Minnesota Twins Roster Project and Organizational Depth

[TwinsDr2021]

10 minutes ago, RpR said:

Taylor, Farmer, France, Santana were all dissed by the majority of posters here, but the year they were picked up, they did very well.

Time will tell if hte Twins get another bargain buy; do not go off on a Margot rant as he was the odd ball out; even Joey Gallo gave them a good early season performance before he became a Wallner.

Those Free agents made sense, (Mostly Taylor and Farmer because there was no real prospect option) France and Santana while one was decent and the other was good helped the Twins finish in 4th place in the division, so there is that. What was the cost beside money, maybe nothing because Julien and Miranda were so bad

[SF Twins Fan]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Once again the newbie rookies will save the day; that has worked out SO well in the past five or more years.

Once again a Castle in the Air rules the site.

Spring Training will give a hint as to, what is what, May Whine in Dec. is just a bit silly.

Where did I ever say the newbie rookies will save the day?  Did you even read and comprehend what I wrote?  All I said is if they can get a few prospects to hit out of the 11 that I mentioned then the team will be more exciting....  NOTHING in there said anything about "saving" the day...

IF by year-end say Jenkins, Rodriguez, Abel, and Morris have pushed their way onto the MLB roster then it will be much more exciting to watch.

Catcher: Jeffers

IF: Bell, Keaschall, Lewis, Lee

OF: Rodriguez, Buxton, Jenkins

DH: Wallner

That's a much more exciting lineup then what they're planning to trot out there currently.  Try actually comprehending what I wrote.

[RpR]

28 minutes ago, SF Twins Fan said:

Where did I ever say the newbie rookies will save the day?  Did you even read and comprehend what I wrote?  All I said is if they can get a few prospects to hit out of the 11 that I mentioned then the team will be more exciting....  NOTHING in there said anything about "saving" the day...

IF by year-end say Jenkins, Rodriguez, Abel, and Morris have pushed their way onto the MLB roster then it will be much more exciting to watch.

Catcher: Jeffers

IF: Bell, Keaschall, Lewis, Lee

OF: Rodriguez, Buxton, Jenkins

DH: Wallner

That's a much more exciting lineup then what they're planning to trot out there currently.  Try actually comprehending what I wrote.

Watching rookies flail is not exciting.  That is a very poor infield , while Bell is a crap-shoot.

The boys you have in the outfeld are at best, average in Minor League.

Joey Wallner at DH, oh boy.    As I said, Castle in the Sky.

[tony&rodney]

17 hours ago, old nurse said:

Colorado

Did you watch the Twins play Colorado last season?

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Once again the newbie rookies will save the day; that has worked out SO well in the past five or more years.

 

You do know that the Twins don't play rookies until all other bodies have been sidelined, right?

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Miguel Andujar and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa (for example) make the team better in 2026. Dump Outman and Julien and add those two. Then watch the waiver wire for players like Kody Clemens to replace Gasper and Kreidler.

I guess I can see the logic in signing these two guys, IKF becomes the back up infielder, and Andujar platoons at 1B with Clemens and/or likely plays LF at times. . Changing my 13 players to Jeffers, Jackson, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Clemens, Martin, Buxton, Wallner, Erod, IKF, Bell, Andujar. 

Do I think this makes the team better, not really, but it does get rid of players that aren't worth being on major league contracts, do I think this will stop or slow down bringing up Culpepper, Erod, or GG, I do, I think they give the spot I give to ERod to Roden. 

[SF Twins Fan]

25 minutes ago, RpR said:

Watching rookies flail is not exciting.  That is a very poor infield , while Bell is a crap-shoot.

The boys you have in the outfeld are at best, average in Minor League.

Joey Wallner at DH, oh boy.    As I said, Castle in the Sky.

Cool story.  So, watching Keaschall come up and contribute right away wasn't exciting to you? 

Lewis is at least average at defense.  Lee's range is below average, but he can make the throws.  Keaschal's problems on defense were his throws, which could be because he was coming back from UCL surgery and then broke his forearm.  Give him a healthy offseason and spring training he could be just fine at 2nd.  He has plenty of range to play there.  Bell sucks at defense but until the Twins sign someone else to play the position that's who we will be stuck watching at 1st.

