Born in '97

[stringer bell]

Discussing the relative merits of several players since the Twins were eliminated from postseason, I took a look at their 40-man roster and the ages of the players. There is a significant number of Twins on the 40-man roster born in 1997. Ten, all told, among them current hot topics of Alex Kirilloff and Louie Varland. 10 of 34 on the roster were born in the same year. It would seem these 25 and 26-year-olds will have a lot to say about the Twins' immediate future.

Looking at the group, there are five pitchers (Canterino, Headrick, Moran, Sands and Varland) and five position players (Castro, Jeffers, Kirilloff, Larnach and Wallner). The most experienced player is Castro, with over four years of big-league experience. The least experienced is Canterino, who has yet to throw his first major league pitch. All but Castro are homegrown--drafted and developed by the Twins.

I don't know if there is analysis when players make their biggest improvement. I've often heard that 27-30 are the peak years for MLB players. This large group of players should be due to step up as soon as 2024.

The other thing that occurred to me is some guys are still prospects or not established, while others seem to have been around for quite a while (Kirilloff, Moran and Larnach) and are approaching "make or break" time. Some of that might have to do with how long the respective players have been in the organization. Kirilloff, for example, was signed out of high school and was in the minors at 18. Most of the other guys were signed out of college. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

This is due to the "Marty Cordova Effect".

After his 111 RBI season in 1996, fertility rates across America skyrocketed for months.

[Riverbrian]

I've always heard that 27 is the peak age for a baseball player. Never seen data on it. Just heard it and then thought to myself... OK... 27 is the peak age for a baseball player but I've always assumed that individual players will peak at their own individual time so I've never worried about the accuracy.  

However, the way that baseball is structured. More so than age... Options... Options tend to toll a lot louder than father time itself. 

Options give you time to allow for further development if the player looks worth of investment. At the age of 27... you'd like to see them MLB productive by that age, the best players are already in a major league uniform but those options do allow teams to store players that may be ready right now in the minors and teams would be foolish to not store players that may be ready right in the minors because you will need them when in injuries occur.

In other words... it may not be (entirely) Larnach's fault or his lack of talent that he isn't settled in a major league uniform at this time. The CBA practically demands that teams utilize every last option on players like Larnach for injury depth.    

Once a player runs out of options like Gordon. That requires performance right now. They must justify that 26 man roster spot.  

Canterino has 3 options remaining, We got time with him. Even father time.  

Jeffers, Wallner, Varland, Headrick have 2 options remaining. I doubt that Jeffers see the minors for a long time. Wallner or Varland could see St. Paul if they struggle.   

Castro, Larnach, Kirilloff, Moran, Sands have 1 option left. These 5 can be held in the minor leagues for 1 more season before they must be placed on the 26 man roster or exposed to other teams.

For Castro, Larnach, Kirilloff, Moran and Sands. I think Kirilloff and Castro are in pretty good shape but for Larnach, Moran and Sands especially... This is a big year for them. The clock for these guys is ticking like Marisa Tomei's biological clock in My Cousin Vinny. 

[Nine of twelve]

No data to support this thought, but my guess would be that a baseball player's peak age is about 30. Physical skills may be starting to drop a little, but baseball has so many nuances that experience is a bigger factor than in other sports.

[lecroy24fan]

I would caution that players who lost the 2020 season should be afforded an extra year of leeway here.