Spring Temperature Check: Who's Hot and Who's Cold in Twins' Camp? (Feb 24-28)

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Emmanuel Rodriguez and Gabriel Gonzalez)

The standings don’t mean much in late February, but a six-game skid still isn’t ideal. Since our last check-in, the Twins have dropped six straight and now sit at 2-7 overall this spring. It’s early, workloads are being managed, and plenty of pitchers are still building up — but this past week wasn’t exactly clean baseball.

The stretch included a pair of Tuesday losses (10-5 to Baltimore and 12-1 to Tampa Bay), a 5-3 loss to Boston on Wednesday, a 6-4 defeat against Pittsburgh on Thursday, a 17-5 blowout by the Yankees on Friday, and a 13-8 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday. The results don’t matter much this time of year, but individual performances are worth monitoring.

With that in mind, here’s the latest temperature check.

Who’s Hot?
Alan Roden: I’m not sure anyone has helped themselves more this spring than Roden. He’s 7-for-12 with a home run, and the contact quality has backed it up. He’s recorded multiple 100+ MPH exit velocities and hasn’t looked overmatched in any situation.

It’s not just the production, it’s the at-bats. He’s controlling counts and squaring up pitches he should be driving. When a hitter pairs contact ability with impact like that, it stands out.

Gabriel Gonzalez: As if there wasn’t already enough traffic in the outfield picture, Gonzalez is forcing his way into the conversation. Since our last check-in, he’s 4-for-6 with a pair of batted balls over 104 MPH. That’s loud contact by any standard.

He’s shown he can handle different pitch types and hasn’t looked rushed at the plate. With all of the left-handed outfielders in the Twins’ system, a productive right-handed bat like Gonzalez could make things interesting if this continues.

Kody Clemens: Clemens has swung the bat well early on. He’s 3-for-10 with two walks and, notably, no strikeouts. For a player whose value is tied heavily to power, that kind of zone control is encouraging.

All three balls he put in play Saturday were over 100 MPH, and he’s hit a few others hard that turned into outs. Clemens likely projects as infield depth, particularly on the right side, but he could carve out a bigger role if he keeps controlling at-bats and hitting the ball this hard.

Who’s Not?
Marco Raya: Friday against the Yankees was a tough one for Raya. He recorded just one out while allowing five earned runs on one hit and four walks. He threw only 16 of 31 pitches for strikes, and command was clearly the issue.

His fastball touched 97.8 MPH, so the raw stuff is there. But when you can’t consistently land pitches in the zone, velocity doesn’t matter much. For a pitcher who’s battled command issues in the past, this wasn’t a step forward.

Justin Topa: Topa’s outing on Wednesday against Boston flipped that game. He needed 31 pitches to get two outs, allowing four earned runs on two hits and three walks. Two of the four balls put in play against him were hit over 104 MPH.

Even more concerning was the strike throwing; just 11 of 31 pitches landed in the zone. Topa entered camp looking like a strong bet for a bullpen spot, but outings like this open the door for competition.

Andrew Morris: The young righty drew the start on Tuesday against Baltimore, and it didn’t go well. Over 1 ⅓ innings, he allowed four earned runs on six hits, with no walks and no strikeouts. He threw 25 of 40 pitches for strikes, but too many of them caught too much of the plate.

The velocity dip stood out. After sitting 95-96 MPH last year, his fastball was 92-93 in this outing. That could simply be part of ramping up, but with less margin for error, hitters were able to square him up. Morris allowed more hard contact in 2025, and that trend showed up again in his first spring appearance.

It’s still early. These games often turn into minor-league scrimmages by the middle innings, and a bad week in February doesn’t define anyone’s season. But if we’re taking an early pulse, a few bats are trending up, and a few arms are still trying to find their footing.

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[Finlander]

It's early, but the play of Roden, GG, and Emma so far makes the decision to retain Larnach appear even more puzzling.

[Jack Pine]

Totaly agree with the Finn.  Any chance we could see any ST boxes?

[mikelink45]

Frustrating to see the hot - all batters, not hot - all pitchers.

I love having Gonzales pushing for playing time.

Not sure Kody deserves that listing on 3 - 10 

[TJSweens]

Early spring training results should be taken with a grain of salt. There are a lot players who won't get a whiff of a major league roster involved. Some pitchers are focused on fine tuning show pitches and not necessarily pitching their normal games. Some players need some games under their belts before things click. The last two weeks of training camp will tell us a whole lot more.

[jmlease1]

It's so hard to know just from stats in spring training. But better to see good than bad? I'd love for this to be a sign that Roden and GG are ready for real roles on the team and that they're getting the chance to win jobs. The floor for someone like Larnach is decent, but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of ceiling left.