Jenkins is currently ranked 10th as a prospect by MLB and reached AAA as a 20-year-old and held his own.  Over the last roughly 70 years, the number of players to reach AAA at 20-years old is around 20.  Most of those players went on to be all stars.  But yea, he's been an average at best minor leaguer.... yawn.

Wallner has been an above average MLB hitter since he was called up... he would be an ideal DH.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Otaknam said:

I don’t understand the Susac trade. He has some offensive potential and ML experience. Jackson is a backup who doesn’t hit at all. Why trade Susac for a low level minor leaguer who may never help this team, especially with the dearth of catchers in the system. 

His previous Team didn’t protect him - right? Can’t be that good.

Had you heard of him prior to the Rule 5 claim?

Don’t see this as something to be too concerned about

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

You do know that the Twins don't play rookies until all other bodies have been sidelined, right?

They rushed Keaschall to the majors

[JD-TWINS]

23 minutes ago, SF Twins Fan said:

Cool story.  So, watching Keaschall come up and contribute right away wasn't exciting to you? 

Lewis is at least average at defense.  Lee's range is below average, but he can make the throws.  Keaschal's problems on defense were his throws, which could be because he was coming back from UCL surgery and then broke his forearm.  Give him a healthy offseason and spring training he could be just fine at 2nd.  He has plenty of range to play there.  Bell sucks at defense but until the Twins sign someone else to play the position that's who we will be stuck watching at 1st.

Jenkins is currently ranked 10th as a prospect by MLB and reached AAA as a 20-year-old and held his own.  Over the last roughly 70 years, the number of players to reach AAA at 20-years old is around 20.  Most of those players went on to be all stars.  But yea, he's been an average at best minor leaguer.... yawn.

Wallner has been an above average MLB hitter since he was called up... he would be an ideal DH.

You get down on someone for not being astute and giving credit for Keaschall’s rise as a Rookie and Jenkin’s accomplishments in MiLB BUT then you say Wallner is above average and an ideal DH………come on, the guy’s been sent down for weeks and weeks over past 3 seasons and or hurt……. he’s got fabulous power but on a day to day basis he’s barely mediocre. A .200 BA with 20 plus HR and less than 40 RBI with an extremely high K rate is not what any Team is looking for in a DH. If he were from Kenosha instead of Forrest Lake he’d have about 5 supporters here.

I don’t think Wallner is without potential but he sure as hell better start showing it or he’ll be gone……..can’t hit great for 4 games, 4/5 times during the season and suck the rest of the time ……..not an affective contributor with that profile. He’s the antithesis of clutch.

[SF Twins Fan]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

You get down on someone for not being astute and giving credit for Keaschall’s rise as a Rookie and Jenkin’s accomplishments in MiLB BUT then you say Wallner is above average and an ideal DH………come on, the guy’s been sent down for weeks and weeks over past 3 seasons and or hurt……. he’s got fabulous power but on a day to day basis he’s barely mediocre. A .200 BA with 20 plus HR and less than 40 RBI with an extremely high K rate is not what any Team is looking for in a DH. If he were from Kenosha instead of Forrest Lake he’d have about 5 supporters here.

I don’t think Wallner is without potential but he sure as hell better start showing it or he’ll be gone……..can’t hit great for 4 games, 4/5 times during the season and suck the rest of the time ……..not an affective contributor with that profile. He’s the antithesis of clutch.

I could give two shits where Wallner is from. 

He produced an OPS of .775 in 2025, which is above average for an outfielder, which is around .750.  His OPS' in 2023 and 2024 were .877 and .895, respectively, which are both WELL above average.  His OPS+ have been 138, 149, and 110 over the past three seasons. Again, all well above average.

The statement that Wallner isn't an above average hitter is 100% completely false and inaccurate.  Did he have a down year in 2025 compared to the two previous years?  Yes, 100%.  Unless he just completely falls apart in 2026, there is no reason to believe he can't be a well above average DH on a playoff team.

[Greglw3]

18 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

You spelled 65 wrong.

Great comment! A+ for just plain funny and witty!

