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Posted
Image courtesy of © Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kyler Fedko had a performance for the ages on Sunday with the Saints. Three homers and a triple will draw plenty of headlines. Fedko is more than just a player who had one good day at Triple-A, however, and he's a strong candidate to help the Twins’ mismatched roster fit together better.

Fedko wasn't having a banner year heading into Sunday. He had struck out in 33.3% of his at-bats and was hitting .107 in 11 games. His huge day could be seen as fun but inconsequential. Despite his struggles to begin the season, though, his 2025 performance should carry some weight. Fedko posted an .855 OPS for Wichita and St. Paul last season with 28 homers and 38 stolen bases. Sunday may be an outlier but his numbers in 2025 show that he's capable of consistent production.
Beyond the stats, Fedko is a good fit for the Twins roster. He's capable of playing all three outfield spots. The Twins may not love him in center field, but for the small role of backing up Byron Buxton, he should be capable. He can also play first base, a spot currently platooned between Victor Caratini and Kody Clemens. Tying the fit together is Fedko being a right-handed hitter, which solves many problems with the lineup against left-handed pitching. If he can produce at all, the Twins’ lineup would get a boost.
 
The odds of Fedko producing are uncertain, but the bar he'd need to clear to be useful is relatively low. The obvious way to open a roster spot to promote Fedko is to part ways with James Outman. The upside of keeping Outman on the roster has become difficult to see, and the downside is clear. He doesn't play much, but when he does, he looks completely overmatched. He's started the year 0-18 with 10 strikeouts. He won't get much opportunity with Buxton healthy, but it may be worth exploring other options in case the player in that role has to take on more playing time.
At 26 years old, Fedko is not and has never been a top prospect. This isn't to say he's incapable of carving out a role for himself, but the Twins aren't paving him a path to playing time. This also means they shouldn't feel compelled to hold Fedko back in Triple-A until a more prominent role opens for him. Calling up Emmanuel Rodriguez to replace Outman would be hard to justify, as he wouldn't get everyday playing time to develop. With Fedko, they should be more willing to plant him into a specialized role, even if it risks disrupting his development.
It's early in the season, but it already looks like the Twins should be open to trying something new in the backup center field role. Fedko is a good pivot from Outman, whom they gambled on at last year's trade deadline and who made the team out of spring training. Their investment in Outman is modest, and Fedko fits the roster as a stopgap until more playing opens up for a top prospect or 26-year-old Alan Roden.
 
Fedko had a huge game on Sunday, but more than that one lightning strike of a day, his resume has earned him some consideration for a call-up. It's the perfect opportunity to see if he can translate any of his dynamic 2025 production to the MLB level. There's little to lose and (perhaps) much to gain for the Twins by giving Fedko a chance.

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Posted

I've been around long enough to know better than to get too excited about being in first place at this point in the season with the roster we have.

I also know that sometimes a guy is just a good ballplayer.  Maybe he wasn't a top prospect, but if we don't call the guy up the first time someone in our OF goes on the IL, why is he even in our system? 

No need to let Outman go, injuries will happen -they always do.  When that happens, give him his shot.  We've gotten to see people with lower floors on the Twins before - whats the worst that could happen?

Posted

Right idea, wrong guy. Gabriel Gonzalez has been playing some 1B. GG was also our best hitter in Spring training, although off to a slow start in AAA (like the rest of the team). The date for callups without losing a year of control is somewhere around April 16, or Thursday. Give him a couple more games at 1B this week and call him up for Friday's series against the Reds. Looks like we will see two LHs that series if they stay on schedule, Williamson and Abbott. Good chance to have him play 1B and see what he can do at the plate without burning a year. I'd love to see him against Boston, where we will also see two lefties, but not at the cost of a year of control. We don't need Outman to back up Buxton with Kreidler on the roster. Kreidler is a better defensive CF than Outman and let';s be honest, neither one of them can hit a lick.  

Posted
1 minute ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Right Idea, wrong guy. Gabriel Gonzalez has been playing some 1B. GG was also our best hitter in Spring training. The date for callups without losing a year of control is somewhere around April 16, or Thursday. Give him a couple more games at 1B this week and call him up for Friday's series against the Reds. Looks like we will see two LHs that series if they stay on schedule, Williamson and Abbott. Good chance to have him play 1B and see what he can do at the plate without burning a year. I'd love to se him against Boston, where we will also see two lefties, but not at the cost of a year of control. We don't need Outman to back up Buxton with Kreidler on the roster. Kreidler is a better defensive CF than Outman and let';s be honest, neither one of them can hit a lick.  

I'd also endorse this idea.

Posted

I have my doubts about Fedko as well (even after an insanely massive game, he's only hitting .219 and has drawn 1 walk all season), but the bar is set so low right now by Outman that there really isn't much to lose. The only real question is whether or not you're going to need that spot on the 40-man down the road to call up someone else on the position side, but with GG and Rodriguez already on the 40-man, it seems unlikely. If it's for Culpepper, it likely means an infielder has gotten injured...or maybe you just bounce Kody Clemens or Tristan Gray and not worry about it too much.