(notably, Outman, whom I have ripped fairly consistently as not being a very good fit for this team who is blocking opportunity for others, has hit pretty well so far. Unclear how his D looks?)

Clemens seems fine to me as a backup, as he can play several positions as an average or above defender, and his power production (if it continues) could be valuable. As a starter, it's harder to see him being even average. I'd like him to be a floor setter, but he does have more utility than Larnach.

[h2oface]

How about that. Wallner. Always comes to ST ready to perform, eh?

[Bodie]

4 minutes ago, h2oface said:

How about that. Wallner. Always comes to ST ready to perform, eh?

How can anyone expect anything else from him??? (Hope is not the same as expecting)

He's shown no willingness to change anything about his across the board bad play.  Shorten that slower than Luis Tiant in the stretch windup of his? NEVER!!! Work on making contact more than "hard contact" (hint - swing and miss is ALWAYS zero contact, and shocker, no power)???  NEVER!!!

No adjustments = bad baseball 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Finlander said:

It's early, but the play of Roden, GG, and Emma so far makes the decision to retain Larnach appear even more puzzling.

MLB at bats for this trio is 136 (all Roden with a .191 BA) while Larnach has 1461 AB’s and a .241 BA ……… 25 points higher exclusively against RH pitching. I think that’s called logic. He certainly can be forced off of the Roster but FO’s need guys to force people off the Roster not give guys a spot and HOPE.

And you’re right 6-12 AB’s for these guys does not a true debut make ………. need to see where these 3 are at March 20th. They need to face MLB vets and produce. Fingers crossed - would love to see Roden & Gonzalez excel!

[LambchoP]

Larnach and Wallner may be on their last year with the Twins unless they truly break out. With Roden, Martin, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Jenkins looking close to being ready, there is just no roster spots for them anymore. Gotta go with the higher upside, younger, more athletic guys I think. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, h2oface said:

How about that. Wallner. Always comes to ST ready to perform, eh?

The guys nobody wanted to see show up in Baltimore (Outman, Roden) are showing up now and the guys we are depending on to carry us (Jeffers, Wallner, Lewis, Pablo) are hurt or struggling. Jeffers especially has been horrible offensively and defensively. Is he hearing trade whispers?

 

Trading Larnach and even Jeffers makes roster paths so much easier and gives Gabby and Emma (yeah these affectionate nicknames) valid shots at starting the season in the bigs 

 

Anyone else wondering about the preoccupation with Gio Urshela?

[D.C Twins]

3 hours ago, Finlander said:

It's early, but the play of Roden, GG, and Emma so far makes the decision to retain Larnach appear even more puzzling.

Let The Kids Play This Year!

[D.C Twins]

3 hours ago, Jack Pine said:

Totaly agree with the Finn.  Any chance we could see any ST boxes?

ESPN.COM

 

[OregonTwinsFan]

Very few can be considered hot so far...many can be considered not.

[ashbury]

Thanks for this summary.  Data that doesn't mean very much is still better than no data, at least if you accept the ground rules. 

[Sam Caulder]

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Frustrating to see the hot - all batters, not hot - all pitchers.

I love having Gonzales pushing for playing time.

Not sure Kody deserves that listing on 3 - 10 

Who do you think should be there instead of Clemens? I tried hard to find a pitcher to put in the "Who's Hot?" section, but the only one I felt made sense was Mick Abel and he hadn't made his second start yet. I didn't feel like any other pitcher had multiple good appearances this week, and no SP stood out to me.

[mikelink45]

Rosario has fewer ABs but has done well but Rodriguez would take Clemens place for me.

Considering our expectations Cole Sands and Taj Bradley are NOT HOT

But the pitchers have so few innings and games that it is hard to put one of them in the Hot column

[Sam Caulder]

18 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Rosario has fewer ABs but has done well but Rodriguez would take Clemens place for me.

Considering our expectations Cole Sands and Taj Bradley are NOT HOT

But the pitchers have so few innings and games that it is hard to put one of them in the Hot column

I put Rodriguez and Roden in the first check-in, but didn't want to double up on both of them in this one. He deserves to be in there though.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Sam Caulder said:

Who do you think should be there instead of Clemens? I tried hard to find a pitcher to put in the "Who's Hot?" section, but the only one I felt made sense was Mick Abel and he hadn't made his second start yet. I didn't feel like any other pitcher had multiple good appearances this week, and no SP stood out to me.

I don’t think it’s a criticism of the choices written about, it’s a criticism of the Pitching Staff……IMO.

[Patzky]

A Not Loss is better than a Loss 

Kudos Mssrs. Abel and Kent.

[Patzky]

7 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Larnach and Wallner may be on their last year with the Twins unless they truly break out. With Roden, Martin, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Jenkins looking close to being ready, there is just no roster spots for them anymore. Gotta go with the higher upside, younger, more athletic guys I think. 

