Wichita Wind Surge Opening Day Roster Preview

The Wichita Wind Surge will open up its first season as a Twins affiliate on Tuesday. Let’s take a look at their Opening Day roster, starting with the coaching staff.

The Coaching Staff:

Manager: Ramon Borrego

Pitching Coaches: Luis Ramirez, Virgil Vasquez

Hitting Coach: Ryan Smith

Coach: Joe Mangiameli

The Pitchers

LHP: Josh Mitchell (26), Jovani Moran (24), Zach Neff (25), Bryan Sammons (26),

RHP: Yennier Cano (27), Dakota Chalmers (24), Calvin Faucher (25), Tom Hackimer (26), Hector Lujan (26), Ryan Mason (26), Alex Phillips (26), Cole Sands (23), Austin Schulfer (25), Josh Winder (24).

Winder and Sands are two exciting members of the Twins 2018 draft. Both will start, as will Sammons and Chalmers. Mitchell came to the Twins in the minor league Rule 5 draft from the Royals. The southpaw hit 100 mph this winter. Moran and Neff have both been impressive at times in their career, including strong AFL performances. Cano is from Cuba and needs innings. Hackimer and Mason were in spring training and at the alternate site until recently. Schulfer has greatly increased his velocity since being drafted.

The Catchers

Roy Morales (25), Nick Garland (26), David Banuelos (24).

Banuelos had a strong showing in spring training as a non-roster invite. Morales is from Puerto Rico. Originally signed with the Marlines, but he has spent the past two seasons in the independent American Association. He played for Winnipeg and Sioux Falls in 2020. Garland had signed with the Twins in 2020 and is back this year. He spent some time with the Pirates organization but has played in the independent Frontier and Atlantic Leagues.

The Infielders

Andrew Bechtold (25), Jose Miranda (22), Peter Mooney (30), Jermaine Palacios (24), Damek Tomscha (29).

Miranda was part of that vaunted 2016 top four draft pick group, and he had a great winter in Puerto Rico and performed well in spring training. Bechtold was the team’s fifth round pick in 2017 and spent 2019 in Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers. Yes, Jermaine Palacios is back in the organization. Remember, he became a big prospect and was dealt to Tampa Bay for Jake Odorizzi. Didn’t pan out for him there, but he re-signed with the Twins this spring. Mooney is a minor league veteran who signed with the Twins before the 2019 season as well. Tomscha is another veteran with ties to the independent leagues. The Iowa native spent 2020 in Sioux Falls before playing in Australia this winter.

The Outfielders

Gilberto Celestino (22), Mark Contreras (26), Ernie de la Trinidad (25), Jimmy Kerrigan (27), Aaron Whitefield (24),

We saw the debut of speedy Australia Aaron Whitefield to start the 2020 season. Celestino is on the 40-man roster and we saw his tremendous talent in the outfield and with his bat this spring. Contreras won a minor league Gold Glove for his work in 2019. De La Trinidad split 2019 between Ft. Myers and Pensacola. Kerrigan hit for power and both Pensacola and Rochester in 2019.

Injured List

RHP Jordan Balazovic

RHP Adam Bray

RHP Chris Vallimont

SS Royce Lewis

Check out these Wichita Wind Surge sites and social media:

Team Website

Team Store

Wind Surge on Twitter

Wind Surge on Facebook

Wind Surge on Instagram

Wind Surge on YouTube

Surge Cast: Episode 1

Minnesota Twins 2021 Top 20 Prospects with the Wind Surge

19. José Miranda, 3B/2B:

15. Cole Sands, RHP:

11. Gilberto Celestino, OF:

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!