Seth Stohs

This is awesome! Also, I did ask Colina what Rich Hill talked to him about in the dugout that night... 

While I don't disagree that Kirilloff may start the season in St. Paul, I would be surprised if his time there was any more than 3-4 weeks. 

Tonight at 5:30 central time, we will return for another episode of Twins Daily Minnesota Twins Jeopardy. Join us and see if you can beat our contestants.This episode of Minnesota Twins Jeopardy is a little different and should be a lot of fun for Twins fans of any age. We will have a wide-range of categories to cover the history of the organization (players and teams and drafts and more from 1961-2020).. Sure, the 100 point questions will be pretty easy, but the 400 and 500 point questions are going to be tough, even for the biggest of Twins fans.

And hey, we need some Twins talk. The Twins did sign Hansel Robles yesterday, but overall, it's been a rather slow offseason so far. Let's talk about the Twins players, the moments, the prospects and the fun that this show should encourage.

Join us and let us know how many questions you knew the answers to. See if you can top our contestants.

David Youngs - Twins Daily writer. He appeared on several Postgame Pints and Offseason Lives. He's also helped interview some Minnesota players on Twins Spotlight for his #MinnesotaMade series.

Ted Schwerzler - Twins Daily writer who has been a frequent participant on Postgame Pints and other Offseason Live shows.

Matthew Braun - Twins Daily writer has participated in Postgame Pints episodes and some Offseason Live shows.

Follow us on social media to catch the live shows (they're broadcast via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube) and subscribe to our podcast to receive the audio versions of any episodes you miss.

Here is the link to be able to watch tonight's show on YouTube.

Here is the link to be able to watch the previous Twins Jeopardy on YouTube.

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY

— Latest Twins coverage from our writers

— Recent Twins discussion in our forums

— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

Click here to view the article

The Minnesota Twins have announced that they have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Hansel Robles.Like many, 2020 is a season that Hansel Robles would love to forget. The veteran right-hander went 0-2 with a 10.26 ERA over 16 2/3 innings (18 games) for the Angels. Earlier this month, the team chose to non-tender him, making him a free agent.

However, if you look back to his 2019 season, he was 5-1 with a 2.48 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over 72 2/3 innings in 71 games.

Robles debuted with the New York Mets in 2015 and tossed two scoreless innings for them in that season's World Series. He remained with the team until mid-2018 when he was claimed by the Angels.

Robles, now 30, throws a fastball that averaged 95.5 mph in 2019 after averaging 97.1 in 2019. He threw that a little over 50% of the time. He also starting throwing a split-finger pitch in 2020. He came in at about 88 mph and he used it nearly 36% of the time. It was essentially used as his changeup. He also throws an upper-90s slider, though he threw that just 12% of the time in 2020.

It has been announced by a variety of writers that the deal is a one-year, $2 million contract with incentives up to another $0.5 million.

The Twins 40-man roster is now at 36. It includes 19 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders and seven outfielders.

Darren Wolfson has the news on the incentives:

The Padres have given up one of their Top 7 prospects to get Snell and Darvish. The two situations were very different. 

The Cubs clearly are just dumping salary. I think they got the Padres 11, 13, 15 and 17 prospects (or something like that)... Then again, the Padres system is loaded, so their 11-20 prospects might be the Cubs 5-14 prospect range types. 

I love this article. Absolutely fantastic!!

Another great interview, Seth.

 

What is becoming clear by viewing these is that the Twins don't only have a system filled with talented baseball players, they have a system filled with very sharp young men. Found his comments interesting when talking about the Twins encouraging him to cut his season at ETon short so he could go back and finish getting his degree

 

My other question: Did you interview a future trainer for the Twins? 

It is possible... hopefully he doesn't have to think about that for awhile! 

Seth- Is there a 2021 Twins Prospect Handbook?

Not yet... still not sure if I'll work on it for the next 5-6 weeks or just skip the year and do more content here on the site?

How did you do?

On Thursday night (6:00 central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins minor league RHP Chris Vallimont on a new episode of Twins Spotlight.

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

Chris Vallimont came to the Twins at the July 2019 trade deadline. Along with Sergio Romo, Vallimont came from the Marlins organization in exchange for first baseman Lewin Diaz. He finished that season with four starts for the Ft. Myers Miracle.

Then came 2020 and we'll find out how that year was for the lanky right-hander.

The Erie, Pennsylvania, native stayed home after high school and attended Division II Mercyhurst College. As a junior, he struck out 147 batters in 80 1/3 innings and led his team to the Division II World Series.

