2024 Minnesota Twins Position Battles: The Final Bench Spot

[Ted Schwerzler]

When the Minnesota Twins break camp next month, they will seek a well-rounded 26-man roster. The group has an opportunity to be better than a season ago, which means getting quality production from every player on the roster. Who will round out the bench?

Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Plenty has been done to the Twins' pitching staff this offseason, even if they're not the kind of moves for which we all hoped. With Anthony DeSclafani joining the rotation and Justin Topa, Jay Jackson, Josh Staumont, and Steven Okert inserted into the bullpen, new arms have been added. Jorge Polanco and Nick Gordon have been subtracted from the player group in that process, which opens up opportunities for new names to fill their roles.

Heading into spring training, the expectation should be that three of the four bench roles are filled. Kyle Farmer, Willi Castro, and Christian Vázquez will all make Rocco Baldelli’s roster, barring some unforeseen circumstances. That means one final bench spot is open, and who gets it remains up in the air.

The Favorite: Trevor Larnach
At this point, it stands to reason that Larnach is the favorite to land the 26th spot on the Twins' Opening Day roster. He was the starting left fielder to begin the campaign a season ago, but has been overtaken by Minnesota native Matt Wallner. There’s a path forward for Larnach, but it involves him finding his footing exceptionally quickly.

The power has not translated to his professional game, and with just 20 home runs in 188 career games, he hasn’t shown enough punch to make up for the punchouts. Now 27 years old, Larnach has been shuttled between the minors and majors and had miserable injury luck, which hasn’t given him a great opportunity to settle in. Still, though, he is running out of chances, and now, in his final option year, this may be the last look he gets. As a rotational player, he’ll need to be ready to go any time his number is called, and that’s a tough ask.

Of course, a free agent could replace Larnach. He is a left-handed hitter, as are both Wallner and Max Kepler. His inclusion on the roster risks redundancy, and he doesn’t play center field. As long as Michael A. Taylor remains unsigned, Larnach’s spot could be threatened most by someone currently outside of the organization.

The Contenders: Niko Goodrum, Austin Martin, José Miranda
Brought in as a non-roster invitee, Goodrum returns to the Twins organization with over 400 big-league games to his credit. He hasn’t gotten a real run at the major league level since 2021, and he’s been below-average offensively every season outside of 2018. Still, he provides a substantial amount of utility, and Minnesota may find that valuable from three of their four bench spots.

Unlike Goodrum, Martin and Miranda are both on the 40-man roster. The former is nearly a finished product on the farm, and he could be immediately expected to play center behind Byron Buxton. Both are right-handed hitters, but Buxton is a reverse-split hitter, allowing Martin to filter in. Martin will likely go to Triple-A briefly to start the year, but a strong spring could change those plans.

A year ago, there was hope that Miranda could follow up on his impressive rookie campaign with a solid sophomore season. However, he was hurt during spring training and never got it right. Now first base is expected to be manned by Alex Kirilloff and Carlos Santana, while the hot corner has become Royce Lewis’s position. Miranda could be a post-hype player who forces himself back into the equation, but he’s facing an uphill battle almost everywhere, and that’s without considering the adjustments he needs to make.

Waiting in the Wings: Anthony Prato, Michael Helman, DaShawn Keirsey Jr., Yunior Severino
This group includes a host of non-roster guys who could be deployed as bench options. Severino is the outlier, but he, too, isn’t a prospect who would need to be promoted for guaranteed playing time. Massive power has also come with substantial strikeout rates, and he’s not a good defender. Severino could eventually be promoted as a rotation type, requiring him to sit for stretches.

With Prato and Helman, Minnesota has a pair of high-performing prospects who are relatively tapped out. Their ceilings aren’t immense, but they have shown an ability to produce on the farm. Both have seen significant success at Triple-A, and despite Prato being awful at Double-A before his promotion last year, he was among the Saints' best hitters. Injuries have held back Helman, but expecting him to return to form seems logical. Keirsey has hit more than expected, and he’s a strong defender in center. If the Twins need someone as a defense-first outfielder and Keirsey has a strong spring, he could fit the bill.

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Who ultimately takes the final bench spot, and which of the other names mentioned do you think we see at Target Field this season?

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[Cory Engelhardt]

I’m curious why Larnach is the favorite here. Where would he play, and when (if everyone is healthy.) Of the players you mention, Martin makes the most sense, that said I’d argue the real favorite should be listed as tbd/not yet in the organization 

[DJL44]

The favorite is someone not currently on the 40-man roster. None of the players mentioned are Plan A.

