Seth Stohs

On Monday night (5:30 central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins left-handed pitching prospect Brent Headrick on an all-new episode of Twins Spotlight. The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.In June 2019, the Minnesota Twins made lefty Brent Headrick their ninth round pick. The 6-6 lefty from Joliet spent three seasons pitching for Illinois State. As a junior, he went 9-3 with a 3.47 ERA over 16 starts. In 96 innings, he walked 31 and struck out 115 batters. With the Redbirds, he was managed by former Twins catcher Steve Holm. After signing, he pitched in three games for the Elizabethton Twins. Of course, then the 2020 season was lost due to COVID. We will get to learn more about a very talented Twins prospect. Please join us live at 5:30 tonight to watch, and participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics and ask any questions you have. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE Monday night at 5:30 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunesor anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show. For more on Brent Headrick: Follow Brent on Instagram at @brentheadrick.Follow Brent on Twitter at @BrentHeadrick.Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 24: Royce Lewis Episode 25: Trey Cabbage Episode 26: Keoni Cavaco Episode 27: Casey Legumina Episode 28: DaShawn Keirsey Episode 29: Twins Wives (Maci Blankenhorn, Lexi Jeffers, Jordan Kirilloff) Episode 31: Bryan Sammons Episode 32: Marco Raya Episode 33: Willie Joe Garry, Jr. Episode 34: Brent Headrick Click here to view the article

According to Jeff Passan, the Minnesota Twins and RHP Randy Dobnak have agreed to a five-year contract extension that will buy out his arbitration seasons, and potentially more.According to Jeff Passan, the deal guarantees Dobnak $9.25 million, but with options and escalators, it could potentially be worth another $20 million over three more seasons. Click here to view the article

On Thursday night (7:00 central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins outfield prospect Willie Joe Garry, Jr. on an all-new episode of Twins Spotlight. The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Willie Joe Garry, Jr. was the Twins 9th round pick in 2018 out of Pascagoula (Mississippi) High School. He spent that summer in the GCL. In 2019, he moved up to Elizabethton and hit .228 with six doubles, three triples and five home runs in 55 games. Like most other minor leaguers, his 2020 season was cancelled. He's continued working hard and was invited to Twins Instructional League last Fall. Tonight, we will get to learn more about a very talented Twins prospect. Please join us live at 7:00 tonight to watch, and participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics and ask any questions you have. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE tonight at 7:00 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show. For more on Willie Joe Garry, Jr: Follow Willie Joe on Instagram at @wjgx2 Follow Willie Joe on Twitter at @williejoegarry. Under the Radar Outfield Prospect Overview (Aug 2019). Get to Know: Twins Outfield Prospect Willie Joe Garry, Jr. (Mar 2020) Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 22: Zander Wiel Episode 23: Blayne Enlow Episode 24: Royce Lewis Episode 25: Trey Cabbage Episode 26: Keoni Cavaco Episode 27: Casey Legumina Episode 28: DaShawn Keirsey Episode 29: Twins Wives (Maci Blankenhorn, Lexi Jeffers, Jordan Kirilloff) Episode 31: Bryan Sammons Episode 32: Marco Raya Episode 33: Willie Joe Garry, Jr. View full article

