Seth Stohs

... Matt Tracy from Chattanooga to Rochester. Dereck Rodriguez and Brian Navarreto from Ft. Myers to Chattanooga. Keaton Steele from Extended Spring to Ft. Myers. Trey Vavra, Daniel Kihle and Rafael Valera released from the Miracle.

John Curtiss up to Rochester.

Hildenberger to Twins (with Dillon Gee). Alex Wimmers, Mason Melotakis DFAd. John Curtiss from Chattanooga to Rochester. Mitchell Kranson, Jermaine Palacios, Brandon Lopez, Jaylin Davis from Cedar Rapids to Ft. Myers. Amaurys Minier, Jorge Munoz, Joe Cronin, Lean Marrero from Extended Spring Training to Cedar Rapids. More coming...

Wimmers and Mason Melotakis are DFAd.

Twins signed a bunch of guys today in Ft. Myers... The highest pick signed today was Bechtold, but a bunch of lower-round picks signed as well. I'm guessing Jeremy will post an update one of these days on things he's hearing.

Turley and Adrianza are the two 25-man roster moves, and Hildenberger and Gee are coming up... Belisle and Breslow probably aren't the 40-man moves because they would necessitate other guys being added too.

Twins Daily has learned and confirmed (from a person with direct knowledge) that right-hander relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger will be called up to the Twins on Friday. When the 26-year-old gets into a game, it will be his major league debut. In addition, the Twins will call up RHP Dillon Gee, who they just signed on Wednesday to a minor league contract. Nik Turley was optioned to Rochester following his Thursday night outing in which he recorded just two outs. Also Ehire Adrianza was placed on the 10-day disabled list. UPDATE - The Twins announced the Alex Wimmers and Mason Melotakis were DFAd to make room for Gee and Hildenberger. The Twins head to Cleveland for a three-game series starting Friday night. The Twins will need to make two 40-man roster decisions to make room for Hildenberger and Gee.Last week, the Twins called up hard-throwing Alan Busenitz from Rochester. In an article on Busenitz, we mentioned that Trevor Hildenberger was also very deserving. The side-arming righty was the Twins Daily choice for Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2015and again in 2016. In 21 games for Rochester this season, he is 2-1 with six saves. In 30.2 innings, he has allowed 27 hits, walked eight and struck out 35. Following Thursday night's game, Hildenberger got the news every ballplayer wants to hear. And, he was able to share it with a couple of very important people. Hildenberger said, "It was awesome having my parents in Rochester and being able to tell them face-to-face." Hildenberger's story is a great one. He was the 22nd-round pick of the Twins in 2014 out of Cal-Berkeley. He was at Berkeley for five years (a redshirt year), and he barely got on the mound until his fourth year because of a change he made on the mound. As he told Seth in the Twins Prospect Handbook 2016, "It started back at the end of my third year at Cal-Berkeley when my teammate wore the wrong number jersey to practice. My pitching coach, Mike Neu, commented on what he pictured when he saw my teammate's number. I asked him what he pictured when he saw my number 26, and he said a sidearm pitcher because UCLA and Washington both had sidearm relief pitchers with the number 26. At that point in time, I had thrown a cumulative 12 innings in three years and was clearly not effective enough to compete. So he asked me to throw a bullpen from a lower arm angle. I obliged, not realizing it was a permanent change. He liked what he saw and sent me off to summer ball in Bend, Oregon, in the summer of 2012 to refine my new style and experience some growing pains." The change worked. He had a great final season at Cal, got drafted and on Thursday night, received the call that every baseball player hopes for, a call to the big leagues. Hildenberger is comfortable with himself now as a pitcher and what it takes for him to be successful. In that same article, he said, "I really pride myself on throwing strikes with all three of my pitches, and the ones over the top too. If I get to a 3-2 count, I have no problem throwing from side-arm, fastball, changeup or slider. I really believe I can put it in the strike zone when I need to." At Berkeley, Hildenberger majored in American Film and Media. It's something he has a passion for. He told us, "I'm a big movie guy. I wrote about film a lot in college. I watch films that are a bit more off the beaten path, some foreign films or independent films that are played in really small theaters. But it's on the pitcher's mound that Hildenberger has dominated, really since signing back in 2014. Like Busenitz, Hildenberger has earned his promotion. The 22nd-round pick becomes the first member of the Twins 2014 draft to reach the big leagues. If healthy, it's likely both Nick Burdi and Jake Reed would be up too, and John Curtiss is certainly a name to watch as he's dominating in AA. Nick Gordon was the team's top pick, and he's put up an all-star first half in Chattanooga. Click here to view the article

