Cody Christie

The Minnesota Twins made another round of spring roster cuts, optioning both Ryan Kreidler and Eric Wagaman to Triple-A as Opening Day draws closer. While neither move comes as a complete surprise, the decisions help clarify how the bench picture is forming under new manager Derek Shelton. Kreidler’s path to the roster always felt like a narrow one. Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh organization in October, he brought some familiarity for Shelton, who previously spent time with the Pirates. That connection made him an intriguing under-the-radar candidate to win a backup middle infield role, especially given his defensive versatility. Ultimately, the bat did not provide enough support for the glove. Kreidler appeared in 17 spring games and went 6-for-39, good for a .154 average, with one home run and an 11-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The broader offensive track record paints a similar picture. Across 89 career big-league games, he owns a .383 OPS, which translates to an 11 OPS+. That level of production makes it difficult to justify a roster spot unless the defensive value is elite, and even then, there are limits to how much a team can carry offensively. Wagaman’s case is a bit different, but the result is the same. Acquired in early January in a trade that sent left-handed reliever Kade Bragg to Miami, Wagaman brought a more balanced offensive profile. He logged 140 games for the Marlins last season and hit .250/.296/.378 (.674). His 28 doubles and nine home runs helped him post an 86 OPS+, suggesting he can at least provide some pop off the bench. This spring, Wagaman showed flashes of that ability, going 10-for-39 with one home run and a 13-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18 games. Still, without the same defensive upside as Kreidler, he needed to clearly separate himself offensively. That did not quite happen, leaving him on the outside looking in as the Twins finalized their bench mix. All signs now point to Orlando Arcia securing a spot on the Opening Day roster. The veteran infielder and former All-Star brings a longer track record and the ability to handle shortstop behind Brooks Lee. Even with a difficult 2025 season that saw him post a 42 OPS+ and -1.2 rWAR across 76 games between Atlanta and Colorado, Minnesota appears willing to bet on experience and defensive reliability in a reserve role. There is still time for things to shift at the margins, but this decision signals a clear preference from the Twins coaching staff. They are prioritizing stability up the middle while keeping additional depth in Triple-A should injuries or performance issues arise. In the end, both Kreidler and Wagaman remain part of the organizational picture. Each offers a different skill set that could become useful over the course of a long season. For now, though, the message is simple. The Twins are narrowing their focus, and the Opening Day roster is beginning to come into view. View full rumor

Image courtesy of William Parmeter With a new manager in Derek Shelton, there are always questions about how specific lineup and roster decisions will play out. Over the weekend, the Twins named Joe Ryan as the team’s Opening Day starter, checking one major decision off the list before the regular season begins. Another question carries just as much intrigue, though: Who should be the Twins' leadoff hitter? The answer is not as simple as it once was. Teams across baseball have shifted their thinking in recent decades, prioritizing getting their best hitters more plate appearances by placing them at or near the top of the lineup. The logic is straightforward. More trips to the plate mean more opportunities to alter the game. At the same time, the sport has reintroduced elements that once defined traditional leadoff hitters. With rule changes encouraging stolen bases and more action on the basepaths, players who can get on base and create chaos still hold significant value. With the advent of the ABS challenge system, we could see a return of OBP-over-power guys, in general, regardless of whether speed is part of the package. Finding the right balance is where Shelton’s decision becomes interesting. Who Will Do It? Byron Buxton Reasons For: It feels like the easiest answer to the leadoff question is Buxton. He's the Twins’ best all-around hitter and one of their most dynamic offensive players. He has expressed comfort hitting at the top of the lineup, and putting him there ensures he will accumulate the most at-bats over the course of the season. There is also a growing trend of elite hitters occupying the leadoff spot, with stars like Shohei Ohtani doing it for contending teams. Reasons Against: There is an inherent tradeoff when your best hitter bats first. In the opening inning, there's no one on base ahead of him. Beyond that, the bottom of the lineup often provides less consistent on-base production, limiting RBI opportunities when the order turns over. While Buxton maximizes plate appearances in this role, it does not always maximize run-producing situations. Moreover, for all the things Buxton does well, he has a .308 career on-base percentage, and even since the start of 2024, that number is .330. That's a fine figure, but it's underwhelming for a leadoff man. Buxton's skill set is better suited to the No. 3 spot. Who Should Do It? Luke Keaschall Reasons For: Keaschall brings a more traditional leadoff profile, with a modern twist. He showed an ability to get on base during his rookie season and was efficient on the bases, going 14 for 17 in stolen base attempts despite limited playing time. His skill set could allow him to function as a true table setter, creating opportunities for Buxton to drive in runs from the number two spot. On Sunday, the Twins put this one-two punch into action, so there may be a chance it comes to fruition. Reasons Against: Keaschall has just over 200 major-league plate appearances, and some regression would not be surprising. Asking him to handle the leadoff role on a daily basis could add unnecessary pressure at this stage of his development, especially since he missed development time in the minors due to injury. The Twins