Notebook: Opening Day Becomes Clear

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins dropped a 2-0 tilt against the Tampa Bay Rays, but all eyes have turned towards Thursday in Milwaukee.Final: Rays 2, Twins 0

Box Score | Savant

 

Today’s game was originally scheduled to be started by Lewis Thorpe, who recently was granted by a fourth option and reassigned to minor league camp. Instead, it featured nine different relievers, seven of which twirled scoreless innings. Minnesota mustered just four hits on the day, but one of the most important came from Max Kepler, who picked up his first base hit since March 2, snapping a 0-for-32 skid. Both Sire of Fort Myers candidates Derek Law and Brandon Waddell continued to impress, and while Rocco Baldelli’s club dropped the game, they finished 5-3 against the reigning American League champions in grapefruit league play.

 

Roster Clarity Becomes Certain

 

Recently both Cody and Ted posted 26-man roster projections here at Twins Daily. Minnesota quickly made note they would head north to Milwaukee with a configuration featuring both 13 pitchers and 13 hitters. Saturday, the exact names were pointed to as well. Five players were reassigned to minor league camp, notable among them are solid big league depth options in the form of Keon Broxton, J.T. Riddle, and Tzu-Wei Lin.

 

 

The moves left just 30 players in camp, with a few guys on the outside looking in. Kyle Garlick has had a great spring, though he’s cooled of late, while also being on the 40-man roster. Neither Law nor Waddell have 40-man spots, but it’s hard to argue against their performance down in Florida. Brent Rooker would seem to be looking at a platoon scenario with Jake Cave. It also appears likely Willians Astudillo will make the Opening Day roster.

 

Injury Updates for Minnesota

 

Fireballing prospect Edwar Colina has not been heard from this spring at all. Minnesota announced he is dealing with elbow inflammation. That’s obviously not great news given the now delayed start, and reality that he could be looked at as an impactful relief option. Mitch Garver should return to the lineup in the next day or so, grabbing a couple of extra at bats prior to Opening Day.

 

Where Are the Former Twins?

 

 

Ehire Adrianza has made the Atlanta Opening Day roster. He was a free agent this offseason and will fill in behind Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies. Rule five pick Akil Badoo has mashed all spring so this never seemed in doubt, but he has in fact made the 26-man roster.

 

 

Tyler Wells is looking like a good bet to break camp with the Orioles also.

 

 

Around the Game

 

Party like it’s 2013. Matt Harvey is back in a starting rotation and operating as the #2 arm.

 

 

The Dodgers are loaded. Seriously, Walker Buehler is their #3?

 

 

New York is trying to make sure that Francisco Lindor never reaches the free agent market, but time could be running out prior to the season.

 

 

Former Nationals top prospect Carter Kieboom is headed to the minors after missed opportunity this spring.

 

 

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[Danchat]

So that's why Colina hasn't thrown at all. I wonder if he may get put on the 60 day IL so they can open a 40 man spot. He, alongside others like Ober and Chalmers are taking up 40 man spots but don't seem to be close to pitching in the majors, so room will need to be made.

[jimbo92107]

Akil Baddoo makes the cut in Detroit! Ghaaa, it's happening! They just got Puckett 2.0! Next they'll get Nick Gordon, who will pump up to 180 pounds and become a power-hitting SS for ten years! 

 

Ghaaaaaa!

[stringer bell]

A couple of extra players left--I also wonder if Colina will end up on the 60-day list, as well. That would free up one of the non-roster relievers (I think Law). Garlick probably gets sent down and two of the four of Thielbar, Stashak, Law and Waddell go to Milwaukee for Opening Day. 

[beckmt]

right now I think Law has won a spot, and 2 of the other 3 will be sent down.

[Jacksson]

So Detroit has become the Tig-wins ??

 

Wilson Ramos

Niko Goodrum

Jonathan Schoop

Akil Baddoo

Robbie Grossman

 

[Richard Swerdlick]

Yup, the Twins are now the developmental team for the Tigers.

[Doctor Gast]

Thanks Ted for that update. Good to see Adrianza doing well. Had hoped that Twins would've resigned him.

[Major League Ready]

 

Yup, the Twins are now the developmental team for the Tigers.

 

They should be very good in a couple years. They have drafted well and have lots of good prospects on the way. They have 5 players in MLBs top 25 prospects. They have 15 prospects with an overall rank of 50 or above and another 10 rated 45.  We have two in the top 26, four in the top 100 and 8 with an overall rating of 50. We better hope out pitching prospect pan out or Chicago / KC and Detroit are going to be the front runners in our division for several years.

[h2oface]

 

Akil Baddoo makes the cut in Detroit! Ghaaa, it's happening! They just got Puckett 2.0! Next they'll get Nick Gordon, who will pump up to 180 pounds and become a power-hitting SS for ten years! 

 

Ghaaaaaa!

 

Isn't "the man" already at least 30? 

 

[Trov]

 

Akil Baddoo makes the cut in Detroit! Ghaaa, it's happening! They just got Puckett 2.0! Next they'll get Nick Gordon, who will pump up to 180 pounds and become a power-hitting SS for ten years! 

 

Ghaaaaaa!

I find that highly unlikely.  Could Baddoo bloom with his chance, yes he can.  However, to do so he would need to prove just about every scout wrong.  Very few guys with years of time in minors can just come out of no where when they make majors to be all-star player.  Could he be one of the very few, sure.  However, he has never been high on prospect list, never been top OF prospect for Twins or Tigers now.  

 

To call him Puckett 2.0 is even further off.  Puckett was drafted number 3 overall when Twins drafted him second time around.  He was not some out of no where guy that people were shocked to make it big.  I do not wish Baddoo any ill will and hope for him he proves me and the Twins wrong.  If he does he will be the rare talent that snuck up on people. 

[singlesoverwalks]

I still love Willians Astudillo, but I just want to point out that he has an 826 career OPS in spring training, and 747 career OPS in the regular season at the MLB level. His spring chicken promise is yet to be fulfilled. That being said, I'm glad he made the team.