Eight Twins Players Reassigned to Minor League Camp

[Seth Stohs]

Following their 7-1 thrashing of the cross-town Boston Red Sox Tuesday at Hammond Stadium, the Twins announced their first round of spring training cuts. That puts their spring roster at 50 players (plus one on the 60-Day Injured List) remaining. They will need to cut down to their 26-man Opening Day roster in about three more weeks. 

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Patrick Winkel)

On Tuesday, the Twins sent the following players to minor-league camp: 

• LHP Jovani Moran, 
• RHPs Randy Dobnak, Ronny Henriquez, and Ryan Jensen, 
• Catchers Alex Isola and Pat Winkel, 
• Infielder Aaron Sabato, and 
• Outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. 

And as it is spring training for all of us, a quick terminology reminder might be good for all of us, including me. 

These eight players were "reassigned to minor league camp." That means that they are not on the 40-man roster and were spring training invites. When a player from the 40-man roster is sent down to minor-league camp, they will be "optioned to [an affiliate, likely St. Paul or Wichita]."

Typically, the first round of cuts tends to be a group of 40-man roster players who have no chance of making the Opening Day roster. But that isn't the case here. It is also important to remember that when a 40-man roster player is optioned to minor-league spring training, he cannot play in remaining big-league spring training games. However, non-roster players can come over to play in in big-league spring games. They just don't have their own locker at Hammond Stadium anymore. 

There are no real surprises in this group. 

For instance, Jovani Moran had Tommy John surgery near the end of the 2023 season and is not expected to pitch at all in 2024.

If there is a surprise in the group, it's that Randy Dobnak was sent down with this group already. Not that he had any shot at making the Opening Day roster, but more because he had not even pitched in a spring training game. Ronny Henriquez came off the 40-man roster on the same day as Moran. They were both non-tendered but reached minor-league deals to remain with the Twins quickly. The diminutive righty pitched two innings over two outings. He gave up no runs, two hits and struck out one batter this spring. Dobnak and Henriquez will spend the season in St. Paul again. Dobnak will continue to stretch out and work as a starter. He was healthy again last year for the first time in over two years. He made 26 starts and five relief appearances and went 5-9 with a 5.13 ERA. In 126 1/3 innings, he had 61 walks and 115 strikeouts. He is in the third season of his four-year MLB contract. 

Ryan Jensen was claimed by the Twins earlier in the offseason. Then the DFAd him and when he cleared waivers, he was invited to spring training. Between the Cubs and Mariners organizations, and between Double-A and Triple-A, Jensen went 2-8 with a 5.32 ERA. In 64 1/3 innings, he had 78 strikeouts to go with 54 walks. Jensen pitched in three games this spring. In two innings, he gave up six runs on eighth hits and four walks. But he did strikeout out a batter per inning. 

With some pitchers being sent down, and approximately three billion pitchers ready to officially some minor-league spring training, more catchers are needed there. Alex Isola and Pat Winkel were both at Wichita last season. Will be interesting to see where each starts the 2024 season, likely back with the Wind Surge. Isola played in six official games and went 2-for-8. He also had three hits in the exhibition game against the Gophers. Winkel played in five spring games and went 2-for-7 with two doubles.  Winkel was the Twins ninth round pick in 2022 out of U-Conn. He has moved up a level per season. In 88 games a year ago in Wichita, he hit .266/.362/.424 (.787) with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. Meanwhile, Isola has absolutely mashed the last two seasons with the Wind Surge. In 168 Double-A games, he has hit .282/.369/.477 (.847) with 31 doubles, 30 homers and 98 RBI. He has primarily played at first base the last couple of seasons though he still catches some. Will he need to endure another year in Wichita (nothing against Wichita, of course, Isola has just earned his way to St. Paul). 

Aaron Sabato played in six spring games and went 1-for-9 with five strikeouts. He should head back to Wichita where he spent the final month or so of the 2022 season and all of the 2023 season. The burly first baseman played in 77 games for the Wind Surge a year ago (thanks to a broken wrist suffered for the second season in a row). He hit .221/.329/.430 (.759) with 19 doubles and 12 home runs. He went to the Arizona Fall League, and in 18 games tied with fellow Twins prospect Kala'i Rosario for the league lead with seven home runs. 