Yup... apparently there will be 11 more added tomorrow.

Running a top prospect poll series on my Twitter feed. Most have had a few hundred votes... but here is the Top 5 from that. 1.) Nick Gordon 2.) Royce Lewis 3.) Stephen Gonsalves 4.) Fernando Romero 5.) Alex Kirilloff If you're interested, we are currently voting for prospect #6...

Some may question whether Lewis will stay at SS, but if he doesn't, he can also play CF. Will he play there in MLB? That'll depend on guys like Buxton, Gordon, Polanco, Palacios, Javier and others too... If one of those guys has taken those two positions, Lewis is a great athlete and could move to 3B, LF, anywhere.... Too early to worry about where he may or may not play yet. We don't know about that with Polanco and he's in MLB...

I haven't heard yet on Schutte. He's still very young, so he could go back to the GCL. I thought there was a chance Balazovic would start in E-Town... and maybe he'll move up today...

He'll serve his suspension this season, and I wouldn't be all that surprised if that's about it.... Obviously the Twins (And all teams) are good with second chances, but talent is what will or won't keep a guy on the roster. Kennys Vargas had a 50-game suspension back in 2012. They didn't release him. Anthony Swarzak had a 50-gamer way back when. Others have too. Some guys that have had suspensions, they're gone the day after the suspension is complete. Booser is a guy who throws 99. Doesn't always (ever?) know where it's going, but that's a big arm.

I think because he threw 108 last time it made it more likely that he wouldn't go over 100 last night. I also think that it's always better for a pitcher to start an inning. If Berrios gives up a base runner or two and then they bring in Kintzler, it's much tougher than just having him start the inning.

I would expect that he is one of the four being added today... or the others being added on Friday.

