Fresh Meat: Grading the 2020 Twins Rookie Debuts

[David Youngs]

There are few moments in sports that rival the crowned jewel of a baseball player making his Major League debut. In a 2020 season filled with injuries, top prospects and everything in between, the Twins saw six rookies hit the big stage. Let's evaluate.Brent Rooker, RF

The powerful bat from Tennessee was activated as a result of Max Kepler being placed on the 10 day IL in September. Unfortunately for Rooker, his 2020 season was cut short after seven games due to a fractured forearm.

 

What we did see from Rooker was nothing but delightful. In just 19 at-bats the right handed hitter put together a .316 batting average with six hits and five RBI. The rookie even got his first big league HR out of the way on September 8 against St. Louis.

 

Expect Rooker to play a significant role in 2021, especially if the Twins outfield doesn’t feature Eddie Rosario. The 25 year old could play a crucial role in a corner outfield platoon alongside names like Jake Cave and Alex Kirilloff.

 

Final Grade: A

 

Edwar Colina, RHP

Known for his triple digit fastball and gnarly slider, Colina received the big league call up the last weekend of the regular season as a result of the Twins releasing Homer Bailey. His Major League debut was far from sunshine and rainbows, as the 5’11 reliever lasted just 0.1 innings, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks against Cincinnati.

 

Even though Colina’s debut wasn’t pretty it’s tough not to imagine him playing some sort of role on the 2021 Twins. He fits the mold of a hard throwing reliever (with great breaking stuff) that the Twins haven’t seen come through town in the past. Arms like him, Trevor May, and Jorge Alcala could provide valuable diversity to craftier pitchers like Caleb Thielbar and Taylor Rodgers who don’t have the MPH factor.

 

Expect the Twins to continue to groom Colina in the farm system and bring him up at an appropriate time during the 2021 season.

 

Final Grade: C+

 

Travis Blankenhorn, 2B

The Twins brought up power-hitting Blankenhorn for one game in September as a result of Luis Arraez’s ongoing injuries. Blankenhorn didn’t disappoint, going 1 for 3 with a double and a walk on September 15 against the White Sox. He was optioned one day later to make room on the roster for Alex Avila and Jake Odorizzi.

Blankenhorn’s future with the Twins is up in the air...for now. Much of his fate for 2021 will rely on if the Twins choose to sign a ‘super utility man’ such as Kiké Herbandez or Tommy La Stella to fill the role that Marwin Gonzales has carried out. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Blankenhorn back up with the parent club next year at some point, it just may not be in large amounts.

 

Final Grade: B+

 

Aaron Whitefield, CF

The Australian native played a key role in patching up the Twins outfield early on in the 2020 season when Byron Buxton was not healthy. And while Whitefield was a solid placeholder in the outfield he did have much of a chance to prove himself at the plate, racking up just one MLB at bat.

 

It is improbable that Whitefield will play much of a role on the 2021 Twins. While the layout of next year’s outfield is up for debate, there are a variety of options that feature better hitting and defense then what Whitefield has to offer. He certainly could prove valuable if the Twins are plagued with injury (knock on wood), it just doesn’t seem probable.

 

Final Grade: C-

 

Alex Kirilloff, RF

The highly anticipated lefty bat of Kirilloff debuted for the Twins in the American League Wild Card Series against the Astros. In just one game, Kirilloff proved that he could play in the big moments, gaining one of the few hits that the team mustered together in a disappointing series.

 

It would be crazy to say that Kirilloff won’t somehow play a role in the Twins outfield next year. His strong defense and lefty bat make him almost a sure-lock if the Twins decide to go with the platoon option for the 2021 outfield.

 

Kirilloff’s talent is all but untapped thus far. Obviously he needs some more time to get his feet wet but the future looks bright for the Plum, Pennsylvania native.