DaShawn Keirsey played in the exhibition game against the Gophers but not at all in the rest of the spring training games. Last year, he hit .305./.363/.488 (.850) with 17 doubles, five triples and 13 home runs at Wichita before moving up to St. Paul for the final 39 games of his season. At Triple-A, he hit .264/.375/.364 (.739) with a doubles, three triples, and two homers. Combined, he stole 39 bases. He is arguably the fastest players and the top defensive outfielder in the organization. 

The Twins have 50 players in big-league camp including 11 non-roster players. Of the 50, 26 of those are pitchers including five non-roster guys. They still have five catchers (2 non-roster) in camp, 10 infielders (3 non-roster), and two utility players (1 non-roster). And Josh Winder was placed on the 60-Day IL about a week ago. 

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[stringer bell]

I am not surprised by any of these moves. I would comment that the Twins seem to be using far more guys on the roster in games than they have in past years. I don't know if it's because the roster is basically set or because most everyone is healthy and ready to play, or something else. 

[LewFordLives]

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I am not surprised by any of these moves. I would comment that the Twins seem to be using far more guys on the roster in games than they have in past years. I don't know if it's because the roster is basically set or because most everyone is healthy and ready to play, or something else. 

It's still early. They want to give a lot of the fringe guys a chance to show their stuff before their ultimate fate is determined.

[Parfigliano]

Dobnak truely leads a charmed life.  Wonder how many pitchers TC would have to go through before he got called up to MLB?

[DocBauer]

Nothing unexpected here, other than Dobnak not making an appearance and Keirsey only getting in to the Gopher game.

I think Isola should be at St Paul. Camargo will be the primary catcher, and O'Keefe will presumably be the top backup. Williams will also be able to catch some when not at 1B or DH. And while Isola is similar to Williams in areas of play, there's room for both of them on the Saints roster and in the lineup, IMO.

I think Winkel is probably ready for AAA as well, but you don't need 5 guys who can catch. So he probably begins the season at Wichita and they just wait and see when the right time is to move him up? 

Jensen has looked really bad so far.

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

 

Jensen has looked really bad so far.

So has Jordan Balozovic. Really bad.

[PatPfund]

Short of an injury (like DeSclafani?) the whole roster is set except maybe at the end of the bullpen. If Jeffers and Vasquez stay healthy, and the Twins go fishing at the trading deadline, it makes you wonder if a catching prospect might not be on the hook.

[dxpavelka]

I still want to know:  Has any un-drafted college grad advanced to the big leagues quicker than Dobnak?

 

[OBX 3 6 28 29 34]

Thank you Seth--the terminology review and summary are appreciated!

 

[jkcarew]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

Dobnak truely leads a charmed life.  Wonder how many pitchers TC would have to go through before he got called up to MLB?

Right?

About a dozen. I’d say an even 20…plus or minus another half-dozen…in the next TWO years, before the club would pick up the team option in 2026.

But, true to their nature, the Twins will have him cleaning dishes in the cafeteria before they’ll release him and the $5.25M he’s owed between now and then.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Nothing unexpected here, other than Dobnak not making an appearance and Keirsey only getting in to the Gopher game.

I think Isola should be at St Paul. Camargo will be the primary catcher, and O'Keefe will presumably be the top backup. Williams will also be able to catch some when not at 1B or DH. And while Isola is similar to Williams in areas of play, there's room for both of them on the Saints roster and in the lineup, IMO.

I think Winkel is probably ready for AAA as well, but you don't need 5 guys who can catch. So he probably begins the season at Wichita and they just wait and see when the right time is to move him up? 

Jensen has looked really bad so far.

Out of this article the only guy I care about is Kiersey……really thought he’d get some at bats and a few games on the grass. I guess we’ll see if he can be consistent again this year starting in St. Paul - his speed and defensive ability in CF is intriguing, even if he only hits .220 he may have some value by ‘25 with big club.

