This Saints Team Could be Something Special

[Ted Schwerzler]

The St. Paul Saints have been an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins for a few years now. After Major League Baseball went through a massive overhaul of the minor league landscape, the fun-loving organization in Lower Town took over for the Rochester Red Wings. Now, they may have the best roster in history.

 

Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

St. Paul - It was a gloomy and chilly day when a handful of Saints players were getting work in throughout the bowels of CHS Field. Despite being less than a week from their home opener, the field certainly wasn’t going to be utilized at this time. Sitting down with manager Toby Gardenhire in his office, this first question was obvious.

Is this the deepest group you have ever had?

Gardenhire thought for a second, then quipped, “Pitching-wise, that’s a good way to put, it is deep. The big league club did a good job of signing a lot of guys that are pretty good. We have to make sure we get guys innings and keep them ready to go up to the big leagues.”

There is certainly no denying that the Twins starting rotation is better than it ever has been. Pablo Lopez was acquired in a deal for Luis Arraez, and Joe Ryan went from Opening Day starter to third in the pecking order this year. Tyler Mahle was acquired as a difference-maker at the deadline, and could be the fourth option, while Kenta Maeda was a Cy Young candidate during his last full season.

For Gardenhire, that depth at the big league level provides some challenges. Bailey Ober now becomes the ace of the Triple-A staff, but he’s already proven to be a valuable major-league arm. The goal will be in continuing to keep him stretched out, but also make sure to shield him from injury that has cost him time in recent seasons.

The Saints also have promising prospects that debuted last season in the form of both Louie Varland and Simeon Woods Richardson. Both represent far better options than fringe veterans needed in spot start scenarios a year ago. Then there is also teammate Jordan Balazovic, who is just a year removed from being a consensus top-100 prospect.

The offense is loaded as well. Edouard Julien was a joy to watch during the World Baseball Classic, and he certainly looked the part of a major leaguer this spring. Matt Wallner and Mark Contreras both got sniffs of the big leagues last year and are ready to get back. Gardenhire noted how important it is to have a veteran presence around those guys.

“Having a guy like Hernan Perez around Edouard Julien or Tony Wolters with Jair Camargo. Being able to communicate with these guys is big. Guys like Matt Wallner and Mark Contreras are fun because they got the taste last year. They all want to go back, they know what they need to do to get there.” Knowing how impactful it is to pick the mind of guys with big league experience, Gardenhire is certain they’ll make their mark on his roster.

That’s not just a coaching belief either. Utility man Andrew Bechtold echoed a similar sentiment fresh off his first major-league camp. “I think it’s undervalued how important it is to be in big league camp going into the season. Forming relationships with the coaching staff and players is one of the most valuable tools you have.”

Much of the Twins prospect talent has risen to the higher levels of the system at this point. While some of the younger talents are still at lower levels, Minnesota has seen plenty of graduations or debuts in recent seasons. That means the Saints will continue to get significant looks at real difference makers and players that should be expected to contribute for the Twins.

Obviously Julien, Wallner, Varland, and Woods Richardson highlight the young crop right now, but Brooks Lee should play for St. Paul this year, and Royce Lewis will likely make a stop during a rehab stint. If others like David Festa can continue down their path of development, they will definitely help the team as well.

Rocco Baldelli’s major league club is more well equipped than it ever has been, but Gardenhire’s group is right behind that roster to support them.

You will certainly want to enjoy some Saints game action at CHS Field. Go to SaintsBaseball.com and purchase tickets for this week's Opening Series against the Iowa Cubs. Tonight it will be Varland on the mound. On Wednesday, Brent Headrick will make his Triple-A debut, and on Thursday you should be able to watch Bailey Ober on the mound. 

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[miracleb]

Mark Contreras is the third guy you mention on offense......let's tone it down a bit......

:)

[mikelink45]

This is a great group of players.  If they do not make it with the Twins they can look at Spencer Steer and others who have been able to make it with other clubs.  This is our trade capital as well as back ups.

[TwinsDr2021]

Hate to be negative but outside a few in the starting staff, Wallner and Julien this team doesn't look like a team I would run over to St. Paul and watch.

[DJL44]

If you're actually comparing to great Saints teams in history the late 1940s are probably the peak. The Saints were a Dodgers farm team and briefly had Roy Campanella on the roster.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, miracleb said:

Mark Contreras is the third guy you mention on offense......let's tone it down a bit......

:)

Alex Kirilloff and Austin Martin will probably end up in St. Paul some time this season.

[MGM4706]

Instead of thinking he has a bunch of big leaguers I wish Gardenhire would work on teaching. Not one of the young outfielders he has sent up have a clue on how to play an outfield wall!! And Kiroloff doesn't know how to play the wall coming off first. Isn't that part of Gardenhire's job?

[arby58]

1 hour ago, MGM4706 said:

Instead of thinking he has a bunch of big leaguers I wish Gardenhire would work on teaching. Not one of the young outfielders he has sent up have a clue on how to play an outfield wall!! And Kiroloff doesn't know how to play the wall coming off first. Isn't that part of Gardenhire's job?

Are you suggesting that the right field wall in St. Paul replicates the one at Target Field? Seems a stretch to use that as the example of things they need to work on, given that every field's dimensions are different.

[arby58]

AAA baseball is a fun place to watch rising stars. I live in Des Moines, IA, where the Iowa Cubs are the Chicago Cubs' triple A team. I recall in the 2014-2016 years watching Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, and Kyle Schwarber playing and thinking the Cubs would have a great offense in a couple years - that turned out to be the case and led to their World Series winning team.

Last year, I got to see Alex Kirilloff go on a tear in two games in Des Moines, where he hit three home runs combined plus some other extra base hits. I was sitting in a left field box when a ball he crushed rammed against the facing just above our box. It hit so hard they had to send in a couple of guys to repair it - interesting to watch them work just above us. 

Here's hoping St. Paul is similarly eventful this year.

[FlyingFinn]

I think the title is correct - the Saints could be special. The biggest way this happens is if the Twins do well and stay healthy. Then, you have Castro, Celestino, Lewis, Kirilloff (on rehab), Henriquez, and Winder all showing up from the Twins direction and guys like Lee and Festa moving up. Even if you don't like some of these guys as major leaguers, they often play really well at AAA. 

[Tyler from Oregon]

If Mark Contreras is playing for the Twins this season it's because there are significant problems going on, and the ship is sinking.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, arby58 said:

Are you suggesting that the right field wall in St. Paul replicates the one at Target Field? Seems a stretch to use that as the example of things they need to work on, given that every field's dimensions are different.

The Twins really should have the AAA team come over to Target Field and practice occasionally. Most days it's just sitting empty.

[Nine of twelve]

7 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The Twins really should have the AAA team come over to Target Field and practice occasionally. Most days it's just sitting empty.

This sounds like a good idea. I would think that someone in the organization must have thought of it.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, MGM4706 said:

Instead of thinking he has a bunch of big leaguers I wish Gardenhire would work on teaching. Not one of the young outfielders he has sent up have a clue on how to play an outfield wall!! And Kiroloff doesn't know how to play the wall coming off first. Isn't that part of Gardenhire's job?

You don't think he's teaching? Really?

[TCSquad]

If the team on the field at CHS is not enough to keep us going back, the promos, theme games, and between-inning games will. Waiting for the next Bring Your Dog To The Park game, and Christmas in July!

[jimbo92107]

Thing is, the Saints sounds like a lot of fun to watch. I'd love to go there and check out the atmosphere, baseball aside for a moment. It may just be AAA, but it sounds like you get an experience to remember.