Martin, Lewis Among Players Sent to Minor-League Camp

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins made several roster moves on Saturday morning, sending four hitters to minor league spring training including their two top prospects. They now have 49 players on their spring roster. 

On Saturday, the Twins sent four of their hitting prospects to minor-league camp. Royce Lewis was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. In addition, Austin Martin, Aaron Sabato and Spencer Steer were reassigned to minor-league camp. In case you were wondering, the distinction is that Lewis is on the 40-man roster, so this is his first option year. The others are not on the 40-man roster so they don't need to be optioned yet. 

For Lewis, it's been a good chance to just get back on the field again. As has been greatly documented, he was at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul in the 2020 pandemic-lost season. Last year, he arrived at spring training only to learn that he had a torn ACL and missed the full season. He played in four spring games at went 1-for-8 with a stolen base. He also did a nice job at shortstop.

While Lewis was technically optioned to St. Paul, that does not necessarily mean that he will start the season with the Saints. It could still be determined that he begin the season in Double-A Wichita. Either way, it is good to see Lewis back on the field and on the path upward. 

Martin played in five games for the Twins this spring. He went 3-for-9 with a home run. He walked twice and struck out five times. It will be interesting to see where the Twins assign Martin. He spent his pro debut at the Double-A level. Could he get another month or two there before jumping up to St. Paul?

Spencer Steer went 0-for-5 in his limited spring appearances, but it is clear that the organization really likes the versatile slugger. He should begin the 2022 season where he ended 2021, with the Wind Surge in Wichita. 

Aaron Sabato played in six spring games and went 0-for-9 with six strikeouts. He is likely to begin the 2022 season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels where he finished 2021 with 22 games. 

The Twins spring roster now consists of 49 players. There are 24 pitchers (7 non-roster), five catchers (2 non-roster), 11 infielders (4 non-roster), and nine outfielders (3 non-roster). 

With the season less than two weeks away, the team will need to make several more transactions to get down to the 28-man Opening Day roster. 

 

 

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[Teflon]

Martin and Lewis are one of my favorite duos!

[stringer bell]

Nothing unexpected. My question would not only be where Martin will be playing, but what position he will play, particularly since there are other options at AA and AAA.

[Shaitan]

I'm not reading anything into this. They want to protect service time in case of a ST injury. 

[The Mad King]

Thankfully I'm not the only one who finds it funny when Martin and Lewis are mentioned together...

[stringer bell]

17 minutes ago, The Mad King said:

Thankfully I'm not the only one who finds it funny when Martin and Lewis are mentioned together...

Old people unite! ?

[Doctor Gast]

Thanks again Seth for your updates. Yes Lewis & Martin makes a great team hate to break them up. I was curious of the 3 non roster OFers, are there any true CFers in the bunch? Haven't heard anything about them. And we really need a MLB ready CFer to back up Buxton. How well is Celestino coming along to fill that spot?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

During the lockout, assuming little to no ST (and actually getting an abbreviated ST) a couple weeks ago it wouldn’t have surprised me to see Lewis get a couple week tune up in Cedar Rapids.

Lewis seems, to be locked in, and in no need for the “ST extension” and should slot in well at Wichita or St Paul. Looking forward to a strong season from him! 
 

of course depending on how his season goes, could he get a call up this year?

[stringer bell]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Thanks again Seth for your updates. Yes Lewis & Martin makes a great team hate to break them up. I was curious of the 3 non roster OFers, are there any true CFers in the bunch? Haven't heard anything about them. And we really need a MLB ready CFer to back up Buxton. How well is Celestino coming along to fill that spot?

I think Celestino would be fine if Buxton has a disabling injury. The more time before this happens, the better. Unless the Twins make a trade of prospects for player, they are going to have 40-man issues I think. 

[mikelink45]

Going to the Minnesota Twins transactions - Some things are taking shape.  The Saints now have a potential rotation of Strotman, Sands, Henriquez, Balazovic - looks really good. Witchita will have Vallimont and Enlow.  Can you provide me with your thoughts about these rotations and who else will be in the mix at each location?  

I was surprised by the release of Ralph Garza, JR.  He was quickly snatched by the Red Sox.  How is the RP looking?  With such a short ST it is really hard to see who is catching fire. 

I look forward to your roster projections. 

[Squirrel]

39 minutes ago, The Mad King said:

Thankfully I'm not the only one who finds it funny when Martin and Lewis are mentioned together...

I actually had to think about that ... and I'm definitely not young

[Squirrel]

21 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Thanks again Seth for your updates. Yes Lewis & Martin makes a great team hate to break them up. I was curious of the 3 non roster OFers, are there any true CFers in the bunch? Haven't heard anything about them. And we really need a MLB ready CFer to back up Buxton. How well is Celestino coming along to fill that spot?

If I had to guess, I'd say that Celestino will start the year in AAA - and if Buxton goes on the IL (yes, I specifically chose the word 'if' instead of 'when'; hope springs eternal), Celestino will be called up. Celestino could be the call up for anyone in the OF, really. To give Buxton a day off here and there, I think Gordon will be the fill in. Again, just my guess based on everything that's been said in these forums and articles. While Celestino didn't have a stellar time up in the majors last year, he was really up prematurely, imo, having no time in AAA. Toward the last half of the season in AAA, he seemed to really be picking up steam.

