Four Twins Position Players Optioned

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins traveled north to Lakeland to take on the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday afternoon. Four of the players returned with the news that they have been optioned and will report to minor-league camp. 

Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA Today Sports (photo of Camargo), Sam Navarro-USA Today Sports (photo of Martin)

On Tuesday afternoon, the Minnesota Twins announced that four players were optioned and will soon report to minor-league camp. Some of the organization's top offensive prospects will begin the season in the minor leagues, but it's possible we could see each get time with the Twins in the 2024 season. 

Twins Daily's #3 prospect, outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez, was optioned to Double-A Wichita. During his first big league spring training, he went 4-for-21. He went .190/.292/.333 (.625) with one home run. He had three walks and 13 strikeouts. Along with being the #3 Twins prospect, the 21-year-old center fielder is a consensus Top 100 prospect in baseball. Last year, he played in 99 games with the Cedar Rapids Kernels and hit .240/.400/.463 (.863) with 13 doubles, nine triples, and 16 home runs. He added three huge home runs in helping the Kernels win the Midwest League championship. Rodriguez will walk a lot, strike out a lot, and hit for power. 

Twins Daily's #7 prospect, Austin Martin was optioned to St. Paul. Finally healthy, Martin had a solid run with the Saints. In 59 games, he hit .263/.387/.405 (.791) with 11 doubles, six homers, and 16 stolen bases. This spring, Martin spent time at second base, left, and center field. In 10 games, he went 5-for-24. The Vanderbilt alum hit .208/.321/.250 (.571) with a double and three walks. He also did a really good job defensively and showed that he should be ready for a call-up when needed. 

Yunior Severino, the #16 prospect at Twins Daily, was optioned the St. Paul as well. After leading minor-league ball with 35 home runs in 2023, the Twins added him to the 40-man roster. He went just 1-for-15 over 12 spring games. He hit .067/.067/.125 (.192) with one walk and eight strikeouts in  16 plate appearances. He played first base, second base, and third base during the spring training. In 2023, he played in 84 games in Wichita before he finished the season with 36 games in St. Paul. Combined, he hit .272/.352/.546 (.898) with 17 doubles, three triples, and 35 home runs. 

Finally, catcher Jair Camargo was optioned to St. Paul. He played in 90 games for the Saints in 2023 and hit .259/.323/.503 (.826) with 16 doubles and 21 home runs. Camargo likes to swing the bat. He had just 29 walks to go with 119 strikeouts. But Camargo has really made big strides the last couple of seasons with the power. He's also come a long way defensively. He is a good athlete with a very strong arm. He has improved his pitch calling and works very well with pitchers. Last year, Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez stayed healthy. If either spends time on the Injured List, Camargo will be the guy. This spring, Camargo played in nine games. He went 5-for-21 and hit .238/.273/.476 (.749) with two doubles and a homer. 

There are now 46 active players in Twins spring training, 22 pitchers, five catchers, 10 infielders, seven outfielders, and two utility players. There are 10 non-roster players. 

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What are your thoughts on these four players optioned on Tuesday. What role do you see each contributing for the Twins in 2024 and beyond? 

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[beckmt]

I suspect a few like Miranda are being kept around hoping they do very well and can be turned in for other assets. Twins should have a few in this group (laurach, maybe Kirloff, and a few relief pitchers).  Only time will tell.  

[Fatbat]

I doubt a trade will take place anytime soon for a front line SP but it sure seems like we have plenty of assets to trade for one.  I really like the probable 26 man and the depth in AAA. 

[Al from SoDak]

The depth seems way way better that 10-15 years ago. Seriously depth is important. 

[Guest]

My thoughts?

Yunior Severino, the #16 prospect at Twins Daily, was optioned the St. Paul as well. After leading minor-league ball with 35 home runs in 2023, the Twins added him to the 40-man roster. He went just 1-for-15 over 12 spring games. He hit .067/.067/.125 (.192) with one walk and eight strikeouts in  16 plate appearances. He played first base, second base, and third base during the spring training. In 2023, he played in 84 games in Wichita before he finished the season with 36 games in St. Paul. Combined, he hit .272/.352/.546 (.898) with 17 doubles, three triples, and 35 home runs. 

Even though it is sss I guess it is good that he is a prospect.  Hopefully he gets it together in AAA and shows he is worthy obf being a prospect.

[FlyingFinn]

Camargo will definitely return. The odds of the Twins having no injuries at catcher for two straight years aren't high.

[The Mad King]

Where does Severino play in St Paul? 

[FlyingFinn]

5 minutes ago, The Mad King said:

Where does Severino play in St Paul?

3B and 1B with Miranda.

[Brett]

Interesting, I thought Martin might get a longer look.

[bean5302]

Just now, Brett said:

Interesting, I thought Martin might get a longer look.

Me too, but once the Twins signed Margot, Martin was a long shot as it clearly pushed Martin/Castro into an infield only scenario.

[PDX Twin]

Quote

During his first big league spring training, he went 4-for-21. He went .190/.292/.333 (.625) with one home run. He had three walks and 13 strikeouts. 

13 strikeouts in 21 at-bats. Sounds like he'll fit right in with the Twins' other "unwatchables!"

[Heymel]

Kind of thought Severino might have some holes in his swing. We saw him in the cages the first Saturday of spring training. he was hitting right next to Larnach and ball sounded totally different coming off his bat when he connects. Hope he gets that figured out. he'd be fun to watch.