The Marlins drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft.

He's an intriguing prospect who has good size, a big arm with a fastball that sits 95 and 96 but has touched 98 at times, a changeup, and of course, both a slider and a curveball that can be very good.

Join us live at 6:00 to watch and participate by sending your questions.

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Please watch LIVE at 6pm (central time) tonight 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.

More on Chris Vallimont:

• Get to know: RHP Chris Vallimont (August 2019)
  
• Follow Chris on Twitter at @Valli_Swag7.
  
• Follow Chris on Instagram at @valliswag7.
  

Previous Episodes

Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight.

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

Episode 9: Bailey Ober

Episode 10: Talkin' Torii (with Jacque Jones, Royce Lewis, Niko Guardado)

Episode 11: Top 60 Twins Players in 60 Seasons in Minnesota

Episode 12: Charlie Mack

Episode 13: Edwar Colina

Episode 14: Tyler Wells

Episode 15: Sawyer Gipson-Long

Episode 16: Adam Bray

Episode 17: Chris Vallimont

View full article

Any chance Marwin comes back on a one year, prove it deal? He at least gives professional ABs

I'm thinking they're thinking well beyond that level... 

A couple months ago, Nick kicked off Offseason Live with a game of Twins Offseason Jeopardy. On Wednesday night, Minnesota Twins Jeopardy was back. Find out if Nash Walker was able to defend his crown?The first Offseason Jeopardy was intended as a preview of the Twins offseason. There were categories like Twins free agents, Twins in Arbitration and of course, Potpourri.

This episode of Minnesota Twins Jeopardy is a little different and should be a lot of fun for Twins fans of any age. We will have a wide-range of categories to cover the history of the organization (players and teams and drafts and more from 1961-2020). We'll have questions about World Series players and performers. Sure, the 100 point questions will be pretty easy, but the 400 and 500 point questions are going to be tough, even for the biggest of Twins fans.

I have to be honest. I put this Jeopardy board up to a couple of test runs with some people and it is apparently a bit challenging. It will definitely test your Twins knowledge.

And hey, we need some Twins talk. It's been a quiet offseason so far. Let's talk about the Twins players, the moments, the prospects and the fun that this show should encourage.

Join us and let us know how many questions you knew the answers to. See if you can top our contestants. (if you watch live, post your guesses to our questions and we'll pop them up on the screen if you get them right.)

Nash Walker - Twins Daily writer is back to try to defend his win in the first Twins Offseason Jeopardy. He also is the host of the Locked On Twins podcast.

Matthew Lenz - Twins Daily writer who has been a frequent participant on Postgame Pints and other Offseason Live.

Dave Overlund - radio host on WJON radio in St. Cloud. A lifelong Twins fan, he's had Seth and Nick on his show "Hang up and Listen" in recent weeks. Follow him on Twitter at @wjonsports.

Follow us on social media to catch the live shows (they're broadcast via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube) and subscribe to our podcast to receive the audio versions of any episodes you miss.

Here is the link to be able to watch the show on YouTube.

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY

— Latest Twins coverage from our writers

— Recent Twins discussion in our forums

— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

Click here to view the article

On Tuesday night (6:00 central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins minor league RHP Adam Bray on a new episode of Twins Spotlight.

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

Adam Bray grew up going to Twins games, watching Torii Hunter, Johan Santana and Joe Mauer. He went to Eden Prairie High School and won a state championship there, and also played on some great American Legion games too. In fact, they went to the national championship game two straight years and won the national title following his senior season.

He went to Division I South Dakota State, and after four years there, he was the 33rd round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. He was traded to the Twins in spring training of 2018. That year, he pitched in Ft. Myers and then in the Arizona Fall League. In 2019, he split his season between AA Pensacola and AAA Rochester.

We'll talk about all of that, but we'll also discuss his 2020 season, what he was able to do and what his offseason is bringing. He is just one step from reaching the big leagues with his hometown team. What would that mean?

Join us to find out.

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Please watch LIVE at 6pm (central time) tonight 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.

More on Adam Bray:

• Spring Trade Brings Bray Back Home (July 2018)
  
• Follow Adam on Twitter at @Adam_Bray31.
  
• Follow Sawyer on Instagram at adam_bray31.
  

Previous Episodes

Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight.

