Seth Stohs

No question.

Just some thoughts: 1- When I was makign my rosters, there was zero question that Caleb Hamilton was going to make this roster. He's come so far defensively behind the plate. Don't forget that in the playoffs for the Miracle last year they had Hamilton, not Rortvedt, doing almost all of their catching. 2 - Definitely NOT Tyler Jay's last chance. He's only been Rule 5 eligible once. He's got 2 more years before he's a free agent. He's left-handed. He's got good stuff. He's a hard worker. Unless things go really crazy, they aren't going to release him. 3 - Jax - definitely not too old for anything at this point...

Arraez only spent like 2 months in AA last year... There was no chance that he was going to start in AAA this year.

That's the nature of signing 16-17 year olds.

I can only say this at this time, so take it for what it's worth and I'll see what more I can find out. When I was in Ft. Myers (admittedly just a week), I did see Chris Williams with catcher's gear on once or twice that week, but mostly at 1B. Same with Michael Davis (except mostly SS).

What was he sent to Arizona for last fall? Pearson was called up to Cedar Rapids on Memorial Day weekend last year, so no surprise he's sticking with the Kernels to start. He got quite a bit of playing time with the big league club this spring too. Solid player, a good prospect.

As I have done a couple of times this year, tonight during the Twins game (and until I sleep), I will answer your questions from the comments below. Jose Berrios is on the mound for the Twins in Kansas City tonight. Minor League Opening Day is just two days away! Plenty of topics, so feel free to ask away!Ask me questions in comments below and I will answer them in the body of this article. Starting as soon as the Twins game starts, so feel free to start leaving questions now. Ask questions about the Twins, the Red Wings, the Blue Wahoos, the Miracle, the Kernels, the Extended Spring Training, or whatever else you like. ----------------------------------------------------------- From Sconnie: "What would you do vs what do you think the FO will do with the third catcher on the big league roster? Is there something that can happen besides injury to keep Astudillo and Garner on the big league club in the next two weeks?" I'd keep all three. And I think that the front office will keep all three. It's clear that at no point was Astudillo's roster spot in any jeopardy. Castro's the #1 catcher right now. Garver is the #2 catcher right now. Astudillo is the #3 catcher right now. But, like Chris Herrmann was a #3 catcher, he was also able to play all three outfield positions and could have played the corner infield spots too. I still expect Astudillo to get a few games at third base and he and Garver to be used as pinch hitters. From ashbury: "I love his bat, but does Jorge Polanco have a major league shortstop's arm?" This question comes right after Polanco tried to catch and throw too quickly and bounced a ball to first base (nice play by Cron, but still an error). His arm does seem to be the question (and has been in years' past). I think he's got the arm, and he's shown that he can make the throw from deep in the 5.5 hole. But it's an average-at-best shortstop arm. Plenty to play the position. From The Mask of Zoilo: "Do you have a feel for any low A/rookie league players who could break out into top 25 prospect status? Any pitchers with velocity jumps or new pitches?" Fair question and of course I haven't seen enough of any of these guys to be real confident... But I really like what I've seen from Prelander Berroa. He'll probably spend the season at Elizabethon but he could get to Cedar Rapids by midseason as well. Also, a guy not to forget is Miguel De Jesus. He was throwing really well in the GCL when he had Tommy John surgery. He looked good in my opinion this spring. It's just been a long time since he's pitched, but he's on I'm very intrigued by. Finally, 2018 pick Regi Grace was really impressive. Young kid, but he's got the big legs and back side that remind me a lot of Graterol. He throws pretty hard too. As for a hitter or two that will start in EST... I was really impressed with Willie Joe Garry. Looks a lot like Nick Gordon. Has a good approach and a really nice swing. Incredibly fast. He is definitely one to watch, though he probably goes back to the GCL this year. I'm also probably higher on Yeltsin Encarnacion than I should be. From mlhouse: "Is 2017 7th rounder Ryley Widell going to pitch this season?" Widell was listed on a Disabled List in the minor league work groups when I was at spring training a few weeks ago. That said, I saw him throw a couple of bullpens and he looked alright. He missed last year with a couple of bouts of mono. He should surface in 2018, likely in Cedar Rapids. Click here to view the article

For Miranda it's about growing out of the position. Most think he's a natural third baseman. He's big and strong. He's done OK athletically at second base now as well. But obviously the depth is part of it too. Blankenhorn and Cabbage are both really good athletes. Cabbage is bigger and probably stronger,, but there's been the swing and miss. Very capable at 1B and in the corner outfield spots. It'll be important for him to get off to a fast start. Blankenhorn being back in FM is probably as much about the numbers as anything. He's big, strong and fast. Not great defensively, but capable at 2B and 3B. Fair to say it's a big year for both though.

