Projecting The Twins Postseason Roster: The Bench

[Ted Schwerzler]

With the Minnesota Twins set to play baseball in October, they’ll have the privilege of shuffling the 26-man roster with a focus on a three-game home series. That construction is different from the regular season, and how the bench spots are utilized could be of the utmost importance.

Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp & Twins Daily

With the wild card round being just a three-game series, there is no reason for starters that won’t pitch in relief to be on the roster. That could certainly include the likes of Kenta Maeda or Bailey Ober, but takes Dallas Keuchel out of the equation. Needing a few fewer players, Rocco Baldelli should have something like 15 position players on his roster.

The bench will be deeper than it has been all season, and that provides ample opportunity to pinch hit, make defensive changes, or insert a pinch runner. Here’s a look at the names that could be included:

Kyle Farmer
If there’s an infielder that seems certain to start on the bench, it’s Farmer. He’s not the priority anywhere on the dirt, and really the only path he has to a start is if Carlos Correa can’t go because of his heel issue.

Farmer was brought in to be the Twins shortstop before they were able to bring Correa back into the fold. As a right-handed hitter, he hasn’t shown well against lefties. That’s basically been where he has made a living thus far as a hitter, but his slugging percentage is lower there than against left-handed pitchers.

Baldelli could do a lot worse in pinch-hitting or replacement spots, but Farmer isn’t going to start on the dirt.

Donovan Solano
Depending on the opposing starter, Solano could find himself in the starting lineup. He makes some sense at designated hitter, and he has played plenty at both first and second base. The chalk moves would involve Alex Kirilloff, Edouard Julien, and Jorge Polanco, but Minnesota will respond to the opposition.

Signed as somewhat of a last addition to the roster, Solano has been nothing short of exceptional for the Twins in his role. He bounced back from somewhat of a down year with the Reds last year, and currently owns a 112 OPS+. He has hit for average, and he has gotten on base. Both of those things aren’t consistent throughout the Minnesota lineup.

No matter how he gets into a game, Solano being an additional option for the Twins in the playoffs is a huge boost.

Willi Castro
Similar to Solano, Castro was an afterthought pickup and has elevated himself to being one of the most integral contributors on the team. Signed to a minor league deal back in December, Castro has seen time both in the infield and outfield. There’s a chance he could start in center for Minnesota, but that probably means Michael A. Taylor experienced a setback.

This season it has been Castro leading the Twins on the base paths. He has stolen a career-best 31 bases, and he has had significant success picking his spots to go. With an ability to advance 90-feet, even if Castro isn’t in a starting lineup, he can impact a game for Baldelli.

Castro also brings handedness flexibility to the bench in that he’s a switch hitter. Baldelli has turned to him in key pitching scenarios, and also used him as a defensive replacement.

Andrew Stevenson
Promoted from Triple-A St. Paul following one of his best years in professional baseball, Stevenson largely got an opportunity with the Twins because he can run. Stevenson has won a World Series playing with the Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, and Juan Soto Washington Nationals, but the veteran still brings plenty to the table as a fringe talent.

An adept defender in all three outfield spots, Stevenson would be an ideal late-game replacement for someone like Matt Wallner or Castro. He isn’t someone that you want at the plate, but with 48 steals on 54 attempts in pro ball this year, he’s almost a guaranteed bet to swipe a bag.

Probably the least likely name here to be included on the postseason roster, Stevenson’s opportunity revolves solely around defense and running.

Christian Vazquez
For most of the season Minnesota has gone with a near 50/50 split behind the plate with their catchers. Vazquez was brought in as the trusted veteran, but Ryan Jeffers has had a breakout performance and pushed for more playing time. In the playoffs, Vazquez’s pedigree and previous experience could be a big boost.

The former Red Sox and Astros backstop has a pair of World Series rings to his credit, and while he’s not much of a hitter, he’s always been well respected as a defender. Vazquez has played 31 games in the playoffs and has a pair of home runs to his credit as well. In a short series, both Vazquez and Jeffers should be expected to catch a game apiece.

 

Byron Buxton
There's almost no scenario in which Buxton starts a game in the outfield for Minnesota. He was limited to just seven innings in center field when trying to rehab with the Saints, and despite playing in a simulated game at Target Field on Wednesday, his availability is still a massive question mark. He won't be given the designated hitter spot after scuffling at the plate, and Royce Lewis may need the role given his hamstring injury that sidelined him for the final week of the season.

