What Do the Minnesota Twins Have Cooking on the Back Fields in Spring Training?

[Ted Schwerzler]

Spring training is nearly over for the Minnesota Twins, and not long after it ends, their minor league affiliates will kick off their seasons. The time down in Florida can get long, but it’s on the back fields where plenty can be gleaned about how the organization may be set up to start the year.

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

FT, MYERS, FL - In the later stages of spring training, the regulars start playing full contests on the big field at Hammond Stadium. For discerning, future-obsessed fans, though, the real action is on the back fields, where minor-league games have begun. This week, there were a few cameos made by big-leaguers getting their work in, and as the minor-league rosters start to take shape, a few players jumped out to me.

Here are a few observations from the past week:

Brandon Winokur
The 2023 third-round pick just turned 19 a few months ago, and he fits the mold of a toolsy teenage project. He has a smooth swing that can translate into power, but his current frame looks like it will need to fill out to get there. He’s got quickness and speed, capable of playing twitch-focused infield positions and chasing down balls in the gap. Minnesota has used him at shortstop and in the outfield. He roped a double in game action against the Red Sox and displayed his instincts and aggressiveness, stealing a couple of bases with ease. It will be interesting to see how he moves as he adds muscle, but Winokur should be a problem for the Florida State League this year.

Gabriel González and Rayne Doncon
A pair of guys acquired in trades for Jorge Polanco and Noah Miller this offseason, the bodies here are something to dream on. Both have strong frames with thick lower halves. They’ll generate power, and while that stockiness limits them a bit athletically, it’s understandable why both are projection darlings. González appears to be tracking pitches more than taking a full-speed competitive approach at this early stage, but Doncon has stung the ball a bit. How each fares in the Twins system remains to be seen, but it’s not hard to see why either were desirable targets alongside big-league assets like Justin Topa and Manuel Margot.

Carlos Aguiar
This is the fourth season Stateside for Aguiar, and it’s time for him to take off. He’ll turn 23 this summer, and needs to push far beyond High-A Cedar Rapids. The approach in pro ball hasn’t been good enough yet, but he’s thrived on power. He looks bigger and stronger this season. What was once a wiry frame is now a thick body that is stacked with muscle. How that plays in game action will determine how close he gets to the big leagues.

Walker Jenkins
The story for the Spring Breakout game was Jenkins being scratched (along with Andrew Cossetti). Neither of them are expected to miss significant time, though, and both should be back in game action within days. Precaution is the focus before the season kicks off, and that was clearly what prompted his removal from the exhibition. Jenkins took live batting practice against Randy Dobnak over the weekend. Making sure he’s unrestricted heading into his first season of pro ball gives him the greatest opportunity to blitz the system. He’s excited and ready to go. The spring has been about soaking up information for him, and he’s been a sponge.

C.J. Culpepper
Minnesota’s starting pitching depth a bit further down the ladder is exciting. Between Culpepper, Cory Lewis, and Zebby Matthews, there are some intriguing performers to watch. Culpepper threw an inning for the Double-A squad on Tuesday, and while that doesn’t guarantee he starts there this season, another bump after 10 turns with Cedar Rapids last year would be cool to see. He struggled a bit with command during the outing, but scouts were watching the radar gun, and he had it jumping.

Jorel Ortega
Playing with the Double-A Wichita squad, Ortega continues to work on his infield flexibility. He was primarily a second baseman at Tennessee, and has spent most of his professional career at the hot corner. He worked at first base this week, though, where he also spent 18 games last season at Cedar Rapids. He did launch 14 dingers in 120 games last year between two Single-A levels, but he doesn’t profile as the corner power guy. His best path might be to establish himself as an average or better defender on both sides of the infield.

Alerick Soularie and Emmanuel Rodríguez
Hello, Michael A. Taylor clone. Ok, they don’t look the same, but their bodies certainly do. Soularie has moved off the dirt entirely now, and as an outfield prospect, it’s hard not to look at the players similarly. He was with the Triple-A squad this week, and it would be a natural progression for him to start in St. Paul for 2024. Some power, some strikeouts, and some stolen bases drive his game. There’s a path for him to get to the big leagues if that can all stick. Also, Rodríguez was batting in the lineup just in front of Soularie on Tuesday. It’d be shocking to see him skip Double-A altogether, but it’s clear he’s an advanced prospect.

Seth Gray
Gray has put on muscle and done good offseason work each year. He looks bigger, but definitely stronger. After playing all of 2023 at Double-A, he’ll spend a good amount of time at Triple-A in 2024. He was with the Saints squad this week. He’s fine with the glove at both corner infield positions, and the frame looks like it should produce 20+ home runs. The challenge will be hitting enough to get to that power. The 2019 fourth-round pick is much better positioned to help the Twins than prospects like Aaron Sabato or Keoni Cavaco, and he may even spend time on the same roster this year as high-school teammate Ben Ross.

Major League Musings
Austin Martin is going to be a valuable piece when he’s ready. At the minor-league level, he’s been given a green light to steal, and while he’ll rip the occasional double, his process is one both Royce Lewis and Edouard Julien used plenty on the farm. If either Willi Castro or Kyle Farmer slump, he seems like a ready-made fill-in.

Chris Paddack made a start with Ryan Jeffers as his batterymate on Sunday. It didn’t go great. He was hit around pretty hard, and Red Sox prospect Miguel Bleiss got him for a big fly. He was clearly working on specific pitches, and Jeffers got in additional at-bats to make up for the missed time in camp.

Make sure to stay tuned throughout the season for Twins Daily’s Minor League Report to keep up on all things from the rest of the organization on a daily basis.

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[Squirrel]

Ted, are the games starting at 1 in the back? 

[Ted Schwerzler]

2 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Ted, are the games starting at 1 in the back? 

Yes! Crazy though, they now have only 9 (I believe) in total. They disperse when the big club does too.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

Yes! Crazy though, they now have only 9 (I believe) in total. They disperse when the big club does too.

I may check out the game tomorrow, that would be my last chance. I don’t have tickets for Friday and Saturday my Mom and I have other plans, then it’s back north on Sunday. I’ve seen quite a bit, though, in my time here, so I’m happily sated. 🙂

[Jocko87]

Quote

For discerning, future-obsessed fans, though, the real action is on the back fields,

I chuckled at this one.  For many years, that was all we had. 

[HrbieFan]

Great breakdown, thanks! 

[Fatbat]

Winoker is going to be a stud! We better hold on to him!!  Doncon has some awesome tools but he needs to find some patience at the plate. Time will tell for these youngsters tho.  My bet is that Erod will be in a Saints uniform by the end of July ‘24.

[Doctor Wu]

An exciting bunch of prospects. With some patience and steady development, I hope we will see several of these players playing important roles with the Twins at some point in the near future.