St Paul Saints Announce 2024 Roster

[DJL44]

With Martin up to the Twins I'm counting 7 non-catchers on the roster. Miranda will probably DH if he's having trouble throwing. That means 6 guys for 7 spots in the lineup. I expect Severino will be the 3B with one of the catchers playing 1B.

[jkcarew]

46 minutes ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

He didn’t pitch on the big league side during spring training because he had an injury. I wouldn’t be shocked at all, if the finger is healthy, that he produces and works his way back.

But he was ok to pitch on the back fields (as reported by TD)? And he’s suddenly OK to go this weekend? Doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. The good news is that regardless…he’s getting paid.

[Mike Sixel]

They might need another OF with Martin up and larnach hurt

[ashbury]

47 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They might need another OF with Martin up and larnach hurt

I doubt any of the AA guys will have their feelings hurt by being bumped up one level. 😀

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

They might need another OF with Martin up and larnach hurt

They still don't need anyone - Holland played 64 games in the OF last year, Helman 43 in 2022 when he wasn't injured. Prato 18 games out there last year, not as much as in prior years. They transfered Dalton Shuffield to the Saints and I see he has played some OF before. Shuffield just goes wherever the Twins need him, yo-yoing every where.

[FlyingFinn]

7 hours ago, miracleb said:

Catchers:  "Both Isola and Winkel should be expected to get plenty of reps behind the plate as well."

Ummm.....no. 

Isola isn't really a catcher. Plays 1b and DH more. Same is basically the case for Williams. If he wants to have a sure route to the majors, he should get better at catching. I'm sure he has. Just don't think he will be able to play well enough there for that to be with a MLB team. Therefore, Camargo and Winkel will get most of the catching duties.

[FlyingFinn]

Look at that - Isola is out in LF and hits a 3 run homer.

[DocBauer]

Pretty much what I expected, except for some injuries shuffling things a bit.

Camargo and Winkle are the primary catchers. Williams and Isola are 1B/DH who can and will catch here and there.

Severino will play plenty of 1B himself, but I also expect him to still see time at 3B and maybe 2B as well since he's apparently slimmed down since last year. Can he continue to hit and occasionally walk to go along with all that power? I still expect to see Miranda play a little 3B here and there, as long as his shoulder is OK. Prato will play LF/3B/2B for sure. Will have to see about any other spots. Lee plays 3 spots when he's with St Paul, and even with the Twins. What a bad time to get hurt! Right when opportunity is ready to pound at his door! Will Holland played over twice as much OF in 2023 than he did SS and 2B combined, but he can still play the INF. And right now, they need him to. Honestly, I thought he had a better chance of being released than beginning the year at AAA. 

I think we all know Martin is more of an OF than 2B going forward, no matter how he's listed here. Helman can literally play anywhere but catcher, and probably will. He can also do everything offensively. It's just a question of doing it at the ML level if/when he gets his shot.  Kerisey is a true CF, but might see time in the corners as well. He's got some potential at the ML level still, provided the improvement he showed last season was for real. Yoyner Fajardo might not be a top prospect, but he had a surprisingly nice 2023 at Wichita. Not sure how many people have really looked at his numbers. He's flying under the radar, and should...at the least...help the Saints. Poor Larnach. He has a solid end to 2023 and a solid ST and then he gets hurt right when the season starts. I don't know if this year is a make or break for his career, but it sure could have a big impact on what 2025 brings.

The rotation looks really different if Varland was there still. But it's not a bad rotation. But here's hoping NONE OF THEM are needed until July 1st at the earliest. That means the Twins rotation is healthy and performing. And that means more time for SWR, Festa, Headrick, etc, to prove themselves more and round in to good shape to be ready to contribute. After a solid 1/3 of a season for Cedar Rapids, and an even better 2/3 of a season at Wichita, I really thought Pierson Ohl might begin the year at St Paul. He's my pick for early promotion, and I'd be surprised/disappointed if he's not up before mid season.

Not sure what to make of the pen, as it's constructed now. About a week ago, we would have seen Alcala, Duarte, and Funderburk as possibles to begin the season. Same with Staumont working to get his control back. But three of those guys are with the Twins, Staumont is hurt, as is Winder. Does Weiss have options left anyone know? I know he's hurt right now, but I'm just wondering if he has any options remaining for when he's back on the mound again. The AAA pen would have been quite a bit different 10 days ago. VERY intrigued about Diego Castillo. Seven consecutive years of good to excellent pitching from the pen and he's suddenly available on a milb deal? If it's a mechanical issue, we might have gotten a hell of a steal.

Sold team. Definitely some things to be excited about, and a mix of really good prospects, solid prospects, and a handful of late bloomers who might help. The Saints should be good again. But again, this team looks even better and deeper 7-10 days ago.