Should the Twins feel confident that Buxton can bring something to the postseason roster, his inclusion will likely be in the form of a right-handed pinch hitter. That would be a substantial bat off the bench against either a righty or lefty, but only because we have seen what he is capable of. The production hasn't been there for quite some time this season, and coming back off such a lengthy stint on the injured list makes his expectations worthy of being tempered at best.

Other options to come off the Twins bench would include Nick Gordon, Trevor Larnach, and Joey Gallo. Minor leaguers such as Austin Martin and Brooks Lee aren't going to be called upon at this point. None of them seem entirely likely though, and giving Baldelli this group to work with should be plenty.

How do you feel the Twins bench stacks up to the competition? Is there someone you’d like to see added that isn’t here?

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[Karbo]

Depending on who they will play and which pitchers I would say there's a chance Larnach gets included. He has hit fairly well recently between St. Paul and up with the Twins. If I see Gallo's name I will have to cry!

[terrydactyls]

The last sentence of the second paragraph about Farmer needs rewriting (I think).  I'm pretty sure he hasn't had a single at bat against "left-handed hitters" all season.

[Parfigliano]

41 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Depending on who they will play and which pitchers I would say there's a chance Larnach gets included. He has hit fairly well recently between St. Paul and up with the Twins. If I see Gallo's name I will have to cry!

If I see Buxton on the playoff roster I will have to cry.

[pierre75275]

In the 3 game series if they carry 14 players and 12 pitchers I think Ober is left off and it will be either Buxton or Stevenson as the 14th player. If the go 15 position players the Buxton and Stevenson are both on the roster and the last pitcher is going to be Funderburk or paddock.

 

I think in the series after the 3 game series and every one after that it's 13 and 13 which means Ober, Paddock and Funderburk all make the roster and, I think, Buxton and Stevenson get left off. Provided of course, Polanco, Correa and Lewis are all healthy enough to play.

It will be interesting to see who makes the cut.

If any of Luplow, Gallo, Stevenson or Buxton make the cut after the 3 game series if we advance, it pry means we went with just 12 pitchers meaning one of Paddock or Funderburk doesn't make the cut, or one of Lewis, Correa or Polonco are too hurt to play or a new injury happened to a position player 

[mikelink45]

Like others I would not take Buxton, Gallo, Gordon, but would take Larnach.  We need someone who has been hitting and has some potential to make a difference. 

[stringer bell]

I think the composition of the bench is dependent on how many pitchers are on the first round active roster. If the Twins keep 11 pitchers, they have room for running and defense specialist Stevenson plus perhaps an all-or-nothing at-bat or two from Buxton. If they have 12 pitchers active, they will have to make tougher decisions.

I think that Kyle Farmer could be the third baseman if Lewis can't go in the field. He's shown the ability to get big hits and is a sound fielder at whatever infield position he plays. Polanco just doesn't look that good at third base and now he's dealing with an ankle injury. 

[Kevin H]

I am just relieved Ludlow is not on the list.

 

[Fatbat]

3 more days of rest/rehab for Lewis. He should be just fine to start at 3rd.  Same thing can be said for C4 at SS. It would be nice to see Buck sit in the dugout and not be used but for the wild card series, it probably makes more sense to roster Stevenson. 

[stringer bell]

30 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

3 more days of rest/rehab for Lewis. He should be just fine to start at 3rd.  Same thing can be said for C4 at SS. It would be nice to see Buck sit in the dugout and not be used but for the wild card series, it probably makes more sense to roster Stevenson. 

I have Stevenson on the playoff roster regardless of whether Buxton is activated. 15 position players—Jeffers, Vázquez, Kirilloff, Solano, Polanco, Julien, Correa, Farmer, Lewis, Castro, Wallner, Taylor, Kepler, Stevenson and Luplow/Buxton. 

[Marcos]

7 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Like others I would not take Buxton, Gallo, Gordon, but would take Larnach.  We need someone who has been hitting and has some potential to make a difference. 

Lmao… understand Gallo and Gordon a no-go but Buxton over Larnach? Grateful you just post and don’t coach 👍

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I have Stevenson on the playoff roster regardless of whether Buxton is activated. 15 position players—Jeffers, Vázquez, Kirilloff, Solano, Polanco, Julien, Correa, Farmer, Lewis, Castro, Wallner, Taylor, Kepler, Stevenson and Luplow/Buxton. 

Don’t see Stevenson on a 14 bat roster……unless Buxton cannot go.

If they have 15 bats, who isn’t rostered as a pitcher?

I’m pretty sure Paddack will throw Saturday……if he doesn’t look sharp, they aren’t going to roster him just because he can hit 97-98 on the top end.