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

Episode 9: Bailey Ober

Episode 10: Talkin' Torii (with Jacque Jones, Royce Lewis, Niko Guardado)

Episode 11: Top 60 Twins Players in 60 Seasons in Minnesota

Episode 12: Charlie Mack

Episode 13: Edwar Colina

Episode 14: Tyler Wells

Episode 15: Sawyer Gipson-Long

Episode 16: Adam Bray

View full article

Seth, look forward to listening post-interview as I wasn't able to live. But just a small edit, you stated he was selected 6th and then signed undrafted. Love all these interviews and can't wait to listen to this one as well!

Not sure what happened there. Thanks! 

Lynn hated that the free agent market wasn't good to him and he had to 'settle' for a $12 million, one-year deal. Came to camp late, because he signed late, and got off to a poor start and he just carried that with him all year.  He was never signing back with the Twins so getting anything for him was a bonus. Same with each of those 2018 July/August deals. They took a shot with Austin, and he was a bit of a pain, but there was some upside there. Lots of power. Rijo was just a polished pitcher when the Twins got him. Now he's got the control and multiple pitches still, but he's hitting 95 and even 96 on occasion. Hopefully he gets a chance to keep developing. 

On Monday night, Seth chatted with Twins minor league RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long on a new episode of Twins Spotlight.

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

Sawyer Gipson-Long was the Twins 6th-round draft pick in 2019 out of Mercer University in Georgia. In his three seasons in college, he went 13-5 while splitting his time between starting and working out of the bullpen. In 140 innings, he struck out 165 batters with just 37 walks.

Upon being drafted, he signed and then pitched in six games at Elizabethton .In 18 1/3 innings, he walked four and struck out 23 batters.

Gipson-Long stands 6-3 and a firm 235 pounds. He's got a couple of good fastballs, a changeup and a breaking ball, so it will be interesting to see if he develops as a starter or reliever.

We asked him about that process, his 2020 season and going to the Instructional League. He had an impressive high school athletic career as well. We haven't had a lot on Gipson-Long at Twins Daily yet so we will get to know another intriguing Twins prospect.

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Please watch LIVE at 7pm (central time) tonight 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.

More on Sawyer Gipson-Long:

• Seth's Spring Standouts 2020 Edition (March 2020)
  
• Follow Sawyer on Twitter at @sawyergipson.
  
• Follow Sawyer on Instagram at @sawyergipsonlong.
  

Previous Episodes

Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight.

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

Episode 9: Bailey Ober

Episode 10: Talkin' Torii (with Jacque Jones, Royce Lewis, Niko Guardado)

Episode 11: Top 60 Twins Players in 60 Seasons in Minnesota

Episode 12: Charlie Mack

Episode 13: Edwar Colina

Episode 14: Tyler Wells

Episode 15: Sawyer Gipson-Long

View full article

Did that make him ineligible to be selected?

Yeah, no one on the 40-man roster can be selected. 

On Friday at noon (central time), Seth will be chatting with Twins Orioles RHP Tyler Wells on a new episode of Twins (Orioles?) Spotlight just a day after he was taken in the Rule 5 draft.

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

Tyler Wells has been a guest on several of my podcasts in the past, always willing to talk about his journey or baseball in general. Today, we will chat with him about being selected in the Rule 5 draft, get updated on his rehab from Tommy John surgery and much more.

Wells was the Twins 15th round pick in 2016 out of Cal State-San Bernadino. He immediately began pitching well. In 2018, he was the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year when he went 10-6 with a 2.49 ERA between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga. In 119 1/3 innings, he walked just 31 and struck out 121 batters.

Unfortunately in the spring of 2019, he felt the pop that no pitcher wants to hear. A few months later, he underwent Tommy John surgery and rehabbed through that season and into the 2020 season. On Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles made him a Rule 5 draft pick so he will now head to Orioles spring training hoping to make their big-league roster.

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Please watch LIVE at noon (central time) today 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.

More on Tyler Wells :

• Twins 2018 Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year (Sept 2018)
  
• Episode 5: Get to Know RHP Tyler Wells, OF Jaylin Davis (Oct 2020)
  
• Follow Tyler on Twitter at @tylerw13.
  
• Follow Tyler on Instagram at @twells_34.
  

Previous Episodes

Episode 1: Tom Hackimer

Episode 2: Matt Canterino

Episode 3: Aaron Whitefield

Episode 4: Spencer Steer

Episode 5: Travis Blankenhorn

Episode 6: Cody Laweryson

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

Episode 9: Bailey Ober

Episode 10: Talkin' Torii (with Jacque Jones, Royce Lewis, Niko Guardado)

Episode 11: Top 60 Twins Players in 60 Seasons in Minnesota

Episode 12: Charlie Mack

Episode 13: Edwar Colina

Episode 14: Tyler Wells

View full article

I would think Romero has the best chance to be taken. He could easily be stashed in a bullpen to see if he could fulfill his potential.