Another quiet, all-star weekday in the Twins farm system. The Lookouts and Kernels both had a day off. They’ll start their second halves on Thursday. That’s also when the Elizabethton Twins make their 2017 debut. In other words, these Twins minor league reports are about to start getting bigger and busier again. But hey, six minor league affiliates to follow is even better than four, right? In Rochester, Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes made their first rehab appearances. The Red Wings showed some power as well. The Miracle got a tremendous pitching performance on their way to another win.Find out everything and more that happened happened in the Twins system on Wednesday, starting with the transactions of the day. TRANSACTIONS Check out the transactions through the minor league system from late Friday night and Saturday: Hector Santiago and Phil Hughes were officially added to the Rochester Red Wings roster as rehab guys. Their roster is now at 25 plus the two rehabbers.Most of the 2017 Elizabethton roster was added on Wednesday. As noted in the Elizabethton Twins Roster Preview, there will be more moves in coming days.RED WINGS REPORTRochester 3, Buffalo 1 Box Score Hector Santiago made his rehab start for the Red Wings. The left-hander was given a 60-pitch limit, or four innings, whichever was less. True to Santiago form, he needed 57 pitches to get through three innings. He didn’t give up a hit or a run. He walked two and struck out two. Veteran Kam Mickolio came in to replace him. He got an out, but after making his second pitch to his second batter, he had to leave the game with an apparent injury. Mason Melotakis came into the game, and two pitches later, he finished a walk (credited to Mickolio). But he was able to get the final two outs quickly. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mitch Garver led off with his sixth homer of the season. Two batters later, Niko Goodrum added his seventh home run to give the Red Wings a 2-0 lead. Phil Hughes got the top of the fifth inning. The goal was for him to work one inning, and then this weekend, he’ll work in back-to-back games. He was successful. He walked one, but he got through the inning without allowing a run. Ten of his 19 pitches were strikes. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Zack Granite added his second homer, a third solo homer for the Wings. DJ Baxendale got the next seven outs, giving up a run on two hits. Trevor Hildenberger recorded his sixth save with two strikeouts over the final five outs. He reduced his ERA to 2.05. Garver, Goodrum and Tommy Field each had two hits in the game. Granite was 1-3 with a walk. His .349 batting average leads the International League. The runner-up is at .319. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga Box Score The Lookouts are enjoying the third (and final) day of their All-Star break. Of course, there wasn’t an All-Star Game played due to bad weather. The team will begin their second half of their season on Thursday evening at home. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 3, Jupiter 0 Box Score At the end of last season, Cody Stashak made three starts for Ft. Myers. In 16.2 innings, he gave up just one run (0.54 ERA). That’s where he began this season. However, after his first eight starts this season, he was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA. He was placed on the disabled list. In his first outing after his return, he threw five shutout innings. On Wednesday night, he threw six shutout innings. He gave up just one hit, walked two and struck out seven. He got healthy and has returned to form. Andrew Vasquez faced six batters over two innings and struck out five of them. Sam Clay worked the ninth inning. He gave up a two-out double before finishing the game and maintaining the shutout. In the fourth inning, the Miracle got two walks and an infield single to load the bases. Tanner English walked in a run, and then Rafael Valera followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Miracle a 2-0 lead. That’s where the score remained until the 8th inning when another fielding error allowed another run to score. The Miracle had seven hits and walked four more times. Alex Perez went 2-4, the only player with more than one hit. The Miracle also stole five bases in the game. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids Box Score The Kernels also return from the Midwest League All-Star Game on Thursday night. Eduardo Del Rosario will take on Quad Cities. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Cody Stashak, Ft. Myers Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Mitch Garver/Niko Goodrum, Rochester THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Lehigh Valley @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - RHP Yohan Pino Pensacola @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Stephen Gonsalves Ft. Myers @ Florida (6:35) - LHP Lachlan Wells Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:35 CST) - RHP Eduardo Del Rosario Danville @ Elizabethton (6:00 CST) - RHP Edwar Colina Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Wednesday’s games. Click here to view the article