[DocBauer]

7 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Out of this article the only guy I care about is Kiersey……really thought he’d get some at bats and a few games on the grass. I guess we’ll see if he can be consistent again this year starting in St. Paul - his speed and defensive ability in CF is intriguing, even if he only hits .220 he may have some value by ‘25 with big club.

I'm very intrigued by Keirsey as well. Keep in mind, while he's been "sent down" since he's not on the 40 man, they can still play in some remaining games. I think his "problem" with a lack of ST play time is he didn't get a lot of AAA time last year and he's just behind so many guys in camp right now, including Larnach and the older, more experienced Helman.

I can also see him potentially helping in 2025 as a reserve OF. Margot should be gone and probably Kepler as well. (I'm allowing for a SLIGHT chance Max is re-sign). Wallner in RF, Buxton in CF, Martin in LF, Castro as a super utility player, but then who? Larnach? Helman? Keirsey? I just have a hard time seeing E Rodriguez up with the Twins for 2025, at least to start.

[Eephus]

 Keirsey...I don't think he's in the TD top 20 prospects. He's stealing bases, apparently very good defensively and hit respectably in AAA at the end last season. What is keeping back from a higher ranking? Not debating it, just curious. Too old to be a top prospect?

[mikelink45]

Interesting, but nothing stands out, other than that they still have too many players to sort through when they actually have a pretty set final roster in place. 

[JD-TWINS]

1 minute ago, DocBauer said:

I'm very intrigued by Keirsey as well. Keep in mind, while he's been "sent down" since he's not on the 40 man, they can still play in some remaining games. I think his "problem" with a lack of ST play time is he didn't get a lot of AAA time last year and he's just behind so many guys in camp right now, including Larnach and the older, more experienced Helman.

I can also see him potentially helping in 2025 as a reserve OF. Margot should be gone and probably Kepler as well. (I'm allowing for a SLIGHT chance Max is re-sign). Wallner in RF, Buxton in CF, Martin in LF, Castro as a super utility player, but then who? Larnach? Helman? Keirsey? I just have a hard time seeing E Rodriguez up with the Twins for 2025, at least to start.

I got Kirilloff or Lewis in LF in ‘25 so Lee can play 3B……….if Kirilloff in LF, then Lewis at 1B. Not hearing this from anyone……most here, 90% plus, don’t think there’s a chance Lewis ever moves from 3B.

Margot & Kepler gone……,Farmer & Santana too……. We’ll see how realistic it is for Buxton to be a focal point in CF in another 2-3 more months.

Martin is back & forth from OF & IF - same with Castro. I’m theorizing Lewis at 1B OR LF and playing v. LH a bunch at 3B while Lee rests many of those days. Kirilloff can bounce back & forth between LF & 1B.

With the above 4 off the roster they add Lee - Martin - maybe Miranda?? - Larnach??

A year from now:

Lewis - Buxton/Castro/Martin - Wallner - Larnach

Lee - CC - Julien - Kirilloff/Miranda (Martin/Castro IF & OF)

2 catchers

Larnach/Buxton/Miranda principle guys at DH……..some Lewis & Kirilloff as well.

[JD-TWINS]

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

I got Kirilloff or Lewis in LF in ‘25 so Lee can play 3B……….if Kirilloff in LF, then Lewis at 1B. Not hearing this from anyone……most here, 90% plus, don’t think there’s a chance Lewis ever moves from 3B.

Margot & Kepler gone……,Farmer & Santana too……. We’ll see how realistic it is for Buxton to be a focal point in CF in another 2-3 more months.

Martin is back & forth from OF & IF - same with Castro. I’m theorizing Lewis at 1B OR LF and playing v. LH a bunch at 3B while Lee rests many of those days. Kirilloff can bounce back & forth between LF & 1B.

With the above 4 off the roster they add Lee - Martin - maybe Miranda?? - Larnach??

A year from now:

Lewis - Buxton/Castro/Martin - Wallner - Larnach

Lee - CC - Julien - Kirilloff/Miranda (Martin/Castro IF & OF)

2 catchers

Larnach/Buxton/Miranda principle guys at DH……..some Lewis & Kirilloff as well.

