Envisioning a 2026 Role for All 7 New Additions to the Twins 40-Man Roster

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of John Vittas- Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

When prospects get added to the 40-man roster, it's a sign that their big-league arrival is at least somewhat imminent. Last year at this time the Twins made two additions: Travis Adams and Marco Raya. Adams went on to debut and make 18 appearances in the majors. Raya surely would have come up at some point if he wasn't a disaster in Triple-A. (And Derek Falvey has already name-dropped Raya as a candidate for this year's bullpen picture.)

On Tuesday, the Twins added six minor-league players to their 40-man roster – three times the number from last year and one of their biggest totals in recent memory. It signifies something deeper: a greatly increased reliance on their farm system to fuel MLB success as the franchise openly pivots away from spending competitively. "We know we're going to be young," Falvey said recently.

Each of the six players added to the roster on Tuesday, as well as a seventh acquired via trade, could easily play a role as soon as the upcoming season. Here's a quick look at how that could come to pass.

Connor Prielipp, LHP
I'm increasingly convinced the Twins are hoping to lean on Prielipp as a high-leverage reliever out of the gate. He was finally healthy last year and unleashed his dominance across multiple levels of the system, earning the organization's minor-league pitcher of the year nod. His combination of a mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider can play in the majors now. Injuries have prevented him from building up any kind of workload baseline, so a relief role seems like a given, and there's no reason to waste any more bullets in the minors if his arm feels good. I'd bet on Prielipp breaking camp in the Twins bullpen, maybe even as their closer.

Role: Late-inning reliever

 

Kendry Rojas, LHP
Rojas earned attention while rising quickly through the Blue Jays system, and was already in Triple-A at age 22 by the time the Twins acquired him in the Louis Varland trade. He got crushed at that level, and will likely open with the Saints next year, but that puts him just a step away from the majors. Depending on how things play out, it's plausible Rojas could debut as either a starter or reliever, with the Twins hoping his impressive repertoire from the left side can lead to a quick impact. 

Role: Swingman

John Klein, RHP
He was quietly one of the breakthrough stories in the Twins system this year. The Brooklyn Park, MN native came out of nowhere to strike out 128 in 106 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, making enough waves that the front office felt compelled to protect him from pitching-hungry teams in the Rule 5 draft. At 6-foot-5 and 225 lbs, he's got a big-league build and his stuff took a massive step forward this year. I suspect the Twins are counting on him to play a significant role for their bullpen in 2026.

Role: Middle reliever

 

Andrew Morris, RHP
Coming off a stellar 2024 season that carved out his place in a promising pitching pipeline, Morris reached Triple-A at age 23 and held his own between some injury troubles. I wouldn't be totally shocked if the Twins fast-tracked him into a relief role but I suspect they'll keep him starting for now, in which case he'll likely open the season somewhere in the 6-9 range of the rotation depth chart. Given how quickly attrition tends to strike, that could line him up for a debut before midseason.

Role: Starter

Gabriel Gonzalez, OF
Gonzalez raked last year, flashing .329/.395/.513, and he finished the season at Triple-A at 21. It's not out of the question we're talking about him as a dark horse for the Opening Day roster in spring training. But if not, he'll definitely be in the mix for a call-up early on if he's able to start hot again in St. Paul. The Twins have quite a few ostensibly bat-first players with questionable gloves, but a majority of them are left-handed, which is one reason Gonzalez's righty bat was important to protect. 

Role: Corner outfielder/DH

Hendry Mendez, OF/1B
When the Twins acquired Mendez at the deadline in exchange for Harrison Bader, his defensive experience was exclusively in the outfield, but the front office quickly started talking him up as a future first base option. Months later, after spending time in Wichita and the Arizona Fall League, Mendez still hasn't logged any official game time at first base but the Twins are working him out there and I'd be surprised if he doesn't start breaking in the 1B mitt next spring. First base is a position where Minnesota could sorely use short-term help, with Kody Clemens currently lined up as starter, and Mendez is one of the top candidates to succeed him.