Maybe if he had been around four years later, or a few years earlier, things may have played out differently for Josh Rabe. Instead, he spent a lot of time in the Rochester Red Wings outfield before finally getting a call to the big leagues in the Twins terrific 2006 season. Shannon Stewart. Michael Cuddyer. Torii Hunter. Lew Ford. Jason Kubel. Those guys were all around, but Rabe didn’t give up and got to live out his dream of playing in the big leagues. Two years later, he was out of professional baseball. So, where is Josh Rabe now? An Illinois native, Rabe was the Twins 11th round pick out of Quincy University in 2000. He gradually worked his way up, and in 2006 reached his dreams of playing in the big leagues. He played a total of 38 games for the Twins between 2006 and 2007 and hit a combined .250/.268/.375 (.643) with a double, three home runs and nine RBI in 82 plate appearances. His playing career came to an end in 2008. So let's catch up with Josh Rabe.Recently Twins Daily caught up with the former Twins outfielder about getting drafted out of a small college, spending many years in the minor leagues, getting called up to the big leagues, and his post-playing career. A big thank you to Josh Rabe for his thoughtful responses to our questions. Last week, we shared the draft day stories and memories of many Twins players (past, present, future). We’ll start there with Josh Rabe. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Seth Stohs: Josh, what were your memories from your draft and what was the reaction from those around you? Josh Rabe: To answer your question: What was draft day like for me? I honestly thought the Cubs were going to draft me. They came to a lot of my games, and I did well when the cross checkers were there and I did well in the pre-draft workout at Wrigley A lot of people told me I was going anywhere from the 8th to the 13th round. In 2000, the internet was dial up, and you could not really follow the draft online. I was at home at my parents’ house in Mendon, Illinois, because that was the phone number I listed on all the draft questionnaires. Back then they did two days - rounds 1-20 and then 21-50. My college coach called around 11 and told me they were in the 4th round so be ready. I was sitting on my parents’ couch around 12:15 and the phone started ringing. I ran to the phone and on the other end was my mom's dentist. She called to remind her about her appointment the following week. I honestly cut her off and said, "We don't have call waiting. Today I am getting drafted, and I do not want to miss the phone call." I hung up on her after saying that. About 20 minutes later, Bill Milos from the Twins called and asked me "What are you doing?" I said, "Waiting for someone to draft me. That is what!!" He then told me I was the 2nd pick in the 11th round by the Twins, and he would call in two days to set up a meeting. Short call, couldn't really hear anything after that because my mom and dad were hooting and hollering. It was a big relief because I did not want to sleep on the fact that I was going to have to wait till Day 2 to get picked. After that, a couple of local news crews came to my family farm and interviewed me. I then went to a summer ball game that night and did a couple of radio and TV interviews. I went out with some friends that night and two days later signed with the Twins. I flew to Mini-Camp in Fort Myers, and the journey began. It was a long way from Mendon, Illinois, to the Metrodome. Seth Stohs: What was your development path? You weren't necessarily a top prospect, but you always put up strong numbers that few talked about. What did you think of the coaching you got through the minors, some of the guys that are still around? Josh Rabe: My development path was... COMPLICATED!!!! You are right. I was not a top prospect, always put up decent numbers, but I guess I wasn't toolsy enough to be on one of those LISTS!!! You have to remember, I came from Mendon, Illinois, and attended a D2 school called Quincy University. Big fish in the small pond in both spots. When I got to pro ball, that was an adjustment!! I listened to everyone, too many people probably my first year. I was blessed with a quick bat, but I did everything but be myself my first year of pro ball. It went so well for me that six weeks into it, I called my dad asking him to find all the football letters I got out of high school for when I got released at the end of the summer. I could go play college football!!! I had to hustle to hit .221 at Elizabethton!!! I might be the only Twins big leaguer ever to hit under .230 in that league. I was so bad I broke a Baum Bat, which some thought was impossible to do. I went to Instructional League and broke my hamate bone the second game. Hell of a first year for the kid from Quincy!!! Somehow, I got sent to Quad City to start my second year. I remember Jim Rantz was in town at the beginning of May. I went 0-4 in South Bend to take my batting average to .201. I was raking once again... I went back to the hotel, and I was pretty much prepared that I was probably a goner. My roommate that trip was having a cigarette on the balcony of the MOTEL we were staying in. He had the door open and saw that I was contemplating