double headers in the minors.

 

Berrios - Kepler - and Walker are the 3 youngest players on the team and the only players with multiple minor league championships (Kepler (4) / Walker (4) / Polanco (2).   Will it be the youth movement leadership that brings a International League Championship or a veteran leadership that finally brings one to Rochester.  11 of 26 on roster as of today had some MLB experience last year.   Can't wait to see which dynamic takes the lead and proves more important?.  Championship experience or MLB experience?

Edited April 4, 2016 by GMinTraining

[ExpectMorePayLess]

They may not play until mid April with the extended weather forecast in the region.  Why do teams play night games in the north.  The temperatures have to drop significantly in the evening.  Who cares if there are fans at the game (night), if you can't feel your fingers.  50+ degrees in the day for some of the April temperatures, but always in the 30's at night.  Sucks for them - Lol

 

Not scheduled to reach 70 until mid May.  Wow

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do they allow you to bring up an extra pitcher for double headers like they do in the MLB?  I would think they would allow 26 guys in MiLB because they have so many double headers in the minors.

 

Berrios - Kepler - and Walker are the 3 youngest players on the team and the only players with multiple minor league championships (Kepler (4) / Walker (4) / Polanco (2).   Will it be the youth movement leadership that brings a International League Championship or a veteran leadership that finally brings one to Rochester.  11 of 26 on roster as of today had some MLB experience last year.   Can't wait to see which dynamic takes the lead and proves more important?.  Championship experience or MLB experience?

 

I would guess that 11 out of 26 from this roster having MLB experience would be pretty low relative to other AAA teams in the IL or the PCL.

 

And no, they don't get an extra pitcher for DH. They play 7 inning games in double headers.

[David HK]

That's a heck of a good AAA lineup.  Hopefully a few of those guys can make the step this year.    There's really not a position that someone of quality can't fill in if somebody in the big club gets dinged.  

 

 

[jimbo92107]

Ok. Going out on a limb, Meyer will put it all together and be our future Ace. Good move by the FO to have him start. Fingers crossed he can pull it off.

I'd love it, but I just don't see it. 

 

Seth, what exactly is keeping Meyer from being an effective pitcher? What are the coaches saying he's doing wrong mechanically? 

[GMinTraining]

FAITH

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'd love it, but I just don't see it. 

 

Seth, what exactly is keeping Meyer from being an effective pitcher? What are the coaches saying he's doing wrong mechanically? 

 

Throwing strikes, mechanics were a mess last year, release point and everything. 

 

But other than that... 

 

[BoomBoom]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/baseball/2016/04/05/red-wings-ready-but-weather-cooperate/82667246/

 

Red Wings might open season in May

 

Some good articles regarding Rochester potential (Rochester area newspaper)

[Rosterman]

Interesting. Logan Darnell in the rotation. Thought he would be best for the bullpen longterm (like they are doing with Rogers). But I guess you do want to try and lefty backup starters if you can.

 

I was just reading about the good old minor league days, where rosters at the high level were often filled with aging veterans to give them one more chance to play (and still collect a decent paycheck) and the real prospects did advance from the AA.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Interesting. Logan Darnell in the rotation. Thought he would be best for the bullpen longterm (like they are doing with Rogers). But I guess you do want to try and lefty backup starters if you can.

 

I was just reading about the good old minor league days, where rosters at the high level were often filled with aging veterans to give them one more chance to play (and still collect a decent paycheck) and the real prospects did advance from the AA.

 

I think that's generally still the case... The Twins are finally past that a little bit because they have youngsters at AAA, but they filled with some others.