Three Players Who Seized An Opportunity In 2025

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

After the Twins sold at the deadline, all that was left to hope for was that some of the remaining players would make the best of the opportunity that had opened up and earn their way into the 2026 plans. While not everyone made good on this, a few players certainly look like they’ve earned themselves roles on next year's roster.

Kody Clemens
Clemens looked like a flash in the pan when he followed up his explosive first month in a Twins uniform with a .625 OPS in June. Being a well-traveled 29-year-old, there was always a chance that his performance was simply one good month and that he would return to the version of Kody Clemens that could never quite carve out a regular role on an MLB roster. Finishing as a comfortably above league-average hitter in two of the last three months of the season while playing regularly may have changed that in the Twins’ eyes.

Clemens may not be a part of the long-term future, but he should fit quite well on the 2026 Twins roster. The organization lacks interesting options for first base, where Clemens filled in for much of the second half. He will also be plenty cheap for a roster that is likely to shed more payroll than add to it this offseason. Clemens can be an ideal stopgap at first base and second base in addition to filling in at both corner outfield spots. It may not be a massive development for the future, but Clemens at least gives the team one less roster spot to worry about.

Austin Martin
Making up one half of the trade return from dealing Jose Berrios to the Blue Jays, Martin looks to have finally made good on the Twins' acquisition of him in 2021. Martin has dealt with swing changes, injuries, and overall inconsistency in his Twins tenure. He’s no longer considered a serious option in the infield mix and remains extremely raw in center field. After receiving regular opportunities down the stretch, he settled into left field, where he showed positive defensive metrics and was one of the Twins’ better overall hitters in the final months of the season.

Martin still lacks power, but his right-handed bat makes him a shoo-in for the Twins’ 2026 roster. Left-handed hitters dominate the outfield, and the team has lacked a quality option to spell them for several years. His speed and athleticism also complement the overall roster, making him a strong bench option at the very least. He may not be the player who was once selected fifth overall in the MLB draft, but Martin may finally be emerging as a valuable MLB player.

Simeon Woods Richardson
SWR has been a solid back-end starting pitcher for multiple seasons, although he’s lacked consistency at times, and the upside has seemed capped because of his repertoire. The end of his season has to have raised some eyebrows, as after returning from a stomach illness, Woods Richardson did enough to leave us questioning whether he just needed a little extra time to take that next step.

Allowing two runs and striking out 23 in his last 17 innings, Woods Richardson looked like he had finally built back up after his illness. He ramped up the usage of his new splitter, which became arguably his best pitch after adding it to his mix partway through the season. After inconsistent usage throughout the year, SWR began to rely on this new offering, and it looks like the key to taking another step forward. With so many arms added at the deadline, Woods Richardson’s job looked to be a bit more in question heading into 2026. His flashes of brilliance to end the season, which coincided with a notable change in pitch mix, should earn him an Opening Day rotation spot for 2026.

Were there any other players who made the most of a bad situation down the stretch? Was there anyone you wished would have done a better job of taking advantage of their opportunity? Let us know below!

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[High heat]

SWR secured a rotation slot in 2026. Hoping the splitter continues to evolve and gives SWR a different outlook then he has 3 months ago.

 

Austin Martin might be a nice platoon/part time LF and RH option pinch runner and defensive replacement.  I just have a feeling Martin and Outman will be the LFers next yr. 
 

Clemens had a nice month of June that really propped up his numbers but he is likely just another bench bat….. hard to have 5 or 6 bench bats, someone has to start.  
 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 out of 10-15ish is not a good omen for 2026

[Richie the Rally Goat]

25 minutes ago, High heat said:

SWR secured a rotation slot in 2026. Hoping the splitter continues to evolve and gives SWR a different outlook then he has 3 months ago.

 

Austin Martin might be a nice platoon/part time LF and RH option pinch runner and defensive replacement.  I just have a feeling Martin and Outman will be the LFers next yr. 
 

Clemens had a nice month of June that really propped up his numbers but he is likely just another bench bat….. hard to have 5 or 6 bench bats, someone has to start.  
 

 

Agreed, 2 bench pieces and a 4th starter is not enough

[Nashvilletwin]

14 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Agreed, 2 bench pieces and a 4th starter is not enough

lol, you mean a starting 1B, LF, and #2 starter.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Just now, Nashvilletwin said:

lol, you mean a starting 1B, LF, and #2 starter.

Exactly

[rdehring]

Thanks for something positive, Cody.

[LambchoP]

SWR can be a solid #5 in the rotation, and if Martin can hit like he did this year, he could be a solid LF option at least until Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Rosario are ready. Clemens doesn't inspire much confidence in me. He'll run into some home runs and can cover a few different positions, but he shouldn't be anything more than a backup or platoon option. Unfortunately I see him as our starting first baseman next year...