And Walker Jenkins down with a hammy once again. Sighhh

[h2oface]

7 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Let The Kids Play This Year!

Are they kids? Or mid 20s (some as old as those that are considered under performing vets) that are basically prime age but haven’t been able to perform in the Show yet, only in AAA ball? To me, kids are less than 23. 

[h2oface]

“The tone setting, I think we've done that,” Shelton said. “There's a pretty good feel in our clubhouse.“

Feels like losing badly to me. Maybe they don’t look at the box scores. That pitching depth/pipeline must feel great. 

[stringer bell]

The last 15-20 games in the spring are certainly more important than the early exhibitions. Minor leaguers with no chance of making the majors have thrown quite a few innings and guys who have a spot on the team may well be "working on things". With each advancing week, the starters will be playing more and guys legitimately competing for spots on the Opening Day roster will be getting their chances. 

Sunday-Saturday was a tough week for Twins' pitchers. Is it a blip or indication of how thin the staff is? Ober and Ryan didn't pitch on big league mounds and Zebby and Taj were not very good. Abel pitched well again today against mostly minor leaguers. A lot of bullpen guys got knocked around, notably Topa and Banda, Liam Hendriks hasn't pitched an official inning.

Next week should be instructive about who is improving their chances and who is moving downward on depth charts.

[Blyleven2011]

I've watched some of the recent games ( yankees blow out and todays game )  and it hasn't looked good on pitching and offense for most games  , some players are performing and wanting a spot on 26 man roster , could be a tough decision ...

Its early and wins don't matter , but performing does , roden , Rodriguez and Gonzales are off to a good start , our main core hasn't shown up yet , it's up to them to get the cobwebs cleaned out and start performing  , wallner is a big concern  , does he have options left to send to AAA , ive stated manyvtimes that he needs to change his approach but I haven't seen him try anything different  , I'd like him to shorten his swing and lessen his violent bat speed for better contact , his homers might not go as far but he would hit more homers  ...

Wallner is a big concern right now in spring training  , I want players on the 26 man roster that earn it  ....

[Finlander]

13 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

MLB at bats for this trio is 136 (all Roden with a .191 BA) while Larnach has 1461 AB’s and a .241 BA ……… 25 points higher exclusively against RH pitching. I think that’s called logic. He certainly can be forced off of the Roster but FO’s need guys to force people off the Roster not give guys a spot and HOPE.

Point taken. However, when I made my comment, I wasn't only considering at-bats. It is not far-fetched to suggest that the defensive floors of all three outfielders I mentioned may exceed the defensive ceiling of Larnach.

[JD-TWINS]

8 minutes ago, Finlander said:

Point taken. However, when I made my comment, I wasn't only considering at-bats. It is not far-fetched to suggest that the defensive floors of all three outfielders I mentioned may exceed the defensive ceiling of Larnach.

Larnach will DH v. RH pitching in 90 of his 115 starts (assuming health). 83 games as DH in ‘25. If Martin stays healthy and Clemens earns a spot, they’ll be in LF a bunch!

[Patzky]

10 hours ago, h2oface said:

“The tone setting, I think we've done that,” Shelton said. “There's a pretty good feel in our clubhouse.“

Feels like losing badly to me. Maybe they don’t look at the box scores. That pitching depth/pipeline must feel great. 

Rocco set a tone too. 

Shelton has a long leash.. we all recognize what he has to work with. Competency in the batters box and on the basepaths.. logical roster and lineup decisions, a pattern to bullpen usage.. Twins fans will be happy to see those things at the bare minimum.

[Patzky]

8 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I've watched some of the recent games ( yankees blow out and todays game )  and it hasn't looked good on pitching and offense for most games  , some players are performing and wanting a spot on 26 man roster , could be a tough decision ...

Its early and wins don't matter , but performing does , roden , Rodriguez and Gonzales are off to a good start , our main core hasn't shown up yet , it's up to them to get the cobwebs cleaned out and start performing  , wallner is a big concern  , does he have options left to send to AAA , ive stated manyvtimes that he needs to change his approach but I haven't seen him try anything different  , I'd like him to shorten his swing and lessen his violent bat speed for better contact , his homers might not go as far but he would hit more homers  ...

Wallner is a big concern right now in spring training  , I want players on the 26 man roster that earn it  ....

You concerns about the so called core are valid. Jeffers has been brutal and his defense also hasn't been good this spring.. Royce will be back before April won't be? Buck and Martin are doing what they do.. small sample size make it difficult but Lee Wallner Jeffers and Topa aren't even close to passing the eyeball test 

[Bodie]

18 hours ago, Patzky said:

A Not Loss is better than a Loss 

Kudos Mssrs. Abel and Kent.

Been a while since you kissed your sister, huh?