Ober isn’t rostered since he’s starting Sunday.

Who’s in the Pen with 15 bats???

3 starters

Jax-Pagan-Duran-Thielbar-Varland-Maeda -Stewart-Funderburk is what I’d go with.

[Ted Schwerzler]

6 hours ago, Fatbat said:

3 more days of rest/rehab for Lewis. He should be just fine to start at 3rd.  Same thing can be said for C4 at SS. It would be nice to see Buck sit in the dugout and not be used but for the wild card series, it probably makes more sense to roster Stevenson. 

From what I have been told, Correa is a lock. Lewis is a near lock, though not certain at 3B. Buxton could make the roster, and needs to show well Monday, but may be a bench bat. I'd hope to see Stevenson rostered somewhere.

[stringer bell]

34 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Don’t see Stevenson on a 14 bat roster……unless Buxton cannot go.

If they have 15 bats, who isn’t rostered as a pitcher?

I’m pretty sure Paddack will throw Saturday……if he doesn’t look sharp, they aren’t going to roster him just because he can hit 97-98 on the top end.

Ober isn’t rostered since he’s starting Sunday.

Who’s in the Pen with 15 bats???

3 starters

Jax-Pagan-Duran-Thielbar-Varland-Maeda -Stewart-Funderburk is what I’d go with.

Eleven pitchers--López, Gray, Ryan, Maeda, Varland, Paddack, Pagán, Stewart, Thielbar, Jax, Duran. I have Funderburk as the last guy out. 
 

[Doctor Wu]

19 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I think the composition of the bench is dependent on how many pitchers are on the first round active roster. If the Twins keep 11 pitchers, they have room for running and defense specialist Stevenson plus perhaps an all-or-nothing at-bat or two from Buxton. If they have 12 pitchers active, they will have to make tougher decisions.

I think that Kyle Farmer could be the third baseman if Lewis can't go in the field. He's shown the ability to get big hits and is a sound fielder at whatever infield position he plays. Polanco just doesn't look that good at third base and now he's dealing with an ankle injury. 

Castro looks more than capable at third base too. 

[Doctor Wu]

At the start of the season if someone had told me that Solano, Farmer and Castro would be our main bench players (or even starters) going into the playoffs I would have been very skeptical, and not very confident of our chances of advancing in the playoffs. But now, as we enter October,  I'm very happy to have them all on the team and consider their presence a strength. 

[mikelink45]

14 hours ago, Marcos said:

Lmao… understand Gallo and Gordon a no-go but Buxton over Larnach? Grateful you just post and don’t coach 👍

We don't know Buxton's health, he has not been hitting for a long time and he was not hitting that well before he went down.  I don't hate Buxton, I just think you go with a more known bat (if he can't be in the OF Buxton's glove is not part of the equation) and health. 

[Jeff K]

23 hours ago, pierre75275 said:

In the 3 game series if they carry 14 players and 12 pitchers I think Ober is left off and it will be either Buxton or Stevenson as the 14th player. If the go 15 position players the Buxton and Stevenson are both on the roster and the last pitcher is going to be Funderburk or paddock.

 

I think in the series after the 3 game series and every one after that it's 13 and 13 which means Ober, Paddock and Funderburk all make the roster and, I think, Buxton and Stevenson get left off. Provided of course, Polanco, Correa and Lewis are all healthy enough to play.

It will be interesting to see who makes the cut.

If any of Luplow, Gallo, Stevenson or Buxton make the cut after the 3 game series if we advance, it pry means we went with just 12 pitchers meaning one of Paddock or Funderburk doesn't make the cut, or one of Lewis, Correa or Polonco are too hurt to play or a new injury happened to a position player 

I think Paddack makes the roster.  I like Ober, but he is starting today and the Twins probably would like him to eat some innings.  If that happens, he won't be on the roster for the first round.  I love Buxton, but I wouldn't have him on the roster.

[Blyleven2011]

Go with best performer's  that have contributed since Allstar  or when the season officially started ...

Correa and hopefully Lewis too if healthy  , Lewis bat at DH is needed if he can't play infield  ...

It's the front office and Rocco and medical staff contructing the lineup  , can't make everyone happy I'm sure ....

1 game left today  to determine playoff roster ...

Let's get the sweep and get another double digit win ...

