It's Now or Never for Alan Roden

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Alan Roden's first year as a member of the Twins has been anything but ordinary.

Since arriving in Minnesota at last summer's trade deadline as part of the return for Louis Varland and Ty France, it feels like just about everything that could have complicated his path has done exactly that. Injuries, roster crunches, and unfortunate timing have all played a role in preventing Roden from ever really getting settled at the major-league level. For a player still trying to establish himself, it's probably been a pretty frustrating stretch.

After the trade, Roden appeared in just 12 games for the Twins before suffering a season-ending thumb injury. His numbers certainly weren't impressive, posting just a .463 OPS during that brief stint, but it's hard to take much away from a sample that small. Twelve games simply isn't enough to know what you have in a player. Nevertheless, the opportunity to make a stronger first impression would have to wait until 2026.

When spring training rolled around, Roden did everything he could to force the Twins' hand. He was one of the club's best offensive performers throughout camp, hitting .302 while consistently getting on base. The extra-base power wasn't necessarily there, but that's never really been the source of Roden's intrigue. His game has always been built around plate discipline, quality at-bats and reliable defense in the outfield—the traits that made the Twins interested in acquiring him in the first place.

Unfortunately for Roden, it still wasn't enough to earn an Opening Day roster spot. Instead, he headed back to Triple-A. But roughly a month into the season, after a good start, Roden tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder, sidelining him for about a month and a half. Another injury, another setback, and another delay in what has already been an unusually difficult first year with the organization.

To his credit, though, Roden didn't let it derail his season. Once he returned, he continued producing offensively and eventually got the opportunity he'd been waiting for when Byron Buxton landed on the injured list. And when that opportunity finally arrived, Roden wasted absolutely no time. In his first game back with the Twins, he smoked a walk-off single off the wall in right-center against Cleveland, delivering one of the more memorable moments of the Twins' season. 

With Buxton eligible to return from the IL any time as the second half gets underway, Roden is at risk of being sent back to the minors, or at least losing any grasp on regular playing time in the outfield.

Personally, I'd love to see him carve out a role with this team. He controls the strike zone, he’s shown he's capable of making hard contact and provides quality defense in the outfield. Players with that skill set often find ways to contribute, even if they aren't hitting 30 home runs every season. The problem isn't necessarily Roden's tools. It's the timing.

At some point, production has to follow. Roden is already 26 years old and still has just 169 major league plate appearances under his belt. That's hardly enough to draw any meaningful long-term conclusions, but it's also not an insignificant sample anymore. So far, he's slashed .193/.266/.287, good for a .553 OPS. Again, that's not enough to definitively say he can't hit major league pitching. Plenty of players have struggled through their first couple hundred plate appearances before figuring things out. But at the same time, those numbers don't exactly inspire confidence either.

Ideally, Roden will receive the remainder of the 2026 season to show the Twins what he can do. The organization could very well have opportunities available. If players like Trevor Larnach and Kody Clemens are moved before the trade deadline or depart in the near future, there will naturally be more at-bats to go around in the outfield corners. That could create the consistent playing time Roden has yet to receive since joining the organization. The bigger problem is the competition lurking in the shadows behind him.

The next wave of Twins outfield talent is knocking on the door, and Roden knows that as well as anyone, considering he's spent much of the year playing alongside them in Triple-A. Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Hendry Mendez are all waiting for their opportunity in the majors. Each one represents direct competition for Roden. All three hit from the left side, just like Roden does. While Jenkins and Rodriguez have experience playing center field in the minors, it's difficult to envision either becoming the Twins' everyday center fielder as long as Buxton is healthy. Unless an injury changes the equation, or the far less likely possibility of a Buxton trade, their home is probably one of the corner outfield spots.

Rodriguez still feels like the most likely of the group to make his major league debut later this season, assuming he returns from injury soon. Jenkins, and especially Mendez, are slightly less likely to arrive before the end of the year, but if the Twins decide they want an extended look at either player before heading into 2027, they won't hesitate to make those calls. That's what makes the next couple of months so important for Roden.

He's not simply trying to prove he belongs in the majors. He's trying to convince the Twins he deserves opportunities over three of the organization's best prospects. That's an incredibly difficult task, especially when those prospects are viewed as long-term pieces of the franchise. There just isn't much wiggle room. As I said earlier, I'd love to see Roden succeed in Minnesota. His path hasn't exactly been smooth, and he has enough intriguing traits that it's not difficult to envision him becoming a productive major league outfielder. But baseball isn't always patient.

The Twins have elite talent climbing the ladder, and eventually those players are going to need everyday opportunities too. For Roden, it feels like the next few months could determine whether he's part of the Twins' future, or whether his window closes before it ever fully opens. It's starting to feel like now or never for Alan Roden.

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[bean5302]

Yeah, he really is on his last legitimate chance he can generate on his own. After this point, it's all luck if he can't stick. If he gets demoted for not being able to hit, I think another organization will be Roden's only shot.

He'll be behind Wallner on the depth charts, and Wallner hasn't gotten a chance after months of raking. It's pretty clear Wallner is viewed as MiLB roster filler at this point, and the Twins do not believe he can adjust to MLB pitchers being able to hit spots on the inside of the plate.

[HerbieFan]

Another reminder of the clusterbleep that was the Varland trade.  Why trade him at all?  Why trade for yet another left handed hitting corner outfielder?  Thanks for that one Derek....

