Cody Christie

No Twins pitcher had more than nine saves during the 2022 season. Will that trend change in 2023, and who are the candidates for late-inning opportunities? Image courtesy of Dave Nelson (Jax), Joe Nicholson (Pagan), Aaron Josefczyk (Duran)-USA TODAY Sports Bullpen usage continues to evolve, with some teams not relying on one player to fulfill a traditional closer's role. The Twins had nine players earn at least one save last season, including Emilio Pagan (9 saves), Jhoan Duran (8 saves), and Jorge Lopez (4 saves). All three players are back on the Opening Day roster, so who will lead the Twins in saves during the 2023 season? The Projected Closer: Jorge Lopez Lopez was an All-Star closer with the Orioles before being acquired by the Twins at the 2022 trade deadline. He struggled after being acquired by the Twins with a 4.37 ERA and an 18-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 22 2/3 innings. Ideally, the Twins likely want him to be used in a more traditional closer role because that gives the team more flexibility with their usage of other bullpen arms. If Lopez leads the team in saves, many things have gone right for the Twins. It likely means his performance is closer to what he did with Baltimore before the trade. Lopez made three scoreless appearances in the World Baseball Classic, so the Twins hope he is back on track for an improved 2023. The Weapon: Jhoan Duran Duran will get save opportunities, especially if the opposition's best hitters are due up in the ninth inning. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters that he daydreams "about [Duran] closing big games for us." During the 2022 season, he showcased why he is one of baseball's best relievers. In 67 2/3 innings, he posted a 1.86 ERA with an 89-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He collected more than three outs in 14 of his 57 appearances, with ten appearances lasting two innings. It will be hard for him to replicate those numbers, but he continues to refine his pitches and get more comfortable at the big-league level. The Proven Closer: Emilio Pagan Entering last season, the Twins traded Taylor Rogers to the Padres for Emilio Pagan and Chris Paddack. Pagan was included in the deal to give the Twins another late-inning option. He struggled in the first half when being used in a closer role. In 34 games (32 2/3 innings), he had a 5.23 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and a 48-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Twins moved him to lower leverage roles in the second half, and he dropped his ERA to 3.56, but his strikeout rate dropped from 13.2 K/9 to 10.7 K/9. It seems unlikely for Pagan to get many save opportunities in 2023, but he has accumulated 31 total saves in his six-year big-league career. The Wild Card: Griffin Jax Duran wasn't the only young pitcher to transition from a starter to a reliever in 2022. Jax was among the few bright spots in the Twins bullpen with a 3.36 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9. He was one of a handful of Twins pitchers that went to Driveline Baseball this winter to work on new pitches and refined mechanics. Jax added a cut-fastball, and the results have been outstanding this spring. He has allowed one run in six scoreless appearances and struck out nine batters. He also believes he can add more velocity this season to his fastball, which averaged just over 95 mph in 2022. Jax used his slider over 48% of the time in 2022, but a fastball closer to triple-digits is a scary proposition for opposing batters. Who do you think will lead the Twins in saves this season? Will any players have more than ten saves? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Spring training can allow players to showcase new pitches, swing changes, or improved health. Here are three spring training stat lines that will matter for the 2023 Twins. Image courtesy of William Parmeter Fans should take spring training stat lines with a grain of salt. Sometimes pitchers are working on one specific pitch, and there are times when batters are honing their swing. There can still be signs that a player will have a breakout season or start the season on a hot streak. As spring training ends, three Twins players are setting themselves for breakout seasons. Stats are through games played on March 26th. Jose Miranda, 3B/1B Spring Stat Line: 10-for-36, 3 2B, 5 HR, 5 BB, 3 K Miranda fought through an injury this spring with a sore shoulder that prevented him from playing defensively for multiple weeks. His swing didn’t suffer, with eight of his ten hits being for extra bases. Miranda entered camp after spending the winter slimming down and getting into better playing shape. He tired at the end of the 2022 season, and his on-field results suffered in the season’s final weeks. His improved results speak for themselves, as his five barrels were more than any other Twins player in camp. He had the highest percentage of hard-hit balls among Twins players, with over 100 pitches. The Twins are hoping Miranda can take over the full-time third base job, and his spring training may point to a strong 2023 campaign. Trevor Larnach, OF Spring Stat Line: 12-for-32, 2 2B, 4 HR, 3 BB, 5 K Larnach wasn’t a guarantee to make the Opening Day roster, but injuries to other key players and his spring performance have him poised to head north with the club. He has shown stretches of being a strong hitter during his first two big-league seasons, including a 1.077 OPS last May. MLB.com believes his breakout could be real because his 96.4 mph exit velocity this spring ranks seventh among the nearly 300 