2026 FCL Twins Season Preview

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily

As you are reading this (on Saturday morning), the Florida Complex League (FCL) Twins players are anxiously preparing for their first official game of the season, going through their pre-game routine for their first game, playing their first game of the season, or basking in the knowledge that their 2026 season has begun. 

Think about it. Several of these players got to Fort Myers in January, or at least in late February when minor-league camp officially began. Players left Fort Myers for St. Paul, Wichita and Cedar Rapids a little over a month ago. These players continued their spring training work through the past month. Some of them filled in briefly for the Mussels at night. 

On Saturday morning, the Red Sox FCL team will travel a few miles west on Daniels Parkway. They’ll take a left on Plantation, go past the high school, and take a left into the Twins training facilities. The teams will play on Bill Smith Field. 

Tristan Toorie is taking over the managerial job of the FCL Twins after being a coach the last couple of seasons. He will be joined by pitching coaches Mathew Hartshorn, Ryan Meisinger, and Dan Urbina. Carter Kessinger is the rehab pitching coach, working with pitchers throughout the organization who are rehabbing in Fort Myers. The hitting coaches are Steven Cardona and Emilio Guerrero. Jairo Rodriguez is the team’s Development Coach. The long-time Twins minor league catcher has spent the past decade coaching all over in the Twins organization. 

The Pitchers
There are 15 active pitchers on the FCL Twins roster. It is a strange, but fairly typical, group of pitchers. Five of the pitchers are 23 and older. They are recent late-round draft picks or recent minor-league signings staying ready for when they may be needed. The roster is composed of six pitchers from the Dominican Republic, five from the US, and four from Venezuela. . 

There are five pitchers who are under the age of 20 including two very high-end 17-year-olds. 

LHP: Matthew Becker (23), Yordi Jose (19).
RHP: Jesse Bergin (26), Santiago Castellanos (17), Hendry Chivilli (20), Cristian Hernandez (21), Carter Holjes (24), Rainer Marin (20), Nick McAuliffe (25), Omar Montano (20), Melvin Rodriguez (20), Santiago Rojas (19), Yoel Roque (19), Brad Rudis (23), Geremy Villoria (17).

Matthew Becker (23): He was the Twins 19th round pick in the 2025 draft out of the University of South Carolina. The 6-3, 215-pound lefty was signed by Ty Dawson. Last Sunday, he was promoted to the Mighty Mussels and threw 3 2/3 innings of their combined no hitter only to be sent back to the FCL the next day.

Jesse Bergin(26): After three seasons at UCLA, Bergin was the 11th round pick of the Marlins. He was injured and didn’t pitch at all in 2022 or 2023. In 2024, he pitched in 25 games, most of them at Low-A Jupiter where he posted a 1.64 ERA. In 2025, he played five games at High-A and then 35 games at Double-A Pensacola. He went 2-4 with five saves and a 2.51 ERA. In 43 innings, he had 41 strikeouts and 17 walks. The Marlins released him in early March, and the Twins signed him a week to 10 days ago.  

Santiago Castellanos (17): Signed by Edgar Guerra on January 15, 2025, from Venezuela. In the DSL last year, he tossed 29 innings. He went 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA. He walked nine and struck out 36 batters. (He ranked #20 in my personal preseason Top 20 prospect rankings.) He was clocked 

Hendry Chivilli (20): Signed as a shortstop by Daniel Sanchez on January 15, 2023 from the DR. After posting sub-.600 OPS in the DSL in 2023 and the FCL in 2024, he was moved to the mound that offseason. Last year in the FCL, he went 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA. In 14 1/3 innings, he gave up eight hits, walked 10 and had 15 strikeouts. Big arm, just like his brother who pitches for the Yankees after a trade from the Rockies. 

Cristian Hernandez (21): Signed in January of 2023 by Manuel Luciano from the DR. He pitched in the DSL in 2023 and 2024. His 2024 season came to an end in early August with an elbow issue. He missed the entire 2025 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

Carter Holjes (24): After the 6-6 right-hander pitched at UNC Wilmington for four seasons, he pitched at Florida Atlantic in 2025. He pitched for State College in the MLB Draft League last summer. He went 3-2 with a 2.17 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. In 49 2/3 innings, he walked 16 batters and struck out 72 batters. 