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Roden needs to start hitting pretty much immediately if he's going to stick on the Twins major league club.  There are simply too many high upside guys on his heels (or is he on their heels actually) in AAA that are going to pass him up.  You're absolutely correct in that he hasn't had enough at major league at bats to know who he will become, but the clock is ticking in a big way for him and he needs to do SOMETHING to earn some more at bats so he can prove it. 

[TJSweens]

Demote Gray when Buxton comes back. 

[mikelink45]

I keep hearing that Houston needs OF help - a trade of Roden and Wallner might be interesting to them and move some of our excess options.  

[Nashvilletwin]

Trade Jeffers for a solid reliever and one or two of Wallner, Roden, Larnach, and Rodriguez for a solid #3 starter (preferably Larnach and Rodriguez are the ones kept, but that will depend on what we can get back).  

[LastOnePicked]

1 hour ago, HerbieFan said:

Another reminder of the clusterbleep that was the Varland trade.  Why trade him at all?  Why trade for yet another left handed hitting corner outfielder?  Thanks for that one Derek....

I think by that point Falvey had become addicted to the rush. Insiders say he even tried to trade TC Bear and the Minnie and Paul sign.

[mnfireman]

49 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Trade Jeffers for a solid reliever and one or two of Wallner, Roden, Larnach, and Rodriguez for a solid #3 starter (preferably Larnach and Rodriguez are the ones kept, but that will depend on what we can get back).  

Those 4 in one trade would not bring back a #3 starter...

[LA Vikes Fan]

I d could definitely see Roden as apart of a package traded for a pitcher or one for one traded for an older reliever or starter on an expiring contract from a non-contender. I think that kind of trade is going to happen before the deadline. I expect Roden, Emma, Mendez, or GG to be going out. Emma gets us the best return on his own, but Roden still might have value as part of a package to a team like the Angels, Rockies, or Giants who could put him in the OF for the rest of the season and let him develop. 

[Whitey333]

Yes i think Roden is on his last leg with the Twins.  Perhaps another organization can give him an opportunity.  Keep in mind for all the hype and accolades, Jenkins, Rodriguez Kulpeppers have done NOTHING yet at the major league level.  We are all hoping them and several others start proving themselves at the top level.  Too many times we here everyone saying how great the prospects are.  They still need to prove it.

[DJL44]

He has options one more season so he has plenty of time. He’s a 4th outfielder just like Austin Martin.

[tony&rodney]

Roden is in a really tough position. He gets a few weeks to prove himself. It is nearly unreasonable but the reality is that professional athletics is nearly cruel in the scarcity of opportunity and the weight of talent leaning on those who hold roster spots. I'll wish Alan Roden well but I also think there is a fair chance that he is replaced by very early in August.

Tonight, playing for St. Paul, Walker Jenkins is showing off talent that is common only to the top twenty or so prospects. The double at well over 100 mph in the first inning was a start. In the inning I just moved away from, Jenkins drew a walk, stole second, moved to third when the ball went into the outfield, and scored on a wild pitch that only rolled away about 45 feet. Jenkins is fast, plays good defense, runs the bases well, has a good eye at the plate, and possesses a sweet swing. If he can maintain his current pace and prove he can remain healthy for a couple of weeks, I think he is called up to be a regular outfielder. There is quite a gap between WJ and any of the other outfielders.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

He has options one more season so he has plenty of time. He’s a 4th outfielder just like Austin Martin.

Yes he has an option left but he will also be 27 next year.  Will there be the same situation next spring where he blocks younger players like ERod and Jenkins if they have the better spring.  This happened this year where is was preordained that Outman was going to be on the roster even though he was outplayed by both ERod and Roden.  I wouldn't give him another year and if Jenkins is ready this year and we want to improve the roster he needs to up here in place of Roden.  And remember we need AB's available at AAA as well, so do you want a 27 year old blocking Gonzalez, Mendez and the others.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Roden is in a really tough position. He gets a few weeks to prove himself. 

No question this is true.

Still, in post-season baseball, you get only a few days to prove yourself.  Many times, a game will be win or go home.  If this is even the slightest problem for a player, I'd rather learn about it during a "tough position" in July or whatever, than in October.

I don't point fingers at any particular player as not being clutch. You can never know with certainty, in part because of small samples, in part because you can't look into the player's soul.  Still, the nature of most sports or competitions is that infinite patience is not granted.

The best course for players trying to establish themselves is "prove it." Then prove it again, and prove it again, until the sample is no longer small.  Bad luck if they can't, and it's part of the game.  The team has provided Roden opportunities against right-handed pitching. Maybe another team finds the treasure in our discards.

You did go on to say much the same, but I think it bears reflection.

[twinstalker]

8 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Trade Jeffers for a solid reliever and one or two of Wallner, Roden, Larnach, and Rodriguez for a solid #3 starter (preferably Larnach and Rodriguez are the ones kept, but that will depend on what we can get back).  

Why in the world would you trade Jeffers for a reliever?  Jeffers helps you win now.  A reliever helps you win now.  What's the point?  If the answer has something to do with Caratini and Jackson, you're going down the wrong rabbit hole.

Jeffers has a chance to make you better for the future.  The front office needs to be very strategic about dealing him.  They have lots of ability to get relievers for prospects that have little chance of ever helping.  For example, Emmanuel Rodriguez could probably get you a couple of relievers from a front office and fanbase who also doesn't understand he'll never hit.

 

[twinstalker]

Roden will only have to worry about some of those players.

[HerbieFan]

8 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

I think by that point Falvey had become addicted to the rush. Insiders say he even tried to trade TC Bear and the Minnie and Paul sign.

Nice