[Greglw3]

I agree about the great recipe for 65-70 win team. Right now, relief much worse and lineup marginally better with Bell, who I think could surprise based on the swing adjustments that gave him a strong 2nd half in 2025.

However, we just can’t afford to run back the annual low batting average lineup of the last few years and expect different results. Outman about .160, Wallner .203, Clemens ~ .220, Lee .239, Lewis .230s.

We have a new manager and a huge addition in Grady Sizemore, I see only 2 viable outfielders on the ML roster, Martin and Buxton and they could, if healthy hold down LF and CF. Rather than the mediocre Larnach and Mendoza line Wallner who had 10 RBIs all last season from a single, double, triple, groundout, hit by pitch or sacrifice fly....

I would give every chance for 2 of the following 4 to win the 2 remaining OF spots: Gabriel Gonzalez, who I think will hit and is a pure hitter, Emmanual Rodriguez (high on base at least), Walker Jenkins and Hendry Mendez (I like his offensive potential and he can hit for Lyman Bostock type power and a .290 average and I’d be very happy. And I hope Roden emerges.

Further, spring training would be an open competition for SS between Culpepper and Lee. 

I think 60% Lewis has a significantly better year as he was maturing 2nd half of 2025 and sounds like Shelton might be a very good influence on him.

Keaschall at 2B.

They need to trade for one more hitter with at least Martin potential.

Finally, I think, even though a little disappointed when he was chosen, that Derek Shelton is going to help this team realize their potential. Interviews with him, articles about his strengths, and importantly that he still wants to establish a go-go offense (Martin, Jenkins, Keaschall, Buxton, Culpepper).

Falvey needs to get busy as he’s being out hustled yet again. There are hitters out there for trade. Even Binentendi would be an upgrade on many of our hitters and has a past with some solid hitting in it.

[Brandon]

7 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Please, replace all 3 with better players. Fitzgerald hasn't "earned" anything. He's a 32-year-old career minor leaguer.

I imagine them going as Culpepper comes up and the OFers too.

[RpR]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

You do know that the Twins don't play rookies until all other bodies have been sidelined, right?

His idea, not mine.

[TJSweens]

6 hours ago, DJL44 said:

It thinks Outman (1.3 WAR), Julien (1.2), Gasper (1.0), Clemens (1.0), Jackson (0.9), Pereda (0.7), Fitzgerald (0.6), Bell (0.5) and Kreidler (0.4) will all be above replacement value contributors. It estimated Keirsey Jr as a 1.0 WAR player. This is due to ZIPS regressing numbers to the mean and only estimating playing time assuming a player will actually contribute. That group combines for 7.5 WAR and I'd put the actual number much closer to zero. Making that contribution zero drops the overall projection from 80 wins to 73.

 

This kind of stuff is why I place very little stock in WAR and projected WAR. 

[Fatbat]

This roster is ugly.

[FlyingFinn]

This is who I want, not what I think the Twins will do:

C - Jeffers, Jackson

1B - Bell, Clemens

2B - Keashall

3b - Lewis

SS - Culpepper, Lee (Utility)

OF - Rodriguez, Buxton, Jenkins, Martin, Wallner

I agree with other posters that the lineup presented will win 70 games. Therefore, lets get faster, younger and probably still win 70 games by the end of the year.

[stringer bell]

The 2026 roster, as it is today, isn't a candidate for postseason and is much more likely to finish with 90+ losses than 80 wins. However, there is talent and potential amidst the replacement level players. 

Only Byron Buxton is an established major league regular and we all know his injury history. Ryan Jeffers has been good, not great, as a half time catcher. He'll get a chance to play a lot more in 2026. Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner have had their moments in the past three years, but injury and inconsistency make them question marks. In approximately a year of playing time, first round draft choice Brooks Lee has been above average only one of the six or seven months he has played, but he is a first round draft choice with some skills. Josh Bell is an above-average hitter who probably would do well to DH more than play first base. Luke Keaschall had a promising abbreviated first year in the majors. Austin Martin looked much improved when he got a chance to play regularly after the trade deadline. 

Three of the Twins top hitting prospects are outfielders who have already played at Triple A. I don't think it is a big stretch to expect one or more of those guys to come in and show they belong.