life. He takes a drag and said something that resonated with me. He said, "When you first signed, you did everything so natural. You ran around, didn't have a care in the world, had a natural stroke, and had more bat speed than anyone could hope for. Why do you let people mess with you all the time? Why don't you go back to what got you here and quit trying to listen to everyone that speaks? If I am going out, I am going out my way!!" He then got into a cab and went to the casino, which he did five nights a week. I thought that was great advice. I got to the ballpark early the next day and told the hitting coach Floyd Rayford that I was going to do some things differently that day. He looked at me and replied, "I don't care what you do, but you need to start getting some hits, dog!" I took some swings, pieced some stuff together and felt ok. We played a doubleheader that day and, thank god, we had some injuries so they HAD to play me and my .201 average. I went 4-6 that day in the 9 hole, hitting a couple of extra base hits and had a couple of RBI's. From that day until the All-Star break, I went from .201 to .311. I got hot and stayed hot. I never really stopped hitting for three years after that point. I went from a guy that thought I was going to get released in May of 2001 to a guy in Triple A in July of 2003 with two All Star game appearances. I had some GREAT coaches that made the game fun. Stan Cliburn was the best manager I ever played for. Guy just wanted to win!!! He didn't care about the prospect lists, man just wanted to win which was my style. I was one of his guys so I played everyday for him. Bill Springman is and was the best hitting guy I have ever had or ever been around. Guy is a damn horse whisperer. He is so positive and so knowledgeable. Joe Vavra is the hardest working coach I have ever seen. Guy would throw BP till his arm went numb, then switch arms and throw some more. I wish I had taped the baseball conversations I heard Paul Molitor and Tom Kelly have. When they would hold court in spring training, sit back and listen and learn. They forgot more about the game than about 90 percent of baseball knows. photo from Rochester Red Wings Seth Stohs: You spent about six years in the minor leagues, including almost three years in AAA. You probably saw a lot of teammates get that call. So, tell me about how you learned that you were heading up to the big leagues. Who told you? Teammates reactions? Who did you call? What kind of emotions did you experience? Josh Rabe: Three years? Hey, I spent parts of five seasons in Triple A. I believe I am the second longest tenured Red Wing of all time (Seth Note: Garrett Jones is now #1 on this prestigious list). Have to be infamous for something??? Triple A is hard because there are flame-throwing prospects and veterans who know how to pitch. When I was young and dumb, those veterans wore me out, and I am not ashamed to say that. (Torii) Hunter got hurt and had to go on the 15 day DL. I had just got done playing in the Triple A all star game. My dad called me and told me he thought I was going to get called up. It was a Sunday day game so I was heading early to the ballpark. I told my dad that I don't know if it going to happen and hung up on him. I got to the park and started to get dressed for BP. The trainer Tony Leo came to me and said the manager needs to see you. I went into Stan's office and he, his brother Stu and Jim Rantz were in the office. Stan didn't mess around. He said, "I never been so happy to tell someone that they are going to the big leagues than I am right now." He and Stu gave me a hug. Mr Rantz shook my hand and congratulated me. I walked out of the office and most of the team was waiting to shake my hand and congratulate me. Back then, the culture the Twins had with promotions was something special. They promoted from within and everyone pretty much pulled for each other and were genuinely happy when someone got a chance. I called my parents first. I called some friends, and then I called the parents of my best friend. My best friend had passed away about a month earlier so that was an emotional call. Honestly, it was a feeling of relief that I had finally got the call. Happy of course but a huge sigh of relief is all I can remember. Seth Stohs: While it's still part of the same line of thinking, what was the response when you go to the big league stadium that first day? How were you greeted by teammates and coaches there? Josh Rabe: I got some calls from some guys on my way. Terry Tiffee and Jason Bartlett called me and told me about the schedule. I had roomed with them for several years. Everyone congratulates you when you get to the clubhouse. The first day is a blur. 7:05 comes and it is THE SHOW... There is a reason they call it that and no other term could describe it better. Seth Stohs: Firsts... what are your memories of your first hit, and then your first home run in the big leagues? Josh Rabe: I remember my first at bat. I lined out to center on a 3-1 count. My first hit, 2-1 fastball, line drive to right center off Edwin Jackson. I remember Travis Lee congratulating me at first base. My mind was all over the place. My mom told me that the crowd gave me a standing ovation, but I didn't hear or see that. A lot of stuff goes through your mind during an event like that. The ball was in my locker after the game. No one messed with me. I gave it to my dad after the game. He could not believe it. He cried. First homer was off Nate Robertson. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a double. I remember seeing the second base ump signaling home run as I was approaching second base. I told myself to slow down, but my heart was going way too fast so my home run trot was more of a slow sprint. Rondell White mobbed me in the tunnel behind the dugout. I do not know what he is doing now, but he and Torii Hunter were two of the best guys for young rookies to be around. Rondell was a great dude and was a genuine, good person. Seth Stohs: You spent some time in an indy league, but tell me what the transition was for you from player into coaching? Is it something you'd always wanted to do? Josh Rabe: Time in the indy league!! Might be the only guy to go from the AL to the AL - Atlantic League!!! My back was a mess in ‘07. I had shoulder trouble, had to have surgery. During rehab, I couldn't do the rehab program because my back was acting up. So when you are a hurt mess and do not have a long term contract, they release you!! I thought I could still get healthy, all the other MLB teams thought otherwise that off season. I went to Indy ball and hit well. Only problem was I could not run anymore, hurt too much. So I could not play outfield everyday, had to DH most days. I had a week where I played outfield everyday and a couple of teams wanted to sign me. Literally was probably going to sign with an affiliated team the next day and my back acted up on me the night before. I sat around for a couple of days, was going to get another injection and go for it again. I was sitting in the doctor’s office, and I said to myself, "Enough is enough." Called the GM and said I'm done. Flew home the next day. I was 30, single, did not own a house, just moved from town to town and lived life to its fullest. My mom picked me up at the airport and asked if I was ok. I told her I had come to terms with my body just being done and I could not do it anymore. At that point I had no idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I sat around for about a week at my parents’ house contemplating my next move. I had bought an LSAT study book and considered going to Law School, which is something that I had always wanted to do. My college coach called me after about a week of being home and asked if I wanted to be a college coach. So I went to St Joseph's College and became the hitting coach there for two years. Quincy University, my alma mater, at the end of the 2010 school year fired their coach and hired me. Seth Stohs: You went to Quincy University in Illinois, and now you're the head coach there. What did you mean for you to get that job? Josh Rabe: I had not been home for 12 years. West Central Illinois is always going to be my home, no matter where life takes me. I love it here. I met my wife here. We have had our children here. It is a great place to live and raise a family. Quincy University gave me a chance and to work for them now means a lot. I get to help young men grow up and do the things they want to do in this world. It is a rewarding job to say the least. And I get to be around my family!!! Seth Stohs: Talk a little about your team's success in recent years, specifically this year. Josh Rabe: My first year at Quincy, we started off terrible. Somehow we righted the ship and won the conference and went to a NCAA Regional for the first time in seven years. That was the start of a successful run. We have won the GLVC conference title twice, been to four NCAA tournaments, and just finished going to the World Series for the first time in program history. We have had multiple draft picks and a ton of great people roll through this program. We offer a good education and great facilities for college baseball players to flourish at. photo by Brad Loper Seth: Finally, what are your goals for your program, leading the student athletes, from a baseball perspective, etc.? Josh Rabe: The ultimate goal for any program is to win a National Title. The chances of that happening at most programs is slim to none. That is not the case at Quincy. We were very close this year. We have the resources to make that happen. It is a great feeling knowing you have a chance every year to compete for a championship. The administration at Quincy needs to be commended for making that happen. It takes good people and money for stuff like that to happen, and I am in a fortunate spot that provides that. We keep it pretty simple philosophy-wise. We surround ourselves with high-character, talented people and turn them loose. That has been the recipe for our success. Seth Stohs: If anyone reads this and is interested in learning more about your baseball program, what is the best way for them to contact you and the program? Josh Rabe: Go to QUhawks.com for info about the program, or contact me at rabejo@quincy.edu with interest. Thank you again to Josh Rabe for taking time to answer our questions so well. Please feel free to ask questions or leave feedback below. Click here to view the article

