Twins Spotlight: Episode 13 (Edwar Colina)

[Seth Stohs]

Tonight at 7:00pm (central time), Seth chatted with Twins right-handed pitcher Edwar Colina on a new episode of Twins Spotlight.

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

Armed with a huge fastball and what some inside the organization (and Baseball America) believe is the best slider in the organization, Colina has become a known prospect in the last two seasons. That's when reports that he was hitting triple-digits with his fastball started to pop up.

He was invited to his first big-league spring training in 2020. He was placed on the 60 player pool and spent most of his summer at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul. And just before the final weekend of the season, Colina was called up and made his major-league debut.

Tonight, we will chat with Colina about his youth ball days in Venezuela and his decision to sign with the Twins. We will discuss his adjustments to pro ball and life in the United States. We will talk about his crazy 2020 season and making his big-league debut. We will also take your questions, so be sure to join us Live at 7:00 central time, if you are able. If not, send us your questions below.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please watch LIVE at 7:00 tonight on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them.

Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts.

Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show.

More on Edwar Colina:

• Edwar Colina: from Chilly Home Opener to No-Hitter (May 2018)
  
• Triple-Digit Shoes to Fill (April 2020)
  
• Twins Call Up Colina for Season's Final Weekend (Sept 2020)
  
• Follow Edwar on Twitter at @EdwarColina57.
  
• Follow Edwar on Instagram at @Edwar.co.
  

Previous Episodes

Episode 1: Tom Hackimer

Episode 2: Matt Canterino

Episode 3: Aaron Whitefield

Episode 4: Spencer Steer

Episode 5: Travis Blankenhorn

Episode 6: Cody Laweryson

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

Episode 9: Bailey Ober

Episode 10: Talkin' Torii (with Jacque Jones, Royce Lewis, Niko Guardado)

Episode 11: Top 60 Twins Players in 60 Seasons in Minnesota

Episode 12: Charlie Mack

Episode 13: Edwar Colina

View full article

[Seth Stohs]

And yes, I did ask him what Rich Hill talked to him about on the bench following his MLB debut. 

[rdehring]

I really appreciate these, Seth. But this one just blew me away. It was a great discussion with a young man who lives half a world away. And his English was far better than I would have anticipated.

 

Appreciated the comment about the core group he is part of. Got me thinking about the last group, Buxton, Sano, Rosario, Polanco, Berrios and Kepler, how we were expecting them to lead the Twins to the promised land. Well, they have delivered winning baseball. Yet, they haven't gotten over that post season hurdle.

 

And the truth is that for various reasons, not a single one of that group has reached the ceiling we all hoped they would achieve. Can still happen with the Twins for four of them, but will it? Expect all of us hope like heck they will.

 

None of us knows what the future holds, but could this group be more successful at reaching their ceilings and finally take the Twins that last step? Colina, along with Alcala, Balazovic, Duran, Jeffers, Rooker, Lewis, Kirilloff, Larnach and a few others just may get the job done. And I forgot, but Arraez should probably be included with them.  

 

Thanks again Seth for an amazing 45 minutes.

[Seth Stohs]

Last time I went to Cedar Rapids was Memorial Day weekend 2018. I think I saw five games in 3 days, which was great. But I just look at all the talent that was on that team. Royce. Kirilloff. Colina. Graterol. Dobnak. 

 

I think I missed Balazovic by just a couple of days. 

[rdehring]

 

Last time I went to Cedar Rapids was Memorial Day weekend 2018. I think I saw five games in 3 days, which was great. But I just look at all the talent that was on that team. Royce. Kirilloff. Colina. Graterol. Dobnak. 

 

I think I missed Balazovic by just a couple of days. 

What is most interesting about that group, Seth, is that it was only two, plus, years ago and four have already played for the Twins. Contrary to lots of criticism, the Twins move the best fairly quickly, at least this FO does.

[DocBauer]

Thanks again, Seth! These are all wonderful, but I have to say this is my favorite interview thus far! The one word that came to mind when watching was "engaging". Edward just seems like such a fun and genuine good guy. I'm betting he is one of his teammates favorites.

 

One that has really struck me in all of these interviews is all of these guys, naturally, have played and practiced together and know one another, but they seem to have z genuine fondness for one another and all seem to speak glowingly about one another and everyone's potential on the field. They seem to have a real "team" sense between them and embrace that they are all part of a combined next wave.

 

Good stuff!