There has been a lot of turnover in the Twins roster over recent years. However, some players have been in the organization for a long time. Here are the ten Twins players who have been in the organization the longest.Here you have it, a look at the ten longest-tenured players in the Minnesota Twins organization but first, a few honorable mentions. Honorable Mentions September 2015 - Edwar Colina June 2015 - Travis Blankenhorn, Trey Cabbage, Alex Robinson, Jovani Moran, Zander Wiel, Cody Stashak, Andrew Vasquez June 2014 - IF Nick Gordon The Top Ten Longest-Tenured Twins * all photos by Seth Stohs, Twins Daily #10 - He wasn’t a big prospect in Venezuela, but on November 6, 2013, the Twins signed Luis Arraez. He spent a season in the Dominican Summer League where he hit .348 in 31 games. In 2015, he hit .309 in 57 games in the GCL. In 2016, he led the Midwest League with a .347 batting average in 114 games as a 19-year-old in Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, his 2017 season ended after just three games because of a knee injury. But, when he returned in 2018, he hit a combined .310 between the Miracle and Chattanooga. In 2019, he began in Double-A but after hitting .342 in 38 games, he moved up to Rochester. There, he played 16 games and hit .348, so he was called up to the Twins and hit .334 in 92 games. Last year, he played in 32 games and hit .321. He’s not a great defensive player, but he is a hitting machine. In 367 minor league games, he hit .331. In his first 124 games, he has hit .331. Just 24, Arraez could move up this list for several years. #9 - In the ninth round of the June 2013 draft, the Twins drafted senior catcher Mitch Garver from the University of New Mexico where he had a very strong career and was twice a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award. In 2014, he was the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Yearafter hitting .298/.399/.481 (.880) with 29 doubles and 16 homers. He played for Ft. Myers in 2015 and then went to the Arizona Fall League. He spent most of 2016 in Chattanooga before ending the season with a month in Rochester. In 2017, he was again the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year after hitting .291/.387/.541 (.928) with 29 doubles and 17 home runs for the Red Wings. He ended the season by playing in 23 games for the Twins. He began to play more in 2018. In 102 games, he hit .268/.335/.414 (.749)with 19 doubles and seven homers. He really worked on his defense and greatly improved. In 2019, he broke out with a season in which he hit .273/.365/.630 (.995) with 16 doubles and 31 home runs. He won the American League Silver Slugger Award. In 2020, he played in just 23 games due to injury. He looks to return to his 2019 form in 2021. #8 - The Twins signed 16-year-old Lewis Thorpe from Australia on July 12, 2012. He made a great first impression in 2013 when he went 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA. In 44 innings, he walked six and struck out 64. He pitched in Cedar Rapids as an 18-year-old in 2014 and posted a 3.52 ERA and struck out 80 batters in 71 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, his season ended with an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery and he missed the 2015 season… and the 2016 season also, in part due to a bout with mononucleosis. He returned and split the 2017 season between Ft. Myers and Double-A Chattanooga. He was added to the 40-man roster. In 2018, he split the season between Chattanooga and the Red Wings. He spent most of the 2019 season in Rochester, but he also pitched in 12 games for the Twins. In 2020, he went back and forth between the Twins and their alternate site in St. Paul. It is still uncertain if he will receive a fourth option year, and that decision will greatly determine what his 2021 season looks like. #7 - Taylor Rogers is the first of four members of the 2012 Twins draft class to appear on this list, but he was the last to sign of this group, signing June 14th. He was the Twins 12th round pick out of Kentucky and rose through the ranks as a starting pitcher. In fact, he was the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in 2013. When he came to the big leagues early in the 2016 season, however, it was as a reliever. It was a bit of a learning curve. He was pretty solid in the first half of 2017 and kind of hit a wall in the second half. In 2018, he took off and has been one of the best, most-reliable, most dominant relievers in baseball. In 2018, he posted a 2.63 ERA and struck out 75 batters in 68 1/3 innings. In 2019, he posted a 2.61 ERA and struck out 90 batters in 69 innings. He also recorded 30 saves. 2020 was a struggle for Rogers. He had nine saves but posted a 4.05 ERA in 20 innings (24 Ks though). #6 - The Twins lost a lot of baseball games in 2011 to earn the second overall pick in the 2012 draft. The Astros selected shortstop Carlos Correa and the Twins selected Byron Buxton out of high school in Georgia. On June 13, 2012, he signed. He played for the GCL Twins and Elizabethton Twins in 2012. He split the 2013 season between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers. He became the top prospect in baseball. He debuted with the Twins in 2015. In 2017, he received MVP votes, won his first Gold Glove and was also awarded the Platinum Glove as the best defensive player in the American League. Injuries have certainly cost Buxton a lot of time, but when healthy, he is a huge difference-maker for the Twins. In 