hitters with ten or more batted balls. Larnach is getting an opportunity on the Opening Day roster due to injuries to other players. He needs to prove he can stay healthy, which should help him continue producing at a high level. Otherwise, plenty of young hitters will be fighting for a big-league spot in St. Paul. Bailey Ober, SP Spring Stat Line: 4 G, 10 IP, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 K, 3 BB Ober won’t start the season at the big-league level despite a tremendous spring training. When the Twins traded for Pablo Lopez, Ober became the sixth starting pitcher in what was expected to be a five-man starting rotation. When the Twins drafted Ober, his velocity topped out in the high-80s, but he’s made multiple improvements since 2017. So far this spring, his fastball has reached 94 mph, which helps his other pitches to increase his strikeout totals. His 6-foot-9 frame also helps him to release the ball closer to the plate, which gives batters less reaction time. Ober will have to bide his time in St. Paul, but he is one injury or poor performance from breaking back into the major league level. Which spring performance is much more likely to transition to the 2023 season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Every team needs things to go right to succeed throughout a 162-game season. Here are four bold predictions that can help the Twins return to the top of the AL Central. Image courtesy of William Parmeter Many baseball writers will make predictions in the coming weeks as Opening Day continues to creep closer. There is a fine line between what one person views as bold and what another person views as reasonable. Every year, weird things happen that go against logic and previous trends. Here are four predictions about the 2023 season, and I will let you decide on their level of boldness. Jhoan Duran Named to AL All-Star Team Duran was among baseball’s best relief pitchers last season while leading American League relievers in Win Probability Added (WPA). There is always a chance that Duran suffers some kind of sophomore slump, and previous injuries are one of the reasons he moved to a bullpen role. If healthy, it’s hard not to imagine Duran being a weapon for Dusty Baker to utilize in any inning of the Midsummer Classic. Duran has shown the ability to add even more velocity when amped up for an appearance, so one inning in the All-Star Game could be a scary proposition for NL batters. Duran would join a growing list of Twins All-Star relievers, including Taylor Rogers, Glen Perkins, Joe Nathan, Eddie Guardado, Rick Aguilera, and Jeff Reardon. Joey Gallo Hits 30 Home Runs Gallo has hit over 30 home runs in three previous seasons, including 38 home runs as recently as 2021. However, Gallo is coming off his worst big-league season, where he hit .160/.280/.357 (.638) with eight doubles, two triples, and 19 home runs in 126 games. Twins hitting coach David Popkins has been able to adjust the swings of players like Carlos Correa and Nick Gordon. There will always be plenty of swings and misses to Gallo’s offensive profile, but he can hit at an All-Star level. He may never be a 40+ home run hitter like he was in his early 20s, but Gallo is poised for a resurgent season in the middle of the Twins lineup. Joe Ryan Finishes Top-5 for the AL Cy Young Cy Young contenders pack the American League, including Gerrit Cole, Jacob deGrom, Shohei Ohtani, and Shane McClanahan. Joe Ryan could join their ranks this season if his improved breaking stuff baffles batters. In his rookie season, Ryan posted a 3.55 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and a 151-to-47 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 147 innings. He has used his fastball over 60% of the time in his big-league career, but he worked on his other pitches this winter, which has him ready to break out. Ryan will have one of the best seasons by a Twins starting pitcher in quite some time, so make sure to enjoy the ride. Byron Buxton Plays in 115 Games Some fans will shout that 115 games are too much for Buxton, while others will be disappointed if that is all he can’t reach the century mark. Buxton’s injury history has been well documented, and it’s one of the reasons the Twins were able to sign him to a team-friendly extension. His lone season with over 100 games was back in 2017 when he played 140 games and earned the Platinum Glove in center field. Since then, Buxton has been a completely different weapon at the plate, and the Twins will attempt to keep him healthy by using him more regularly as a designated hitter. Buxton must be available throughout the year to win the division, and 115 games seem like a reasonable goal. Do you consider these predictions to be bold? What predictions do you have for the 2023 season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins sat atop the AL Central for over 100 days during the 2022 season, but injuries and poor roster construction were the team’s downfall. Last season’s roster flaws are even more evident as the 2023 season begins. Image courtesy of Darren Yamashita (Archer), Kiyoshi Mio (Bundy), David Richard (Sano)-USA TODAY Sports One year ago, the Twins began the 2022 season with high hopes of bouncing back from a terrible 2021 campaign. Minnesota added veteran pitchers like Chris Archer, Dylan Bundy, and Joe Smith to fill out the pitching staff. The team also cleared Josh Donaldson off their books by dealing him to the Yankees for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela. As the 2023 season begins, all four players are still searching for big-league opportunities. Chris Archer, SP 2022 Stats: 25 G, 102 2/3 IP, 4.