Role: First baseman/DH

Eric Orze, RHP
Unlike the six players above, Orze wasn't a 40-man addition from within the organization but rather a trade pickup in exchange for pitcher Jacob Kisting, a 14th-round pick from 2024. The potential role for Orze is pretty straightforward – he made 33 appearances out of the Rays bullpen last year and adds a semblance of MLB experience to a relief corps that is currently lacking. Right now he should be viewed as an odds-on favorite to make the Opening Day roster, albeit as a low-leverage and low-upside option.

Role: Middle reliever

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[Reptevia]

Sure.  Run them out there!

[mikelink45]

It is hard to envision the rotation and the pen at this time.  Can Ober rebound?  Do we trade Ryan or Lopez?  Has Matthews peaked or can we see him gaining better results?  Is SWR now our third best rotation arm? Or will we see Bradley take one of these spots.  Does Festa start or go to the pen? Morris next in line in AAA.

Those have to be resolved.  If I am reading the posts correctly we have Sands, Prielipp, Orze, Ohl, Travis, Funderburk, Raya, Topa, Abel, Klein and then one or two of the starters I listed above.  Does that sound correct or am I missing something.  

 

[rdehring]

Excited reading your opinion of where Prielipp will start the season.  I remain hopeful that the Twins view him as a starter.  At least long-term.  Considering how few innings he has pitched together with the current state of the Twins pen it makes a lot of sense to look at him as a bullpen option in 2026.  Could see him being stretched out so he could go up to three innings.  That would allow them to use him as a bulk reliever, two or three inning opener or any other role.  Should your projection that he be their closer happen, starting in the future could be off the table.  

How soon Gonzalez joins the Twins is somewhat related to how soon they move on from Larnach and/or Wallner.  Same for Jenkins.

[old nurse]

They have a full 40 man, no real closer, 12 starting pitchers. Is the bullpen going to be would be starters every fourth day? That would be a new wrinkle to baseball 

[arby58]

47 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Excited reading your opinion of where Prielipp will start the season.  I remain hopeful that the Twins view him as a starter.  At least long-term.  Considering how few innings he has pitched together with the current state of the Twins pen it makes a lot of sense to look at him as a bullpen option in 2026.  Could see him being stretched out so he could go up to three innings.  That would allow them to use him as a bulk reliever, two or three inning opener or any other role.  Should your projection that he be their closer happen, starting in the future could be off the table.  

Seems logical/reasonable. It's worth recalling that in Johan Santana's first four years with the Twins, he appeared in 97 games but only 41 as a starting pitcher. It wasn't until year 5 that he became purely a starting pitcher (and won the Cy Young award).

[arby58]

42 minutes ago, old nurse said:

They have a full 40 man, no real closer, 12 starting pitchers. Is the bullpen going to be would be starters every fourth day? That would be a new wrinkle to baseball 

If you look back, most of the Twins closers were converted starting pitchers - Duran, Nathan, Aguilera, Perkins, Guardado, Hawkins, etc., etc.

[Jeff K]

Recognizing that position players rarely get picked up in the rule 5 draft, I am concerned that Kyler Fedko wasn't protected.  While a long shot, he could be a first base option and I don't think the Twins should be thinning out those options.  Hopefully, he doesn't get picked up.

[rdehring]

After reading your piece, Nick, and Seth's report went and looked at the Twins 40-man roster.  Considering the four pitchers just added can't be waived prior to spring training, there really aren't any obvious pitchers to be cut to make room for new relievers.  

Does that mean the entire bullpen will be coming from this group?  Doubt that.  Expect they will carry more than 19 pitchers, so likely cuts will be from their 10 outfielders.  Maybe an outfielder or two will be traded for a solid reliever.  There are also a few infielders who are at risk, however, with only 8 infielders on the roster those players would need to be replaced by another infielder.  

