stringer bell

The roster is constructed differently this year and there's no regular slot for Keirsey to get at-bats. He's on the team because he has very good speed and would appear to be at least an above-average outfielder. He's 28 years old in a few days and very few 28-year old rookies become mainstays. Maybe he's an exception, but I'm very skeptical. I've had the chance to watch more minor league baseball in the last few years and it is striking to me how different it is from the major league product. Balls aren't fielded that routinely get turned to outs even for the worst defensive teams in MLB. Mistake pitches seem common and few pitchers have the command to exploit weak spots that we see routinely with the major leaguers. I have close to zero faith that good numbers in AAA will translate to the majors. Keirsey put up very good numbers last year, but hasn't hit at all as a major leaguer Every year there are examples of this and maybe Mickey Gasper is another example. Minor league field staff see guys and recommend who should be promoted. If they don't do a good job of evaluating talent, they don't keep their jobs. Despite pretty average numbers the Twins were quick to promote Keaschall, but not Keirsey or Yunior Severino, who put up good numbers in the previous two seasons. I imagine the Triple A field staff saw red flags for the latter two, but not for Keaschall. Underdogs like Keirsey, Eeles and McCusker have to beat the door down harder and produce more than guys with pedigrees and they probably get fewer chances.

Until after the All-Star break Lewis' bat was good enough to play anywhere. That isn't a large sample size and probably some of his struggles post-All Star break were regression to the mean, but all of his numbers were outstanding from '22, '23 and the first portion of '24. There are guys that thrived as DHs after continually getting hit by the injury bug. One of the best examples is Paul Molitor. There are no guarantees that moving Royce to DH will curtail the endless parade of injuries. The larger question might be who is a good enough hitter that a position must be found for them. I'm pretty sure Keaschall is and I believe that a healthy Lewis is as well. Add in Brooks Lee and there is a full infield of good hitters to be put around Correa. I think the eventual positions should be Lewis at first, Keaschall at second and Lee at third.

Catchers: Running wild has much more to do with the pitchers than the catchers. Alcalá in particular gave the catchers absolutely no chance to throw out runners and Brock Stewart doesn't have a slide step and is slow to the plate. The best way to stop the running game is not allow fast guys to get on base, The second best is to be far enough ahead that they don't even try. Julien: He had major league success but that now is two years ago and what he has done in the last two years is just not enough to justify his iffy at best defense. Clemens and probably Bride are placeholders, but they are better defenders and more versatile and not prospects.

There have only been 15 of them, but I think this was the Twins' best win of 2025.

Over/under for hits? I’d guess 6.5. For runs, probably 2.5. I would bet the under on both.

Hmmm, wasted two guys to pinch run. Probably the right call, but didn’t work out.

Quality pitches from Jax against the 8-9 hitters.

Bride looks very capable at third.

Paddack dodged a bullet.

One of the more obscure ex-Twins will get another taste of the major league experience. Waddell made four appearances for the Twins in 2021, moved on two other teams that year and hasn't been in the majors since. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/mets-to-select-brandon-waddell-on-wednesday.html

Guards added two fresh arms to their BP. Seward to IL and Bolton to AAA. They’re depleted, but their top BP arms are rested.

Interesting to look at team stats—Twins and Guards have similar offensive numbers-Cleveland slightly better. Pitching is solidly in the Twins favor, in every significant stat. Disappointed that Vázquez is catching. It would be ideal to have Jeffers catch three games of the series. Almost certain that they’ll split 2-2.

Lots of ex-Twins transactions, plus Jorge Polanco is Player of the Week. Kyle Gibson recalled to start his season with the Orioles. Gary Sánchez placed on IL, Caleb Boushley optioned by the Rangers, Luis Arráez will be activated from the concussion IL

I think Keirsey is safe until Wallner returns. The latest report has Matt out for weeks not days.

The Twins currently have three infielders who are in a backup role, none of them are established major league players-one was optioned to the minors and the other two were DFA'd by their Opening Day team. If the team gets healthier, it would seem that one, two or maybe all three of these guys will be taken off the major league roster. I am wondering about the pecking order. A lot of factors might come into play. 1) Performance 2) Flexibility 3) Platoon advantages/disadvantages and 4) Options. Here's my take: Mickey Gasper--Gasper has started games at second base and appeared at first base and catcher. He would appear to be a less than graceful defender. Since coming back from a week in St. Paul, Gasper has four hits and three RBI and he is a switch hitter. While Gasper's versatility and ability to switch hit work in his favor, I believe he will be the first or maybe the second to be sent down. The reason is that he is able to be optioned, while the other two players cannot. Kody Clemens--The Twins acquired Clemens last week when phenom Luke Keaschall broke his arm when hit by a pitch. Clemens got into his first game and got a hit off a position player pitching. Clemens can play in the infield and outfield (except shortstop) and has 400+ major league plate appearances with a lifetime OPS+ of .611. He hits left handed and is out of options. I think his pickup might be very short. He might be the first to go because the Twins aren't really in need of a left handed hitting infielder and he's shown he isn't likely to break out. Jonah Bride--Bride is a right handed hitter with pretty extreme platoon splits. He had success last year with a 122 OPS+ in a half season with the Marlins. He was DFA'd after a brutal start this year. Bride is 7-14 with the Twins and looks capable at third base. Bride has experience at first and second and did some catching in the minors. He could serve as an emergency catcher for the Twins. Like Clemens, Bride can't be optioned to St. Paul. I think Bride will stick around for awhile. He looks capable in the field and he has had recent success as a hitter. The reverse splits make it tough for him to be a short-side platoon player, but so far he's hit lefties and righties for the Twins. If I'm going to predict who goes, I think that if both Willi Castro and Royce Lewis are activated within a week, Clemens will be DFA'd and Gasper will be optioned. All these guys are in their upper 20s, so not like anyone is a prospect. What's the opinion of people on this site?

Given the club's recent history, we all should be suspicious and cynical.

Nice win. I hate, hate, hate position players throwing 50 mph, but it's a lot better if it is the opposition. Ober looks like he isn't breaking a sweat when he's cruising. Very few balls were hard contact.

The last thing Rocco wants to see is another pitcher warming up. I hope Jorge gets this guy.

I think the lead is big enough to go with Alcalá.

That would be my guess.

Is Manzardo Gasper's bigger little brother?

I predict Clemens will make his Twins debut tonight as a defensive replacement.

Adding on. That should make it easier for Ober to go at least seven.

Everybody in the starting lineup got a hit!

Big out there with Ramirez on deck. Keeps it comfortable in the middle innings.