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 84 K, 48 BB, 85 ERA+ Minnesota signed Archer to a one-year, $3.5 million contract late last offseason after the end of the lockout. The hope was he would add depth to the rotation, but he was coming off two seasons where he had pitched limited innings. Before signing, Archer sent data to prospective teams to show he was ready for the season, and the Twins liked that he was close to ready to start the season. Minnesota hoped Archer could continue to build up his innings throughout the season, but that never came to fruition. He pitched five innings or fewer in every appearance. His name has recently been tied to the Toronto Blue Jays, but he had yet to sign when this story was written. Dylan Bundy, SP 2022 Stats: 29 G, 140 IP, 4.89 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 94 K, 28 BB, 79 ERA+ Minnesota had plenty of rotation spots to fill in 2022, and Bundy became the first veteran signing before the lockout. The Twins signed him to a one-year, $4 million option worth an extra $1 million when they bought out his club option this winter. Bundy’s 2022 performance was underwhelming, but he made the most starts on the Twins last season. The Twins needed someone to cover innings, and Bundy could take the ball every fifth day, even if the results were subpar. Like Archer, his name has been tied to the Blue Jays, but he has yet to sign a deal. Gary Sanchez, C 2022 Stats: 128 G, .205/.282/.377 (.659), 24 2B, 16 HR, 89 OPS+ After trading Mitch Garver, the Twins needed catching depth to pair with Ryan Jeffers. Sanchez took on a more full-time role when Jeffers suffered a fractured thumb. The Twins worked to improve Sanchez’s defense, and he saw marginal improvements. He played with the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic and went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts and a walk. The 2019 season was the last time he had an above-average OPS+. Sanchez is one of few free-agent catchers remaining on the market, and Oakland or Boston might be a potential landing spot for the backstop. Miguel Sano, 1B/DH 2022 Stats: 20 G, .083/.211/.133 (.345), 1 HR, 3 OPS+ Sano’s Twins tenure ended on a sour note after missing time with a pair of right knee injuries. He didn’t appear in a game after July 29th. There were up and down moments throughout Sano’s professional career as he tried to live up to his billing as a top-100 prospect. He struck out 119 times or more in every full season and led baseball with 90 strikeouts in 2020. Sano had some highs with the Twins, including an All-Star Game appearance, four seasons with 25+ home runs, and a 116 OPS+ for his career. In early February, he held a workout for interested clubs but remains unsigned. When healthy, he will likely need to accept a minor league contract to prove he is 100% or head to a foreign league for the 2023 season. Will any of these four players return to the big leagues this season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

In coming years, bigger bases and fewer pick-off attempts might change a team's base-stealing tendencies. Here are five Twins prospects to watch during the 2023 season because of their speed tool. Image courtesy of Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports The Twins have been a poor base running team in recent years, which projects to stay the same in 2023. Last season, Minnesota ranked last in baseball with 38 stolen bases, and FanGraphs ranked the team second to last in BsR, an all-encompassing base running statistic. Some of Minnesota's best base running prospects could help the team's running game in 2023 and beyond. Scouts and front office personnel use a 20-80 scale to evaluate players' tools. This ranking system also projects how those tools will change as the player develops. Speed is one tool that tends to decline as players age, and that reflects in the projections. Below are the top five Twins prospects regarding current and future speed potential. 5. Yasser Mercedes, OF Current Speed/Future Speed: 55/50 Mercedes quickly impacted the 2022 Dominican Summer League after signing with the Twins for $1.7 million out of the Dominican Republic. Born in Puerto Rico, he hit .355/.421/.555 (.975) with 13 doubles, three triples, and four home runs in 41 games. Even more impressively, he stole 30 bases in 35 attempts. He turned 18 in November, so he projects to become more physically mature. All his defensive innings came in center field last season, and the Twins hope he can stick at the position for the long term. Mercedes is a five-tool talent, and speed might be his worst tool when he reaches Target Field. 4. Ben Ross, UTL Current Speed/Future Speed: 60/55 The Twins took Ross with their fifth-round pick in last June's draft out of Notre Dame College (Ohio). Ross was a tremendous hitter in college as he batted .405/.471/.758 (1.229) and showed to be a baserunning threat. He played 22 of his 24 games at Low-A during his professional debut and went a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts. Since turning pro, the Twins have adjusted his swing, and he has added muscle to his frame. His speed can help him stick at shortstop, but he will likely move around the diamond to multiple defensive positions. He will likely begin 2023 in Fort Myers and is a prospect to watch during the 2023 campaign. 