[jmlease1]

I think there's little chance we see Rojas in the bullpen or the rotation any time soon. Yes, his stuff is impressive, but he was pushed too quickly last season and got throttled in AAA. He needs real development work and while he can probably get past last seasons crapitude, this is not a pitcher who is anywhere near ready. 

He's never made 20 professional starts. He's never thrown 100 innings. he only had 4 starts in AA last season. He only made 9 starts in AAA and struggled in most of them, and even in his best outings wasn't efficient at all. He should have been in Wichita last season, and there's a fair argument to make that he should start 2026 there regardless. Notably, he didn't even pitch the first 2 months of the season last year.

Loads of talent, nowhere near ready.

[TJSweens]

1 hour ago, rdehring said:

Excited reading your opinion of where Prielipp will start the season.  I remain hopeful that the Twins view him as a starter.  At least long-term.  

Drew McPhail recently said in an interview that the Twins view Prielipp as a top of the rotation starter. Given his injury history, I suspect the Twins focus will be on stretching him out. The Twins are likely moving one or more of Lopez, Ryan and Ober, so I expect there will be plenty of auditions for what will likely be a fluid rotation.

[old nurse]

55 minutes ago, arby58 said:

If you look back, most of the Twins closers were converted starting pitchers - Duran, Nathan, Aguilera, Perkins, Guardado, Hawkins, etc., etc.

Yup, and only Aguilera was a closer when they transitioned them 

[GNess]

Does the projected upside of Gonzalez, Jenkins and/or Rodriguez allow the Twins to move on from Larnach and/or Wallner - likely the case. One obvious caution - I recall that both Larnach and Wallner crushed minor league pitching on their way to the big leagues as well.

[jmlease1]

25 minutes ago, old nurse said:

Yup, and only Aguilera was a closer when they transitioned them 

Aggie started for the Twins when he first came over (he'd only just moved to the Mets bullpen full-time in '89).

Reardon was the one who was an established closer when he came over to the Twins.

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Nick, nice summary.  I agree with all that you stated.

Does Orze have options remaining?  Is he currently on the 40-man?

Yes and 1 according to roster resource. My guess is the Rays needed the 40 man spot and would have DFA’d him if they did not find a trade partner.

[Greglw3]

I think you nailed it on all fronts, Nick!

I’m especially high on Gonzalez as he’s the antithesis of the low to absurdly low batting average guys the Twins have given too much run in recent years. 

[TwinsDr2021]

3 hours ago, arby58 said:

Seems logical/reasonable. It's worth recalling that in Johan Santana's first four years with the Twins, he appeared in 97 games but only 41 as a starting pitcher. It wasn't until year 5 that he became purely a starting pitcher (and won the Cy Young award).

Johan's first 4 years were age 21, 22,23,24.

Pitched 86 innings at age 21, 133.1 at age 22, 157, age 24 158, age 25 228, Nobody in the Twins minor league compares to him. 

[arby58]

11 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Johan's first 4 years were age 21, 22,23,24.

Pitched 86 innings at age 21, 133.1 at age 22, 157, age 24 158, age 25 228, Nobody in the Twins minor league compares to him. 

The point wasn't to compare Santana to anybody in the Twins minor leagues (Santana was the best pitcher in baseball in his prime) rather, that you 'can' go back to starting, even if you enter MLB primarily as a relief pitcher. There are other examples from other teams as well.

[TwinsDr2021]

6 minutes ago, arby58 said:

The point wasn't to compare Santana to anybody in the Twins minor leagues (Santana was the best pitcher in baseball in his prime) rather, that you 'can' go back to starting, even if you enter MLB primarily as a relief pitcher. There are other examples from other teams as well.

I am not saying it can't or shouldn't be done, and that it doesn't happen. I am saying there is a huge difference between a guy doing it between the ages of 21-24 and guy that has never played in the majors at age 25. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

3 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

I think you nailed it on all fronts, Nick!

I’m especially high on Gonzalez as he’s the antithesis of the low to absurdly low batting average guys the Twins have given too much run in recent years. 

However,  Gonzales is weak in the defensive aspect of his game. This concerns me.

