Minnesota Twins Players Project Update: Michael Cuddyer, Francisco Liriano, and Jesse Crain

[Brandon Glick]

A huge new influx of players have been added to the Twins Players Project in recent weeks. These are some of the highlights.

What is the Players Project? It's a community-driven, wiki-style project that focuses on Twins players of all stripes. It's open to all Twins Daily users and we've had contributions for current players, past players, and players who never even made the major leagues but played in the Twins farm system. Create your favorite player today!

In this update, we'll be focusing on a triumvirate of players who dominated for the Twins in the late 2000's. All of the players here were written up by @William Malone and edited by @Brock Beauchamp, but it's important to note the incredible contributions from the entire community. The Twins Players Project is now up to 129 entries thanks to everyone's hard work! Be sure to take a peek using the link above or the button below and feel free to add your favorite player!

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Michael Cuddyer is among the most iconic and recognizable Twins from the first decade of the 21st century, having played 11 seasons (2001-2011) with the franchise. 2006 was the first time Cuddyer had a full time role with the Twins. He started 137 games in right field for them that season, also providing a breakout season at the plate, as his 41 doubles and 109 RBI were career highs. The outfielder is one of just four players in Twins history with 100 home runs, 200 doubles, and 30 triples (Joe Mauer, Tony Oliva, Kirby Puckett). He was inducted to the Twins Hall of Fame in 2017.

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Francisco Liriano had a wild 14-year career, with the first half of it coming in Minnesota. Though he's known well as the recipient of the largest free agent contract in Pittsburgh Pirates history — which, laughably, came in at just $39 million over three years — he earned Cy Young votes in 2010 as the Twins' staff ace and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2006. He also threw a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox in 2011 in which he threw barely half of his pitches for strikes (66 of 123).

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Another top-10 Rookie of the Year finisher, Jesse Crain finished eight in the voting in 2005 as a dominant reliever who served as the primary set-up man to Joe Nathan. His best season with the Twins came in 2007, when he went 12-5 with a 2.71 ERA over 75 relief appearances. Despite not making a start, his 12 wins were second on the team behind Johan Santana.

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Thanks again to all who have been contributing to the project — please stop by the Players Project by hitting the button below!

The Minnesota Twins Players Project is open to all Twins Daily users. If you're a Twins history buff or just want to dive into the background of your favorite player, come on board!

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[Bodie]

I remember seeing Liriano his first year starting.  Had seats a few rows deep in LF, Jeff Kent and the Dodgers (sounds wrong, but...) were in town. 

As Liriano was warming up, my friend and I looked at each other and just shook our heads.  His pitches broke so far and so sharply he looked literally unhittable.  From 350-375 feet from home plate.

Kent eventually hit a 2run HR (WAY over our heads) but the Twins won 5-2 if I remember correctly.   

Have never seen anyone a nasty/filthy as Liriano was early in his career.  Even later after injuries took their toll, his stuff still looked almost as good as in his prime,  but the control just never returned.  A real shame...

Probably the last appointment pitcher the Twins had.  He pitched, you watched as he was SPECIAL, in ways that only the greats were/are.

 

I won't open the can of worms that says that this Twins front office will never allow a special, unique GREAT player to develop as Liriano did.  Though they seem hellbent on following his career path as it comes to injuries!