3. Jose Salas, SS Current Speed/Future Speed: 60/55 Salas was the top-ranked prospect acquired from the Marlins as part of the Luis Arraez-Pablo Lopez trade. In 2022, he went 33-for-34 in stolen base attempts between Low-A and High-A. He is a very athletic player that projects to add more weight to his body, which will likely take away from his speed before he reaches the big leagues. For now, he's considered a shortstop, but he might lose some quickness and shift to second base, third base, or the outfield. Salas was over three years younger than the average age of the competition in the Midwest League, so the Twins can have him start the 2023 season in Cedar Rapids. 2. Will Holland, SS/OF Current Speed/Future Speed: 70/65 The Twins selected Holland in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft from Auburn University. His speed helps him on both sides of the ball, and that's one reason the Twins have used him at shortstop and in the outfield. Last season, he went 32-for-36 in stolen base attempts between High-A and Double-A. For a player with limited power, he doesn't make consistent contact (.227 BA in 2022), and he strikes out a lot (137 K in 116 G). His numbers did improve when he got to Double-A, so there is hope he can continue to develop at that level in 2023. 1. Royce Lewis, SS/OF Current Speed/Future Speed: 70/65 Evaluators have praised Lewis' speed since he was an amateur, but that was before two major knee surgeries. He returned strongly from the first surgery and is on pace to return to action later this year. His rehab work from the first knee surgery strengthened him and increased his speed. Lewis averaged 25 steals per season in both years, where he played over 50 games. Last season, he went 12-for-14 in stolen base attempts at Triple-A. Overall, he is a smart base runner with the speed to cause havoc for the opposition. Who do you think has the best speed tool in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. OTHER POSTS IN THE SERIES -Power Tool -Hit Tool View full article

Injuries have reared their ugly head with the season’s start quickly approaching. Here are four non-roster invitees who can make the Twins’ Opening Day roster. Image courtesy of Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports Over the weekend, Derek Falvey told reporters that Jorge Polanco is behind on his preparation for Opening Day. The team has other options to take his spot at second base, but he isn’t the only injury concern. Alex Kirilloff recently started playing in minor league games, and there is still a chance he will start the year on the IL. Here is a look at some players that still have a chance to come north with the Twins next week. Kyle Garlick, OF/DH Twins fans are familiar with Garlick since he has played over 100 games for the club in the last two seasons. He missed some time with a wrist injury in 2022, but the Twins signed him to a one-year, $750,000 contract that will pay him significantly more than the Triple-A minimum salary. Over the last two seasons, Garlick has hit .233/.283/.446 (.728) with 11 doubles and 14 home runs. Those numbers don’t tell Garlick’s entire story. The Twins were forced to use him regularly last season because of mounting injuries. He should only bat against left-handed pitchers, where he had an .805 OPS in 82 PA. The Twins like Garlick, and there is a good chance he will be back in the big leagues in 2023. Jeff Hoffman, RP The Twins signed Hoffman at the end of February to a minor league deal that includes multiple incentives if he’s on the big-league roster. Last season, he made 35 appearances for Cincinnati with a 3.85 ERA and a 45-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Hoffman has the inside track to the final bullpen spot after the Twins optioned Trevor Megill to the minors and placed Dennis Santana on waivers. In four spring appearances, he has an 8-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio with increased velocity and the ability to pitch more than one inning. Hoffman has previously started games, and Rocco Baldelli has discussed his desire to have a long-man in the bullpen. Hoffman can serve multiple purposes for the Twins, so he will make the Opening Day roster. Willi Castro, UTL Castro has played multiple positions for the Twins this spring and posted some impressive offensive numbers. Through his first 11 games, he went 9-for-29 (.310 BA) with five extra-base hits and a 1.049 OPS. Over the last two seasons, Castro has been a regular for the Detroit Tigers, playing six different defensive positions. He has hit .230/.278/.359 (.637) with an 80 OPS+ since the start of the 2021 season. With multiple injury concerns, the Twins might like his defensive versatility as a bench option. However, his offensive numbers this spring might be a mirage, and Minnesota might want someone with a different offensive skill set on the roster. Tyler White, 1B White hasn’t played at the big-league level since 2019, but the Twins might want that streak to end so he can add first-base depth. Entering play on Tuesday, he is hitting .250/.382/.429 (.811) with three extra-base hits in 34 PA this spring. Last season, he split time at Triple-A for the Brewers and the Braves. In 103 games, he hit .230/.357/.412 (.769) with 13 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and an 88-to-70 strikeout-to-walk ratio. White had an .819 OPS against left-handed pitching in 2022, so the Twins could use him in a similar role to Garlick, with him filling in at first base. Will any of these players be on the Opening Day roster? How would you rank their chances of coming north with the club? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

In the article, I linked to the grades that I used for their current rankings (MLB.com). For future grades, I used a combination from multiple sites (Baseball America, FanGraphs, etc.).

