2024 Spring Training Storylines: Which Players Need To Perform Well This Spring?

Coming off a successful season highlighted by winning their first playoff game since 2004 and postseason series since 2002, the Twins enter spring training as an essentially complete squad--despite being restricted by significant payroll reductions. Derek Falvey and the rest of the front office were able to plug the most significant holes on the roster.

The organization fortified its bullpen by acquiring reliable veteran relievers Josh Staumont, Justin Topa, Jay Jackson, and Steven Okert; added depth in the back of the starting rotation by trading for Anthony DeSclafani; and signed a switch-hitting first baseman who can function as a non-traditional platoon partner with the left-handed hitting Alex Kirilloff, in Carlos Santana.

Finding a viable center field insurance policy who hits left-handed pitching well was the final move the Twins needed to make this offseason. Fittingly, the organization traded glove-first minor league infielder Noah Miller to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Rayne Doncon and outfielder Manuel Margot on Monday. Margot hits left-handed pitching well (109 career wRC+ over 877 plate appearances against them), and will serve as a viable backstop for Byron Buxton. After acquiring Margot, the Twins have no significant areas of need, meaning the camp competitions this year will exist on the margins. The team's eighth bullpen is up for grabs, but which reliever claims the spot will come down to the team's preference for player type rather than individual performance. That said, multiple players are fighting to keep their roles as primary depth options and avoid getting usurped on the organization's depth chart. Let's take a look at who needs to perform well this spring.

Josh Staumont
The battle for the Twins' final bullpen spot will come down to whether the organization prefers to roster a high-velocity, medium-leverage short reliever or a stretch reliever capable of throwing multiple innings in the event of poor performance or injury for one of the team's starters. That said, there is real competition for that job. The 30-year-old former Kansas City Royals reliever, Staumont, is the favorite to win it. 

Coming off thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last August, the hard-throwing righthander signed with the Twins in late December. The team landed the Azusa Pacific University product to a one-year, $950,000 contract. Barring further injury, Staumont (who has one minor league option year remaining) seemed like a lock to make the organization's Opening Day 26-man roster at the time of his signing, but the acquisitions of Topa, Jackson, and Okert have muddied his chances of making the 26-man roster out of camp. Staumont will compete with Zack Weiss, Kody Funderburk, and Jorge Alcalá. All four will feel firm pressure, but Staumont, being the favorite, has the most to lose. 

José Miranda
Viewed as one of the organization's most promising young position players one year ago, the 73rd selection in the 2016 MLB Draft quickly became an afterthought. Earlier this offseason, Miranda was viewed as a dark horse pick to make the team's Opening Day 26-man roster, as a platoon partner with Kirilloff at first base. Yet, with the organization signing Santana to a one-year, $5.25-million contract less than one month ago, the 25-year-old is expected to begin this upcoming season in Triple-A. A shoulder injury probably contributed to his uninspiring .566 OPS and 57 wRC+ over 152 plate appearances last year, but even if he's truly healthy this spring, the doubts will linger.

Miranda had surgery in early October to remove scar tissue from his right shoulder and rotator cuff. Though he has been taking fielding drills at third base this spring, the young corner infielder is not yet throwing across the diamond. His shoulder is still affecting his ability to field. Yet, he appears to be nearing full strength at the plate, as evidenced by him drilling a lineout at more than 100 MPH off the bat against the Minnesota Golden Gophers last Friday and hitting a home run off veteran left-handed hitter Caleb Thielbar in live batting practice last Wednesday.

The recent acquisition of Margot means Miranda is no longer competing for the final spot on the bench. Assuming he begins the season at St. Paul, the Guaynabo, Puerto Rico product will compete for playing time at first base with fellow 40-man roster occupant Yunior Severino. The main goal for Miranda this spring and early this upcoming season is to prevent getting usurped by other promising young corner bats and take advantage of any MLB opportunities that present themselves.

Simeon Woods Richardson
Woods Richardson's 2023 campaign was a story of significant highs and disheartening lows. In early June, Woods Richardson sported a 7.38 ERA and 1.85 WHIP. Then, a switch flipped, and the 23-year-old yielded the lowest ERA, opponents' batting average, slugging average, and wOBA of all Triple-A starting pitchers from mid-June to mid-September. Despite finishing the season on a high note, Woods Richardson struggled with control, with a 61-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his three-and-a-half-month-long stretch of surface-level dominance. 

Woods Richardson didn't return to the majors after making one appearance on April 22 against the Washington Nationals as a stretch reliever. Yet, with the Twins losing significant starting pitching depth this offseason, the 23-year-old could make multiple appearances for the Twins as a starting pitcher this season. Woods Richardson displayed an increase in velocity and overall stuff in his first appearance this spring. Still, he will need to show sustained improvement of his hard, breaking, and offspeed pitches if he wants to stay ahead of emerging pitchers the likes of Matt Canterino, Brent Headrick, David Festa, and even Randy Dobnak on the organization's starting pitching depth chart.

David Festa
In 2022, Festa generated a 2.43 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings, and 2.70 walks per nine over 18 starts and 104 innings pitched between Low- and High-A. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old top prospect's counting stats regressed between Double- and Triple-A last season, as evidenced by a 4.19 ERA and 4.04 FIP. Control limitations marred Festa's breakout season. Despite struggling in the high minors, Festa remains a top-two pitching prospect in the Twins organization and projects to impact the parent club this upcoming season. 

Heading into camp, Festa is competing with Woods Richardson for the "seventh rotation spot" behind fifth starter DeSclafani and primary depth arm Louie Varland. As noted earlier, Woods Richardson impressed in his first appearance this spring, meaning Festa will need to follow suit if he wants to become part of the team's plans early this summer. Owning a 40-man roster spot and having made multiple MLB appearances, Woods Richardson will likely keep the upper hand as the Twins leave Fort Myers in late March. Still, a strong performance in camp would position him for an early look. 

Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Benefit Most From Performing Well This Spring:

• Niko Goodrum
• DaShawn Keirsey
• Daniel Duarte
• Ronny Henriquez
• Jeff Brigham

The Twins have one of the most well-rounded rosters in MLB. The franchise has signed, drafted, or traded for and developed many young, cost-effective organizational depth arms and position players who could contribute to the team for future seasons. With the organization electing to act in a parsimonious manner this offseason, numerous young, cheap players are knocking on the door of the parent club and are at the forefront of the most prominent positional battles in camp.