Alan Roden

[jorgenswest]

The Twins need a first baseman. The Twins need a hitter that can get on base near the top of the order. I think Alan Roden can do those two things.

it is not easy to play a solid first baseman in the major leagues. I don’t believe that they can throw Larnach or Wallner at 1B and have it work out. Neither player has any history of playing the infield. Alan Roden played 1B in college. He played catcher and shortstop in high school. I think the Jays played him in outfield instead of first base because he is a capable corner outfielder. Some of his skill wouldn’t be utilized at first base and they had a greater need in the outfield. The Twins need a 1B though. They have capable outfielders in the way.

They have a 26 year old in AAA with a .412 career OBP (.420 in AAA) in the minors. They need base runners. Let’s give him some time at 1B in AAA now. 

[nicksaviking]

I think Gabriel Gonzalez is the one they are eyeing for the switch. Looks like he did get one game at 1B in St. Paul so far.

I'm more than fine if they move on from both Wageman and Sabato.

[Linus]

Why not?  They’ve had a hole at first base for a long time without any creative solutions. 

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

 

I think Gabriel Gonzalez is the one they are eyeing for the switch. Looks like he did get one game at 1B in St. Paul so far.

 

Good point! 

Neither needs to play everyday at 1B. Give both some time there so that they have some options. Maybe one of them will be their 1B the next 5 years.

[Mike Sixel]

mike

Could Roden play first for the Twins? He can't be as bad as Clemens......(ok, he can, but at least there is upside)

Brendan Gawlowski

I don't think you want his bat at first

 

Brendan is a former scout employed by Fangraphs.....

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Gonzalez is listed at 5'10. Which means, he's probably closer to 5'9. Certainly possible that he can play 1B but he would be quite an outlier.

[Possumlad]

57 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

mike

Could Roden play first for the Twins? He can't be as bad as Clemens......(ok, he can, but at least there is upside)

Brendan Gawlowski

I don't think you want his bat at first

 

Brendan is a former scout employed by Fangraphs.....

Fine point broadly, but not really relevant given our other internal options at 1st... 

[amjgt]

59 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Gonzalez is listed at 5'10. Which means, he's probably closer to 5'9. Certainly possible that he can play 1B but he would be quite an outlier.

With the ABS system in place, aren’t all of the measurements accurate now?

[Linus]

I would also like Mendez and K Rosario to start playing first. 

[tony&rodney]

Alan Roden looks a little rough thus far for St. Paul. He is getting on base via walks and he has a few decent swings too. A little early to call for change if it means bringing in Roden. If it is about demoting James Outman, perhaps the call is Ryan Kreidler.

[jorgenswest]

9 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Alan Roden looks a little rough thus far for St. Paul. He is getting on base via walks and he has a few decent swings too. A little early to call for change if it means bringing in Roden. If it is about demoting James Outman, perhaps the call is Ryan Kreidler.

For me it is about developing a 1B. Play Roden at 1B. Play Gonzalez at 1B. Those two have shown potential in their bats over their careers to play there. I don’t see Kreidler as a 1B solution.

[nicksaviking]

20 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

mike

Could Roden play first for the Twins? He can't be as bad as Clemens......(ok, he can, but at least there is upside)

Brendan Gawlowski

I don't think you want his bat at first

 

Brendan is a former scout employed by Fangraphs.....

He didn't exactly answer the Clemens comp because OBP history alone should make Roden the preferred choice.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, nicksaviking said:

He didn't exactly answer the Clemens comp because OBP history alone should make Roden the preferred choice.

Agreed. 

[stringer bell]

On 4/7/2026 at 1:37 PM, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Gonzalez is listed at 5'10. Which means, he's probably closer to 5'9. Certainly possible that he can play 1B but he would be quite an outlier.

The Twins' recent history is filled with <6 ft. first basemen. Luis Arraez, Carlos Santana, Donovan Solano, Ty France and two of them won Gold Gloves. As noted above, a feature of the ABS system is that all players are measured and are listed at their actual height. I was certain that Arraez was shorter than 5'10'', but his height is in fact measured at 5'10".

[jaimedude]

Can they get Special assistant Justin Morneau or TK over to St Paul to do the first base drills for either Gonzalez or Roden. We could use a guy with a good bat at 1st base. You still gotta be able to pick it over there.