2019, he hit .262 with an .827 OPS, 30 doubles and ten homers. In 39 games in 2020, he hit .254 with an .844 OPS and 13 home runs. #5 - Tyler Duffey was the Twins 5th round pick out of Rice University where he was the Owl’s co-closer with JT Chargois. He signed on June 12th. The Twins used him as a starter throughout the minor leagues. Duffey came up in 2015 as a starter and was the team’s best pitcher down the stretch that year. He wasn’t able to replicate that success and has since moved to the bullpen. He began 2019 in Rochester, but when he came up, he became very reliable. He went 5-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 58 games. He became the team’s most reliable reliever in 2020. He posted a 1.88 ERA in 22 games and 24 innings. #4 - The Twins lost Michael Cuddyer to free agency following the 2011 season. Because of that, they gained a supplemental draft pick after the first round. With the 32nd overall pick, the Twins selected a right-handed pitcher from Puerto Rico named Jose Berrios. He signed on June 11th. Berrios pitched well in the minor leagues and was named the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in 2014and 2015. He made his debut in 2016 and posted an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts. He returned in 2017 and went 14-11 with a 3.89 ERA. In 2018, he went 12-11 with a 3.84 ERA. He went to his first All Star game. He returned to the midsummer classic in 2019. He went 14-8 with a 3.68 ERA and topped 200 innings pitched. In 2020, he was 5-4 with a 4.00 ERA in 63 innings. #3 – On October 9, 2009, the Twins were playing (another) playoff series against the Yankees, but the big news of that day came off the field. The Twins had signed the #1 ranked international free agent, Miguel Sano, to a $3.15 million signing bonus. Since became one of the top power hitting prospects in baseball. He looked ready to debut with the Twins in 2014. Unfortunately, he needed Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. He returned to action in 2015. He made his MLB debut in July and played so well he was named the Twins MVP and Rookie of the Year. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He mostly DHd as a rookie, and in 2016 he was moved out to the outfield (which didn’t go well) and he struggled with the bat too. He moved back to third base in 2017 and played the position adequately. He made his first All-Star Game that year and finished second to Aaron Judge in the Home Run Derby. He was hurt and missed the final two months of the year. He had a titanium rod placed in his leg. 2018 was a forgettable season for Sano, and he came to spring training in 2019 with a contusion on his leg which cost him the start of his season. In 105 games, he hit .247/.346/.576 (.923) with 19 doubles and 34 home runs. In 53 games in 2020, he hit .205 with 12 doubles and 13 homers while also moving to first base. #2 – On July 11th, 2009, the Twins signed highly-regarded German outfielder Max Kepler. Though Kepler was always blessed with great tools, it wasn’t until 2015 that everything came together for him. He worked slowly up the system. He repeated in Elizabethton and then moved up one level a year. He was the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2015 when he was named the Southern League MVP and led the Chattanooga Lookouts to the league title. While his team was celebrating, Kepler learned that he was heading to the big leagues. On the season’s final day, he got his first MLB hit off of Johnny Cueto. He put up very similar numbers in 2016through 2018. In 2018, he hit .224 with 30 doubles and 20 homers. He signed a five-year contract extension for $35 million in the offseason. In 2019, Kepler broke out. He hit .252/.336/.519 (.855) with 32 doubles and 36 home runs. In 2020, he hit .228 with nine doubles and nine homers. He now has 101 career homers. #1 – On July 2, 2009, the Twins signed highly-regarded defensive shortstop Jorge Polanco from the Dominican Republic. He was brought along slowly, spending two seasons in the GCL. He started hitting in 2012 in Elizabethton. It’s on defense now where there are question marks. He received a couple of cups of coffee with the Twins in 2014 becoming the youngest player to debut with the Twins since Joe Mauer in 2004. Polanco played in Chattanooga and Rochester in 2015 with a couple more very short stints in the big leagues. He moved up and down between AAA and the big leagues in 2016 until the July trade of Eduardo Nunez when he came up and played shortstop most days the rest of that season. He struggled through the first four months of the 2017 season, but he was arguably the team’s best hitter over the final two months of the year. He missed the first 80 games of the 2018 season on a PED suspensionbut came back strong in the second half. He signed a five-year, $25 million contract extension. In 2019,he was voted as the starting shortstop in the All Star game. He ended the season by hitting .295 with 40 doubles and 22 home runs. In 55 games in 2020, he hit .258 with eight doubles and four homers. With the signing of Andrelton Simmons, Polanco takes over as the Twins starting second baseman. So there you have it, the players in the Twins organization who have been in the system the longest, consecutively. I’ll guess that at least a couple of the names may not surprise you. I’m certain that you wouldn’t have guessed everyone on this list. Feel free to leave your thoughts, or let me know if I forgot anyone. Click here to view the article