may prefer to deploy him in different lineup spots to take advantage of matchups and ease that burden. Who Could Do It? Matt Wallner is one of the more unconventional options. Minnesota experimented with him in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching last season, and the results were encouraging at times. Last season, he posted an .808 OPS against right-handed starters. His power profile is not typical for the role, but his ability to produce against righties gives Shelton a matchup-based alternative. Ryan Jeffers could factor into the equation as well, especially against left-handed pitching. He's been one of the team’s most productive right-handed bats in those situations, posting strong numbers that could justify giving him extra plate appearances at the top of the lineup when Buxton isn't in the order. Last season, Jeffers posted an .885 OPS when facing lefties and a .910 OPS when facing left-handed starting pitchers. Then there's Brooks Lee, a player once viewed as a prototypical leadoff hitter thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and approach. Those traits have yet to show up (and, indeed, contact is less important than plate discipline at the top of the lineup; Lee has never demonstrated good patience), but the organization still believes in his offensive upside. If he takes a step forward, he could reenter the conversation later in the year. Shelton’s first few lineup cards will be closely watched, but this is unlikely to be a one-time decision. The Twins have multiple viable options, each offering a different look depending on the matchup, health, and performance. Buxton remains the most logical choice to open the season, simply because of his talent and impact. However, Keaschall represents an intriguing alternative who could shift the lineup dynamic if he continues to develop. Meanwhile, players like Wallner, Jeffers, and Lee provide flexibility that could allow Shelton to adjust on the fly. In today’s game, the leadoff spot is less about fitting a mold and more about maximizing value. The Twins have the pieces to experiment, and how Shelton deploys them could quietly become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season. Who should be the team's leadoff hitter? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images There are a few guarantees in life. Death. Taxes. And Chicago White Sox fans logging on to explain why projections are not just wrong, but deeply offensive on a personal level. This week’s outrage stems from FanGraphs projecting the Minnesota Twins to finish 79-83, while the White Sox sit at a cozy 69-93. In most corners of the baseball world, that would register as a shrug. In the digital corners occupied by White Sox Twitter, it has sparked a full-scale philosophical crisis. User @SouthSideScholar took a measured approach. “79 wins for the Twins is comedy. Name five players on their roster without Googling. I dare you.” User @RealChiSoxTruth responded moments later with a thread that included 47 tweets, three pie charts, and a conspiracy theory about lake-effect weather. “The projections don’t account for vibes. Our vibes are elite this year. Minnesota’s vibes are like a Tuesday at the DMV.” Others pointed to the White Sox offseason as clear evidence that the gap should not only be closed, but reversed entirely. “People are sleeping on Munetaka Murakami ,” wrote @MurakiMVP2026. “You don’t just import a first baseman from Japan and not immediately add 20 wins. That’s basic baseball economics.” Muraki, who has yet to take a regular season at bat in Major League Baseball, has already become a cornerstone of online optimism. According to at least six accounts with egg avatars, his swing alone is worth “minimum four WAR based on aura.” The bullpen additions have only strengthened the case. “Seranthony Dominguez is depth,” posted @DepthWinsTitles. “Do you know what depth is? Championships are built on depth. We have depth. Therefore, do the math.” Ironically, math is at the center of the current dispute, though not in the way projections intended. There is also growing excitement around the rotation, where Anthony Kay has become something of a folk hero before throwing a meaningful pitch. “Anthony Kay breakout season incoming,” @KayHive declared. “People forget he once threw a baseball 95 miles per hour. That doesn’t just go away.” Twins fans, for their part, have mostly watched from a safe distance, occasionally checking in like one might observe a storm from across a lake. A few have attempted to engage, only to be met with replies that include phrases like “small market propaganda” and “midwestern bias.” Back on the South Side, the frustration continues to build. “I’m not saying projections are fake,” @SoxLogicGuy posted. “I’m just saying if you adjust every variable to favor the White Sox, we clearly win 90 games.” At press time, FanGraphs had not responded to requests to simply “feel the vibes” before updating their projections. Meanwhile in Minnesota, the reaction has been far less dramatic and significantly more passive-aggressive. Twins fans have spent the past 48 hours pretending not to notice while quietly bookmarking screenshots for future use. User @MNNiceButPetty summed it up best. “I don’t even care about projections. But I have saved 12 of these tweets just in case.” There is also a growing sense of confusion among the Twins faithful. Not about their own team, but about how a 79-win projection somehow qualifies as disrespect. “Are we good now?” asked @TargetFieldTherapist. “Because last year, everyone said we weren’t. Now we’re projected to be mid, and it’s still a problem.” Inside the clubhouse, one can only assume the Twins are preparing in the most dangerous way possible, by saying very little and letting the internet do the talking for them. If nothing else, Minnesota appears poised to weaponize mild expectations, polite indifference, and a deep archive of receipts. And if the projections do hold, Twins fans may not say much at all. They will just like a few old tweets, nod quietly, and go back to insisting they were never worried in the first place. View full article