[DJL44]

Funderburk saw his stock go up. He’s not an all-star but he looks okay.

 

[tony&rodney]

Woods Richardson has 51 starts in the last two years. He has improved in increments to become a legit MLB starting pitcher. Where he fits in a rotation will be determined in 2026. Sim and Taj Bradley have one more year before arbitration. Simeon will be counted on to continue in 2026 what he showed in September of this year.

Austin Martin played really well down the stretch and he will find opportunities again next year. Martin's playing time will be related to how he shows early to some extent, and more importantly, to the type of team the Twins decide to put on the field.

Kody Clemens showed he can hit and play in numerous positions. His spot on a team will be dependent on where the Twins are headed in 2026. Clemens might fit as a 13th position player.

[Blyleven2011]

Seize the opportunity  ...

One person that didn't seize the opportunity was our past manager,  finally getting his walking papers ... 

Falvey hasn't lived up to giving the fans anything close to a perennial winner  ....

Owners have no business owning the team and failed to seize an opportunity to sell the team for more than the estimated value of the team , ( with contracts like ohtani , Soto and others it's time to sell because they just can't compete or are not willing to pay free agent money ) ...

Seize the moment #2 ....

SWR  , keaschall , Martin  , Clemens  , maybe fritzgerald as utility , I kinda thought perrede the catcher was seizing an opportunity and last but not least , lefty funderburk,  starting from the allstar game on performed well with just a couple of clunkers ..., no one else really coming to mind  except for a couple of AAA players that should have been given a 40 man roster spot to play on the 26 man roster , it couldn't have been worse ..

[sweetmusicviola16]

Martin has earned a chance in 2026. In my opinion he still needs to come to ST and impress and show progression. But he has earned some more looks. Clemens? I don't feel the same way. Even as far as 2026 goes if your goal is 90 losses or more and a last place finish then go with him. In the case of the 2026 Twins, who I don't see competing, I'd like to see this spot go to youth. Whether he's in the org right now or not.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Funderburk saw his stock go up. He’s not an all-star but he looks okay.

 

Only 2 earned runs given up the last 2 moths

[Doctor Gast]

SWR has impressed me as a competitor & mature since listening to Seth's interview. His maturity is beyond his just turning 25. It's very difficult to project his upside because of his constant adjusting & evolution that keeps raising his bar. I never doubted him being able anchor the backend of the rotation.

Martin had to fight the Twins' objective of making him into a player who he isn't. Martin is a spark plug, contact hitter, OB machine, terror on the basepath, 2B man. For years, they tried to convert him to a power-hitting SS., Before he was promoted to AAA, he went back to his old swing, & they played him mainly 2B; during this time, he had his best production. '24, Margot was a total flop, Martin was no OFer, but he was thrown into the OF, with no training & changed his swing again. This type of development at the MLB level is disastrous. Although Martin is a 2Bman, he has played very little there, His improvement has come due to his returning back to his old swing (again) & him adjusting to the OF. Twins advancement depends on their reevaluation of priority away from the slow, defense-deficient, SO tendency, power hitters to players more like Martin.

I like Clemens & he serves a purpose of clutch hitting, LH-hitting, 1Bman. He's a good clubhouse guy that's hard to dismiss. I was ready to give up on Funderburg, but he has been quietly changing my mind. BTW the player he has replaced (Thielbar) had miraculous season with the Cubs.

[PatPfund]

Clemens had some nice moments in a grim year, and I might not mind him as a bench player, but his OPS+ was 96, and that is not what you want to roll out at an O-heavy position like 1B. I'd rather see someone like Wallner or Gabriel Gonzalez get full tryouts in ST.

Martin is the poster child for Rocco mis-management; this version showed flashes of being here two year ago, but sporadic playing time, and being moved all over the field defensively buried him.

Ryan Fitzgerald actually showed me a lot in his time. OPS+ of 106, good baserunner, and a solid defender at SS and 2B might make for a better bench piece than Clemens, and at least worth an extended look in ST.

[mnfireman]

Agree on Martin and SWR, not so much Clemens, as mentioned earlier, his month of June skewed his overall numbers. I would also add Funderburk.

Clemens slash from July 1 to the end of the season: 65/78 GP, .217/.269/.412 (.681 OPS, app. 87 OPS+), 10 HR, 26 RBI, 59/16 K/BB, 0.6 fWAR. I wouldn't exactly call that seizing an opportunity.