MLB has limited defensive shifts, making putting the ball in play even more critical in the coming years. Here are five Twins prospects to watch during the 2023 season because of their hit tool. Image courtesy of William Parmeter In recent years, the Twins have been lucky to have some strong hitters come through the farm system. Minnesota expects Alex Kirilloff and Jose Miranda to be key contributors to the 2023 roster, while former Twin Luis Arraez is coming off the AL Batting Title. Will any of the prospects below be the team's next batting champ? Scouts and front office personnel use a 20-80 scale to evaluate players' tools. This ranking system also projects how those tools will improve as the player develops. Below are the top five Twins prospects regarding current and future hit tool potential. 5. Edouard Julien, IF Current Hit/Future Hit: 45/55 MLB Pipeline gives other Twins prospects a 50-hit tool, but it's hard to have a top-5 list and not include Julien. Last season, he hit .300/.441/.490 (.931) with 39 extra-base hits in 113 Double-A games. The Twins sent him to the Arizona Fall League, and he went 28-for-70 (.400) with five doubles and five home runs in 21 games. Julien has been tremendous for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, but the Twins have already optioned him to Triple-A. The only question that remains is how much he can help the Twins in 2023. 4. Austin Martin, SS/OF Current Hit/Future Hit: 50/55 Martin is coming off a tough 2022 season that saw him fall from a consensus top-100 prospect to needing to prove himself in 2023. He finished the year on a high note by hitting .277/.392/.431 (.823) in September. The Twins sent him to the Arizona Fall League, and he continued his hot hitting. In 97 plate appearances, he hit .374/.454/.482 (.936) with seven extra-base hits and more walks (8) than strikeouts (7). Minnesota worked with Martin on his swing to get more power, but that approach didn't work, and he was feeling more like himself this spring. Unfortunately, a UCL sprain in his right elbow will cause him to miss the start of the 2023 season. 3. Bryan Acuna, SS Current Hit/Future Hit: 55/60 Acuna is the younger brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., and they have very similar swings. The Twins signed him as part of the 2022 international class for roughly $870,000. He debuted professionally in the Dominican Summer League last season and hit .310/.409/.393 (.803) with 12 doubles. He has grown up around baseball and is known for his ability to make solid contact. Entering his age-17 season, he will come stateside, where the Twins can get an even closer look at the younger Acuna. He projects to be smaller than his brother, but that doesn't mean he can't have a better hit tool. 2. Danny De Andrade, SS/3B Current Hit/Future Hit: 55/60 De Andrade has fewer than 100 games played, but he has already made his mark on the Twins organization. MLB.com ranked him as the 14th-best prospect in 2021, and the Twins signed him for $2.2 million. He's known for his bat-to-ball skills, but he can chase pitches out of the zone. De Andrade showed improvement last season in laying off balls and hit .284/.393/.453 (.846) with nine extra-base hits from July 4- August 16. All but five of his plate appearances came against older pitchers, which makes his performance even more impressive. He should get his first taste of Low-A this year in his age-19 campaign. 1. Brooks Lee, SS Current Hit/Future Hit: 65/65 Many evaluators considered Lee the top college hitter in the 2022 MLB Draft, so the Twins were ecstatic that he fell to them with the eighth overall pick. In three collegiate seasons, he hit .351/.426/.647 (1.073) with more walks (64) than strikeouts (63). He played well in wood-bat summer leagues throughout college, which helped increase his draft stock. He played at three levels during his pro debut and hit .303/.389/.451 (.839) with six doubles and four home runs. He's a switch hitter with tremendous bat-to-ball skills that help him generate power. Lee will likely start the year at Double-A, but there's a chance he will make his debut in 2023. Who do you think has the best hit tool in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Yes, I was using players that are considered among the team's top prospects. Those sites tend to only have current/future values for the top players in the system.