Here's my take of the position players: It's a year of challenge and transition. The team is overloaded with LH hitting corner outfield and DH types and lacks potential and depth in the infield. There is only one proven major league catcher. The team needs to bring a starting caliber infielder, preferably a shortstop, and would benefit by having a power bat to play 1B/DH.

[Doctor Wu]

On 12/31/2025 at 10:51 PM, JD-TWINS said:

The only deadline moves that stung were Duran - Jax - Varland, that’s it - the rest is just mob rule bitching. Those 3 relievers are SIGNIFICANT!!! Adding Abel - Bradley - Rojas will “hopefully” be significant in a positive way.

Agreed, Those were three VERY GOOD arms in the bullpen, and it will be hard to replace them. Hard, but not impossible. The other young arms we picked up in trades are also very good, or least look like they COULD be very good. But all three of these acquired arms have been starters thus far, so that presents the dilemma; do we keep them as starters, or convert some/all off them to relief roles? I honestly don't know. But I think we do have those guys and some other arms like Festa and Zebby, that might make solid bullpen pieces. I agree that we really didn't decimate the team too badly in that final month. The core of the team is still intact. So far, at least. And if a few more good pieces (and go out and get them now: don't wait until March, the pickings are already slim) are added, I still think the Twins can compete for at least a division title this season. I keep remembering 1987 and 1991, with the Twins going from last to first, and I still think those sort of "miracles" are possible. That hope keeps me being a fan.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

Agreed, Those were three VERY GOOD arms in the bullpen, and it will be hard to replace them. Hard, but not impossible. The other young arms we picked up in trades are also very good, or least look like they COULD be very good. But all three of these acquired arms have been starters thus far, so that presents the dilemma; do we keep them as starters, or convert some/all off them to relief roles? I honestly don't know. But I think we do have those guys and some other arms like Festa and Zebby, that might make solid bullpen pieces. I agree that we really didn't decimate the team too badly in that final month. The core of the team is still intact. So far, at least. And if a few more good pieces (and go out and get them now: don't wait until March, the pickings are already slim) are added, I still think the Twins can compete for at least a division title this season. I keep remembering 1987 and 1991, with the Twins going from last to first, and I still think those sort of "miracles" are possible. That hope keeps me being a fan.

With the low quantity and low quality of returning bullpen arms, building a bullpen for this year is daunting. The starting rotation has many quality arms, so I expect one or two guys to convert to the bullpen. Will Shelton and company make the right choices? I hope they go for upside and bring their twelve best arms north. The 13th and 14th should be guys who can move freely back and forth to St. Paul.

As constructed, I don't think the position player mix is nearly good enough to compete. At least one major league infielder is needed, preferably a guy who can back up shortstop and another hitter to play first base or DH would be on my shopping list. There is an unappealing clump of flawed, low ceiling guys for the corners and DH. At least one of those guys should be cashiered for bullpen or infield help.

[Elliot]

I am surprised there is not more discussion of the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI). This would seem to be the ideal situation to roll the dice with two or three out of the group of Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Culpepper, and maybe a young arm or two as well. This is probably not a team that is going to compete for a title unless a few youngsters step up in big ways. Why not break camp with one of the young OF in LF and Culpepper at SS? If things work out to the best, you gain an additional high draft pick. If not, you still generate a little fan interest. It sounds like most of those listed, if not all, will make their debuts this year so you are not messing with their timelines much.

In most years there are 40 man roster concerns. Not so in 2026. I would think they could clear 3 spots pretty easily. If Julien, Gaspar, Outman et al clear waivers they go to St Paul.  If not, NBD.

I know I would be much more excited about the upcoming season if I knew there would be a few high end rookies to watch. It would also help my outlook to not have Brooks Lee at SS. I have griped about SS Brooks Lee quite a bit.  That doesn’t mean I am not a Brooks Lee fan. His future was always about his hit tool, not his defense. He really did not pass the eye test for me as a hitter (slow swing, defensive, feeling for the ball); however, 16 HR and 64 RBI’s in what seemed to feel like a real crappy year for him gives me hope that there may be more there if they can find him a defensive home. I know that sounds like faint praise, but I really do think he could have a breakout year with the bat.