Romero is still on the 40-man roster... well, on the suspended list. 

Also, I don't know he qualifies here. He's way more than a 6 yr minor leaguer even. I don't think he's subject to Rule V.

Gonsalves is absolutely eligible for the Rule 5. He's a minor leaguer beyond the timeline needed to be eligible, he's signed to a minor league contract and can be taken. 

That's why, often, you'll see teams announce minor league signings of veterans after the Rule 5 draft. If they happen before, they're eligible to be taken. 

I wouldn't hate it if the Twins drafted a reliever and tried to develop him into something. But outside of that, I'd be fine if they didn't make any selection,

That's where I am too, honestly. A reliever with big-time stuff would be great, unless they are convicted that a guy can be a starting pitcher. I don't see the need for a position player. 

I think Baddoo and Miranda legitimately could be taken due to their talent and upside, but missing the full year (and in Baddoo's case, nearly two full years) will make it tough for them to stick.

I think pitchers are more likely to be lost. I think Griffin Jax remains a possibility. Tyler Wells is more ready to pitch now than a year ago that soon after Tommy John. And I agree that Rijo is the guy I would hate to see them lose. 

Here are six players available in Thursday morning’s Rule 5 draft that should be very intriguing for Twins fans.Let me start this by saying that I would guess that there is about a 50-50 chance, maybe less, that the Twins make a Rule 5 pick this morning. However, it is always fun to at least think about what players might be available if they do choose to make a selection.

There is still much that we don’t yet know about the 2021 season. I think we assume that active rosters will be 26 as was intended to be the case in 2020 until COVID-19 rules changed that to 28. But if there are 28, there is little reason not to take a shot with a player if you believe their upside is worth it. With a 26 player roster, and with aspirations of winning a playoff series and more in 2021, it is much less likely that the Twins would make a pick.

There are some interesting names out there, players with upside and potential. Some of those players are unprotected Twins players (like Baddoo, Miranda, Javier, Rijo and others). Likewise, other teams have left some high-upside (and high risk) players available.

And, you can always make the pick, see what you have in spring training (on the field and in the clubhouse), and if there’s something there, you can always make a trade to keep him in the organization. We’ve seen that before when the Twins lost RA Dickey to the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft and then when the Mariners wanted to send him to Triple-A to start the season, the Twins acquired catcher Jair Fernandez for him. We’ve seen it the other direction too when the Twins traded flame-throwing Billy Bullock to Atlanta so that they could send Scott Diamond to Triple A.

But first, let’s start with what the Twins needs might be with such a pick. I think there are two possibilities.

#1 - Relief Pitchers - This should be #1, #2, #3, #4 and maybe #5 on the list of needs. With St. Paul so close and the front office’s willingness to shuffle relievers back and forth as needed, maybe it’s easier to stash a Rule 5 pick away for the season, using him only in low-leverage situations. What I would want would be a pitcher with some plus-plus tools, a big fastball, a big spin rate, a high strikeout rate. Something for Wes Johnson to work with.

#2 - Second Utility Infielder - I think we all assume that the Twins are in the market for a Marwin Gonzalez replacement. Maybe that’s a Kike Hernandez or Tommy La Stella type, or maybe it’s Jorge Polanco with the team signing a Marcus Semien or Didi Gregorius type. So to me, the potential Rule 5 pick might be a plus defensive infielder that can play ideally play shortstop well and has some offensive potential. That player can be the #2 utility infielder and play in low-leverage situations.

So here are some names that I find quite intriguing and if the Twins selected them, I would be very interested in seeing how they perform at spring training. (Also of note, if they select any player, I will be very interested in seeing how they perform at spring training.)

Dauris Valdez - Call me crazy, but I will always be intrigued by velocity. Valdez is right-handed and stands 6-8 and is built strong. He is currently in the Padres organization and pitched in Double-A in 2019. As a 23-year-old, he struck out 68 batters in 55 ⅓ innings. He posted a 4.23 ERA and a 1.428 WHIP because, despite the fastball, he still gave up 51 hits and walked 28 batters. A year earlier, he walked 29 and struck out 76 batters in 53 ⅓ High-A innings before striking out 15 batters in 10 innings in the Arizona Fall League. That said, scouting reports show that he has a pretty good changeup and, you guessed it, a slider that has some potential. Again, this is what makes him intriguing. See what Wes Johnson and Pete Maki can do with him.