On Monday night (8:00 central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins right-handed pitching prospect Marco Raya on an all-new episode of Twins Spotlight. The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Marco Raya was the Twins fourth round draft pick in 2020 out of United South High School in Laredo, Texas. Shortly after the selection, Twins scouting director Sean Johnson said, "We really love his mechanics, his delivery, his arm action. He checks a lot of boxes for us. For a high school pitcher, great foundation to evolve into a starter. Raya, who turned 18 after the draft, also has the pitches to get excited about. His fastball sits in the low-90s and has touched 94. He's got a hard, sharp slider as well as a slower curveball. He's also got a change up that needs development but has a chance to be a plus-pitch for him. Raya is young and will need to mature physically over the coming years. He is touted for his work ethic and his character. Johnson said, "He's a tremendous worker, a tremendous competitor." Of course, Raya was not able to start his professional baseball journey due to the lost 2020 minor league season. However, he was invited to the Twins instructional camp in Ft. Myers in November. Tonight, we will get to learn more about a very talented Twins prospect. Please join us live at 8:00 tonight to watch, and participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics and ask any questions you have. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE tonight at 8:00 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show. For more on Marco Raya: Follow Marco on Instagram at @theofficialrayita. Follow Marco on Twitter at @markraya_. Twins Select Marco Raya with the 128th Overall Pick (June 2020). Twins Newest Pitcher Excited to Make his Mark (June 2020). Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 22: Zander Wiel Episode 23: Blayne Enlow Episode 24: Royce Lewis Episode 25: Trey Cabbage Episode 26: Keoni Cavaco Episode 27: Casey Legumina Episode 28: DaShawn Keirsey Episode 29: Twins Wives (Maci Blankenhorn, Lexi Jeffers, Jordan Kirilloff) Episode 31: Bryan Sammons Episode 32: Marco Raya View full article