There are plenty of moments that define a player’s tenure with the Minnesota Twins, but for Carlos Correa, one of the most impactful experiences happened away from the field. In a recent conversation with MLB.com reporter Brian McTaggart, Correa shared details of a terrifying moment on Lake Minnetonka that nearly cost him and his young son their lives. The incident occurred in mid-July, while Correa was out on the water with family. At one point, he and his three-year-old son Kylo found themselves separated from their boat and struggling to stay afloat. Without a life jacket and with his son clinging to his back, Correa quickly realized the situation was more dangerous than it first appeared. As he fought to keep them both above water, severe cramping set in throughout his legs. The physical toll made it increasingly difficult to stay afloat, forcing Correa to search for anything nearby that could provide support. Eventually, he reached a buoy, but even that proved challenging. After initially losing his grip and slipping beneath the surface, Correa injured his left hand while grabbing onto the chain. With limited strength and fading energy, he alternated hands to maintain his hold while keeping his son secure. It was a desperate effort just to buy time. Correa was eventually able to call out for help, catching the attention of his father-in-law near the boat. He swam over and delivered a life jacket, bringing a frightening situation under control before it turned tragic. Looking back, Correa credited his faith for helping him endure the ordeal, describing it as a moment that tested both his body and mindset. The timing only adds another layer to the story. Correa indicated the scare occurred around the All-Star break, and within a couple of weeks, his time in Minnesota came to an abrupt end. The Twins moved on from Correa at the trade deadline in what amounted to a financial decision. The return was minimal, Matt Mikulski, a minor league player who did not factor into the organization’s long-term plans and was eventually released after the 2025 season. Correa’s tenure with Minnesota still carried significance. After signing one of the largest contracts in franchise history prior to the 2023 season, he provided stability at shortstop and delivered consistent production. Across three and a half seasons, he posted a 118 OPS+ with 61 home runs and earned an All-Star selection during his time in Minnesota. He also played a key role in the 2023 club that finally snapped the franchise’s lengthy postseason drought, helping the Twins secure their first playoff series victory in more than two decades. However, the momentum did not carry over. A reduction in payroll the following offseason limited the team’s ability to build on that success, and Minnesota was unable to return to the playoffs before ultimately parting ways with its star shortstop. After returning to the Houston Astros, where his career originally began, Correa found another gear at the plate. He combined for a 117 OPS+ over 51 games down the stretch, a noticeable jump from his .94 OPS+ in 93 games with Minnesota earlier in the 2025 season. In the end, Correa’s departure will be remembered for what it meant on the field and in the front office. But his story now carries something deeper. Before the trade, before the roster decisions, there was a moment on a Minnesota lake that nearly changed everything. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken-Imagn Images Minnesota’s most notable right-handed bullpen addition of the offseason is no longer in camp. The Twins have granted Liam Hendriks his release, allowing the veteran to pursue an opportunity elsewhere just days before the regular season begins. Hendriks’ contract always made this a possibility. He carried multiple opt-out dates, including one a week before Opening Day, another on May 1, and a final date on June 1. Once triggered, the Twins had a 48-hour window to either add him to the 40-man roster or release him back into free agency. Minnesota ultimately chose the latter, ending what had been a quietly intriguing spring storyline. On the surface, that decision feels a bit surprising. Hendriks showed legitimate progress throughout camp. He allowed three earned runs across seven innings while striking out five and walking five. More importantly, his velocity ticked upward as the spring progressed. After sitting in the low 90s early, he began reaching the mid-90s in his most recent outings, a sign that his arm strength was trending in the right direction. There was a path for Hendriks to matter here. At times, it even felt like more than that. Given the uncertainty surrounding the bullpen, there had been speculation that he could factor into late-inning situations or even work his way into the closer conversation if everything clicked. Instead, the Twins will move forward without him, and the relief picture becomes significantly more complicated. For now, Taylor Rogers appears to be the default option to handle the ninth inning. That alone speaks to the current construction of this group. Rogers is joined by fellow left-handers Kody Funderburk, Anthony Banda, and non-roster invitee Andrew Chafin, giving Minnesota an unusually left-heavy mix of bullpen candidates. The right-handed side offers far less certainty. Cole Sands is positioned to handle the bulk of the late-inning work to open the season, while Justin Topa and Eric Orze project more naturally into middle-inning roles. There are depth options like Travis Adams *(currently hurt) or Zak Kent who could factor into multi-inning spots, but those are hardly proven solutions for a team whose ownership has insisted will be competitive this year. That is what makes this decision linger a bit. Hendriks may not be the dominant force he once was, and there is a fair argument that his best days are behind him. Still, this is a bullpen lacking established right-handed options and defined roles. Passing on a veteran who was showing signs of life in March is a gamble, especially when the alternatives come with just as many questions. Stepping back, the Twins bullpen looks less like a finished product and more like a collection of maybes. There is an imbalance in handedness, limited late-inning experience, and no clear hierarchy beyond Rogers by default. Teams rarely carry four left-handed relievers, let alone a group without elite track records, and yet that is the direction Minnesota appears to be heading. Perhaps the Twins have another move in the works. The week before Opening Day can bring trades of players on the fringes of the roster. There is also a chance that a right-handed reliever will be placed on waivers, and the Twins could claim him for nothing. Still, the Hendriks decision seems short-sighted. Hendriks might be older and past his peak, but he also represented something this bullpen currently lacks: a potential answer. Instead, the Twins will head into the season with a relief corps that feels unsettled, unproven, and, at least for now, a bit of a mess. What are your thoughts on the Twins releasing Hendriks? Can this bullpen be successful as currently constructed? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins made a notable decision as camp winds down, reassigning Zebby Matthews to minor league camp and effectively handing the final rotation spot to Mick Abel. Coming into spring, Matthews looked like the logical favorite. He had more experience at the big league level and appeared poised to build on that foundation. Instead, the right-hander ran into trouble. Over 11 innings, he allowed seven earned runs while striking out nine and walking four. The results were not disastrous, but they were not convincing enough to lock down a job. Abel, on the other hand, forced the organization’s hand. Despite having fewer than 40 innings of major league experience, Abel delivered one of the most electric performances in camp. Across 13 1/3 innings, he gave up just two earned runs while racking up 17 strikeouts against a single walk. It was dominance paired with control, the exact combination teams want to see when evaluating young arms. That showing also served as a reminder of why Minnesota targeted him in last summer’s deal involving Jhoan Duran. The raw stuff has always been there, but this spring offered a glimpse of a pitcher beginning to harness it. With Abel now in place, the Twins’ Opening Day rotation appears set. Joe Ryan will take the ball first, followed by Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley, and Abel, rounding things out. Of course, spring decisions rarely tell the full story of a season. Matthews may be heading to Triple-A, but it would be surprising if he stayed there long. Pitching depth is tested early and often, and Minnesota already has questions to monitor. Ober’s velocity has been one of the biggest storylines of camp. The right-hander failed to crack 90 miles per hour in his most recent outing, raising concerns that are difficult to ignore. While the Twins will give him the opportunity to start, it is fair to wonder how sustainable success can be with diminished velocity and no clear explanation. That uncertainty only reinforces a simple truth across the league. Teams do not just need five starters. They need eight or ten. Matthews figures to be at the front of that next wave, and he will not be alone. Arms like Andrew Morris, Connor Prielipp, and Kendry Rojas are waiting in the wings at Triple-A. Each brings upside, and each could find themselves taking meaningful innings as the season unfolds. The Twins made their choice for Opening Day, but the reality is that this rotation is far from finished. It is simply the first version of what will be an evolving group all summer long. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins will hand the ball to Joe Ryan when the regular season begins on March 26 in Baltimore, the club announced Friday. It is a decision that felt inevitable at times this spring, yet briefly seemed uncertain as Ryan worked through an early health scare and an unexpected detour involving Team USA. Ryan’s spring did not begin smoothly. While warming up for his first Grapefruit League start, he experienced lower back tightness that forced Minnesota to pull him before taking the mound. The cautious move not only delayed his buildup but also altered his trajectory for the World Baseball Classic, where he had been in the mix for Team USA consideration. An MRI revealed no structural damage, offering immediate relief for both Ryan and the organization. Still, the timing proved costly. Ryan remained hopeful he could rejoin Team USA later in the tournament and was prepared to do just that. He had his car packed and was ready to drive to Miami in anticipation of pitching in the semifinal or championship round. Ultimately, Team USA informed him that he would not be used, a decision that caught Ryan off guard. He later expressed surprise at the call, while also emphasizing his appreciation for the Twins’ support throughout the process. In a twist that now benefits Minnesota, Ryan’s absence from the international stage allowed the club to keep his schedule intact. That alignment made him the clear choice for Opening Day, especially in light of the circumstances surrounding the rest of the rotation. Ryan is no stranger to the assignment. He previously started Opening Day in 2022 against the Seattle Mariners, allowing two runs across four innings. A first-inning home run by Mitch Haniger proved to be the difference in a narrow 2-1 loss. The outing was brief, but it provided Ryan with an early taste of the spotlight that comes with setting the tone for a season. This time around, he enters with a much stronger résumé. Ryan is coming off his first All-Star campaign, posting a 13-10 record with a 3.42 ERA. He struck out 194 hitters while issuing just 39 walks across a career-high 30 starts, cementing his place as one of the most reliable arms in the American League. The path to this year’s Opening Day assignment became even clearer when Pablo López was ruled out for the season following Tommy John surgery. With the staff ace sidelined, Ryan quickly emerged as the logical choice to lead the rotation. The only lingering question was his health, and that concern has largely been put to rest. After a brief 17-day pause, Ryan has looked increasingly sharp in recent outings. His latest start showed noticeable improvement, with his fastball velocity ticking upward and his command returning. He recorded six strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates after failing to register a punchout in his spring debut, a clear sign that his rhythm is coming back at the right time. What once looked like a disrupted spring has come full circle. Ryan enters the season healthy, aligned, and positioned at the front of Minnesota’s rotation. For a team navigating early adversity, that stability could prove invaluable as the Twins open their season on the road. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints The Minnesota Twins have had plenty of highly-regarded prospects pass through their system in the last two decades. Few have carried the kind of expectations currently surrounding Walker Jenkins. Across the industry, Jenkins is viewed as the top prospect in the Twins organization. In fact, many evaluators believe he may be the most talented prospect the team has developed since Byron Buxton was climbing the minor-league ladder as baseball’s next five-tool superstar. That's lofty company, and it speaks to how impressive Jenkins has looked early in his professional career. While most scouts agree on Jenkins’ overall offensive upside, one question continues to follow him as he develops: How much power will he actually hit for at the highest level? The answer depends on which evaluators you ask, and is the chief variable left in their assessments. Understanding the Scouting Scale Before digging into the debate, it helps to understand the grading system most prospect outlets use. Scouts typically evaluate tools using the 20-80 scouting scale. A grade of 50 represents major-league average. A 60 grade is considered plus, while a 70 or 80 grade reflects elite tools. On the other end of the spectrum, a 40 grade is below-average, and a 30 or lower suggests a major weakness. In theory, each 10-point increment represents a standard deviation of movement. If 50 is average, 60 is one standard deviation better, so only about 17% of players should be better at a skill than a player with a 60 grade on a given tool. Fewer than 3% of players should be better than someone who scores a 70, and most scouts will only give one 80 grade in any tool over a given period of several years. By contrast, a 40 means that over 80% of regular big-league players are better than the player at that skill. Not every scout or organization interprets the scale quite that way, but that's the gist. (This is also why you'll often see players receive 45 or 55 grades, but rarely see them slapped with 25, 35, 65, or 75. The number of players who fall along the curve between 60 and 70 is small enough that, since these are highly uncertain, future-focused assessments, scouts are usually urged to choose one of the round numbers.) These grades attempt to project how a player’s tools will look at their peak in the major leagues. With Jenkins, his hit tool receives virtually unanimous praise. The disagreement arises over how much power the bat will produce. MLB Pipeline Sees Plus Power MLB Pipeline recently updated its prospect rankings and gave Jenkins a 60 grade for power. That mark signals confidence that he could develop into a legitimate home run threat, even though Pipeline uses the scale a bit more generously than the description above, anyway. The outlet even went as far as naming Jenkins the top power prospect in the Twins system. They wrote that Jenkins uses a smooth, repeatable left-handed swing that allows him to consistently find the barrel. His approach produces hard contact while also generating walks and limiting strikeouts. According to their evaluation, his power began to show more frequently during the 2025 season. Much of that power currently shows up to the pull side, though the report notes he can also drive the ball the other way for extra bases. In that view, Jenkins profiles as the type of hitter who could combine a strong batting average with above-average home run production. If that projection holds true, it would give the Twins a middle-of-the-order cornerstone. FanGraphs Takes a More Cautious View The evaluators at FanGraphs are more conservative in their projections. Their scouting report assigns Jenkins a current raw power grade of 45, with a future projection of 55. When projecting how that power will translate into games, they are even more cautious. Jenkins receives a current game power grade of 40, with a future grade of 50. In other words, FanGraphs sees Jenkins eventually reaching roughly average game power at the major-league level, rather than the clear plus power projected elsewhere. Their report notes that Jenkins is physically strong and well built, but lacks the overwhelming physical tools often associated with superstar-level power hitters. His bat speed is described as slightly above average, and the underlying power metrics from 2025 were more modest. The report points to a maximum exit velocity of 110 mph, which is roughly the major-league average. More importantly, many of his balls in play fell far below that mark. His hard-hit rate, around 35%, suggests a solid but not overwhelming impact. From this perspective, Jenkins might be more of a high-contact hitter who occasionally runs into home runs, rather than a consistent 30-homer threat. Based on last year's league-wide home run rate and isolated power, a version of Jenkins that hits .270 in the majors (a strong projection in a league that bats around .245) would slug about .430 and hit 19 home runs in a full season of playing time. Why the Evaluations Differ The disagreement between these outlets highlights the challenge of projecting power for young hitters. Jenkins’s swing naturally invites comparisons to another former Twins star, Joe Mauer. Like Mauer, Jenkins owns a smooth left-handed stroke built around barrel control and the use of the entire field. That style often produces plenty of doubles and strong on-base numbers. Mauer occasionally flashed home run power during his career, but his game was built more around line drives and gap-to-gap contact, rather than towering pull-side home runs. Some scouts believe Jenkins could follow a similar offensive path. However, there are also reasons to believe more power could