Lineup of Twins Roster Hopefuls Beats Tigers, 4-0

[John Bonnes]

The Twins' lineup was the most interesting part of Wednesday’s 4-0 road victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Image courtesy of © Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

Virtually the entire lineup was filled with hopefuls; guys who could find themselves playing with the Twins or with St. Paul’s Saints for most of the season. It included eight players that are essentially batting for three roster spots.

Leading off was Edouard Julien at first base, where he was playing for the first time this spring. He’s only played there five times in his MLB career, and only twenty-eight times in his minor league career. But manager Rocco Baldelli said before the game that Julien is likely to find himself playing first base nearly as much as he plays second base this spring. Ultimately, Julien’s bat is going to make or break his spot on the roster, but having some positional flexibility would provide a left-handed hitting option to pair with Ty France and Jose Miranda at first base.

Batting second was Mickey Gasper, playing second base. Gasper has only played second base fourteen times: six times last year with the Red Sox, and eight times this winter with Criollos de Cagua in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He’s never played it in the minors, playing mostly first base. During the regular season, Baldelli would probably have Gasper and Julien switching spots. But this spring, the Twins need to see if Gasper can handle second base, since that flexibility might be needed for a bench role.

Batting third was catcher Jair Camargo. The only thing that has kept Camargo off the Twins' roster the last two years is that Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez have been unnaturally healthy for catchers, starting all 324 games over the last two seasons. He’s an IL-stint (or a cost-cutting trade) away from making the roster and seeing significant playing time. 

The cleanup hitter was Miranda, who is most likely to find himself playing for the Twins. “But Jose is going to be in a position where he’s going to go out there, earn his at-bats, earn his opportunities like many other guys on our roster.” Those aren’t my words, they’re Baldelli’s when asked about Miranda’s role last week. Miranda played third base in this game, a position the Twins would like to have Royce Lewis get 600 at-bats, if he can stay healthy.

When talking about earning at-bats, Baldelli made it clear he wasn’t just talking about Miranda. “You could probably turn to two or three or four other players who have done some good things at the major-league level and ask a similar question and it would made sense,” he continued.

Which brings us to the fifth batter today, Brooks Lee, who was playing shortstop. Like almost everyone above him in this lineup, that’s not the position the Twins would like to see him play - he’s probably competing for second base - but he needs to get time there in case something happens to Carlos Correa.

Batting sixth was Austin Martin, playing center field. Martin didn’t look great in center field last year, and the Twins should have both Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader above him on the depth chart. But the Twins are convinced Martin can be an excellent defensive outfielder if he gets more time there, so we’ll see him there a lot this spring. His more likely role during the season would be a corner outfield spot, perhaps starting versus left-handed pitchers over left-handed hitting Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach.

The eighth batter, left-handed hitting DaShawn Keirsey Jr, is somewhat blocked on the roster by the same four players as Martin, which is too bad because he’s had a pretty outstanding 24+ hours. Tuesday, he made a fantastic catch against the right field wall to preserve a tie versus the Yankees and then followed it with a game-winning hit. Wednesday, he made a diving catch in the right-field gap and started the Twins scoring with a home run to left field. 

Finally, in between those two, batting seventh, was Mike Ford , getting at-bats at designated hitter. Like Julien, the left-handed hitting first baseman would also need to find his way on the roster as a left-handed hitting option for France or Miranda. 

This was a lineup full of players that are guaranteed nothing this year. They almost all played positions where they are being tested, or where the team hopes they won’t have to play. They also traveled 2.5 hours each way on a bus to get at-bats to face Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner who showed off a 100+ mph pitch in the first inning. But it is also a lineup filled with promise, much of it young promise, that could determine the fate of the Twins offense this year. 

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[Riverbrian]

Zero runs by the Tigers.

With a better defense the Tigers would have scored minus two runs. 

Rocco playing with fire. 

 

[Blyleven2011]

Let's salute the talent that played today , 6 hits and 4 rbis ,,, 

Keirsey Jr  keeps hitting  , could he make the club and push France bye bye  , one never knows ...

Pitching had a good game , funderburk went 2 innings and clean , still he most likely will have to earn his way back from AAA , all the pitchers were solid  ...

Momentum,  keep it going ...

[Dman]

Neither lineup had their main guys in it, but was still happy to see the Twins hold them to 2 hits and zero runs.  That's pretty dominant especially considering Morris and Lewis and Funderburk are likely all AAA arms.  I am liking the pitching depth the Twins are developing.

I know it is spring and I know small sample sizes and stats mean little in the spring, but Keirsey is off to a very good start.  It's nice to see it whether it matters or not.

It was a fun game to track.  Nice just to have baseball back.

[sweetmusicviola16]

33 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Let's salute the talent that played today , 6 hits and 4 rbis ,,, 

Keirsey Jr  keeps hitting  , could he make the club and push France bye bye  , one never knows ...

Pitching had a good game , funderburk went 2 innings and clean , still he most likely will have to earn his way back from AAA , all the pitchers were solid  ...