Would not surprise me at all if they don’t try to package Larnach & Miranda in trades sooner than later…. other guys are coming in ‘25…….honestly, not much value there so probably depth guys with options at AAA balance of this year.

Even if the depth Veterans go away after this season, Rodriguez - Keirsey - Hellman - Severino are all going to be pushing to get Miranda & Larnach out of the way.

[DocBauer]

21 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I got Kirilloff or Lewis in LF in ‘25 so Lee can play 3B……….if Kirilloff in LF, then Lewis at 1B. Not hearing this from anyone……most here, 90% plus, don’t think there’s a chance Lewis ever moves from 3B.

Margot & Kepler gone……,Farmer & Santana too……. We’ll see how realistic it is for Buxton to be a focal point in CF in another 2-3 more months.

Martin is back & forth from OF & IF - same with Castro. I’m theorizing Lewis at 1B OR LF and playing v. LH a bunch at 3B while Lee rests many of those days. Kirilloff can bounce back & forth between LF & 1B.

With the above 4 off the roster they add Lee - Martin - maybe Miranda?? - Larnach??

A year from now:

Lewis - Buxton/Castro/Martin - Wallner - Larnach

Lee - CC - Julien - Kirilloff/Miranda (Martin/Castro IF & OF)

2 catchers

Larnach/Buxton/Miranda principle guys at DH……..some Lewis & Kirilloff as well.

We're going to disagree here some, and that's OK. Your opinions are well thought out. I follow your logic.

I think Lewis could jump in to LF tomorrow, or RF for that matter, and be good there immediately. LF has more ground to cover, at least in Target Field, so I'd put him there and let Wallner and his cannon play RF. But Martin, E Rodriguez, Rosario, and Jenkins all might need spots over the next couple of seasons. Personally, I think the 2025 OF will be a bit of a mix and match as I don't see some of those kids ready until 2026. But that doesn't mean the OF will stink. But why put Lewis in LF with what's coming up and "partially" dismantle what might be the best INF in MLB?

IDK If Lewis is at 3B and Lee is at 2B, or vice versa. But a couple knee surgeries and already getting comfortable at 3B, that's where I put Lewis and keep him there. It's easy to allow mediocre or decent defense at 2B with a big bat there. But why not have BOTH with Lee at 2B? 1B is in flux. If Kirilloff can remain healthy going forward, we've seen what he's capable of with the bat. And a healthy Miranda is a 1B/DH/PH and occasional 3B from the RH side of things when Santana is gone for 2025 and beyond. Although, Severino MIGHT be an even better option! Julien can be a 2B/1B/DH option who is OK with the glove. Castro is SO underrated defensively in the INF! And while one of them might be traded, one of Schobel or Keaschall has a chance to be a really good super utility player, and soon, very possibly 2025.

KNOCK ON WOOD, but as long as Buxton doesn't have any additional knee issues going forward, (his previous hip issue seems to be tied to pain and favoring and limping), he's going to be part of the CF equation for the next few years, as well as seeing some time at DH, whether it be 80 games or 120. Wallner is a solid athlete who runs really well once he gets going. I thought he showed much better tracking skills in 2023. Come 2025, he just needs to learn and adjust to RF again, especially considering Target Field is a little odd out there. He covers less ground, has that cannon, and only needs to be average there, but I think he has the potential to be better than that. Again, he's a pretty good athlete. Offensively, I think Wallner is "Gallo like", but I mean that in a good way. Despite rather high K numbers, a young Gallo could also HIT along with his power and good BB skills for a good OB%. Somewhere along the line, Gallo lost all ability to make adjustments and actually HIT. I've already watched enough of Wallner, and followed the adjustments he's made in his milb career, that I believe he will actually HIT. Now, we might only be talking a .240-.250 AVG, with a good OB%, and legit 30 HR power, but I'd take that all day long!

The question for 2025 is LF and a viable backup for Buxton. Enter Martin, who just might be the starting LF NEXT season. He covers CF with Castro as a 3rd option. Just how good his offense might ultimately be is open for debate. And I think that's fair even though there are some who believe he's All Star ready if given a chance. He could be at the top of the lineup against LHP, at the bottom to turn the lineup over against RHP, or a FIXTURE at the #1 spot, possibly pushing Julien down to a better RBI spot. 