Since Fedko can play both CF and 1B and bats RH...why not? 

Posted

It would be difficult for Fedko to be worse than Outman so why not give him a try at least until Lewis is back. Then decide if Kreidler or Fedko is the 26th man..

Posted
39 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Right idea, wrong guy. Gabriel Gonzalez has been playing some 1B. GG was also our best hitter in Spring training, although off to a slow start in AAA (like the rest of the team). The date for callups without losing a year of control is somewhere around April 16, or Thursday. Give him a couple more games at 1B this week and call him up for Friday's series against the Reds. Looks like we will see two LHs that series if they stay on schedule, Williamson and Abbott. Good chance to have him play 1B and see what he can do at the plate without burning a year. I'd love to see him against Boston, where we will also see two lefties, but not at the cost of a year of control. We don't need Outman to back up Buxton with Kreidler on the roster. Kreidler is a better defensive CF than Outman and let';s be honest, neither one of them can hit a lick.  

 

36 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd also endorse this idea.

Kreidler is NOT a CF. 120 career innings played in CF at MLB with a little in the minors and no reason to suspect he'd be good there with neutral to slightly below average results in the tiny sample size and 50 grade speed. Plus, he's worse at the plate than Outman.

FGDC projection for Gonzalez this year? .256/.313/.389 OPS .702 wRC+ 96. There's a reason Gonzalez is playing 1B. It's because he can't be expected to cover corner outfield effectively. Supposedly, he's worked hard on conditioning to become less of a statue, but there isn't a great place for him on the roster atm.

Posted

ANYTHING TO GET RID OF OUTMAN!

Talk about statues....isn't that Outman at the plate?  Batting 0.000.  I think absolutely anyone currently on the Saints team can do better than that.  The floor couldn't be any lower, Outman is in the sub-sub-super-basement!  I hate to say it (again), but we cannot afford to keep a 0.000 hitter on the team, NO MATTER how good he might be in the field.  

I'd get Emma some reps in the biggs, or Fedko, or Gonza, Culpepper, Roden, Arcia.....anyone.  I know it is damn hard to hit a baseball, but I am sure we can find someone who can hit better than 0.000 and contribute somewhere for the team.  

Posted

A day for fedko to remember  , being right handed the twins should take some notice if he continues hitting ...

Perhaps he could help as he is capable of playing all 3 outfield positions ...

Someone to keep an eye on    ...

Posted

Last year the Twins gave a 40 man spot to McCusker who had a hot start to the AAA season. Every 40 man spot is valuable. I wouldn’t describe it as little to lose. They really need to be sure that Fedko will stick all year.

In my mind it is pretty easy to justify a spot for Rodriguez in replace of Outman. Play him  in RF four times a week and once in CF. Move Bell to 1B those 4 games. Wallner or Larnach get more DH time. The outfield defense is much better in RF. Defense at 1B takes a hit but the bar wasn’t that high to begin with. 

Posted
1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

..or maybe you just bounce Kody Clemens or Tristan Gray and not worry about it too much.

Since Fedko can play both CF and 1B and bats RH...why not? 

Fedko plays both CF and 1B the same way Kody Clemens plays both CF and 1B.

Roden would be rightfully pissed if he was passed over for Fedko after being passed over Outman. That’s a Montgomery Burns level of dedication to platooning.

Posted

To me it’s outfield. I don’t think he’s likely to materially improve our situation at 1B. But against lefties in the corner. Yes. The conundrum is do you take him out of an every-day role in AAA to have him platoon (and playing 35% of the time) with the Twins? I’d say yes based on his age…how much more development is there given his age? But, I think they’re in love with Outman’s defense. Unfortunately, probably not going to see Fedko until an IL stint from Larnach or Wallner.

Posted

This is an easy choice I think.  Outman isn't getting much done out there.  Fedko is an interesting player but likely not a prospect.  I say give him a chance to carve out a role for himself.  At worst, he has as much pop as Outman, while playing a little worse defense.  At best, he could be a little energy injection to keep this team hopping.  

Worst case scenario, you release Outman and Fedko comes in a bombs out.  That's going to take a month or so unless he absolutely implodes.  Then you decide who fits the team and deserves the promotion at that point -- GG, Emma, or Jenkins.  I'll bet one of them is ready by June 1 at latest and at that point you might be ready to jettison another outfielder.  

Posted
4 hours ago, farmerguychris said:

I've been around long enough to know better than to get too excited about being in first place at this point in the season with the roster we have.

I also know that sometimes a guy is just a good ballplayer.  Maybe he wasn't a top prospect, but if we don't call the guy up the first time someone in our OF goes on the IL, why is he even in our system? 

No need to let Outman go, injuries will happen -they always do.  When that happens, give him his shot.  We've gotten to see people with lower floors on the Twins before - whats the worst that could happen?

This is a great post.  I also remember how I felt after 20-25 games in 1991.  The best part of baseball (outside of the Dodgers) is ya never know....  well done!