For Kendrick... it's all about making contact. For Cabbage... it'll be about being healthy... he's got such a high ceiling, and I think he'll show it in 2017 in ET...

UPDATED (Friday afternoon): added C Andrew Cosgrove, C Colton Waltner, IF Andrew Bechtold, IF Carson Crites, IF Jordan Gore, IF JJ Robinson, OF TJ Dixon, RHP Nick Brown, RHP Christian Broussard, RHP Jared Finkel, RHP Bailey Ober, RHP Ricky Ramirez, and LHP Ryley Widell UPDATED (Thursday afternoon): added OF Brent Rooker, OF Mark Contreras, LHP Bryan Sammons, and RHP Calvin Faucher. On Thursday, the Elizabethton Twins will open up their 2017 season at home against the Danville Braves. Below you can find the 2017 Elizabethton Twins Opening Day roster... or at least the current Elizabethton Twins roster. More players will be added as early as tomorrow. This team has some older players, college guys drafted this year or last, but there are some very intriguing younger players who are certainly worth watching. I also think there are more players jumping straight from the Dominican Summer League to Elizabethton than in years past. Elizabethton is a small, mountain town, an ideal place for some minor leaguers to make their professional debut. Many of these players, particularly those drafted earlier this month, have likely never been real far from home or had to pay their own bills. Some may not have ever used a wood bat or played under the lights. Some have been in Ft. Myers for the last three months at extended spring training, eagerly anticipating getting to Tennessee (if not Iowa) to start playing games where box scores show up online! Manager Ray Smith has been on the coaching staff in Elizabethton for 31 seasons now. This is his 23rd season as manager. His hitting coach, another former big leaguer, Jeff Reed will be in that role for the 15th straight year. This year, Luis Ramirez is the team’s pitching coach. It is his third season in that role after spending 2014 in that same role in the GCL and 2013 in the Venezuelan Baseball Academy.Here is a very brief look at the players on the 2017 Elizabethton Twins Opening Day roster, though we know there will be others added soon. In fact, Twins Daily has learned that four players will be added to this roster on Thursday, and more on Friday. In large part, this may be due to the draft being a week later than it has been in past years. I’m certain you’ll notice some names missing. This page will be updated as the players are added. We’ll post the GCL roster preview in coming days and some of your questions may be answered. It’s possible some are heading up to Cedar Rapids, and some players have already been released. We’ll try to find answers to all of these questions. Note also that this roster is subject to change for a variety of reasons, particularly in the next few days as more 2017 draft picks sign, etc. THE ROSTER Catchers: Robert Molina (20), Rainis Silva (21), Bryant Hayman (24-DL) Molina hit just .135/.200/.149 (.349) in 25 games (80 PA) in 2016. Silva hit .230/.297/.254 (.551) with three doubles in 37 games a year ago at Cedar Rapids. Hayman had ACL surgery earlier this year. Infielders: Andre Jernigan (23), Wander Javier (18), Kolton Kendrick (20), Jose Miranda (18). Wander Javier is one of the organization’s top prospects. Signed to a $4 million bonus in 2015, he played in just nine games a year ago in the DSL due to hamstring issues. He is impressive offensively and defensively at shortstop. Jose Miranda was one of two compensation picks that the Twins had last year between the second and third rounds. Drafted as a shortstop, the assumption was that he would move to third base at some point. That happened already in spring training. He played in the GCL after the draft last year. Kolton Kendrick was the team’s eighth-round pick in 2015 out of high school in Louisiana. He lost time that year due to mono, and last year, he really struggled with the bat in the GCL. The burly first baseman will get a shot in the Appy League this year. Andre Jernigan was the Twins 14th-round pick in 2016 out of Xavier University. In 36 games a year ago in Elizabethton, he hit .243/.336/.374 (.710) with six doubles, a triple and two home runs. Outfielders: Matt Albanese (21), Trey Cabbage (20), Shane Carrier (21), Brent Rooker (22), Mark Contreras (22), Alex Kirilloff (19-DL). Trey Cabbage has been transitioning somewhat to the outfield during extended spring. That said, he’s also likely to play a lot at third base as well. The Twins fourth- round pick