[old nurse]

6 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Aggie started for the Twins when he first came over (he'd only just moved to the Mets bullpen full-time in '89).

Reardon was the one who was an established closer when he came over to the Twins.

Arby didn’t mention Reardon. I will give him credit for not thinking that the Twins are going to trade for a top 5 closer 

[arby58]

4 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I am not saying it can't or shouldn't be done, and that it doesn't happen. I am saying there is a huge difference between a guy doing it between the ages of 21-24 and guy that has never played in the majors at age 25. 

Look up Seth Lugo, who hit the majors at age 26. 9.2 combined WAR the last three seasons as a starting pitcher between the ages of 33-35.

[Greglw3]

3 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

However,  Gonzales is weak in the defensive aspect of his game. This concerns me.

I'm not sure about that. I once had someone insist up and down on Twins Daily that DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was not a good defensive player. So, we’ll see. This turned up from a Google search.

 

 

It looks like the two screen shots, starting with GG’s pic are from early 2024. The Google AI report is one indicator, but it is AI based and seems to contradict itself in the same writeup, saying he has excellent bat to ball skills but needs better strike zone discipline. I think his just completed season argues for the former!

He’s the guy I really have my eye on.

 

[Greglw3]

8 hours ago, GNess said:

Does the projected upside of Gonzalez, Jenkins and/or Rodriguez allow the Twins to move on from Larnach and/or Wallner - likely the case. One obvious caution - I recall that both Larnach and Wallner crushed minor league pitching on their way to the big leagues as well.

As the Twins try to turn the page and try a new way, I think retaining hitters that were mediocre (Larnach) to poor Wallner (as evidenced by his .204 batting average, inability often to even catch up to 95 MPH fastballs, colossal holes in his swing with no adjustments, and most telling, the lowest RBI total on 22 HR since they started keeping the RBI statistic in the 1920s.

Depending on how many of the 22 HR were 2 run or 3 run, he may have driven in as little as 10-14 runs the whole season via 1B, 2B, 3B, BB, HBP, Groundout, Sacrifice fly.

In my mind, Wallner has to beat out Gonzalez, Em Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins and Hendry Mendez who hit crazy good for Wichita.

The Twins can’t run it back, which was why I found it disturbing that Falvey thinks Kody Clemens can be the 1B or at least the strong side of a platoon. Even with the timely HRs, he slumped too often and turned in an unacceptable batting average, in my book. And I really like Kody and rooted very hard for him. I hope I’m wrong but they have to platoon him and maybe then he can hit .250.

If the Twins start Larnach, Wallner and Kody Clemens, then they’re basically running it back with the bulk of the offense that lost 90 games.

[DocBauer]

I think you pretty much nailed it, Nick.

With Hill in the organization and the team supposedly really high on Rojas...who should have stayed at AA for ALL of 2025 IMO...I guess it's probably time to move Prielipp to the pen, even though I don't like it. A little more time, a little more patience, I still see him as a quality ML SP. But maybe he can follow the Santana route later.

I don't expect to see Rojas until 2027 unless he takes a MAJOR step forward in 2026.

Klein didn't provide great numbers in AAA, but he's got the tools to be good somewhere. And he actually threw much better with St Paul after his first couple of appearances. I can see him being part of the opening day roster to being promoted a few months in to the season.

I still believe Morris is an actual, quality ML SP, but his ceiling is probably as a #3. But that would still be pretty awesome. 

With Martin, Roden, Buxton, and Wallner as "legitimate" OF options, and Rodriguez and Jenkins close to making their debut, Gonzalez should be given a 1B glove and get plenty of time there with St Paul unless he surprises everyone in ST. It's RIDICULOUS how the FO seems to dismiss 1B as an important position and just keeps "throwing guys out there" while occasionally getting lucky with decent production. Santana has actually been the only real, true, productive 1B they've had since probably Cron? 

The "THREW" Sano, Arraez, and Solano over there. They gambled on Gallo and lost. France? Come on! 