[nicksaviking]

8 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I’m curious why Larnach is the favorite here. Where would he play, and when (if everyone is healthy.) Of the players you mention, Martin makes the most sense, that said I’d argue the real favorite should be listed as tbd/not yet in the organization 

Has this current front office opened the season with a player with no MLB experience on the roster? Perhaps, but I don't recall one. 

I'd rather it be Miranda but the Santana signing probably makes that impossible.

And pleeeeeeeease don't let it be Goodrum.

If on the slim chance they DO pick an actual guy with no service time, I'd bet it's the guy who actually plays CF as his primary position, Keirsey. I'd guess they'd have fewer qualms about him riding pine over Martin too.

[Gamblerssoftball]

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The favorite is someone not currently on the 40-man roster. None of the players mentioned are Plan A.

Your probably right, but you sound so certain about it. Is there something you've heard that makes you think that?

[chpettit19]

21 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I’m curious why Larnach is the favorite here. Where would he play, and when (if everyone is healthy.) Of the players you mention, Martin makes the most sense, that said I’d argue the real favorite should be listed as tbd/not yet in the organization 

Wouldn't he be the opening day DH against righties right now?

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

Wouldn't he be the opening day DH against righties right now?

Possibly, Kirilloff could be that too if Santana is playing 1b. Or Julien could be that if Lee looks great this spring. I guess we will find out

[chpettit19]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

Possibly, Kirilloff could be that too if Santana is playing 1b. Or Julien could be that if Lee looks great this spring. I guess we will find out

Santana is terrible against righties so I sure hope they aren't planning on playing him everyday. I don't think Lee has any shot at the opening day roster unless there's a 60-day IL stint somewhere and an injury to an infielder (could be same IL player). He's not on the 40-man and I don't see this FO dropping depth to force Lee onto the opening day roster. I expect a MAT signing eventually, but as of right now I think it makes sense to have Larnach as the favorite.

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

Santana is terrible against righties so I sure hope they aren't planning on playing him everyday. I don't think Lee has any shot at the opening day roster unless there's a 60-day IL stint somewhere and an injury to an infielder (could be same IL player). He's not on the 40-man and I don't see this FO dropping depth to force Lee onto the opening day roster. I expect a MAT signing eventually, but as of right now I think it makes sense to have Larnach as the favorite.

That could be. We will see how Miranda looks too right? But I’d imagine another addition, or more, is coming.

Cant completely count Larnach out either, for sure.

But yeah, there are 40 man moves that can be made. That won’t be an issue whenever Lee is ready, whether it be opening day or May

[chpettit19]

If Niko Goodrum wins this job out of spring I'm going to be very nervous about the season. Either there's injuries all over the roster or he beat out multiple guys on the 40-man and all the rest of the mid- to late-20s "prospects" we've been talking about all winter. That'd be more shocking than Willi Castro earning a job last spring. 

[Nashvilletwin]

10 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Wouldn't he be the opening day DH against righties right now?

Geez, I’d hope not. Our DH against righties (75% of starts) would bat 9th and can’t hit an off speed pitch?  That would be a disaster.   
 

 

[chpettit19]

4 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

That could be. We will see how Miranda looks too right? But I’d imagine another addition, or more, is coming.

Cant completely count Larnach out either, for sure.

But yeah, there are 40 man moves that can be made. That won’t be an issue whenever Lee is ready, whether it be opening day or May

Definitely interested to see what Miranda looks like this spring, but from the statements he's made recently it sounds like his shoulder still isn't right. If he beats out Larnach with a bum shoulder it's probably time to cut Larnach loose (they wouldn't actually, but that's finally the last realistic nail in his Twins coffin). 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just now, chpettit19 said:

Definitely interested to see what Miranda looks like this spring, but from the statements he's made recently it sounds like his shoulder still isn't right. If he beats out Larnach with a bum shoulder it's probably time to cut Larnach loose (they wouldn't actually, but that's finally the last realistic nail in his Twins coffin). 

See, they both have an option still, so both Miranda and Larnach can start at St. Paul. It’s not a need to have to trade either right now.

 

[farmerguychris]

I feel pretty confident this will sort itself out due to spring injuries.  

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Geez, I’d hope not. Our DH against righties (75% of starts) would bat 9th and can’t hit an off speed pitch?  That would be a disaster.   
 

 

Who's the better option? His .741 career OPS against righties isn't impressive at all, but I don't see them giving Castro an everyday job and Santana hasn't cracked a .730 OPS against righties in years. His big bounce back year last year was a .727 OPS against them after having been in the .650 range the 2 previous seasons. This team doesn't have a DH right now. It's why I'm so confused that people are convinced there's no opening on the offense. Trevor Larnach is probably the opening day DH against righties right now.