Funderburk slash from July 1 to the end of the season: 30 GP, 29 IP, 3-1 W/L, 1 SV, 1.86 ERA, 31/14 K/BB, 0 HR, 0.6 fWAR.

[old nurse]

Keaschall did not choke on his opportunity. Too bad Zebby and Festa can’t be added to this list 

[Nshore]

The Brewers ranked third in the majors in scoring this year despite finishing 22nd in homers.  So the Twins should stop trying to convert non-power hitters like Martin into home run hitters.  It's totally counter- productive and just slows their development. Let them be themselves.

[stringer bell]

I agree that SWR upped his stock with his late-season finish. It is important to Woods Richardson because he won't have any options in 2026. At 25 years old, I really doubt the Twins want to lose him and his strong finish gives him a lot of rope.

Martin only had two months with the Twins, mostly due to injury, but he was a much better player than he was in 2024. He has skills that the Twins need--speed and OB ability--and he played significantly better defense than his rookie season in 2024. I think he'll get an opportunity to be the primary left fielder.

Clemens seems to be polarizing player all at once. I don't think it is prudent to pencil him in as the primary first baseman, but I think he earned a contract for 2026. Having Clemens on the bench seems a lot more like a good idea than it would have a year ago.

I think that the other Kody also stepped up. Funderburk probably earned a bullpen spot with his performance after the trade deadline. Not only were his numbers much better, but he was put in high leverage spots and thrived. 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Nshore said:

The Brewers ranked third in the majors in scoring this year despite finishing 22nd in homers.  So the Twins should stop trying to convert non-power hitters like Martin into home run hitters.  It's totally counter- productive and just slows their development. Let them be themselves.

The Twins get players as young as 16 years old. Their job is to make hitters more valuable. Players need a certain level of power to succeed in major league baseball. Slap hitters rarely find a niche.

Think what Brian Dozier would have been if he stayed the single digit HR hitter he was in the minors.

[dxpavelka]

It only took four years to see a return on the Berrios trade.  So, 2029?

[DocBauer]

1] SWR has had an interesting path to the ML level to say the least. He was nurses a bit in his 2024 season, then seemed to really grow and take charge, before finishing poorly when he seemed to run out of gas. Frankly, I was rather disappointed to his start of 2025. But he's a bright kid and has a fire inside of him that's fun to see. His finish to the season was excellent. And I believe he's locked in as the #4 starter for 2026.

I say that as Falvey...who speaks a lot but doesn't always actually SAY anything...has stated he's planning on Looez and Ryan to be in the rotation, and hopes/expects them to be there. Falvey may be a lot of things, but I've seen him as a liar. An offseason to rest his hip should have Ober back at the #3 spot.

**SIDE BAR: Sim and Bradley are both out of options. Both are 25yo. Bradley has a really live arm, but hasn't been able to harness his stuff consistently yet. If Matthews turns the corner, do they consider moving Bradley to the pen?

2] MARTIN really took advantage of his opportunity. Considering his fast start to the season, it's a real shame he was sidelined for so much of the year. The Twins never tried to make him a slugger, they just wanted more power so ML SP didn't challenge him and eat him up. I still have some concerns, but was very impressed with his offense as well as improved defense. His SLG % did go up some in '25 vs '24. But he has to at least show DBLS power, with the occasional HR, to keep ML pitchers honest.

Right now, I'm encouraged and think he's the starting LF to open 2026. Long term, I think he settles in as a 4th OF if he can continue to develop his defense. I want him to focus on his OF defense. And while this might not be popular with some, I want him to continue working out at 2B as well. As of now, the INF depth isn't very strong to begin 2026 and I'd like him as at least an emergency type option at 2B.

3] CLEMENS should be the low bar we're trying to clear. He's someone we should be looking to replace. He absolutely should not be a starter anywhere. However, that being said, his LH power off the bench, and the ability to play competent defense at 4 spots is worth keeping around for now. And OPS above .700 for a bench bat does provide value. Can he repeat that? I hope so, and expect him to get a shot at making the club next season. And crazy as it sounds, he might also fill the unfortunate role of 14th bullpen arm when needed.

* He's played a little 3B in his MILB and ML career. I don't believe he's an actual option you want to put out there, but I'd like him to work out there and see some ST action there. Crap happens during games sometimes, and with thin INF depth, I'd like to know he could slide there in an emergency.

4] FUNDERBURK really did step up after the deadline. His strong last 2 months had him ending the season with a 3.51 ERA after being in the upper 4's previously, IIRC. (It might have been worse). I'm hoping this wasn't an illusion as he's got good stuff, but could never find consistency previously. 