develop. Jenkins is still physically maturing and has already shown an ability to drive the ball harder as he gains experience. Many young hitters also learn to selectively hunt pitches they can pull in the air as they climb the ladder. That developmental adjustment can significantly increase home run totals. Furthermore, the league is forcing players to hunt power that way. A rising baseline for athleticism (especially in the corner outfield spots) and better outfield positioning have made it impossible to even rack up doubles the way Mauer did for so much of his career. Had Mauer come along when Jenkins did, he would have developed differently. If Jenkins turns out to be a comparably talented and intelligent hitter (admittedly, a big 'if'), he's likely to focus more on power and less on batting average. Both the power and the hit tool are also difficult to evaluate, because hitting is such a reactive craft. Famously, former top Orioles catching prospect Matt Wieters was hailed as a switch-hitting "Mauer with Power," but he never got near that level. He didn't have Mauer's preternatural combination of feel for contact and plate discipline, and while he did flash considerably more raw power, he was never a Mauer-caliber overall offensive force—let alone something more. Teams can much better evaluate players at similar stages now, using neuroscouting tools and bat-tracking data, but there's still an alchemy involved that can only be experienced, rather than explained. Some hitters are more than the sum of their parts; some are less. The Next Test at Triple-A Ultimately, the debate about Jenkins’s power will be settled on the field. The next stage of his development could provide an important clue. Jenkins is scheduled to begin the season at Triple-A, in the hitter-friendly environments of the International League. That level often boosts offensive numbers and allows evaluators to see how a prospect’s raw tools translate against advanced pitching. If Jenkins begins consistently lifting balls to his pull side and clearing the fence more often, the more optimistic power projections could start to look accurate. If his production leans more toward doubles and line drives, the comparison to Mauer’s offensive style might prove closer to the truth. Regardless of which projection proves correct, Jenkins’s advanced hit tool already provides a strong foundation for his future. The lingering question is whether his power will settle at solid, average production or evolve into an asset anchoring the middle of the Twins lineup for years to come. Whose evaluation do you agree with the most? Can Jenkins be an above-average power hitter? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of William Parmeter The Minnesota Twins may have sent Emmanuel Rodríguez to minor-league camp, but his spring performance made sure he did not leave quietly. In a camp filled with roster battles and final decisions, Rodríguez consistently stood out every time he stepped into the box, turning routine Grapefruit League at-bats into must-watch moments. Even though Rodríguez didn't make the big-league roster during camp, his spring performance ensured he remained a prominent topic of discussion. By showcasing some of the most impressive underlying metrics in the organization, he offered a reminder that his arrival in Minnesota is imminent. According to MLB.com, Rodríguez, Twins Daily’s third-ranked prospect, was raking up to that point, with a 94-mph average exit velocity and 60% hard-hit rate in his spring games for the Twins. Those aren't just good numbers. They're indicators of a toolsy hitter squaring the ball up consistently, and they explain why Rodríguez generated so much buzz during camp. One of the loudest moments came early in March, when Rodríguez showed just how much damage his bat can do. On March 9, the 23-year-old lefty crushed a double with an exit velocity of 114 mph. That number would have tied for the hardest-hit ball by any Twin during the 2025 season, matching a blast from Byron Buxton last August. That type of raw power is immediately noticeable. However, for Rodríguez, this power is just one element within a more nuanced offensive profile. “There’s some bat speed there,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “Quite honestly, I thought he hit the (Feb. 22) homer off the end of the bat. When he hit it, it didn’t sound flush. I even said, ‘Oh, he didn’t get it.’ And it landed about 15 rows deep, so I don’t know if we should use me as the barometer.” In addition to his power, Rodríguez used spring training to demonstrate his versatility. The Twins gave him playing time at all three outfield spots, providing experience that could prove valuable as the big-league roster deals with inevitable injuries over the course of the season. On the bases and in the field, Rodríguez looks like a traditional athletic center fielder. He has averaged roughly 30 steals per 150 games in the minors and brings the range and arm strength to handle center or slide into a corner role without losing value. At the plate, though, he becomes something entirely different. Rodríguez pairs his power with an extremely patient, selective approach. He rarely chases pitches outside the strike zone and is comfortable working deep into counts. That approach has led to an eye-popping 278 walks in just 295 minor-league games, good for a 21.7% walk rate. It also comes with tradeoffs. Because Rodríguez often hits with two strikes and swings less frequently than most hitters, strikeouts are part of the package. He has fanned 389 times in the minors, posting a strikeout rate north of 30% while hitting .254. One has to wonder if his strikeouts will increase at the big-league level, and a lower batting average might sap his overall value. This offensive and athletic profile is rare. While Rodríguez has some traits of power-hitting, high-walk sluggers, he uniquely combines this approach with the athleticism of a center fielder. That blend makes him incredibly intriguing—and somewhat difficult to project. What is not difficult to project is the upside. Rodríguez owns a .424 on-base percentage and a .488 slugging percentage across five minor-league levels, posting an OPS