Yordi Jose (19): The 6-2 lefty signed with the Twins on July 3, 2025, out of the Dominican Republic. He tossed 8 2/3 innings over seven appearances. He gave up seven hits, five walks and struck out 11 batters.

Rainer Marin (20): He signed in January of 2025 out of Venezuela by Oswaldo Troncosis. He pitched in 11 games (6 starts) for the DSL Twins last season. In 29 innings, he gave up 29 hits, walked 27 and had 27 strikeouts. 

Nick McAuliffe (25): What a winding road to pro ball. A native of New Jersey, he pitched at Kutztown (Pennsylvania), Mercer CC in New Jersey, the University of New Orleans, and East Stroudburg University in Pennsylvania where he pitched in 2023 and 2024. He played for summer college leagues in Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina and Vermont. In 2025, he pitched in two games for Sioux City in the American Association and 39 games for Evansville of the Frontier League. He signed with the Twins 10 days ago and was quickly assigned to Cedar Rapids. He pitched in one game there before returning to the FCL. 

Omar Montano (20): Signed out of the DR in August of 2024, he pitched one inning in just one game in the DSL Last year, he made 12 starts and threw 31 2/3 innings. He went 0-6 with a 10.80 ERA. He gave up 48 hits, walked 19 batters, hit eight batters, and threw 11 wild pitches. He had 32 strikeouts.

Melvin Rodriguez (20): Signed by Manuel Luciano in January of 2024 out of the DR, Rodriguez has primarily been a starter. In 2024 in the DSL, he made eight starts and three relief appearances. He went 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA. In 46 1/3 innings, he had 48 strikeouts and just 12 walks. Last year in the FCL, he made nine starts and two relief appearances. He was 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA. In 43 1/3 innings, he had 32 strikeouts and 22 walks. Seeing his walk rate jump and his strikeout rate fall likely explains why he is returning to the FCL. 

Santiago Rojas (19): Alvaro Gomez signed Rojas in January of 2024 out of Venezuela. 10 of his 11 appearances in the DSL in 2024 were starts. In 40 1/3 innings, he had 41 strikeouts but 27 walks. He posted a 4.02 ERA and opponents hit .238 against him. Pitched just two innings over two games in the FCL last year before joining on the 60-Day IL with a lumbar spine fracture.

Yoel Roque (19): The 6-2 Dominican right-hander was signed by Manuel Luciano in January of 2024. In 10 games (3 starts) and 24 2/3 innings in the DSL in 2024, Roque went 0-2 with a 6.93 ERA. He had 33 strikeouts, but he also walked 29 batters. He made 10 starts last year for the FCL Twins and went a total of 11 2/3 innings. He was 0-3 with a 16.97 ERA. He gave up 16 hits, walked 17, hit three, and struck out 13 batters.

Brad Rudis (23): The Twins signed Rudis in early November. He had spent four years working out of the Texas A&M bullpen. He went 15-1 with three saves. Went undrafted but pitched well for Williamsport in the MLB Draft League. He made 10 starts and seven relief appearances.

Geremy Villoria (17): He was signed in January 2025 out of Venezuela, the 6-2, 175 pound right-hander was the youngest pitcher in the DSL last year. He made five starts for the Phillies Red team of the DSL. In 14 innings, he had walked four and struck out 19 batters. He was traded to the Twins with Hendry Mendez in exchange for Harrison Bader. He pitched in three games and eight innings after joining the Twins. He posted a 2.25 ERA. 

The Hitters 
There are 18 hitters on the active roster. Ten from Venezuela and eight are from the Dominican Republic. The 2025 DSL Twins had a very talented group of young hitters.     

The Catchers
All five FCL Twins catchers are from Venezuela, including three from Barquisimeto. A random fact is that there is a 17-year-old, an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old, a 20-year-old, and a 21-year-old. 

Daniel Pena (21), Ricardo Pena (20), Victor Leal (19), Pablo Castillo (18), and Miguel Caraballo (17). 