[chinmusic]

52 minutes ago, The Mad King said:

Thankfully I'm not the only one who finds it funny when Martin and Lewis are mentioned together...

Hopefully, their breakup will be more amicable than Dean and Jerry.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Teflon said:

Martin and Lewis are one of my favorite duos!

Just hope they don’t turn out to be Laurel and Hardy.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I was surprised by the release of Ralph Garza, JR.

Just to be clear, the Twins didn't release him.  The roster moves they made (waivers and designation for assignment) meant they hoped to keep him, just not on their 40-man roster.

The Red Sox didn't go along with that plan.

[Danchat]

It seems like Martin will start at AA, which I think is fine. Give him time and let’s see if he can dominate and earn a promotion to AAA.

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Just to be clear, the Twins didn't release him.  The roster moves they made (waivers and designation for assignment) meant they hoped to keep him, just not on their 40-man roster.

The Red Sox didn't go along with that plan.

The Red Sox were smart.

[h2oface]

Time to get ready for the season. These guys are not part of the start of the season. 

Sano (DH) and Sanchez (C) were placed at 4 and 5 in the order today against the Braves. 3 ABs each ....... 0-6, 5 strikeouts. It appears they need the work.

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

It seems like Martin will start at AA, which I think is fine. Give him time and let’s see if he can dominate and earn a promotion to AAA.

He did lead all AA batters in OBP last year at .414.

[Nashvilletwin]

44 minutes ago, h2oface said:

Time to get ready for the season. These guys are not part of the start of the season. 

Sano (DH) and Sanchez (C) were placed at 4 and 5 in the order today against the Braves. First 3 ABs each ....... 0-6, 5 strikeouts. It appears they need the work.

Get used to those box scores……

[Danchat]

21 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

He did lead all AA batters in OBP last year at .414.

Right, but I'd like to see him work on developing some power and figure out where he's going to play defensively. I guess it doesn't matter where he does that, but I wouldn't rush to call him up.

[LewFordLives]

Martin doesn't belong AA. He can hit at a major league level. I guess he can work on his fielding at St. Paul.

[Game7-91]

7 hours ago, Squirrel said:

7 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

If I had to guess, I'd say that Celestino will start the year in AAA - and if Buxton goes on the IL (yes, I specifically chose the word 'if' instead of 'when'; hope springs eternal), Celestino will be called up. Celestino could be the call up for anyone in the OF, really. To give Buxton a day off here and there, I think Gordon will be the fill in. Again, just my guess based on everything that's been said in these forums and articles. While Celestino didn't have a stellar time up in the majors last year, he was really up prematurely, imo, having no time in AAA. Toward the last half of the season in AAA, he seemed to really be picking up steam.

Agreed. The CF backup is a question mark, but I would like to see Gordon have a chance when needed. Looking forward to Celestino's progress, if he can increase onbase he could help thus summer as 4th OF and backup to Buck. If not give Gordon a chance. 

[Twinsrtheworst]

5 hours ago, Danchat said:

It seems like Martin will start at AA, which I think is fine. Give him time and let’s see if he can dominate and earn a promotion to AAA.

Martin is way to advanced as a batter to start at AA.  I disagree starring him there would not be ideal for him as a prospect.

[High heat]

4 hours ago, se7799 said:

Martin is way to advanced as a batter to start at AA.  I disagree starring him there would not be ideal for him as a prospect.

Seems as if they are still set on giving Martin innings at SS.  If you have Polacios and Lewis at ST Paul there isnt going to many inning at SS.  

[Shaitan]

23 hours ago, Squirrel said:

If I had to guess, I'd say that Celestino will start the year in AAA - and if Buxton goes on the IL (yes, I specifically chose the word 'if' instead of 'when'; hope springs eternal), Celestino will be called up. Celestino could be the call up for anyone in the OF, really. To give Buxton a day off here and there, I think Gordon will be the fill in. Again, just my guess based on everything that's been said in these forums and articles. While Celestino didn't have a stellar time up in the majors last year, he was really up prematurely, imo, having no time in AAA. Toward the last half of the season in AAA, he seemed to really be picking up steam.

Miranda is out of options, right?

 

Are they really going to carry 3 backup IFs in Miranda, Gordon and Arraez? 

I suppose both Arraez and Gordon play OF, so maybe... but I wonder if there's a roster crunch between Miranda and Gordon then. Come 26-roster limits, anyway.

Then again, knowing modern baseball, the team will use the #27 and #28 roster slots for a 20th bullpen arm and 15th catcher.

Edited March 27, 2022 by Shaitan
typo

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Shaitan said:

Miranda is out of options, right?

No.  He was only just added to the 40-man.  He should have all 3 minor league options remaining.

You might be thinking of the decision last fall to add him to the 40-man, which was necessary to avoid the risk of losing him in the Rule-5 draft (that never took place due to the lockout).

[joefish]

21 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Get used to those box scores……

But I don't want to settle for more of that. No thanks.

[Mike Sixel]

On 3/26/2022 at 11:32 AM, Danchat said:

It seems like Martin will start at AA, which I think is fine. Give him time and let’s see if he can dominate and earn a promotion to AAA.

What would he have to prove in AA? He was pretty much great last year. As a college player, who has already played at and dominated AA, I see no reason not to be the starting SS or LF in AAA right now.