Momentum,  keep it going ...

Sorry but no Keirsey will not make the team. He can't even earn a spot unlike Bader, France and Gasper. Miranda will have to earn playing time unlike Bader, France and Gasper.

[Doctor Gast]

I still don't understand the rationale of forcing Martin at CF when he has to compete with Buxton & Bader for minority LHPs games. And Keirsey, who Baldelli has never considered to be on the active roster, should be the Twins' option at CF against majority RHPs games, has yet to play a game at CF. 

'23 Martin played mainly 2B, which is his natural position. '24 Baldelli needed an extra RH bat in the OF & didn't want Julien to have competition at 2B. So Martin was off to the OF, '25 Lee & Julien are Baldelli's choice at 2B. Although Lee is a solid fielder, neither can hit. Both should be sent down to AAA to get their hitting back & Julien should learn how to play 1B there, not in spring training. Martin should settle in at 2B & Castro as Utility. Miranda should get the most time at 1B. To keep Miranda healthy, he should be kept off 3B, but there he was at 3B already. Then they complain he can't stay healthy? France should have less time at 1B & more time at DH.

Good games & good to watch them.

[tony&rodney]

Always enjoy watching the young players play. 

Does anyone know what happened to Payton Eeles? There were about 20 guys suited up today who would be overjoyed to ever put up numbers like Eeles did last year at AAA. Is he injured? Too short?

[NYCTK]

6 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I still don't understand the rationale of forcing Martin at CF when he has to compete with Buxton & Bader for minority LHPs games. And Keirsey, who Baldelli has never considered to be on the active roster, should be the Twins' option at CF against majority RHPs games, has yet to play a game at CF. 

I get giving Keirsey time out of CF. Maybe that's the only reason. Or, maybe Rocco is actually naive enough to actually think Martin can become a competent CF.

7 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Although Lee is a solid fielder, neither can hit. Both should be sent down to AAA to get their hitting back & Julien should learn how to play 1B there, not in spring training. Martin should settle in at 2B & Castro as Utility. 

Eeles! Eeles! Eeles! 

[Parfigliano]

29 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Sorry but no Keirsey will not make the team. He can't even earn a spot unlike Bader, France and Gasper. Miranda will have to earn playing time unlike Bader, France and Gasper.

This is probably true.  I really really don't want it to be.

[USAFChief]

"This was a lineup full of players that are guaranteed nothing this year. They almost all played positions where they are being tested, or where the team hopes they won’t have to play"

 

How on God's green earth does tbis make any sense?

[sweetmusicviola16]

29 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I still don't understand the rationale of forcing Martin at CF when he has to compete with Buxton & Bader for minority LHPs games. And Keirsey, who Baldelli has never considered to be on the active roster, should be the Twins' option at CF against majority RHPs games, has yet to play a game at CF. 

'23 Martin played mainly 2B, which is his natural position. '24 Baldelli needed an extra RH bat in the OF & didn't want Julien to have competition at 2B. So Martin was off to the OF, '25 Lee & Julien are Baldelli's choice at 2B. Although Lee is a solid fielder, neither can hit. Both should be sent down to AAA to get their hitting back & Julien should learn how to play 1B there, not in spring training. Martin should settle in at 2B & Castro as Utility. Miranda should get the most time at 1B. To keep Miranda healthy, he should be kept off 3B, but there he was at 3B already. Then they complain he can't stay healthy? France should have less time at 1B & more time at DH.

Good games & good to watch them.

Doctor, I like Keirsey as a player a lot. But I would like to see him get traded and the sooner the better. Preferebly before ST ends. He has done everything asked of him to get an authentic shot at being an ML player but he will not get it here. He will be 28 in May and now age will be used against him. He should be traded but this org will not because they are greedy and want to keep him down as a 5th or 6th option for injury. No regard for the player himself.

[sweetmusicviola16]

10 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Always enjoy watching the young players play. 

Does anyone know what happened to Payton Eeles? There were about 20 guys suited up today who would be overjoyed to ever put up numbers like Eeles did last year at AAA. Is he injured? Too short?

I see Payton Eeles as being the next Deshawn Keirsey. Sadly. 

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

"This was a lineup full of players that are guaranteed nothing this year. They almost all played positions where they are being tested, or where the team hopes they won’t have to play"

 

How on God's green earth does tbis make any sense?

I agree that "tbis" makes no sense at all. 

Spot on Chief. You are spot on. 

 

[Blyleven2011]

41 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Sorry but no Keirsey will not make the team. He can't even earn a spot unlike Bader, France and Gasper. Miranda will have to earn playing time unlike Bader, France and Gasper.

Add it sucks if keirsey Jr has a great spring and earns a spot on opening day and the lousy vets get the spot instead  ...

Put the best team together  , this hasn't been FO's MO ...

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 minute ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Add it sucks if keirsey Jr has a great spring and earns a spot on opening day and the lousy vets get the spot instead  ...