Miguel Caraballo (17): Signed by the Giants in January of 2025. Spent last season with the DSL Giants Orange squad. In 41 games, he hit .264/.432/.442 (.874) with four doubles, two triples, and five home runs. Came to the Twins in a December trade for Twins Rule 5 pick (Daniel Susac). Won’t turn 18 until the end of August. 

Pablo Castillo (18): Signed by Alant Moncion on January 15, 2025, from Venezuela. In 28 DSL Twins games last year, he hit .315/.474/.411(.885) with four doubles and a homer. He had 14 walks and was hit by eight pitches. 

Victor Leal(19): Oswaldo Troconis signed Leal out of Venezuela in January of 2024. In 2024, he played 43 games in the DSL and hit .230/.364/.333 (.697) with four doubles and three homers. Had 21 walks to 15 strikeouts. In 30 games in the FCL last year, he hit .161/.345/.161 (.507). He had 17 walks to 12 strikeouts. 

Daniel Pena (21): Signed in January 2022 out of Venezuela, Pena hit .304 in the DSL in 2022. He hit .278/.376/.474 (.850) with four doubles and five home runs. In 2024, he started the season injured and played in nine rehab games in the FCL (and hit .308 with a .938 OPS). He hit .195 in 36 games for Fort Myers that year as well. He spent the full 2025 season in Fort Myers. He played in 55 games and hit .199/.302/.265 (.567) with six doubles and two homers. He played quite a bit of first base the first couple of seasons as a pro, but now he has only caught since 2024. 

Ricardo Pena (20): Like Daniel Pena, the Twins signed Ricardo Pena on January 19, 2022 from Venezuela. He played two seasons in the DSL. In 33 games in the FCL in 2024, he hit .361/.481/.489 (.970) with eight doubles and a homer. His 2025 season began with 10 games in the FCL before a late-May promotion to the Mussels. He played in 12 games (and hit .150) before going on the Injured List with a back impingement. 

The Infielders
Yilber Herrera (21), Daiber De Los Santos (19), Haritzon Castillo (18), Jose Barrios (18), Darwin Almanzar (18). 

Darwin Almanzar (18): Signed by Manuel Luciano on January 15, 2025 from the DR. In 44 games last year in the DSL, he hit .252/347/.496 (.843) with 17 doubles, a triple, and six home runs. His 17 doubles led the DSL. He led the DSL in doubles, homers and RBI (41).  

Jose Barrios (18): Signed by Oswaldo Troconis on January 15, 2025, from Venezuela. In the DSL last year, he hit .254/.352/.361 (.713). In 37 games, he had three doubles, two triples, and two home runs.

Haritzon Castillo (18): Signed in January 2025 by Marlon Nava from Venezuela. In 39 DSL games last year, he hit .283/.395/.428 (.823) with eight doubles, three triples and two homers. He was 12-for-15 in stolen base attempts. He also had 24 walks to 22 strikeouts. Lone Twins representative in the DSL Mid-Season All Star game. 

Daiber De Los Santos (19): Signed in January 2024 by Luis Lajara from the DR. Ended 2024 in the DSL strong, hitting .301/.384/.460 (.844) with 11 doubles, a triple, five homers and even 17 stolen bases. In 48 FCL games last year, he hit .167/.296/.333 (.629) with 10 doubles, two triples, and four homers. Stole 15 bases. Struck out so much (89 in 180 PA).Season ended early due to a torn left labrum tear.

Yilber Herrera(21): The infielder signed by Fred Guerrero in January of 2022 from the DR. He spent two seasons in the DSL. He played the last two seasons in the FCL. After hitting .226 (.737) with three doubles, a triple and two homers in 2024, he hit just .128 (.611) with two doubles and two homers in 39 games. That rough season is surprising as he had 30 walks to 28 strikeouts. He played 10 games for Fort Myers in 2025. He has hit .179 with a .395 on-base percentage over 13 games with the Mussels this season. 

The Outfielders 
There are eight players listed as outfielders on the roster. None of them will be 20 until just before Halloween. 