of at least .840 at every stop. Few prospects can match that level of consistent production, while also flashing the kind of Statcast data he showed this spring. As for the timeline, Rodríguez may be closer than some realize. After spending all of last season at Triple-A St. Paul, he is already a step ahead of fellow top prospects Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper in terms of proximity to the majors. If the Twins need a spark in the outfield at any point this season, Rodríguez will be one of the first names considered. The questions are still there. Can he make enough contact against major-league pitching? Will pitchers challenge him differently once they realize how selective he is? Those answers will come with time. What the Twins already know is this. Rodríguez brings elite underlying metrics, a disciplined approach, and enough power to change a game with one swing. If those traits translate, even partially, he has a chance to make a real impact in Minnesota before the 2026 season is over. What stands out about Rodriguez’s spring Statcast data? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

With the calendar turning toward the final week of spring training, the Minnesota Twins continue to narrow down their roster. On Tuesday, the club reassigned three more non-roster position players to minor league camp, signaling that decisions are becoming more real with each passing day. Outfielders Kala’i Rosario and Kyler Fedko, along with infielder Tanner Schobel, were the latest cuts. Rosario and Fedko were among a group of Twins prospects announced for the team’s Spring Breakout game on Thursday. The moves come just ahead of an off day on Wednesday, March 18, and leave the Twins with 21 position players remaining in big league camp. That group still includes a handful of non-roster invitees, but the competition is clearly tightening. Rosario may have made the strongest impression of the trio this spring. The 23-year-old went 5-for-15 in Grapefruit League action, showing some pop with a home run and driving in four. He also drew three walks, though the seven strikeouts highlight the continued development needed in his offensive approach. A fifth-round pick in 2020, Rosario finished last season at Double-A and remains an intriguing power bat in the system. Fedko, 26, brings versatility with experience at both first base and the outfield, but his spring numbers did not jump off the page. He collected three hits in 23 at-bats while striking out eight times. After splitting last season between Double- and Triple-A, he looks ticketed to provide organizational depth at the upper levels. Schobel, a 2022 second-round pick, also flashed some ability despite limited opportunities. The 24-year-old recorded two hits in 15 at-bats, including a home run, while working three walks. He reached Triple-A last season, and the Twins have continued to challenge him with aggressive assignments since drafting him. At this stage of camp, these moves are less about performance and more about roster realities. The Twins need to allocate at-bats and innings to players still competing for Opening Day roles, and that often means sending promising but not quite ready contributors back to the minor league side. None of Rosario, Fedko, or Schobel was expected to break camp with the major league club, but all three remain firmly in the picture for 2026. Each should factor into Triple-A depth at St Paul, positioning themselves as potential call-up options when injuries or roster needs inevitably arise during the season. View full rumor

Finalized rosters dropped on Wednesday, trimming each organization’s initial 40-player pool down into something much more game-ready. For the Twins, that means a prospect group in the mid-20s taking the field on Thursday afternoon, with a chance to show what the next wave of talent might look like in Minnesota. Major League Baseball’s third annual Spring Breakout event runs from March 19 through March 22, serving as a four-day window into the future of the sport. The Twins will host the Philadelphia Phillies prospects on Thursday at 12:05 p.m. CT, giving fans a midday look at some of the organization’s most intriguing names. The game will be widely accessible, airing on MLB Network and Twins.TV while also streaming for free on MLB.TV, MLB.com, and the MLB app. For Minnesota, this is more than just a novelty on the spring calendar. The roster is packed with players who could realistically factor into the club’s long-term plans, and in some cases, sooner rather than later. Spring Breakout rosters are built primarily from MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospects list for each organization, with eligibility tied to players who still qualify as rookies for the 2026 season. This year’s format again featured a two-step process: a 40-player pool, then a final group announced on Wednesday. One notable absence is Walker Jenkins, who will miss the event for the second straight year. The outfielder dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in camp, but the Twins have indicated he is progressing well. The expectation is that he will return to action later this week and be ready for Opening Day with St. Paul. Even without Jenkins, the Twins are not lacking in star power. Fourteen of Twins Daily’s top 20 prospects made the cut, giving this roster a legitimate amount of upside across the diamond. On the position player side, Emmanuel Rodriguez remains one of the most electric bats in the system, capable of changing a game with one swing or one sprint out of the box. Kaelen Culpepper continues to generate buzz as a fast-rising infielder with the tools to stick on the left side. Marek Houston, last year's first-round pick, will also get his first chance to show his lauded defensive skills at shortstop. Behind the plate, Eduardo Tait and Khadim Diaw give the Twins a pair of catching prospects that bring both intrigue and upside, each carving out their own path toward the upper minors. On the mound, Dasan Hill headlines the group as the highest-ranked pitching prospect on the roster. The left-hander has already turned heads this spring after touching 100 mph, and this setting feels