Projected 26-man Opening Day Roster and Batting Order

[stringer bell]

For no reason other than I wanted to get my mind off the numbing cold and what is going on in Minneapolis, I decided to put together my projected Opening Day roster with a bonus of predicting the lineup for the first game against Baltimore. I am going with the current 40-,man roster and players in the Twins' system. I expect at least one trade and perhaps a free agent signing, but I'm only going with knowns at this time:

Pitchers (13)-- Starting Rotation--Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley. Bullpen--Taylor Rogers, Justin Topa, Cole Sands, Eric Orze, Kody Funderburk, David Festa, Conner Prielipp, Dan Altavilla.'

Catchers (2)--Ryan Jeffers, Victor Caratini

Infielders (6)--Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Tristan Gray, Kody Clemens

Outfielders (5)--Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Austin Martin, Alan Roden, Kyler Fedko

Starting Lineup and Batting Order for Opening Day vs. Baltimore 3/26/26

Luke Keaschall 2B, Byron Buxton CF, Josh Bell DH, Matt Wallner RF, Royce Lewis 3B, Ryan Jeffers C, Kody Clemens 1B, Brooks Lee SS, Austin Martin LF. Starting Pitcher Pablo Lopez.

Now for my rationale: I'm viewing Caratini as another options at first base and Jeffers as the second most used DH. It's entirely possible in my mind that the Twins carry three catchers for a while, waiting for an injury to either unload their starter (Jeffers) or the out-of options Alex Jackson. I think Shelton will try to play Bell mostly as the DH, but will start him at first quite often when he has Caratini behind the plate vs. a lefty with Jeffers at DH. I chose Gray for the utility infield spot mostly because he's given glimmers of being a hitter and he's out of options. Mostly on the basis of 2025, Clemens gets a shot at first base and he is the best defender the Twins have there. In the outfield, I have Martin winning a starting role over Roden and James Outman and then Fedko winning a short-side platoon role  I can't see Trevor Larnach staying on the team. I hope he nets a big league relief pitcher, but my guess is a mid-level prospect.

Based on their resumes, Lopez, Ryan, Ober and Woods Richardson are locks. I think Bradley has the least to benefit by being optioned to the minors so he gets the fifth spot. Zebby Matthews and Mick Abel get optioned to St. Paul preparing for a shot in the rotation caused by either injury or ineffectiveness. The Twins will try to convert Festa to a bullpen role and also Conner Preliepp as both have injury histories which will probably limit their innings anyway. Preliepp might get a chance in high leverage because of his outstanding stuff a la Jhoan Duran. I picked Altavilla as the non-roster guy who earns a spot. He had good numbers last year and at 33, I would presume either he stays with the Twins or is released. 

In my educated guess, Julien and Outman hit the DFA cycle and as mentioned Larnach is traded. Ryan Kreidler could win the utility role especially since he is a capable outfielder and Orlando Arcia at least temporarily goes to St. Paul. 

[tony&rodney]

The above roster and lineup is reality based. Reality can be a tough go at times. I'm struggling with reality in these times.

[Linus]

Very reasonable projection. I can’t even come up with a clever quip because watching the same cast of characters just isn’t that exciting. 

[jorgenswest]

I think you are spot on as to what the Twins will do. I would have Matthews and Abel in the bullpen. They don’t need to stash their 6th starter and 7th starter in AAA.

The Phillies had Walker in the 6th starter role. He went from the pen all of June. In July he was needed back in the rotation. He had thrown 33 pitches in his last relief outing. In his first start he threw 63 and the next start 70. Then he was back on track. There are other examples. Brad Lord with the Nationals transitioned twice. He went from 50 pitches his first start to 92 pitches his third start. Hayden Birdsong, Ryan Gusto, Jacob Latz and Eric Lauer moved from the pen to the rotation. Lauer pitched for the World Champion Blue Jays. 

Even if by some miracle the Twins remain healthy and they spend the entire season in the bullpen that doesn’t lock them into a bullpen role forever. Several of the starting pitchers that pitched in the all star game the last two years had seasons as a reliever.

I would take the 12 best arms. I think it is better for the development of all of those pitchers to face major league hitters.