5] I'll get some pushback here I'm sure, but Cole Sands was pretty mediocre in the 1st half and didn't look much like his 2024 self. I don't have numbers to present, but initially, post deadline, he looked much, much better. He started to resemble the '24 version of himself. And then he had about 5 or 6 appearances where he just imploded. But IIRC, his last handful of appearances he seemed to turn it around again. I'm only saying, he started to flash more of the potential he showed in 2024, and might end up as a solid cog in the 2026 pen.

[saviking]

22 hours ago, High heat said:

SWR secured a rotation slot in 2026. Hoping the splitter continues to evolve and gives SWR a different outlook then he has 3 months ago.

 

Austin Martin might be a nice platoon/part time LF and RH option pinch runner and defensive replacement.  I just have a feeling Martin and Outman will be the LFers next yr. 
 

Clemens had a nice month of June that really propped up his numbers but he is likely just another bench bat….. hard to have 5 or 6 bench bats, someone has to start.  
 

 

Prefer someone coming up beats him out. 

[JD-TWINS]

19 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

SWR has impressed me as a competitor & mature since listening to Seth's interview. His maturity is beyond his just turning 25. It's very difficult to project his upside because of his constant adjusting & evolution that keeps raising his bar. I never doubted him being able anchor the backend of the rotation.

Martin had to fight the Twins' objective of making him into a player who he isn't. Martin is a spark plug, contact hitter, OB machine, terror on the basepath, 2B man. For years, they tried to convert him to a power-hitting SS., Before he was promoted to AAA, he went back to his old swing, & they played him mainly 2B; during this time, he had his best production. '24, Margot was a total flop, Martin was no OFer, but he was thrown into the OF, with no training & changed his swing again. This type of development at the MLB level is disastrous. Although Martin is a 2Bman, he has played very little there, His improvement has come due to his returning back to his old swing (again) & him adjusting to the OF. Twins advancement depends on their reevaluation of priority away from the slow, defense-deficient, SO tendency, power hitters to players more like Martin.

I like Clemens & he serves a purpose of clutch hitting, LH-hitting, 1Bman. He's a good clubhouse guy that's hard to dismiss. I was ready to give up on Funderburg, but he has been quietly changing my mind. BTW the player he has replaced (Thielbar) had miraculous season with the Cubs.

SWR is a solid rotation piece. Martin has settled in at the plate with a better plan and pitch recognition - a real probable contributor!

Clemens had maybe 4 games where he stood out - he’s the 13th guy due to position flexibility and his ability to run into one every 20 AB’s. He did have a double & 3 HR’s in one game ………..that’s 11.5% of his XBH in one game. His problem is he’s not clutch as he hit .216 for the year (.284 OBP) - he can be flashy and that gets fans excited. Again, he’s the 13th guy until somebody younger is ready……he’ll be 30 next season and this past one was his best by a considerable piece.

Agree, Funderburk has matured and his consistency through a tough final two months proved he deserves a spot.

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

1] SWR has had an interesting path to the ML level to say the least. He was nurses a bit in his 2024 season, then seemed to really grow and take charge, before finishing poorly when he seemed to run out of gas. Frankly, I was rather disappointed to his start of 2025. But he's a bright kid and has a fire inside of him that's fun to see. His finish to the season was excellent. And I believe he's locked in as the #4 starter for 2026.

I say that as Falvey...who speaks a lot but doesn't always actually SAY anything...has stated he's planning on Looez and Ryan to be in the rotation, and hopes/expects them to be there. Falvey may be a lot of things, but I've seen him as a liar. An offseason to rest his hip should have Ober back at the #3 spot.

**SIDE BAR: Sim and Bradley are both out of options. Both are 25yo. Bradley has a really live arm, but hasn't been able to harness his stuff consistently yet. If Matthews turns the corner, do they consider moving Bradley to the pen?

2] MARTIN really took advantage of his opportunity. Considering his fast start to the season, it's a real shame he was sidelined for so much of the year. The Twins never tried to make him a slugger, they just wanted more power so ML SP didn't challenge him and eat him up. I still have some concerns, but was very impressed with his offense as well as improved defense. His SLG % did go up some in '25 vs '24. But he has to at least show DBLS power, with the occasional HR, to keep ML pitchers honest.

Right now, I'm encouraged and think he's the starting LF to open 2026. Long term, I think he settles in as a 4th OF if he can continue to develop his defense. I want him to focus on his OF defense. And while this might not be popular with some, I want him to continue working out at 2B as well. As of now, the INF depth isn't very strong to begin 2026 and I'd like him as at least an emergency type option at 2B.