OF: Ricardo Paez (19), Merphy Hernandez (19), Luis Fragoza (19), Yovanny Duran (18), Jhomnardo Reyes (18), Joyner Perez (17), Teilon Serrano (17), Carlos Taveras (17). 

Yovanny Duran (18): Signed on January 15, 2025, by Edgar Guerra out of Venezuela. In 46 DSL games last year, he hit .296/.452/.382 (.834) with seven doubles and three triples. Had 39 walks (to 30 strikeouts) and stole 31 bases, both of which led the DSL Twins. 

Luis Fragoza (19): Signed in January 2024 out of Venezuela by Edgar Guerra. That summer, he hit .259/.439/.345 (.784) with five doubles, a triple and a homer in 41 DSL games. Last year, he played in 49 games for the FCL Twins and hit .217/.349/.297(.646) with eight doubles and one home run. He has been hit by 28 pitches as a pro. 14-for-17 in steal attempts in 2025. 

Merphy Hernandez (19): Luis Lajara signed the lefty outfielder in January of 2024 from the DR. In 48 games in the DSL in 2024, he hit .276/.389/.417 (.806) with four doubles, six triples, and two homers. He was also 36-for-38 in steal attempts. Last year, he was limited to just 16 games in the FCL. He hit .163 with two doubles and a triple. He stole eight bases. 

Ricardo Paez (19): Signed by Marlon Nava out of Venezuela in January of 2024, Paez debuted in the DSL in 2024. In 36 games, he hit .263/.388/.424 (.812) with four doubles, three triples and two homers. Last year in the FCL, he played in 39 games. He hit .242/.398/.295 (.693) with three doubles and a triple. 

Joyner Perez (17): Daniel Sanchez signed the burly slugger out of the DR in January of 2025. In 25 games in the DSL, he hit .313/.457/494 (.951) with six doubles and three homers. He had more walks (18) than strikeouts (17). Led the DSL Twins in OPS. His batting average and on-base percentage were second on the team. 

Jhomnardo Reyes (18): Signed by Manuel Luciano on January 15, 2025, from the DR. In 50 games in the DSL last year, he hit .291/.386/.469 (.855) with 10 doubles, nine triples, and a home run. Reyes stands 6-3 and is about 185 pounds. He runs well. Lots of swing-and-miss. 

Teilon Serrano (17): Serrano was expected to sign with the Dodgers, but LA backed out of the deal and the Twins jumped in. Roman Barinas signed Serrano out of the Dominican on January 15, 2025. He played in 41 games for the DSL Twins last year. He hit .258/.386/.426 (.812) with seven doubles, two triples, and five homers. He had 21 stolen bases in 26 attempts. 

Carlos Taveras (17): Signed by Daniel Sanchez in February of 2025 out of the Dominican Republic. In 18 games last year in the DSL, he hit .246/.389/.438 (.827) with three doubles, a triple, and two homers. Unfortunately, in early July he had surgery to repair a left knee medial meniscus injury. 

INJURED
IF Santiago Leon (17): Leon was signed by Edgar Guerra out of Venezuela on January 15th, 2026. Last year in the DSL, he hit .223/.391/.313 (.704) with eight doubles, two triples and a home run. He stole 11 bases in 18 attempts. He had 39 walks and 39 strikeouts. He is the son of long-time Twins scout Jose Leon. The younger Leon will spend the 2026 season on the Full Seaason Injured List. 

RHP Anderson Ramos (20): Signed in March of 2024 from the Dominican Republic. That year in the DSL, he pitched 30 2/3 innings over 12 games. He went 5-3 with a 5.58 ERA. He had 33 strikeouts and 16 walks. Last year, he worked 28 1/3 innings over 17 games. He was 3-3 with six saves and a 3.81 ERA. Opponents hit just .153 off of him, and he had 38 strikeouts (with 17 walks. He is also on the Full Season Injured List. 

RHP Rey Pacheco (19), The Twins signed the 5-9 right-hander from Mexico in late May of 2025. Despite the late signing, he worked 33 innings over 16 games. He was 5-2 with a save. He had just seven walks to 31 strikeouts. However, he begins the season on the 60-Day Injured List. 

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[AceWrigley]

Maybe we can trade that sign for a washed up closer.