Which are also important... If the Twins are competing and they need a utility infielder and Adam Rosales or Ronald Torreyes gives the big league team a better shot to win than a Nick Gordon, then it's great to have those guys. Obviously its not long-term, but those guys can be important as well.

Sure did... not sure how that happened... He was #8... http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins-minor-leagues/twins-daily-2019-top-prospects-8-lewis-thorpe-r7508

Gardenhire has some say in that decision, but all of those types of decisions will come from on top with opinions taken from all over. I'm really impressed by the communication up and down the system, including (I think) with the players too. They'll find a way to keep them all playing and many of them will be made more versatile. Miranda got some time at SS this spring and that can be a good thing to keep his athleticism. May be wise to get Lewis some innings at 3B and in CF. Blankenhorn can play all over, one of the best athletes in the organization. Lineup construction from day-to-day will sure be interesting.

That would be fantastic... man, he looks great, clearly he put in a lot of work in the last year despite the injuries. He can hit too, didn't lose any of the power.

Wouldn't surprise me either...

I remember a conversation with Toby Gardenhire in late May 2018 in Cedar Rapids... The organization was already having talks about what the best way to get him to the big leagues was and how quickly it might be able to happen and what was best for his long-term development. I'm a little surprised, but this decision fits in well with how they feel about Graterol's potential and readiness.

I think Gore had a really good year last year. First full season in pro ball and he played great in Cedar Rapids even as a half-timer, and he is also credited with really helping Royce Lewis at shortstop too. Then he skipped Ft. Myers and jumped right to AA where he finally got a chance to play every day. He definitely held his own. I really like Gore as a potential utility infielder... (Of note, I also really liked Alex Perez as a MLB utility infielder and they released him this spring, so I'm not pretending to know anything)

He had an awkward check-swing late in spring training. Came out of the game as a precaution and they did X-rays and MRI and it all came back clean... So, he shouldn't be out long.

Leach is listed on the DL in the spring training work groups. I saw a couple of his bullpens and he looked good, threw hard, looked strong. As for Balazovic, he only pitched in 12 games (60ish innings) for Cedar Rapids last year, didn't get up there until June and ended the year early. Nothing wrong with giving him 6-12 more starts at the level. He's young and has plenty to work on yet. Also, very important to remember that teams simply do not want to lose too many near-MLB caliber guys early in the season so it is normal that a few guys start a level lower than many think that they should. But it's mostly about getting the work in. That all plays itself out with injuries and performance and there is the trickle down. But, with a guy with Balazovic's talent level, they're simply going to put him where they believe it is best for development.

I'll be surprised if he isn't there by then.

I think the key for Cabbage is making contact, and I believe that has been a focus of his offseason this year, and something that was improved through spring training. If he can do that, man, he has so much potential. Dude is big, strong and has elite power potential. Personally, I would just have a hard time giving up on that kind of talent Arias spent about 3 months in CR last year but ended the season in E-Town. I think he's talented... and of course, his first year as a pro was in the DSL, so it's not apples to apples. And, he spent two seasons in the GCL, which is also not unusual. Built similarly to Celestino, and a good outfielder, good speed. He should have some rope too.

Severino will be one to watch. As you pointed out, he got two seven-figure signing bonuses before he turned 19. He's very much talented, and he plays with a lot of flair and confidence. It will be interesting to see how he pans out. Already pretty much moved to second base, but he'll probably hit. Balazovic really took a big step forward in 2018 on and off the field. He's very smart, and he listens well. I'm sure he's a little disappointed to start in CR, but it makes sense. It'll be his first Opening Day with an affiliate. But he certainly is a guy who could move up fairly quickly.

I assumed he would be in Ft. Myers to start since he only had like 6 weeks with the Miracle last year. Then with the oblique injury, that cost him some time in spring training, it became almost a given. The only thing that had me wondering was if they would be willing to push him up to Pensacola to appease the new affiliate. And because he's really good.

Maybe... but Rortvedt isn't ready for AA, and Jeffers is too good for the MWL probably. My assumption is they'll have pretty close to a 50/50 split in terms of catching, but Jeffers should get time as a DH too (which is why my roster guess had a third catcher there). Guys are going to get days off. I think you can work it such that most of them are in the lineup 5 times a week. That's good as most of these guys are young and very early in their minor league careers. I was surprised with how aggressive they were with Helman throughout spring training. I don't know if the term "destroy pitches" really works with him. He is a line drive hitter, not much power yet.