Depth is a question mark for the OF in 2025. But again, why disrupt possibly the best INF in MLB as a result? Castro should still be part of the equation. Larnach could still end up as a solid LH bat platoon option. And if you squint just a little, you could see really good 2024 seasons from Helman and Keirsey as reserve/quasi platoon options for depth. And for the NOW, I'm completely being frugal financially and not even considering a trade or cheap FA signing that might help out.

Again, 2026 could easily see E Rodriguez, Rosario, and even Jenkins ready. So why move Lewis if you don't need to? There's room in the INF to have the best of all worlds, and still have a solid OF, overall.

Of course, we know there is ALWAYS the possibility of trades. And that wrecks all speculation, lol. But I'd rather construct the best INF in all of MLB and for 2025 and piece together the best overall OF I could for 1 year.

[DocBauer]

53 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Would not surprise me at all if they don’t try to package Larnach & Miranda in trades sooner than later…. other guys are coming in ‘25…….honestly, not much value there so probably depth guys with options at AAA balance of this year.

Even if the depth Veterans go away after this season, Rodriguez - Keirsey - Hellman - Severino are all going to be pushing to get Miranda & Larnach out of the way.

Honestly, if I were a rebuilding team going nowhere, I'd be really interested in a package of Larnach and Miranda as long as I had a good arm coming back also, for a solid young SP that I probably couldn't afford in a couple years. Thinking A's-like if they had someone.

Larnach playing every day may or may not ever hit the way I want him to, but he might blast 20HR and 30Dbls while hitting. 225 with a semi decent OB%. And might do better. A fully healthy Miranda...and he's looking good so far in ST...is young enough and has enough potential he might be a huge steal coming off injury to be my 1B/DH and still play some 3B. And if the Twins threw in a top 10-15 arm, maybe a lower level sweetener, I might move that young arm with potential that I can't afford 2yrs from now when the rebuild is just taking hold.

But who that team might be and who that arm might be is a mystery to me. I'm just saying, hypothetically, I'm not sure you're wrong.

[Seth Stohs]

2 hours ago, Eephus said:

 Keirsey...I don't think he's in the TD top 20 prospects. He's stealing bases, apparently very good defensively and hit respectably in AAA at the end last season. What is keeping back from a higher ranking? Not debating it, just curious. Too old to be a top prospect?

Drafted out of college. Was hurt a bunch his first couple of seasons in the minors, plus the lost 2020 season. Came on strong in 2022 and more in 2023. But, he's 26ish, almost 27, so age matters in prospect rankings. But that still doesn't mean he can't be a valuable MLB player in a role. 

[jmlease1]

I hope Sabato saved his signing bonus and invested it carefully.

[old nurse]

14 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Dobnak truely leads a charmed life.  Wonder how many pitchers TC would have to go through before he got called up to MLB?

What is charmed about rupturing a tendon and basically losing your career at this point? 

[Kenny Powers]

I'm keeping an eye on Ronny Henriquez.  He's still only 23.  He's been listed as a top prospect for the last five years.  I saw he hit 96.7 mph in one of his spring games this year.  He's generated a lot of strikeouts in his minor league career (over 10 K/9) and most of that was as a starter.  He's one of many interesting arms they will have at AAA.  Don't sleep on him just yet.

[miracleb]

9 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Drafted out of college. Was hurt a bunch his first couple of seasons in the minors, plus the lost 2020 season. Came on strong in 2022 and more in 2023. But, he's 26ish, almost 27, so age matters in prospect rankings. But that still doesn't mean he can't be a valuable MLB player in a role. 

Not sure why Keirsey is not getting any love from the Twin's brass.  Several tools that would already play well in the major leagues and his bat has now come around the last few years as well.  Why he doesn't have at least 10-15 at bats right now in spring training is just odd.  Injured?