in 2015 out of high school hit .204/.297/.337 (.634) with five doubles, a triple and two home runs last year in E-Town. Matt Albanese was the Twins eighth- round pick a year ago, but he did not play due to some wrist injuries and a couple of surgeries. He’s a good athlete and looking forward to making his professional debut. Shane Carrier began this season in the Cedar Rapids outfield. In 30 games, he hit .215/.243/.299 (.542) with six doubles and a homer. He can be a big power threat in the middle of the E-Twins lineup. The Twins Comp pick is indeed heading to Elizabethton to start his pro career. So is 9th round pick Mark Contreras. Pitchers: Huascar Ynoa (19), Charlie Barnes (21), Jose Martinez (20), Griffin Jax (22), Taylor Clemensia (20), Jovani Moran (20), Melvi Acosta (22), Juan Gamez (23), Moises Gomez (20), Blair Lakso (22), Carlos Suniaga (20), Edwar Colina (20), Bryan Sammons (22), Calvin Faucher (22), Miguel DeJesus (21-DL), Cam Booser (Restricted List) Huascar Ynoa turned 19 at the end of May. He was the Twins Daily choice for short-season Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year after he went 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 11 starts for the GCL Twins. In 51 innings, he walked 12 and struck out 51. He’ll be quite young for this level. Charlie Barnes was the Twins fourth-round pick just last week out of Clemson. Known to have a terrific changeup, he’s a guy who could move up to Cedar Rapids relatively soon. The situation with Griffin Jax sounds as if it is yet to be resolved, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t spend the full season in E-Town, for pitching reasons or Air Force reasons. He made four appearances for the E-Twins during his time off last year. Miguel De Jesus split 2016 between the GCL and Elizabethton. Combined, he went 3-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 53 innings (11 starts). Jose Martinez made 11 starts last year for the E-Twins but went 1-5 with a 7.88 ERA. He gets another shot at the Appy League. Then there are several pitchers who threw in the GCL last year. Lefty Taylor Clemensia (from the Netherlands) pitched 43.2 innings in 11 games (10 starts). He went 1-4 despite a 2.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts (26 walks, too). Juan Gamez was drafted out of NDSU as a catcher. After just a few games, he was moved to the mound where he pitched in three games last year in the GCL. He has a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s. Moises Gomez posted a 1.19 ERA over 37.2 innings last year. He pitched a lot in long relief and ended the season with a start. Several pitchers are making the jump from the Dominican Summer League to Elizabethton this year. Melvi Acosta went 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA over 14 DSL starts. In 70.1 innings, he walked 14 and struck out 57. Edwar Colina struck out 52 (and walked 26) over 58.2 innings. He was 1-3 with a 2.30 ERA. Carlos Suniaga worked 57.2 innings last year. He walked just 13 and struck out 58. He went 7-3 with a 2.03 ERA. Finally, two pitchers who did not pitch in the Twins system at all last year are on this roster. 2015 draft pick Jovani Moran had some bone chips removed before the season last year which caused him to miss the whole year. Blair Lakso was signed after the draft. He was a pitcher at the University of Buffalo, but really struggled. He was working for a summer team when he got some tips from a former big leaguer, John Halama, and suddenly he was throwing more strikes and hitting 95. The Twins signed him. Bryan Sammons was the team's 8th round pick in June. Calvin Faucher was their 10th round pick. Both were senior signs. As I mentioned right from the outset, this roster is subject to change as guys in the GCL start performing, and as more 2017 draft picks decide to sign and report. For instance, Brent Rooker is not currently on this roster, and yet we have heard that he will start in E-Town. It has to be challenging for the coaches and for the minor league coordinator to keep things straight for the next week or so with these rosters. On Monday afternoon, the GCL Twins will play their first game. We’ll provide a roster preview for them in the coming days. Click here to view the article

Corrected.

There never really has to be a rush. They could add him this offseason and then have three years to move him up. Obviously that's not what I or anyone else would do, but it's possible. I'm all for moving him up, that's why he's in the story.