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Definitely interested to see what Miranda looks like this spring, but from the statements he's made recently it sounds like his shoulder still isn't right. If he beats out Larnach with a bum shoulder it's probably time to cut Larnach loose (they wouldn't actually, but that's finally the last realistic nail in his Twins coffin). 

If Larnach doesn't make this team, it means the Twins missed their window to trade him for decent equity. They had three years to move a guy who was a top prospect yet pretty redundant. If he's sent down to start the year, than he's shown next to nothing and is optionless after this season. They'd only be able to trade him for peanuts.

Another example of why the team shouldn't cling so tight to the top prospects thinking they're so much more likely to produce than the 2nd and 3rd tier prospects.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

See, they both have an option still, so both Miranda and Larnach can start at St. Paul. It’s not a need to have to trade either right now.

 

Oh, I'm certainly not suggesting trading either of them. Just saying based on the current 40-man roster Larnach is the clear favorite for the opening day roster because Miranda still isn't healthy and this FO doesn't tend to hand opening day roster spots to guys who haven't debuted yet. Martin isn't a likely ROY candidate so even if he "wins" the job in spring I'd bet he spends 2 weeks in St Paul "working on his defense" to get them another year of control. 

I expect them to bring in a veteran I'm not excited about sometime before opening day and that guy pushes Larnach to AAA with Miranda and Martin and the rest of those guys. But if Miranda's shoulder still isn't right and he beats out Larnach it's probably a sign that Larnach just isn't going to have a career here since those 2 are the best bets for making the opening day roster as things stand at this very moment.

[Nashvilletwin]

Ted accurately describes the extent of our “bench” on the farm to be called up in case of injury (excluding Lee, of course). Not a bad set of choices, really.
 

Each could have a case for the final spot.  Another addition is probably the front runner.  But in the event we stand pat, it will all come down to who performs best in ST and, to a lesser extent, Buxton’s health (in which case, the final spot must go to someone who can play CF). Miranda and Severino probably have the toughest path in any event. 

Sure wish we had Steer or CES in the role, but, alas, we gave them away for less than a bag of magic beans,

[tony&rodney]

Larnach definitely makes sense as a DH, but provides little defensive value and he doesn't really hit breaking balls from right handed pitchers consistently. I feel for Trevor and feel the Twins should allow him a shot at making a MLB roster on another team.

The comments that suggest the Twins will not use a rookie as the 26th person are almost certainly correct. Despite that surety, I would favor one of Martin, Prato, Helman, and maybe even Kiersey Jr. for defense and pinch running. Save the payroll from pointless additions. Sure we all wanted a TOR guy, but the roster looks fine.

[Doctor Gast]

Larnach has had a lot of positive hype. IMO they'll give him one more chance to prove himself & be traded if he can't he'll be forgotten & they'll bring up Martin.

[Cory Engelhardt]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Oh, I'm certainly not suggesting trading either of them. Just saying based on the current 40-man roster Larnach is the clear favorite for the opening day roster because Miranda still isn't healthy and this FO doesn't tend to hand opening day roster spots to guys who haven't debuted yet. Martin isn't a likely ROY candidate so even if he "wins" the job in spring I'd bet he spends 2 weeks in St Paul "working on his defense" to get them another year of control. 

I expect them to bring in a veteran I'm not excited about sometime before opening day and that guy pushes Larnach to AAA with Miranda and Martin and the rest of those guys. But if Miranda's shoulder still isn't right and he beats out Larnach it's probably a sign that Larnach just isn't going to have a career here since those 2 are the best bets for making the opening day roster as things stand at this very moment.

You say Miranda is not healthy. I know he wasn’t throwing as of a week ago, but he was hitting. It’ll be interesting to see what he looks like hitting wise. If he can get back to anything resembling his 2022 season, his bat will play right?

[Nashvilletwin]

5 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Who's the better option? His .741 career OPS against righties isn't impressive at all, but I don't see them giving Castro an everyday job and Santana hasn't cracked a .730 OPS against righties in years. His big bounce back year last year was a .727 OPS against them after having been in the .650 range the 2 previous seasons. This team doesn't have a DH right now. It's why I'm so confused that people are convinced there's no opening on the offense. Trevor Larnach is probably the opening day DH against righties right now.

That may be the case.  But it still doesn’t mean what I wrote is incorrect - he’d probably (or should) bat 9th and he can’t hit an off speed pitch. I’d think Martin with a higher OBP and speed even as a right handed hitter might be a better option. 

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Another example of why the team shouldn't cling so tight to the top prospects thinking they're so much more likely to produce than the 2nd and 3rd tier prospects.

