St Paul Saints Announce 2024 Roster

4 catchers and 2 outfielders.

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton……

I like how the link for Will Holland takes you to the BBref page for a Will Holland who played 1 year in 1889 and died in 1930.

How are they allowed to carry 16 pitchers at AAA?

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Not as exciting as past Saints teams.  The OF looks really weak.  And the SP is enough to make us all wish no one in Minneapolis goes down.

Helman and Martin can play in the outfield, too.

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

Of the entire list, I really want to see Dobnak get back on track. Not just to get something for the contract but because he could easily be everything disco was supposed to be and he's easy to pull for.

It’s evident the organization respects what he’s done, and who he is. Agree he’s easy to pull for.

Still, seems highly unlikely he gets back into major-league plans any time soon. He’s not rostered and wasn’t included among a host of non-rostered pitchers that got spring training invites. I think it would take something truly extraordinary to unturn this page.

36 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

It’s evident the organization respects what he’s done, and who he is. Agree he’s easy to pull for.

Still, seems highly unlikely he gets back into major-league plans any time soon. He’s not rostered and wasn’t included among a host of non-rostered pitchers that got spring training invites. I think it would take something truly extraordinary to unturn this page.

It's not so much the organization respects what he has done, as much as they are paying him no matter what he does do. Thankfully he is working hard to come back and maybe, just maybe, throw from the major league mound again. Of course, that would mean finding a spot on the 4o-man, or tantalizing another team to take on his salary. I do hope he does return. He's a good guy and all. 

9 minor free agent pitchers. Happily rotation arms are fairly home grown (not counting guys the Twins got in trades and have developed beyond a season). Everyone on the field side looks to get play everyday.

1 hour ago, jkcarew said:

4 catchers and 2 outfielders.

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton……

Martin and Helman's best route to the majors is through the OF and they are both good out there. Holland is actually also good in the OF but he can't hit much of anything. All three of these guys steal bases. Lots of speed in the OF. Oh, Prato plays LF as well. This team is filled with guys who are utility guys. I think they will be exciting to watch.

7 hours ago, Danchat said:

Is Austin Martin not an outfielder at this point? I don't get with the insistence with him focusing so much time at 2B. His likely home is in the outfield.

I don't get it either, Martin should be focused in the OF (where he needs more time), that's where our need is at, we already know he's very good at 2B, Because he's listed at INF, that's where they are focusing him at. 

Catchers:  "Both Isola and Winkel should be expected to get plenty of reps behind the plate as well."

Ummm.....no. 

4 catchers?   With 4 catchers........NONE of them will get "plenty of reps!"   If Camargo is really the "next" catcher who gets called up, he should be getting 2/3rds of all the catching reps!

I do like the fact that it looks like DaShawn Keirsey will be forced to almost start every day in the outfield.    I think he could easily be our 4th outfielder next year (or a nice replacement/call up this year.)  He already has a couple of "tools" that can play in the majors.  (defense, speed, stealing bases, pinch runner.......)  Seems like the "hit tool" came around last year.....hopefully that sticks this year as well!

Some interesting players in AAA this year. Obviously the club will be stronger when Lee and Larnach get back, but there's several players I want to watch and see if they can answer questions.

Rotation: can SWR maintain the better velocity he showed in spring training? How will Festa's command look, and can he keep the free passes reasonable? Can Dobnak stay healthy and restart his career? (I keep forgetting him; he's shown ability before, but he wasn't good last year)

Lineup: Can Severino make enough contact to be a real threat? Can Martin stay healthy and hit consistently? Will Miranda's shoulder hold up and get him back as a hitter? Will Keirsey hit enough to be a real OF option? Can Larnach hit off-speed pitches or is he cooked? Will Lee's injury keep him from getting a call-up before midseason? Is Isola able to stick at catcher or is he going to have to hit his way up at another position?

Should be a pretty good squad; lot of guys with real experience, but there are some prospects with good ceilings as well.

38 minutes ago, miracleb said:

Catchers:  "Both Isola and Winkel should be expected to get plenty of reps behind the plate as well."

Ummm.....no. 

4 catchers?   With 4 catchers........NONE of them will get "plenty of reps!"   If Camargo is really the "next" catcher who gets called up, he should be getting 2/3rds of all the catching reps!

Nobody gets more than 50% time anymore but I agree with this sentiment. Camargo should get half the playing time at C.

12 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Not as exciting as past Saints teams.  The OF looks really weak.  And the SP is enough to make us all wish no one in Minneapolis goes down.

The OF has superstars on the way midseason. Wichita is the place to be in April/May to see great OF play. 

10 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Martin and Helman's best route to the majors is through the OF and they are both good out there. Holland is actually also good in the OF but he can't hit much of anything. All three of these guys steal bases. Lots of speed in the OF. Oh, Prato plays LF as well. This team is filled with guys who are utility guys. I think they will be exciting to watch.

They should mess with the score keeper and rotate positions every inning for a game. 

12 hours ago, jkcarew said:

It’s evident the organization respects what he’s done, and who he is. Agree he’s easy to pull for.

Still, seems highly unlikely he gets back into major-league plans any time soon. He’s not rostered and wasn’t included among a host of non-rostered pitchers that got spring training invites. I think it would take something truly extraordinary to unturn this page.

He didn’t pitch on the big league side during spring training because he had an injury. I wouldn’t be shocked at all, if the finger is healthy, that he produces and works his way back.

I think one really overlooked name here is Diego Castillo. Lots of major league time, and has been a good reliever too. Was released at the end of ST and apparently signed by MN.

19 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Prato will undoubtedly see a bunch of outfield time in St. Paul.

Especially now with Austin Martin in the big leagues.

22 minutes ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

I think one really overlooked name here is Diego Castillo. Lots of major league time, and has been a good reliever too. Was released at the end of ST and apparently signed by MN.

There are too many relievers on the AAA roster for anyone to get regular innings. I wouldn't pitch Dobnak or Boushley very deep into games.

With Martin up to the Twins I'm counting 7 non-catchers on the roster. Miranda will probably DH if he's having trouble throwing. That means 6 guys for 7 spots in the lineup. I expect Severino will be the 3B with one of the catchers playing 1B.