Spring training is quickly coming to a close, leaving the Twins' front office with some final decisions about the Opening Day roster. Here are my updated projection for the 26 players coming north with the team next week. Image courtesy of William Parmeter Last season, the lockout forced MLB to allow teams to begin the year with 28-man rosters. The lockout forced a shortened spring training, and baseball was worried about an increased chance of player injuries. For 2023, teams must narrow their final roster to 26 players. Players listed below with the ** are on the bubble for the final roster spots. Catchers (2): Christian Vazquez, Ryan Jeffers Like many teams, the Twins will employ a two-catcher system behind the plate. Minnesota signed Vazquez to a 3-year, $30 million deal this winter, so it seems likely for him to get a higher percentage of the playing time. In his last three full seasons, Vazquez has averaged over 130 games played, and he's been above average at controlling the running game. Jeffers has shown some pop in his bat this spring, with four of his six hits being for extra bases. Veteran catchers like Tony Wolters, Grayson Greiner, and Chance Sisco were non-roster invitees this spring, and one of them will get an opportunity if/when there is an injury. Infielders (5): Carlos Correa, Kyle Farmer, Alex Kirilloff**, Jose Miranda, Donovan Solano Jorge Polanco is the biggest name not listed among the team's projected Opening Day roster. Derek Falvey told reporters on Sunday that Polanco might not be ready to start the regular season on time. He has lingering soreness in his left knee, an injury that ended his 2022 season. Kyle Farmer and Donovan Solano will see time at second base until Polanco is ready to return. Kirilloff is also not guaranteed to break camp with the club, but he has played in minor league games over the weekend. The Twins will likely give him regular rest to start the year, with Gallo and Solano starting games at first base. Top prospects like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, and Edouard Julien can add depth to this group when needed. Outfielders (6): Byron Buxton, Joey Gallo, Nick Gordon, Max Kepler, Trevor Larnach**, Michael A. Taylor The Twins focused on adding strong defenders to the roster, with Gallo and Taylor being Gold Glove winners. Buxton slowly worked his way into game action this spring and should be as close to 100% as possible. Larnach wasn't guaranteed an Opening Day spot and entered the picture with Polanco's injury. There was some concern after Gordon suffered an ankle injury earlier in camp, but the injury won't hinder his availability at the season's start. Matt Wallner, the organization's reigning MiLB Player of the Year, is the team's best power prospect, and he will be waiting for a call-up back to the big leagues. Rotation (5): Sonny Gray, Pablo Lopez, Tyler Mahle, Kenta Maeda, Joe Ryan Bailey Ober has been terrific this spring, but the Twins aren't going to utilize a six-man rotation. St. Paul's rotation is set up to be strong, with Ober, Louie Varland, and Simeon Woods Richardson at the top. The front office set up this rotation to have depth when a starter misses time with an injury. Three veteran starting pitchers (Gray, Mahle, and Maeda) are entering a contract year, so they will be eager to prove that previous injuries and age don't factor into their long-term value. The Twins project to have one of the club's best rotations of the last 25 years, but health questions will continue to follow this group throughout the season. Bullpen (8): Jhoan Duran, Jorge Lopez, Griffin Jax, Caleb Thielbar, Emilio Pagan, Jorge Alcala, Jovani Moran, Jeff Hoffman** Trevor Megill is the most significant change among this group from earlier in the offseason. The Twins optioned him to the minor leagues on Sunday, opening an opportunity for another pitcher. Megill had a rough spring by allowing eight earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. Dennis Santana held a 40-man roster spot until the Twins lost him on waivers to the Mets at the end of last week. Minnesota signed Hoffman to a minor league deal at the end of February, and he has an 8-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in spring action. ZiPS projects feel like the Twins' bullpen is top-heavy, which makes sense considering the recent track record of players expected to be on the roster. The Twins used 39 pitchers last season so multiple relievers will make the trip back and forth between Minneapolis and St. Paul. How do you feel about the team's depth at multiple positions? Do you agree that these will be the 26 players coming north with the team? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Hitting for power has become an even more critical tool in an age of exit velocities and barrel rates. Here are five Twins prospects to watch during the 2023 season because of their power tool. Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports The Twins have altered their roster recently since setting MLB's all-time home run record in 2019. Last season, Minnesota didn't have any 30-home-run hitters, so the last two Twins hitters with 30 homers were Jorge Polanco (33 HR) and Miguel Sano (30 HR) in 2021. The five prospects below can join the 30-homer club when given a chance at the big-league level in the years ahead. Scouts and front office personnel use a 20-80 scale to evaluate players' tools. This ranking system also projects how those tools will improve as the player develops. Below are the top five Twins prospects regarding current and future power potential. 5. Royce Lewis, SS/OF Current Power/Future Power: 55/60 Lewis is recovering from his second ACL surgery in as many seasons, but he has many skills to be considered a five-tool player. Throughout the rehab process, he has added muscle to his frame, and the Twins saw some of those results in 2022. Last season, he hit .313/.405/.534 (.940) with 12 doubles and five home runs in 34 Triple-A games. Lewis showed flashes of his power in 12 big-league games by going 12-for-40 (.300 BA) with four doubles and two home runs. Minnesota hopes to have Lewis back in the line-up for the second half of the 2023 season. 