I agree if the return is worthy. However, not all of the top prospects are similar. Larnach was never one to run the bases or provide strong defense. When he hit, Trevor was described as a capable outfielder. Maybe this is Gabriel Gonzalez, not sure yet. EmRod can fly, has a big arm, and plays an outstanding centerfield and his power is prodigious. Can he hit? I suspect many names were exchanged this offseason in a futile attempt to complete a trade. I suggested a Trevor Larnach and Spencer Steer trade three years ago .... for Edward Cabrera. No reason to believe that would have worked out though either. Your point is valid though.

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

You say Miranda is not healthy. I know he wasn’t throwing as of a week ago, but he was hitting. It’ll be interesting to see what he looks like hitting wise. If he can get back to anything resembling his 2022 season, his bat will play right?

If you can't throw you're not healthy. And I'm no Dr so what do I really know, but didn't he also say half the time his shoulder hurt after hitting? That doesn't sound like a guy I want on my opening day roster. Still plenty of time to go before opening day, but if a guy who can't throw and has pain after hitting half the time beats you out it's probably the end of the road for you.

I like Miranda. I actually think he's being overlooked by many on the TD threads (what have you done for me lately mixed with offseason hope fest with prospects), but I don't think his bat is DH only good. He's going to need to figure out the glove if he wants to earn an everyday job, I think. His 2022 114 OPS+ isn't DH worthy. But it is certainly roster worthy if he's healthy and back to a more disciplined hitter.

[Nashvilletwin]

11 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Who's the better option? His .741 career OPS against righties isn't impressive at all, but I don't see them giving Castro an everyday job and Santana hasn't cracked a .730 OPS against righties in years. His big bounce back year last year was a .727 OPS against them after having been in the .650 range the 2 previous seasons. This team doesn't have a DH right now. It's why I'm so confused that people are convinced there's no opening on the offense. Trevor Larnach is probably the opening day DH against righties right now.

Actually, I think Buxton has reverse splits and Rocco wants his bat in the lineup.  There’s a decent chance on the 50% of days he’s not starting in CF (and those days will always be against RHs) Buxton DHs about 1/2 the time.  Castro gets those starts and Martin would be the logical choice to be the last player. 
 

But your point is an excellent one - we have a hole at DH against RHs. Let’s see how the FO solves it. 

[stringer bell]

34 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Wouldn't he be the opening day DH against righties right now?

Either Larnach or Santana. Also possible: Willi Castro in the lineup somewhere and a presumed regular as the DH, for example Julien, Lewis, Wallner, Buxton. Kepler.

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

That may be the case.  But it still doesn’t mean what I wrote is incorrect - he’d probably (or should) bat 9th and he can’t hit an off speed pitch. I’d think Martin with a higher OBP and speed even as a right handed hitter might be a better option. 

I don't think they're handing Martin an opening day job. At best he's likely looking at a minimum of 2 weeks in St Paul to get an extra year of control. If Larnach hasn't figured out how to hit an off speed pitch it's probably the end of the line for him, but this article is about a spring position battle for the last bench spot and I think Larnach is the clear favorite for that because he's likely the opening day DH as of right now. Not ideal and it's why I still strongly dislike the Polanco trade. But I agree he's far less encouraging than I'd like in that spot right now.

[stringer bell]

31 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Santana is terrible against righties so I sure hope they aren't planning on playing him everyday. I don't think Lee has any shot at the opening day roster unless there's a 60-day IL stint somewhere and an injury to an infielder (could be same IL player). He's not on the 40-man and I don't see this FO dropping depth to force Lee onto the opening day roster. I expect a MAT signing eventually, but as of right now I think it makes sense to have Larnach as the favorite.

Santana had a .727 OPS against right handed pitching. I believe that is pretty close to league average. Kirilloff was better, obviously, but I doubt we'll see AK pinch hitting for Santana much. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

Either Larnach or Santana. Also possible: Willi Castro in the lineup somewhere and a presumed regular as the DH, for example Julien, Lewis, Wallner, Buxton. Kepler.

I want nothing to do with Santana hitting everyday against righties. But I do acknowledge that it's likely in the plans for him to hit against them way more than I'd like. Castro is an interesting guy to me. He thrived in a limited role, but that "thriving" was a league average hitter overall. What is he really? Do they really want him in an everyday role as a starter? I don't think it's out of the question, but it'll be interesting to see what he looks like this year.

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Santana had a .727 OPS against right handed pitching. I believe that is pretty close to league average. Kirilloff was better, obviously, but I doubt we'll see AK pinch hitting for Santana much. 

And his 2 years before that were .655 and .636. He's 38. His big bounce back was "pretty close to league average." As a 1B/DH "pretty close to league average" isn't cutting it. Especially at the age of 38 with his 2 previous seasons being well below league average. I don't think their plan should be to have Santana in the lineup everyday against righties. They should be able to do better than that at a bat first or bat only position.