 

Final Grade: A-

 

Ryan Jeffers, C

Saving the best for last, Jeffers is arguably the first positive outcome that many Twins fans will think of in regards to 2020. The rookie catcher looked like anything but a rookie, playing in 26 regular season games and racking up a .273 batting average. Manager Rocco Baldelli showed his confidence in Jeffers by starting him behind the dish in both postseason games.

 

There are multiple layers to Jeffers bright future. The UNC-Wilmington grad has proven that he can hit at the big league level. Don’t overshadow Jeffers behind the plate through; the Raleigh, North Carolina native is a rock-solid defender and there is nothing more beautiful than watching a catcher throw runners out from his knees.

 

 

2021 will be a big year for arguably the best catching prospect the Twins have seen since Joe Mauer. He’ll have the chance to learn the ropes in a regular 162 game season and work alongside Mitch Garver and (insert seasoned veteran) to help furnish one of the best potential catching squads in the league.

 

Final Grade: A+

 

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[strumdatjaguar]

Good info Seth. - BUT. - Maybe just maybe it’s more beautiful watching a catcher quickly rise from the traditional crouch and throw runners out. More effective too.

[strumdatjaguar]

Good info Seth. - BUT. - Maybe just maybe it’s more beautiful watching a catcher quickly rise from the traditional crouch and throw runners out. More effective too.

[mikelink45]

David you are a soft grader - I think Blankenhorn gets an incomplete - not his fault, the Twins should have had him up longer.  Colina either gets an F for that terrible debut or at best an incomplete.  Please justify a C+.

 

Kiriloff also did not have a long enough debut to get a real grade, except it was in the playoffs and he was thrust into a really difficult situation and handled it well.  So I see that as really incomplete too, but not unhappy with the grade either.

 

Whitehead - D.  No bat, but he is fast and that was all he was here for.  He got used more than they intended (3 games) because of injuries and jettisoned quickly.  I would have preferred one of our real prospects. 

 

And what about Alcala?  There is an A - up all year, used in many different situations. 0.4 WAR, 24 innings, 27 Ks and 3.57 era.  I know he was here for 2 games the year before, but that should not count, just like our one gamers this year should still be reviewed in a similar way next year when they actually get to play.

 

Good information, only the grades get questioned.

 

[rdehring]

Love it when Seth gets credit for something minor league related that he didn't write.

 

With that said, must agree with your grades, David, although I would have give Kirilloff a straight A and eliminate the minus. I don't have a clue what the Twins will do with Rosario over the winter, or Sano for that matter. But I do expect to see Kirilloff on their opening day roster even if sharing time in left while splitting time at first with the odd man out that day's DH.

[Trov]

I read your part on Jeffers and makes it sound like you expect the Twins to carry 3 catchers all year next year.  You said he will get to learn from Garver AND (insert seasoned vet).  Do you really expect three catchers all year?  

 

Personally, if Jeffers is in, then either Garver is out or they do not bring in a vet.  Unless the plan will be to use Garver some at 1b or DH, if Cruz is not back, 3 catchers just does not seem to make much sense.

[Shaitan]

I thought you gave Jeffers a C at first. 

 

Reading comprehension at its finest.

[jjswol]

Colina and Kirilloff each played in one game and what they accomplished or didn't accomplish in that lone appearance does not warrant any grade besides an Incomplete. Unfair to everyone to give them a grade based on what they did in one game.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Love it when Seth gets credit for something minor league related that he didn't write.

 

[Darius]

He hit .800, he’s the real deal, ready and all that...so let’s give him zero ABs in a season that we’re all-in then throw him to the wolves in the playoffs. Bold strategy, Cotton. Very coherent and logical.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Love it when Seth gets credit for something minor league related that he didn't write.

 

With that said, must agree with your grades, David, although I would have give Kirilloff a straight A and eliminate the minus. I don't have a clue what the Twins will do with Rosario over the winter, or Sano for that matter. But I do expect to see Kirilloff on their opening day roster even if sharing time in left while splitting time at first with the odd man out that day's DH.

 

I'll take it when it's giving me positive feedback... Ha!