Jordan Sheffield - You might notice a pattern here. Sheffield throws an upper-90s fastball and has a good changeup. He’s just lacked much control. In 2019, between High-A and Double-A, he struck out 74 batters in just 55 innings. However, he also walked 54 batters. That’s pretty consistent with his stats from previous seasons. His younger brother is Justus Sheffield who is in the Mariners starting rotation as a 24-year-old. Jordan Sheffield was a Dodgers first round pick in 2016 out of Vanderbilt.

Oliver Ortega - The right-hander has been a starter in the Angels system since signing with them. In High-A in 2019,e he had 121 strikeouts and 49 walks in 94 ⅓ innings. He struggled in five Double-A starts. He has a good fastball and a big-breaking curveball (noteworthy). I think he’s an intriguing guy as a reliever because of those impressive strikeout numbers as a starter.

Zach Pop - Like Jordan Balazovic, Pop played for the Ontario Blue Jays during his amateur years. He made just eight appearances in 2019 (0.84 ERA, strikeout per inning) before needing Tommy John surgery. But, a year earlier, he pitched at three levels and posted a 1.53 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.It’s a similar situation to the Twins Tyler Wells. Pop throws a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and has a really good slider. Is he healthy? If not, the Twins could utilize the Injured List to their advantage. .

Stephen Gonsalves - This one might surprise people (unless you looked at the picture associated with this article), but I think Gonsalves is really intriguing, even looking past the fact that he was the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in both 2016and 2017. The former Twins top prospectwas DFAd following an injury-filled 2019 season. He ended his 2018 season with seven games with the Twins during which he went 2-2 with a 6.57 ERA in 24 ⅔ innings. He was claimed by the Mets and then DFAd. Then he was claimed by the Red Sox and DFAd. But he spent the summer at the alternate site of the Red Sox. When we last saw him, his fastball was topping out at 89-90 mph. Reports from Boston say that he was hitting 94-95 this summer. Following the season, he re-signed with the Red Sox on a minor league deal. Gonsalves, if 100% healthy could compete for a fifth starter job, long reliever or low-leverage reliever. And with his secondary pitches, there is some upside here for the long-term.

Infielders

Frankly, there aren’t many intriguing middle infielder options that would intrigue me enough to use a Rule 5 pick on. They’ve already signed former Red Sox shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin and former big leaguers Rob Refsnyder to minor league deals. Both have big-league time and could fill in as the second utility infielder just fine. Lin played 26 games for the Red Sox in 2020 and played shortstop, second base, all three outfield positions and even pitched and caught one game. The Twins also have Travis Blankenhorn and if things go well early in the season, Royce Lewis may be an option later in the years. Maybe even Jose Miranda.

But, I figured I should mention an intriguing Rule 5 possibility in the infield.

Shervyen Newton - What makes Newton intriguing to me is that he is available and he is still just 21 years old. He’s also 6-4 and strong with a lot of power potential. Now, he’s not a great defender but he can play both middle infield positions. Seems like the kind of hitter that might be intriguing if we thought there would be 28-man rosters. The ceiling here appears to be something like Jonathan Schoop, another player from Curacao.

And just to be thorough, I don’t think that the team should really have much (ok any) interest in selecting an outfielder or first baseman, and they are just fine behind the plate too.

Are there any names available that are intriguing to you?

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I will be surprised if the Twins take a player, but I'll never have a problem with any Twins team (winner or in rebuild mode) taking a shot on a Rule 5 pick. There are plenty of examples that worked out, and if it doesn't, they get sent back. Low risk, normally pretty minimal reward, but every once in awhile, a valuable role player. 

Living in Omaha, I'm not going to be attending any/many Saints games...though my father and I are hoping for a trip in the future to catch a "double header" or sorts...but I'm happy to see the Saints still embracing their independent attitude of fun and embracing the fan experience still. The only bummer might be reports that the Wichita affiliation may not last long as they really want to be a AAA level franchise. With their new ballpark, I get it. Perhaps Twins and fan support will be strong enough the agreement may end up lasting longer than initially expected?

They didn't say anything today, but if I recall correctly, these PDAs (Player Development Agreements) are believed to be 10-year deals. 

I think teams have 30 days to accept the invitation.