Posted
6 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Last year the Twins gave a 40 man spot to McCusker who had a hot start to the AAA season. Every 40 man spot is valuable. I wouldn’t describe it as little to lose. They really need to be sure that Fedko will stick all year.

In my mind it is pretty easy to justify a spot for Rodriguez in replace of Outman. Play him  in RF four times a week and once in CF. Move Bell to 1B those 4 games. Wallner or Larnach get more DH time. The outfield defense is much better in RF. Defense at 1B takes a hit but the bar wasn’t that high to begin with. 

Yeah I agree.  Fedko would need to "prove" he can crush AAA to be added.  That would take at minimum one month of solid production and likely two.  40 man spots are valuable and they already have Roden, Gonzalez and Rodriguez taking up 40 man spots.  Most of us felt they kept too many outfielders on the 40 man as is with Larnach being mentioned as movable in the offseason and Outman considered a potential DFA.  I'd think the Twins will be prudent and make sure they feel good to great about Fedko before adding him.

There is a lot to like about Fedko.  He has plenty of power and the walk rate is good with solid K rates at about 20% through his career.  There are a fair number of parallels between Fedko and Roden in my opinion.  With Roden winning the K rate race at right around 10% instead of 20%.  Fedko bats righty though which would help keep things balanced.  It could be argued he is no worse than Outman, but I would still take a wait and see approach at this point as he is unlikely to be better than Rodriguez, Gonzalez and ultimately Jenkins so he needs to prove some things first even to be considered for that 4th outfielder spot.

Posted

While not a top prospect, I'm sure rooting for Fedko because it's not only a nice story, but when a 25yo (in 2025) suddenly explodes and puts his game together, I think notice should be taken. And I don't think a couple weeks at AAA that started slow here in 2026 really exemplifies what he MIGHT be capable of. After all, he performed well at St Paul LAST year. So that should be taken in to consideration as well.

The primary issue is roster construction and roster usage. While I DON'T believe Outman is a ML hitter, he's being used the way Keirsey was in 2025; late game PR and defensive replacement. As much as I think Roden NOT being on the team is a mistake, I'd rather he play daily at AAA at this moment rather than come up and stagnate in the current Outman role.

What I DON'T understand is player usage, even on this mis-matched roster. You have 13 players, and one reserve is always the #2 catcher. And that's part of the reason I appreciate Caratini as the #2 catcher with a solid bat who can play a little 1B as well. But with a 13 man roster, that's a PRIMARY 9, plus the backup catcher, leaving on 3 players for the bench. And 1 is being used for the sole purpose of late inning PR and defensive replacement? I simply don't understand that kind of roster construction. They are virtually punting on the 13th spot.

This isn't pre 21st century baseball when teams used to have 10-11 man staffs and more bench players. These days, EVERY SPOT on that 13 man roster is important and has the ability to be important.

Roden can play all 3 OF spots, even if CF is his weakest spot. He's also played some 1B in college, and MILB. He's only around 5' 10"? Solano and Arraez were even shorter, and France MIGHT have been all of 5' 10". Fedko ALSO plays all 3 OF spots, with CF being his weakest spot. He can ALSO play some 1B. He's got some OB% skill, and some power and speed. He and Roden...ability wise...are LF/RH mirror images of one another, though Roden has been the higher ranked player for sure.

I'm NOT advocating Fedko up tomorrow in place of Outman. It would be nice to see Fedko get on a bit of a role, suggesting his 2025 wasn't an illusion, before making the swap. But I mean, another RH bat who MIGHT hit even a little vs a LH bat who can't hit AT ALL does make sense.

What makes BETTER SENSE is to have roster construction that includes IMAGINATION. I don't believe Clemens has options remaining. But if he doesn't start to show something more soon, perhaps BOTH Fedko and Roden come up to play 1B and OF and increase roster flexibility and depth, as well as better team speed.

A somewhat YES to Fedko probably being a better option to Outman in the near future. But a much LARGER YES to using your ENTIRE 13 man player roster with better players and NOT using a "wasted" roster spot for someone that doesn't actually contribute. This ISN'T the 70's-80's-90's with a 14 or 15 man bench where you could "stash" a PH/PR/ defensive specialist. ALL 13 men on the player roster should be the best assembly you can put together and find a way to use them all functionally.

Posted
15 hours ago, CRF said:

Yep...bring him up and say bye to Outman. 

I said time and time again, trade Stewart for an outfielder named Hitman.  I mean, everything's easy in hindsight, but I swear...Outman was the last name I wanted.  Can he pitch?

Posted

Do we need to bring up a right handed bat to beat lefties?  I mean we have done pretty well recently against some top lefties in the league.  I would be fine with Fedko over Clemons, if that is a route they like, but Martin is holding the right handed OF spot down right now, and Larnach has been fine when he plays against right handed pitchers.  I would not take Fedko for Outman because Outman can play CF.  If Outman is done, Rodan should get his spot. 

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