In 2018, Cedar Rapids went a combined 77-62 and went to the playoffs. What does the 2019 season have in store. First-year manager Brian Dinkelman takes over the helm and has a solid mix of high-end, young prospects and guys in their first full season, coming out of the college ranks.Today we look at the Cedar Rapids Kernels players and coaching staff. We’ll try to project (or guess) a solid everyday lineup, and discuss the top prospects. Feel free to share any thoughts you may have on the team or roster, and ask as many questions as you would like. COACHING STAFF After several years as hitting coach of the Kernels, former Twins infielder Brian Dinkelman embarks upon his first season as the team’s manager. He will be replaced as hitting coach by two guys. Another former Twins infielder, Luis Rodriguez, moves up from the GCL this year. And Ryan Smith comes to the organization this year from the College of Central Florida (Ocala). Former big-leaguer Virgil Vasquez will be the pitching coach for the Kernels for the first time. He has been in the organization since retiring after the 2014 season. ROSTER Here is a look at the Kernels Opening Day roster. Note that this is a tentative roster and can be updated before their season starts on Thursday. HITTERS Catchers: David Banuelos, Ben Rodriguez Infielders: Chris Williams, Yunior Severino, Joe Cronin, Michael Davis, Andrew Bechtold, Trey Cabbage Outfielders: Jacob Pearson, Gilberto Celestino, DaShawn Keirsey, Jean Carlos Arias, Gabriel Maciel (IL) PITCHERS Starting Pitchers: Jordan Balazovic, Blayne Enlow, Luis Rijo, Josh Winder, Cole Sands, Austin Schulfer Relief Pitchers: Zach Neff, Carlos Suniaga, Joe Record, Brian Rapp, Jose Martinez, Andrew Cabezas, Tyler Palm, Alex Schick (IL) POTENTIAL LINEUP LF - Jacob Pearson CF - Gilberto Celestino 2B - Yunior Severino 1B - Chris Williams SS - Michael Davis RF - DaShawn Keirsey, Jr. DH - Trey Cabbage 3B - Andrew Bechtold C - David Banuelos TOP PROSPECTS Blayne Enlow (Twins Daily #9 Prospect) - Enlow was the team’s third-round pick in 2017. He spent 2018 in Cedar Rapids where he pitched well (3.26 ERA) and was limited to 94 innings. His fastball was in the 91-93 range last year and he flashed the curveball that intrigued teams out of high school.Yunior Severino (Twins Daily #15 Prospect) - Acquired after MLB ruled him a free agent after Atlanta got in trouble for their international practices. He joined the Twins and played well in Elizabethton last year. He’s got good pop from both sides of the plate.Gilberto Celestino (Twins Daily #16 Prospect) - Came to the Twins from Houston in the Ryan Pressly trade, Celestino is a plus defensive centerfielder. He’s also got a strong right-handed swing that should develop some power.Jordan Balazovic - Long and lanky right-hander got stronger in 2018 as things really came together for him. Drafted out of Canada as a raw talent with pitchability, Balazovic has added strength and now throws into the mid-90s.DeShawn Keirsey, Jr. - Twins fourth-round pick in 2018 out of Utah. Good speed and defense, Keirsey should also be a top-of-the-order type of hitter. Very athletic and a good approach at the plate.Luis Rijo - Rijo came to the Twins from the Yankees (with Tyler Austin) in the Lance Lynn trade in July. He joined the E-Twins after the trade and went 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA over five starts.Josh Winder - The Twins seventh-round pick a year ago out of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), he went 3-1 with a 3.96 ERA over nine starts and struck out more than a batter per inning.Cole Sands - The Twins fifth-round pick a year ago out of Florida State will make his professional debut when he makes his season debut.STORIES TO WATCHWander Javier, the Twins Daily #5 Prospect, is being kept back in Ft. Myers for a little while. I assume that they are deciding not to put him at risk in the cold early in the season. He should be up in Iowa very soon. No one questions the immense talent possessed by Javier. The only problem has been his ability to stay on the field. Power, speed and the ability to play shortstop well.There are a lot of good players, including some pitchers who did very well in Elizabethton a year ago, who are starting this season in extended spring training. Many of them will make their way to the Kernels due to injury or poor play or a few other possible reasons.Please feel free to discuss this roster. Ask lots of questions and check back often. What stories will you be following? Click here to view the article