3] CLEMENS should be the low bar we're trying to clear. He's someone we should be looking to replace. He absolutely should not be a starter anywhere. However, that being said, his LH power off the bench, and the ability to play competent defense at 4 spots is worth keeping around for now. And OPS above .700 for a bench bat does provide value. Can he repeat that? I hope so, and expect him to get a shot at making the club next season. And crazy as it sounds, he might also fill the unfortunate role of 14th bullpen arm when needed.

* He's played a little 3B in his MILB and ML career. I don't believe he's an actual option you want to put out there, but I'd like him to work out there and see some ST action there. Crap happens during games sometimes, and with thin INF depth, I'd like to know he could slide there in an emergency.

4] FUNDERBURK really did step up after the deadline. His strong last 2 months had him ending the season with a 3.51 ERA after being in the upper 4's previously, IIRC. (It might have been worse). I'm hoping this wasn't an illusion as he's got good stuff, but could never find consistency previously. 

5] I'll get some pushback here I'm sure, but Cole Sands was pretty mediocre in the 1st half and didn't look much like his 2024 self. I don't have numbers to present, but initially, post deadline, he looked much, much better. He started to resemble the '24 version of himself. And then he had about 5 or 6 appearances where he just imploded. But IIRC, his last handful of appearances he seemed to turn it around again. I'm only saying, he started to flash more of the potential he showed in 2024, and might end up as a solid cog in the 2026 pen.

To me, it’s the 4 guys from last year in the rotation (Looez-Ryan-Ober-SWR) along with Bradley.

Matthews to the PEN in a Griffin Jax, high leverage role. Can throw hard in short bursts and would only need 2-3 effective pitches & there’s a big hole. He has options if they need to adjust on the fly.

Abel, on paper, is the 6th rotation guy…….Festa being next if healthy enough?

Matthews - Sands - Funderburk - Topa - Roya - Prielipp - Morris - Adams - Lawyerson & couple FA’s in the PEN mix.

[Otaknam]

I hope that the new pitch is a game changer for SWR. Until he is more consistent, though, his ceiling is still as a solid number five starter. I hope that Abel, Bradley, Matthews, and Rojas develop quickly. 

[jmlease1]

SWR & Austin Martin definitely seized their opportunities, but unfortunately both of them had issues that kept them off the field (Martin with the bum hammy and SWR with the lengthy illness). I'm much less enthusiastic about Clemens, who looks like an ok-ish bench player, a floor-setter who is fairly cheap and plays hard with solid defensive flexibility...but is also very streaky and limited as a hitter.

I'd say Martin profiles best as a 4th OF (especially if his OF defense improves), but could be a real asset as a RH bat with some speed.

SWR still has the most upside, and the floor on him as a 4th/5th starter sets the bar pretty well. He put up 2.2 bWAR this season which would have put him 2nd for both Detroit & Cleveland among their starters and 3rd with Milwaukee (the team most people seem to want us to emulate the most). My point being that these 3 playoff teams would have been thrilled to have him as their 4th starter. If SWR had been on the Mets, they likely make the playoffs. (oof, Manaea & Montas...)

Keaschall certainly seized his opportunities; hope his lack of health this season is a fluke and not a trend.

It certainly wasn't enough.

Gasper, Outman, Larnach, Julien, Lee (really disappointed in Lee, who wasn't good enough defensively and isn't hitting anywhere near enough) all got real chances and none of them came through. Not ready to give up on Lee yet, but...

[Trov]

If we cannot find an upgrade from Clemons on this roster, I am very worried for next year.  Outside of a few very hot stretches he was terrible.  Even with those hot stretches he was below average hitter.  He will be 30 next year, there is no reason to expect he will be able to repeat even what he did overall, let alone his hot stretches.  

The FO better not say well we have him for 1st base so we are set there.  To me, you non-tender him, sign him to minor league deal with spring invite, or he can walk.  Nothing about him says he must get a roster spot next year. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

23 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Funderburk saw his stock go up. He’s not an all-star but he looks okay.

 

Agree. Funderburk is a lock for the 2026 bullpen, might even get closing opportunities if we can get another LH like Coulombe in the off season. What about Cody Laweryson? Small sample size for sure (5 app, 7.2, IP, 1.17 ERA, 0.53 WHIP), but he looked the part of a competent reliever, maybe even a late inning guy. That's a major step up for a guy who aa 27 year old afterthought going into this year. Also, Ohl's stats weren't great because of a couple of blow ups early, but he looked like a real potential bullpen option the last month.  

[srlarson]

Sorry Clemens is a AAA player.....  hitting .218 is not a mlb bat.........  Martin is at best a platoon player, 4th outfielder......first year in a long time...didn't get to a game....not sure about next year....