Canterino sitting 97-98 with his fastball should move him up this list, probably to #3.

Smeltzer is an MLB pitcher. His ceiling, of course is a #4/5 starter and likely he fills the role of long reliever. As a lefty, he may have some potential in a one-inning type of role too. How he fits with the Twins right now is really the question. There are several MLB teams that he'd be their #4 starter opening day.

I think 3B is close. If healthy all year, probably Donaldson, but that's not a given either. Moncada is good. I think SS goes to Anderson fairly handily. I think CF is really close, but remember Robert won the Gold Glove, even with Buxton eligible. Again, if healthy, I think Buxton is the guy but it's close. I wonder when Andrew Vaughn will take over as the DH for the White Sox.

I think Brandon Waddell is a solid candidate too, especially after Saturday night's performance. Looked peak Taylor Rogers like. I know, one game, but give him a couple of months in AAA to work out of the bullpen and keep working on that slider and he could really help the team for years. I think he's eligible since he came off the 40-man roster about a week before spring training started.

When the Twins signed Andrelton Simmons, I asked him for his thoughts on shifting. He responded: Rocco was then asked about what Simmons brings to the team, and said:

On Thursday night (7:00 central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins left-handed pitching prospect Bryan Sammons on an all-new episode of Twins Spotlight. The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Bryan Sammons grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. After a terrific high school career, he traveled across the state and pitched four seasons at Western Carolina University. The Twins selected him with their eighth round pick in 2017. After signing, he split the remainder of the season between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids. In 2018, he spent most of the season in Cedar Rapids before making five starts in Ft. Myers and one start in Double-A Chattanooga. In 2019 he went 4-0 with a 0.94 ERA in eight starts in Ft. Myers before finishing the season with 16 starts at Double-A Pensacola. The southpaw has four good pitches and profiles as a starting pitcher. Tonight we will talk about his background, his development and adjustments, a tough 2020 season and his goals as the 2021 season approaches. Please join us live at 7:00 tonight to watch, and participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics and ask any questions you have. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE at 7:00 pm (central time) Thursday night on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show. Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 22: Zander Wiel Episode 23: Blayne Enlow Episode 24: Royce Lewis Episode 25: Trey Cabbage Episode 26: Keoni Cavaco Episode 27: Casey Legumina Episode 28: DaShawn Keirsey Episode 29: Twins Wives (Maci Blankenhorn, Lexi Jeffers, Jordan Kirilloff) Episode 31: Bryan Sammons View full article

I'll probably start worrying late-May to early-June...

While I think Albies signed for too little, it is weird to me to think of Arraez making as much as Albies with no power or defense. I think he should be closer to Marte, though probably less than Marte. That said, if they want to get something done, they may have to be somewhere in between. I'd feel better at guaranteeing $28-30 million for this same stretch. I like the 2021 and 2022 deals. Drop 2023 to $4 million, 2024 to $5.5 million, $6.5 million in 2025 and 2026 could be $8 million. Leave the option year the same. Now you're looking at 6 years, $30 million which could bump to $39 million with the option.

I would go: 1.) Kirilloff 2.) Larnach 3.) Lewis 4.) Soularie 5.) Celestino. Sabato, Steer and Urbina should be considered as well.

I think I would go: 1.) Rooker 2.) Sabato 3.) Wallner 4.) Kirilloff 5.) Larnach From this group... I think others to consider might include Kala'i Rosario, Carlos Aguiar, Seth Gray, Wander Valdez, Jose Miranda, Keoni Cavaco, and then it depends on if Ryan Jeffers is eligible for this category.

On Thursday night (5:30 central time), Seth will be chatting with the wives of three Twins players in an all-new episode of Twins Spotlight. The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Something a little different on tonight's Twins Spotlight. Instead of talking to some Twins player, we will be talking with some player's wives. Maci Blankenhorn watched her husband Travis make his major-league debut last September while finalizing wedding plans. The couple got married this winter. Lexi Jeffers was in St. Paul when her husband Ryan made his debut in 2021. Of course, she still couldn't go to Target Field for the game. They had been married the previous offseason. Jordan Kirilloff married her husband Alex in October of 2016, months after he was the Twins first-round pick. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, to the world just over one year ago. We will get to know a little more about each and find out what it is like to be married to a professional baseball player. Certainly there are several good things, but it isn't all easy. There certainly are challenges as well. We'll talk about some of their experiences in and around the game, but also find out their thoughts on some of their husband's professional achievements. And, each has their own achievements to celebrate as well. This should be a fun show, and we welcome your questions. Join us live at 5:30 tonight to watch, and participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE at 5:30 pm (central time) Thursday night on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show. Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 19: Regi Grace Episode 20: Louie Varland Episode 21: Max Smith Episode 22: Zander Wiel Episode 23: Blayne Enlow Episode 24: Royce Lewis Episode 25: Trey Cabbage Episode 26: Keoni Cavaco Episode 27: Casey Legumina Episode 28: DaShawn Keirsey Episode 29: Twins Wives (Maci Blankenhorn, Lexi Jeffers, Jordan Kirilloff) View full article

I think that is very much more realistic. Had there been a season in 2020, he would have started in High-A and maybe moved up to AA at the end of the year. There's a chance he starts this year in AA, but he could go to High-A for a little while too, if needed. I think his big-league opportunity for 2021 is a Buxton injury, just a 10-day variety where they don't want to add anyone (or subtract anyone) from the 40-man roster. He can play defense and bat ninth. But yeah, mid-2022 is his much more realistic timeline.