[Hashim]

The obvious choices we already know. For the final spots I would go with Ober, Castro, Solano, and Larnach. I would definitely not include Buxton (he’s not healthy enough) and or Joey Gallo. We cannot start Joe Ryan in a game 3, he’s been horrendous recently and can’t stop giving up home runs. He uses his fast ball too much and the movement is not what it used to be. I would start Kenta in a hypothetical game 3 and use Ober and Ryan in relief. I’m comfortable with Kenta starting or in relief, but don’t know who you’d start in a game 3 if not Kenta. 

[Hashim]

21 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I have Stevenson on the playoff roster regardless of whether Buxton is activated. 15 position players—Jeffers, Vázquez, Kirilloff, Solano, Polanco, Julien, Correa, Farmer, Lewis, Castro, Wallner, Taylor, Kepler, Stevenson and Luplow/Buxton. 

Luplow? Oh god nooooooooo. 

[RpR]

48 minutes ago, Hashim said:

Luplow? Oh god nooooooooo. 

Luplow yeeeeeeeeessss.

The team will be full of newbie rookies; a preview of next year.

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, RpR said:

Luplow yeeeeeeeeessss.

The team will be full of newbie rookies; a preview of next year.

I don't know what Luplow has to do with rookies.  His rookie status expired in 2018 and he turned 30 years old last week.

[Schmoeman5]

14 minutes ago, RpR said:

Luplow yeeeeeeeeessss.

The team will be full of newbie rookies; a preview of next year.

Luplow my ask. Without the NEWBIE Rookies performing, the Twins are probably scraping it out with Tigers and Cleveland on the last day of the season. And with a sub .500 record. Your a band wagon jumper. Castro who's awesome but has had to fight for playing time with the Tigers. You act like he's been around for 10 years. He's proven he belongs. Not because the Twins believed in him,because of injuries. He got an opportunity and made the most of it. Before that you dismissed him too.. Luplow has played for 20 other teams. What's he proven? Stevenson. He's played a solid D and has speed. He hasn't barreled a ball yet. I'd take Buxton with a broken leg over those 2. Last year your wonderman was Garlick. Who's it going to be next year?

[RpR]

26 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I don't know what Luplow has to do with rookies.  His rookie status expired in 2018 and he turned 30 years old last week.

OK, newbie / rookies.

He is a rookie on the Twins team.

[RpR]

4 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Luplow my ask. Without the NEWBIE Rookies performing, the Twins are probably scraping it out with Tigers and Cleveland on the last day of the season. And with a sub .500 record. Your a band wagon jumper. Castro who's awesome but has had to fight for playing time with the Tigers. You act like he's been around for 10 years. He's proven he belongs. Not because the Twins believed in him,because of injuries. He got an opportunity and made the most of it. Before that you dismissed him too.. Luplow has played for 20 other teams. What's he proven? Stevenson. He's played a solid D and has speed. He hasn't barreled a ball yet. I'd take Buxton with a broken leg over those 2. Last year your wonderman was Garlick. Who's it going to be next year?

I have no idea what you are whining about, but I  said -- a preview of next year.

IF -- they go pretty far into the post-season, it bodes well for next year, simple as that.

Garlick is now a first baseman; a place where there is no room or reason to bring him up, or he would be here also probably.

[Schmoeman5]

1 minute ago, RpR said:

I have no idea what you are whining about, but I  said -- a preview of next year.

IF -- they go pretty far into the post-season, it bodes well for next year, simple as that.

Garlick is now a first baseman; a place where there is no room or reason to bring him up, or he would be here also probably.

Last year he played outfield. And you touted him as nearly adept as Kepler. What? Did he forget how to play outfield?

[RpR]

Just now, Schmoeman5 said:

Last year he played outfield. And you touted him as nearly adept as Kepler. What? Did he forget how to play outfield?

You are trolling, I NEVER-EVER said he was as adept as Kepler; I remember writing , IF you want to look it up his fielding ability was not as good as some of the others in , LEFT FIELD.

I said earlier this season that some thing went amiss with him as at that time, even in AAA his batting abwas a total disaster.

He got better six  weeks or so ago after they put him on First Base for what ever reason.

[Schmoeman5]

3 minutes ago, RpR said:

You are trolling, I NEVER-EVER said he was as adept as Kepler; I remember writing , IF you want to look it up his fielding ability was not as good as some of the others in , LEFT FIELD.

I said earlier this season that some thing went amiss with him as at that time, even in AAA his batting abwas a total disaster.

He got better six  weeks or so ago after they put him on First Base for what ever reason.

Trolling? That's your middle name. Or bandwagon. Depending on 🤪 the day

[RpR]

28 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Trolling? That's your middle name. Or bandwagon. Depending on 🤪 the day

And so it goes in your world, que sera, sera.