 

 

[IaBeanCounter]

How is Camargo rated defensively 

[RpR]

44 minutes ago, IaBeanCounter said:

How is Camargo rated defensively 

[Seth Stohs]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

3B and 1B with Miranda.

and some 2B and DH. 

[DocBauer]

This seems about right to me with roughly 2 weeks left in ST.

The Saints need these next couple of weeks for the team to gel and work together. Instead of getting a couple AB in a ML game, guys like Martin and Severino will play more and ramp up. Camargo gets to do the same, but also work more closely with the arms he's going to catch. The Twins still have 3 non roster catchers to work with the arms in camp. 

In regard to Martin, this is good for him. He gets to play more of a full game and work on driving the ball. It's NOT about power, just barreling up more to drive the ball for singles, doubles, and a few HR. He took a real upturn in his projectible status in the AFL and his limited AAA time. But he can't just "walk" his way in to a ML job.

Camargo has improved his bat SO MUCH in the last 2yrs. Now comes just learning a bit more contact, a few less K's, a few more BB, and just keep focusing on defense and game calling. He's got a chance for a solid career.

i ignore a kid like Severino having bad numbers in SSSS for his 1st ML ST. NOBODY expected him to rake at this point. He was there as part of the 40 man for experience, coaching, and experience. I have some doubts about his future, but I'm also intrigued by his potential. He has generally even splits as a powerful switch hitter. That alone makes him interesting. Hell, from the day he first signed with Atlanta his entire story is interesting! But he's going to be at AAA at 24yo. I fully expect him to continue to K at 30%. And I fully recognize there is a major difference of milb numbers vs actually being at the ML level! But when a prospect, even a powerful high K prospect can maintain an OB% that is 80 points higher than his batting AVG, I pause for a moment. It makes me think he might have AT LEAST a semi decent BA and continued decent OB% to go along with his power. He wasn't great in 1/4 of a season with the Saints to close 2023, but he wasn't bad either. He still had a .832 OPS. Not bad for an introduction. Barring trades, I'm seeing him and Miranda as part of 2025 and one gone.

[Fat Calvin]

4 hours ago, Al from SoDak said:

The depth seems way way better that 10-15 years ago. Seriously depth is important. 

I still think we need another starting pitcher.

[USAFChief]

4 hours ago, The Mad King said:

Where does Severino play in St Paul? 

CHS Field. 

[ashbury]

9 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

CHS Field. 

Which part?

[USAFChief]

1 minute ago, ashbury said:

Which part?

The flat part in the center 

 

[Karbo]

Got to thin out the herd in camp. The guys on the 26 man roster need to start ramping up and the guys that are expected to play in AAA need time to ramp up their games. The roster on the hitting side is pretty well set in stone, barring injury. The others can still be called up again for the start of the season if needed.

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Me too, but once the Twins signed Margot, Martin was a long shot as it clearly pushed Martin/Castro into an infield only scenario.

They certainly aren’t IF only guys. Margot is just one guy………pretty sure Castro is ahead of him v. RH pitching (75% of games) in the OF. Buxton is the Wildcard that will drive how much everyone else plays in the OF.

V. lefties, Buxton may DH with Castro & Margot in the OF.

Martin is next man up if a RH bat is needed. Larnach would be if just want some corner OF/DH depth.

[Major League Ready]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

They certainly aren’t IF only guys. Margot is just one guy………pretty sure Castro is ahead of him v. RH pitching (75% of games) in the OF. Buxton is the Wildcard that will drive how much everyone else plays in the OF.

V. lefties, Buxton may DH with Castro & Margot in the OF.

Martin is next man up if a RH bat is needed. Larnach would be if just want some corner OF/DH depth.

Castro was good against RHP last year but his wRC+ against LHP was only 82 and 91 for his career.  Having Jeffers DH against LHP is the better option.   Vazquez is still below average but his wRC+ is 15 points higher against LHP.  Might as well try to get him behind the plate with a LHer on the mound.  Buck can DH against RHP.   His splits are pretty close. 

[JD-TWINS]

18 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Castro was good against RHP last year but his wRC+ against LHP was only 82 and 91 for his career.  Having Jeffers DH against LHP is the better option.   Vazquez is still below average but his wRC+ is 15 points higher against LHP.  Might as well try to get him behind the plate with a LHer on the mound.  Buck can DH against RHP.   His splits are pretty close. 

Jeffers isn’t going to DH more than a handful of games. His catching load is expected to go up 10-15 games……….rest days will be rest days as a rule………..then there’s the risk of losing the flexibility with a catcher on the bench in case of injury during a game.

Agree that Buxton’s splits are decent against RH as well. Castro & Buxton will be in the line-up v. RH quite often with Castro on the grass. Buxton playing OF more than 60-80 games is unlikely.

Castro may hit RH & see time in CF or RF if Margot is playing for Wallner in LF.

Bottom line is Castro is not limited to IF…….I think he’ll start half the games in OF between all 3 spots. Some starts at 3B occasionally.

[old nurse]

Oops

[gman]

Like most I see there being a need for a center fielder for 80-100 games this year. So come early May I'm hoping Martin is doing well enough to put in his first big league appearance. I think he could play more games in center the next 5 years than Buxton. Teach him not to run into walls.

Camargo will be the third catcher this year, possibly up to 30 games. Hopefully no more.

I can see Miranda getting 75-80 games between Dh & firstbase for the team this year. Mostly DH, but add a few games at third.

I think Severino gets the least playing time in the majors this year.

I think all 4 have long careers in the major. Not many with time for the Twins.