Put the best team together  , this hasn't been FO's MO ...

The signing of Bader sealed Keirsey's fate. Back to AAA and he'll be behind 5 or 6 other guys when it comes to being recalled. And I concur with doctorgast, with Bader behind Buxton why would you force Martin to play CF in ST? I would guess it is because they have no intention of playing Martin at 2B his best position. I'm guessing Martins fate is sealed as well. "He wasn't good enough coming out of ST and didn't shine in CF so we'll stick him at AAA to get some more seasoning." 

[Doctor Gast]

14 hours ago, NYCTK said:

I get giving Keirsey time out of CF. Maybe that's the only reason. Or, maybe Rocco is actually naive enough to actually think Martin can become a competent CF.

Eeles! Eeles! Eeles! 

I've been a fan of Eeles since the beginning. But he's not on the 40 man & won't be until they absolutely need to. Which will be a long time & they'll string him along as long as they can as insurance. Sorry to say.

[RpR]

[sweetmusicviola16]

6 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I've been a fan of Eeles since the beginning. But he's not on the 40 man & won't be until they absolutely need to. Which will be a long time & they'll string him along as long as they can as insurance. 

Eeles will get the same treatment as Keirsey I believe.

[RpR]

Baldelli's lineup was weird, but I like Miranda at Third Base.

What annoys me is what Baldelli says about why he is doing what he is doing.

It is like he has a pre-determined idea of how things should be and to hell with reality.

[mark sills]

great pitching by Andrew Morris and Cory Lewis. Both had to feel some pressure with there first big league game, even though spring training, hope this is the beginning for something special.

 

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Doctor, I like Keirsey as a player a lot. But I would like to see him get traded and the sooner the better. Preferebly before ST ends. He has done everything asked of him to get an authentic shot at being an ML player but he will not get it here. He will be 28 in May and now age will be used against him. He should be traded but this org will not because they are greedy and want to keep him down as a 5th or 6th option for injury. No regard for the player himself.

I'd like the best for Keirsey. But a proven LH CFer is valuable, one who is left in AAA is not as far as a trade goes. Very quickly his window will be closed when Emma & Jenkins arrive, even more so for Larnach.

[sweetmusicviola16]

17 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'd like the best for Keirsey. But a proven LH CFer is valuable, one who is left in AAA is not as far as a trade goes. Very quickly his window will be closed when Emma & Jenkins arrive, even more so for Larnach.

The problem that I see for Keirsey is that he is behind not only Buxton and Bader but also behind Castro and Martin. Quite possibly Emma as well. That's a lot of injuries for him to even get called up at all let alone play if he does. The signing of Bader was a clear signal that the organization has zero regard for Keirsey. I don't expect him to get called up again, if they did have that many injuries I'd wager a trade or another dumpster FA that doesn't get signed by another team. That's my opinion. 

[DocBauer]

While the Twins didn't face a murders row, the pitching was quite impressive. Morris and Lewis got the job done and each threw some nasty breaking stuff at times. Don't want to nit pick, but I think each could have thrown a few more strikes.

Funderburk was ON IT. I believe he only threw 7 or 8 pitches his 1st inning. 

Nowlin struggled with his control, but showed some good stuff, including some nasty change ups. Crazy 3/4 delivery that looked like he was whipping his pitches. Gotta be deceptive to the batter. A little more consistency and he might be something. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

56 minutes ago, RpR said:

Gasper goes 0 for 3. He's  been an ST hitting machine in the past. Came in 7 for 11 in ST. But his 0 for 18 regular season keeps him as the Terry Felton hitting equivalent.

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I see Payton Eeles as being the next Deshawn Keirsey. Sadly. 

True, both losing playing time to the far inferior Austin Martin. 

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I'm guessing Martins fate is sealed as well. "He wasn't good enough coming out of ST and didn't shine in CF so we'll stick him at AAA to get some more seasoning." 

Fingers crossed this is the case. 

[tony&rodney]

John Bonnes, Twins Daily people, anyone in Ft. Myers,

Where is Payton Eeles? I'm guessing he must be injured. If not today was strange because most of the players in Lakeland are not on the 40 person roster and only a few will ever have the success in any minor league season or have the potential of Eeles. Or has Eeles been elevated to the A team? Someone must know something.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

Eeles! Eeles! Eeles! 

The Twins' hovercraft is positively filled with them!

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree that "tbis" makes no sense at all.

Cihef cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniuet!

[Riverbrian]

11 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Cihef cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniuet!

I took a speed reading course and I got really good at it. 

In one night... reading to my kids at bedtime... I got through 12 Harry Potter Books before they fell asleep.

They thought it was a Gregorian chant but it was good bonding time with them. 

[HerbieFan]

If I were a betting man...which I'm not....Brooks Lee goes to AAA and waits for an injury at 2B, SS or 3B.  Gives him some time to get off to a good start offensively and play all 3 positions for the Saints.  Allows him to play everyday and be ready to play full-time when the opportunity presents itself with the big club.