[Otaknam]

The Dobnak contract was always a head scratcher to me. He was basically a four inning starter with marginal success, yet the FO thought that he had earned a four year $9+ million contract. Remember when most starters actually pitched more than 200 innings and had multiple complete games? Me neither! 

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

13 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Right?

About a dozen. I’d say an even 20…plus or minus another half-dozen…in the next TWO years, before the club would pick up the team option in 2026.

But, true to their nature, the Twins will have him cleaning dishes in the cafeteria before they’ll release him and the $5.25M he’s owed between now and then.

 

8 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

The Dobnak contract was always a head scratcher to me. He was basically a four inning starter with marginal success, yet the FO thought that he had earned a four year $9+ million contract. Remember when most starters actually pitched more than 200 innings and had multiple complete games? And the front line starters were expected to pitch 250 innings. Me neither! 

Why would they release him? He's not on the 40-man and the contract is guaranteed.

Always been a little odd to me that people continue to pick at this contract. Less than 2 million a year for a guy who looked like he could be a decent #5 starter before injuries derailed his career. It's really not worth getting upset over at all. 

[jmlease1]

10 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

The Dobnak contract was always a head scratcher to me. He was basically a four inning starter with marginal success, yet the FO thought that he had earned a four year $9+ million contract. Remember when most starters actually pitched more than 200 innings and had multiple complete games? And the front line starters were expected to pitch 250 innings. Me neither! 

Context matters. Sure, Dobnak was basically a "5 and Fly" pitcher, but he was also effective before the injuries basically ruined his career...and the Twins were notably very short on pitching when they signed him to that deal. Locking down a starting pitcher for 4 years at $2M per season looked like it might be really nice business at a time when guys like Lance Lynn would come in at $12M for a season and not even want to be here and we were trying to piece together rotations with Martin Perez and hoping Pineda could get through a season, or trying to claw something together with Dylan Bundy and Chris Archer. The Dobnak deal didn't work out because of injuries, but it wasn't a crazy idea and you can't predict injuries, especially one like a tendon rupture.

If Dobnak is healthy this season, he could be good insurance against a run of starting pitcher injuries.

[roger]

Interesting that these cuts were mostly guys who are not on the 40-man.  Expect that is due primarily to the fact that the last few spots on the 40-man are players who have a legitimate chance to make this year's roster.  In the past, there were many players on the 40-man who the team really didn't want on the big club's roster.

Interesting seeing the spring Camarago is having.  Thinking back to last year, not certain who the Twins would have called up should either Vasquez or Jeffers been injured.  Seriously doubt they will get thru 2024 without needing that third catcher.  Sure looks like Camarago is an excellent prospect to have at AAA, a player who appears about ready to help the Twins.  I recall he was acquired in a trade several years ago, likely considered by most of us as a throw-in.  To be honest, I don't recall which trade it was.  Is a good example that those unknown "throw-ins" someday work out real well.  Will that pitcher we got in the Polanco trade be one?

[USAFChief]

33 minutes ago, roger said:

Interesting that these cuts were mostly guys who are not on the 40-man.  Expect that is due primarily to the fact that the last few spots on the 40-man are players who have a legitimate chance to make this year's roster.  In the past, there were many players on the 40-man who the team really didn't want on the big club's roster.

Interesting seeing the spring Camarago is having.  Thinking back to last year, not certain who the Twins would have called up should either Vasquez or Jeffers been injured.  Seriously doubt they will get thru 2024 without needing that third catcher.  Sure looks like Camarago is an excellent prospect to have at AAA, a player who appears about ready to help the Twins.  I recall he was acquired in a trade several years ago, likely considered by most of us as a throw-in.  To be honest, I don't recall which trade it was.  Is a good example that those unknown "throw-ins" someday work out real well.  Will that pitcher we got in the Polanco trade be one?

Camargo came along with Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers before the 2020 season. Brusdar Graterol, Luke Raley and a draft pick went the other way. 

[DJL44]

15 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

I still want to know:  Has any un-drafted college grad advanced to the big leagues quicker than Dobnak?

Plenty of them before there was a draft.

[DJL44]

3 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

I hope Sabato saved his signing bonus and invested it carefully.

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