IDK if Gonzalez has a good arm and has reportedly improved his defense. 1B is an opportunity within the organization to actually find a quality 1B for the long term. Mendez is STARTING to work there. Rosario, a non 40 man add, should also be given a 1B glove. 

I like who was protected. But I'm a little worried that Fedko's breakthrough in 2025 might have someone grabbing him as a versatile 4th OF. The odds are against it, but I probably would have found room.

I'm really worried most about CJ Culpepper. His development has been slowed some due to injury. And his best future role MIGHT be in the pen. But when healthy he's produced some solid overall numbers. And I'm worried someone will snag him and hide him on their 2026 roster.

[arby58]

9 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I like who was protected. But I'm a little worried that Fedko's breakthrough in 2025 might have someone grabbing him as a versatile 4th OF. The odds are against it, but I probably would have found room.

I'm really worried most about CJ Culpepper. His development has been slowed some due to injury. And his best future role MIGHT be in the pen. But when healthy he's produced some solid overall numbers. And I'm worried someone will snag him and hide him on their 2026 roster.

Agree on Culpepper. Fedko had an excellent break-out year, but he's 26. I'd take the under on him being selected by another team. 

[TwinsDr2021]

14 hours ago, arby58 said:

Look up Seth Lugo, who hit the majors at age 26. 9.2 combined WAR the last three seasons as a starting pitcher between the ages of 33-35.

I never said it couldn't be done or shouldn't be done. Lugo is similar to Prielipp, 

Lugo was a late pick, didn't play a game in the minors until his age 23 season (Low A and A) 66 innings, age 24 A+ for 105 innings, age 25 AA and AAA for 136 innings , then spent the next seven seasons as a pretty decent relief pitcher (16 saves, 62 holds and 15 blown saves) Then moved onto SD than KC. 

Not really sure that is the comparison you meant to make, I think we all hope Prielipp is better than that before he moves onto a another team. 

 

[arby58]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

 

 

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I never said it couldn't be done or shouldn't be done. Lugo is similar to Prielipp, 

Lugo was a late pick, didn't play a game in the minors until his age 23 season (Low A and A) 66 innings, age 24 A+ for 105 innings, age 25 AA and AAA for 136 innings , then spent the next seven seasons as a pretty decent relief pitcher (16 saves, 62 holds and 15 blown saves) Then moved onto SD than KC. 

Not really sure that is the comparison you meant to make, I think we all hope Prielipp is better than that before he moves onto a another team. 

 

How about Jose Soriano? In his first year in MLB (age 24) he was solely used as a relief pitcher. The next two years (2024 and 2025) he was solely a starting pitcher. That could be Prielipp. 

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

 

How about Jose Soriano? In his first year in MLB (age 24) he was solely used as a relief pitcher. The next two years (2024 and 2025) he was solely a starting pitcher. That could be Prielipp. 

Never said he couldn't be or won't be, I said his comparison to Santana wasn't the close to being the same as Prielipp. What you saying is possible, it just is rare, and so many people on this site think every Twins prospect is the exception to the rule (which has been proven wrong over and over again). Prielipp with his stuff and history hopefully his career is closer to the DeGrom's career path than just about every other pitcher in history that has went the path of Prielipp so far. 

[arby58]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Never said he couldn't be or won't be, I said his comparison to Santana wasn't the close to being the same as Prielipp. What you saying is possible, it just is rare, and so many people on this site think every Twins prospect is the exception to the rule (which has been proven wrong over and over again). Prielipp with his stuff and history hopefully his career is closer to the DeGrom's career path than just about every other pitcher in history that has went the path of Prielipp so far. 

Except it's not that rare, and my sense is it will become more common. With lower pitch counts in the minors, bringing up a guy with great stuff and sending him out for 1-2 innings the first year(s) makes sense. 

Take Garrett Crochet - started as a relief pitcher, then was out a full year, came back the following year as a relief pitcher, and then two full years as a (very good) starting pitcher. There are plenty more examples if you look for them.