4. Brooks Lee, SS Current Power/Future Power: 55/60 Lee makes such consistent contact that power is natural and can spray the ball to all fields. In his final two collegiate seasons, he averaged over 40 extra-base hits with a 1.073 OPS. Lee showed flashes of his power potential during his professional debut. He combined for ten extra-base hits and an .839 OPS in 31 games. During spring training, Lee has impressed many, including Carlos Correa, with his offensive approach and work ethic. He is likely heading to Double-A to start the season, but he may debut during the 2023 season. 3. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF Current Power/Future Power: 55/65 Rodriguez is one of the most exciting prospects in the Twins system, and he could be a monster power hitter. He was a breakout prospect at Low-A last season while hitting .272/.493/.552 (1.044) with more walks (57) than strikeouts (52). The Florida State League can be a challenging environment for hitters, but Rodriguez shined with five doubles, three triples, and nine home runs. He's entering his age-20 season, and he hopes to add even more muscle to his frame to increase his power. By this time next season, he has a chance to be the Twins' top-rated prospect and a global top-20 prospect. 2. Aaron Sabato, 1B/DH Current Power/Future Power: 60/60 The Twins drafted Sabato for one reason, his tremendous power potential. The pandemic limited his college career, but he posted a 1.158 OPS in 83 games. Last season, he hit .215/.336/.438 (.774) with 17 doubles and 22 home runs between High-A and Double-A. Sabato will spend the 2023 season in the minor's upper levels as he attempts to compile a breakout season. He is the lowest-rated prospect on this list, but the current front office drafted him in the first round, so they will give him every opportunity to find success. 1. Matt Wallner, OF Current Power/Future Power: 65/65 Wallner is coming off a season where he was named the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year. In 128 minor league games, he hit .277/.412/.542 (953) with 32 doubles, four triples, and 27 home runs. The Twins called him up in September, and he went 13-for-57 (.228) with five extra-base hits and a 105 OPS+ in 18 games. Minnesota's added depth at the big-league level has pushed Wallner down the organizational depth chart, but he's had fewer than 200 at-bats in Triple-A. Wallner will start the year in St. Paul, with his powerful swing being one injury away from the big leagues. Who do you think has the best power in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins are entering the final year of their current television contract, but Bally Sports' parent company recently filed for bankruptcy. What does this mean for the Twins and their fans? Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports Diamond Sports, the parent company of Bally Sports North, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this week. In a statement, they said the regional sports channels would continue to operate, but that might not paint the complete picture of fans' ability to watch games this season. There are long-term ramifications that will impact the way viewers consume sports on television. What's the Problem? Diamond Sports purchased the regional sports networks at a time when customers continue to cord-cut and search for streaming options. With fewer viewers, there is a decrease in revenue from ad sales and cable contracts. Baseball has relied on regional sports networks for decades, but fans aren't paying for traditional cable packages. Some teams lose money annually, which doesn't help Diamond stay profitable. According to the New York Post, Diamond plans to reject the contracts of four teams that cost more to operate than they bring in with cable contracts and ads. Luckily, the Twins aren't among the four teams operating in the red. Currently, the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks are the teams most likely to have their contracts rejected due to bankruptcy proceedings. The Padres lose the most money at $20 million annually. Plans have yet to be finalized about how to deal with MLB's archaic blackout restrictions. Currently, out-of-market games can be streamed on the MLB.TV app, but that doesn't help local markets. MLB is losing exposure with cable companies not carrying games and fewer fans attending games. What's the Solution? Major League Baseball has known for quite some time that Diamond Sports was in financial trouble. Last month, the company missed an interest payment of nearly $140 million to creditors. MLB jumped into action and hired former regional sports network executives, so they could take over broadcasting duties if necessary. MLB did try to acquire the rights to all 14 regional sports networks, but Diamond turned down the offer. MLB plans to take over the local broadcasts of the teams being dropped by Diamond and stream games for free in those markets. They will try negotiating with other cable companies for lower contracts, but there is no guarantee that another company will be available on short notice. MLB plans to offer a streaming service for around $15 per month if a deal is reached. Eventually, this time of overarching streaming service is baseball's best bet to help the game to grow in a cord-cutting culture. How will Bally Sports' bankruptcy impact the Twins? Diamond plans to continue broadcasting games for teams earning them a profit, so there will likely be little change to how fans consume games in 2023. At TwinsFest, Dave St. Peter told fans that the issues with Diamond are "not a risk to short-term production and distribution of Bally's broadcasts." The Twins' deal with BSN ends following the upcoming season, so many eyes across baseball will be on the Twins and how they proceed before the 2024 season. Minnesota's