tailor-made for a breakout performance. Marco Raya will be another arm to watch, especially as he continues transitioning into a bullpen role. Short bursts in a showcase environment could play directly into his strengths. All told, this is a roster that blends proximity with projection. Some of these players are a few adjustments away from knocking on the big league door, while others are just beginning to scratch the surface of what they might become. Either way, Thursday offers a rare opportunity to see that spectrum all at once. Finalized roster: PITCHERS (13) Miguelangel Boadas, RHP C.J. Culpepper, RHP, TD’s No. 18 James Ellwanger, RHP, TD’s No. 20 Brent Francisco, RHP Ruddy Gomez, RHP Alejandro Hidalgo, RHP Dasan Hill, LHP, TD’s No. 6 Matt Des Marets, RHP Marco Raya, RHP, TD’s No. 15 Mitch Mueller, RHP Sam Ryan, RHP Jonathan Stevens, RHP Eston Stull, RHP CATCHERS (3) Khadim Diaw, TD’s No. 19 Ricardo Olivar Eduardo Tait, TD’s No. 4 INFIELDERS (7) Billy Amick, 3B/1B Kaelen Culpepper, SS, TD’s No. 2 Kyle DeBarge, SS, TD’s No. 17 Marek Houston, SS, TD’s No. 9 Ben Ross, IF Brandon Winokur, SS/3B, TD’s No. 13 Quentin Young, SS, TD’s No. 14 OUTFIELDERS (5) Gabriel Gonzalez, TD’s No. 7 Kyler Fedko Hendry Mendez, TD’s No. 16 Emmanuel Rodriguez, TD’s No. 3 Kala’i Rosario View full rumor

Image courtesy of William Parmeter Twins Daily just wrapped up its annual top prospect countdown. Notably, six of the Twins’ top eight prospects are expected to open at Triple-A St. Paul, one step from the big leagues. That proximity means the Twins could see several prospects make their major-league debuts in 2026. While much of the focus is on position players at the upper levels, the system's pitching side also boasts several intriguing arms. These pitchers could take big steps forward this year. Here are three Twins pitcher prospect predictions for 2026. Riley Quick Wins Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year Quick's power arsenal could let him dominate minor-league hitters this season. He started 14 games for the University of Alabama last year, showing enough for the Twins to draft him 36th overall. Minnesota signed him for the full slot bonus of $2.69 million. Quick’s fastball already sits in the 96-97 mph range and can touch 99, while maintaining its velocity deep into outings. The Twins are helping him refine how he uses the pitch, leaning on his sinker against right-handed hitters while mixing in a four-seamer against lefties. His secondary pitches also generate plenty of swings and misses. Quick throws a mid-80s slider with sharp two-plane movement that he can tighten into a harder cutter, along with an upper-80s changeup that features strong fade and depth. He logged only 87 innings in college before entering pro ball. Building a full starter’s workload will be important this season. If he refines his command while keeping his electric stuff, Quick could emerge as the Twins' fastest-rising arm of the year. Dasan Hill Enters Next Season as a Top-100 Prospect The Twins made a significant investment in Hill during the 2024 Draft, signing the highly projectable high school left-hander for $2 million after selecting him with the 69th overall pick. His first full professional season showed why the organization was willing to go over slot. Hill struck out more than 12 batters per nine innings and held opposing hitters to a .196 average over 62 innings. He posted a 2.77 ERA at Low-A before finishing the season with a promotion to High-A. His fastball already averages around 95 mph and has touched 99, and early reports this spring indicate he has begun reaching triple digits as he continues adding strength to his 6-foot-5 frame. Hill also features a low-80s sweeper that produced a high whiff rate, along with a big curveball and a changeup that helps him neutralize right-handed hitters. The main area for improvement will be throwing more consistent strikes. Hill’s strikeout ability is already impressive, but reducing his walk rate will be key as he moves up the ladder. If his command improves while his velocity continues trending upward, Hill could quickly become one of the most exciting young left-handed pitching prospects in baseball and enter the top 100 by the end of the season. Connor Prielipp Ends the Year as the Twins Closer The Twins intend to keep Prielipp in the Triple-A rotation to start, especially because of big-league injuries that could spell an earlier need for his reinforcement than they anticipated when camp opened. His injury history, however, could shift him into a bullpen role. Prielipp missed nearly all of 2023 after undergoing internal brace surgery on his elbow. He returned in 2024 for limited action and finally logged more than 80 innings in 2025 while pitching at the upper levels of the minors. His performance was strong enough to earn him a spot on the Twins' 40-man roster during the offseason. When healthy, Prielipp has exceptionally impressive stuff. His fastball averages around 95 mph and can reach 99, and it generated more swings and misses once he reached Triple-A. He also added a two-seamer late in the season. His upper-80s slider features elite spin rates and grades as a plus pitch, while his changeup also produces plenty of swings and misses. He has even begun experimenting with a curveball to round out his repertoire. If durability becomes a concern, a bullpen move could help. His power arsenal may be more effective in shorter outings. In that role, Prielipp could reach Minnesota quickly and end the year in late-inning situations. The Twins' farm system features several promising young arms who could take meaningful steps forward in 2026. Quick has the raw stuff to dominate in the minors as he builds a full professional workload. Hill has the potential to emerge as one of the organization’s biggest breakout prospects. Prielipp could eventually find his path to the big leagues through the bullpen, where his electric repertoire might play even better. With several pitching prospects nearing the upper levels, 2026 could signal a new wave of Twins arms in Minnesota. What are your predictions for the Twins' pitching pipeline in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article