Projecting the Twins’ 2025 Opening Day Roster, v. 3.0

Personally, I would rather have a 5th outfielder than a 7th infielder, but the FO has stopped taking my calls, so I lost my say in the matter.  😏

I think Gasper takes Juliens spot.  The Twins like to show off their shiny new toys.

11 minutes ago, Hubie29 said:

I think Gasper takes Juliens spot.  The Twins like to show off their shiny new toys.

Definitely 👍 Rocco will love having a 3rd catcher and he's hit well so far this spring. 

Headrick got plucked about a month ago. No longer with the team. Now a Yankee

Not saying they'll make the opening day roster, but...

I like the little I've seen of Gasper.  Not sure he's quite MLB-caliber as a catcher, but he is having fun, and few things are more fun for a fan than seeing your team's players having a good time on the field.  Things go right for him and we might be in for a more skilled Austidilo.  Or at least a competent bat-first utility/pinch hitter.  

I might fall in love ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️  with Kiersay!  EFFORT I haven't seen on a consistent basis in years.  And not the "26th man on the roster" great effort, but Pete Rose "I'm the best on the field AND I'll outwork you too!" effort.  My take is that he is the Twins' 2nd best OF behind Buxton. And the best team we can see on opening day includes him starting. 

Another topic... Which is more painful to watch, and zero, zero tie where no one expected to start above AA showed any signs of life (amazing that even the pitching staff looked lifeless while pitching a combined CG SO), or a 9-9 tie where you led 8-1?  Well, at least it is spring, the (Florida) grass is green, and anything is possible! And Rocco is in mid-season form...

He who should & who will be are 2 different things. Julien should be sent to AAA to learn 1B not ST. Our best option on 1B is Miranda who has the potential to be our best 1Bman. Baldelli, who preached 1B defense, 1B defense. Has now wants 1B hack France to be our primary 1Bman. They are bound & determined to have France & Julien much too often on the right side, that'll prove to be disastrous.  We have Lewis, Lee & Castro at 3B we don't need Miranda at 3B, make him our primary 1B & some DH. But knowing Baldelli & how much they played this spring, Miranda is behind France, Gasper, & Julien. If Miranda gets hurt again while playing 3B (hope he doesn't) his production goes down again. Fans don't look at the stats & say what a bum he is. Don't blame Miranda, blame management. If the Twins don't invest in Miranda at 1B, Twins will never improve at 1B.

Zebby has to make the rotation.  He is by far the 4th best starting option.  His fastball is up 3 MPH this spring and has been great.  He rolled his ankle he will be fine its not like he is having arm issues.  But knowing the Twins Zebby will be 7-0 with an ERA under 2 in AAA in 2 months while Richardson and Paddack lead the league in WHIP and ERA getting knocked out in the first 3 innings every other start.  

This projection seems accurate at this point. With Zebby injured (he had been pitching great) and Festa struggling (Paddack is as well albeit in only a single start), the starting five appear to be set. The bullpen is likely down to nine due to Topa's injury. Castellano will likely be the odd man out for now; his potential is there (7k in 4-2/3in), but he has had some struggles this spring (1.71 whip, 5BB). It's hard to imagine the Twins keeping him on the 26-man roster for the entire season. However, with about three weeks left in spring training, one more injury to a reliever could make him the eighth man. I do agree some of the veterans, Paddack and Tonkin, have struggled as much as the young guys but with the small sample size so far in spring they likely get the benefit of the doubt as they have shown to be adequate pitchers at the MLB level.

On the position player side, Lee is coming on strong and is likely the best defensive player on the bubble, making him nearly a lock. IMO Julien and Gasper are competing for the final bench spot. Although I would love to see Keirsey sneak on as the 13th man, allowing Wallner and Larnach to DH, Bader to play left, and still have Keirsey available as an outfield replacement off the bench. One of Castro or Lee could start at second base, with the other serving as a super utility player in the infield.

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

That would be Castro, the super utility.

Better would be Keirsey, they need his defense, speed dimension and if he hits, it’s a big win. He reminds me of their approach with Lamonte Wade, Jr. He deserves a real shot in MLB, in my opinion.

32 minutes ago, Drtwins said:

This projection seems accurate at this point. With Zebby injured (he had been pitching great) and Festa struggling (Paddack is as well albeit in only a single start), the starting five appear to be set. The bullpen is likely down to nine due to Topa's injury. Castellano will likely be the odd man out for now; his potential is there (7k in 4-2/3in), but he has had some struggles this spring (1.71 whip, 5BB). It's hard to imagine the Twins keeping him on the 26-man roster for the entire season. However, with about three weeks left in spring training, one more injury to a reliever could make him the eighth man. I do agree some of the veterans, Paddack and Tonkin, have struggled as much as the young guys but with the small sample size so far in spring they likely get the benefit of the doubt as they have shown to be adequate pitchers at the MLB level.

On the position player side, Lee is coming on strong and is likely the best defensive player on the bubble, making him nearly a lock. IMO Julien and Gasper are competing for the final bench spot. Although I would love to see Keirsey sneak on as the 13th man, allowing Wallner and Larnach to DH, Bader to play left, and still have Keirsey available as an outfield replacement off the bench. One of Castro or Lee could start at second base, with the other serving as a super utility player in the infield.

I'm with you all the way on Keirsey! It’s time!

36 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Sands?

Last year he was at least their third or fourth best reliever.

Sands is a definite keeper, to my surprise last season. Tonkin, I’m not quite sure why they value him so much but maybe he’ll help.

Canterino will be on 60 day il soon enough. Topa probably right beside him. Sands is a lock if healthy. Tonkin or a late signed dfa FA from another team will be on the 26 man just based on attrition. Castellano is a lock. Varland is a lock. Both could get spot starts. 
Is it SWR or Festa in the rotation? When will Paddack be moved to the pen?