current contract is for 12 years and $480 million, which pays the club around $40 million annually. For comparison, the Padres signed a 20-year deal in 2012 with average annual payments in the $50-75 million range. Historically, the Twin Cities has fewer people utilizing cable services, resulting in smaller television deals for the Twins. Minnesota is the only current MLB negotiating with Bally Sports, which can be a commitment for a decade or longer. If BSN isn't an option, the Twins can look to other regional sports networks like Comcast or AT&T. In the next decade, MLB viewership will continue to evolve, and this is one of the first steps in the process. For 2023, Twins fans should be able to continue to watch on Bally Sports North, with MLB providing backup services if BSN fails to meet its contract. How do you plan to watch Twins games this season? Will the Twins find a different network for 2024? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Earlier this week, the Diamondbacks agreed to terms with Corbin Carroll after only 32 big-league games. Would the Twins consider a similar deal with Brooks Lee or Royce Lewis? Image courtesy of William Parmeter The Diamondbacks and top prospect Corbin Carroll agreed to terms on a massive extension earlier this week. Carroll is guaranteed $111 million over the next eight seasons. The deal also includes a $28 million club option for the 2031 season and up to $20 million in escalators between the 2029-31 seasons. The escalator clauses are tied to his finishes in awards voting throughout the deal. He will receive a $5 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary in 2023. Moving forward, he will earn $3 million in 2024, $5 million in 2025, $10 million in 2026, $12 million in 2027, $14 million in 2028, and $28 for the deal's final two seasons (2028-29). In 2031, the $28 million club option contains a $5 million buyout. Overall, the deal buys out the remainder of Carroll's team-controlled seasons and an additional two free-agent years. It is the largest contract ever signed by a player with fewer than 100 days of MLB service time. Last season, the Braves signed rookie center fielder Michael Harris to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension with club options for 2031-32. He will earn $5 million per season in 2023-24, $8 million annually in 2025-26, $9 million in 2027, $10 million per season in 2028-29, and $12 million in 2030. His 2031 option is $15 million, and his 2032 option is $20 million with $5 million buyouts. Harris is one of many young Braves players to sign an extension early in their big-league careers. Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis have been widely considered the team's top two prospects for the Twins, including being ranked number one and two at Twins Daily. There is some debate about who should be in the top spot, with our voters having them finish in a nearly unbreakable tie. Lee ranks higher than Lewis on nearly every national top-100 list, but the future is bright for both players. Lewis has limited big-league experience, and Lee has a chance to debut in 2023. Brooks Lee, SS Lee is roughly the same age as Harris and Carroll, with his college experience being the most significant difference between the players. Lee could have turned pro in the same draft as the other two players, but he wanted to play collegiately for his father at Cal Poly. In three college seasons, he hit .351/.426/.647 (1.073), and many evaluators considered him the best college hitter in the 2022 MLB Draft. Minnesota showed faith in him during his professional debut by promoting him to Wichita for the team's run in the Double-A playoffs. There is a wide range of outcomes for Lee's development in 2023. The Twins will likely start him at Double-A to begin the year, and he can spend most of the season getting comfortable at that level. He can also hit his way onto the big-league roster at some point during the coming campaign. The Braves worked on Harris' extension on the way to him winning the NL Rookie of the Year. Minnesota could do something similar with Lee, but there are no guarantees that he will debut in 2023. Royce Lewis, SS/OF Lewis is two years older than the other players mentioned above, so a long-term deal comes with some questions. He's had two ACL surgeries since turning pro, which means the Twins have team control over Lewis through the 2028 season when he is 29 years old. Does Minnesota want to give Lewis guaranteed money into his early-30s? Would Lewis agree to a deal less than what Atlanta gave Harris? His injury history makes a long-term deal tricky for both sides to find common ground. Last season, Lewis returned strongly from his first ACL surgery by hitting .313/.405/.534 (.940) in 34 Triple-A games. He was equally impressive in his big-league debut, with a 145 OPS+ through his first 41 plate appearances. Lewis is known for his positive attitude and strong leadership skills, so that might be something to invest in from the Twins' perspective. The Twins are in a different winning window than the Diamondbacks, so an extension similar to Carroll might not be in the team's best interest. Arizona is signing Carroll to be the face of the franchise while they rebuild and add more young talent. Harris' deal is probably closer to what the Twins would consider, but there is no rush to extend Lee or Lewis. Would you offer a Carroll- or Harris-style extension to Lee or Lewis? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

I don't think they want Ober to pitch out of the bullpen. He's been successful as a starter and they want to keep him in that role. Ober has a chance to be a mid-rotation starter for multiple seasons which provides tremendous value.

I mentioned Edwin Diaz in the article and his massive contract with the Mets. Now he's out for the year with a knee injury. The Twins obviously aren't going to pay Duran like Diaz, but injuries are part of the game. Does his injury change your perspective on giving Duran an extension?