Two New Guys Make MN Twins Opening Day Roster

The 11-15-3 Minnesota Twins play their second-to-last Grapefruit League game on Monday. With eyes set on St. Louis for the regular season opening series this week, the roster is getting closer to the final 26 players seemingly everyday.

Manager Rocco Baldelli set the starting rotation over a week ago, but the rest of the roster has been more in flux, due to injuries all over the infield and in the bullpen. Monday, however, has brought more clarity to the Opening Day roster than anything we’ve seen since the starters were set.

Two New Minnesota Twins make Opening Day roster

In somewhat suprise fashion, two career minor leaguers were told on Monday by Rocco Baldelli that they will make the final cut for the 2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster, which will be on display for the first time this Thursday, in St. Louis.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has also been informed that he has made the Opening Day roster.

— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) March 24, 2025

Mickey Gasper showed us a picture of a nasty cut but says he’s doing okay after getting six stitches. He was just informed he’s making the roster.

— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) March 24, 2025

The Minnesota Twins traded for Mickey Gasper over the offseason, and he spent Spring Training proving himself as every bit the versatile utility man they were hoping to get when they traded for him earlier this offseason

Gasper played in 13 games for the Boston Red Sox last season, as a 28-year-old rookie. He slashed .308/.417/.487 this spring in 17 games. Gasper is still looking for his first big league hit, but he’ll have an opportunity to play multiple positions with Minnesota as he seeks that milestone.

Mickey Gasper makes MN Twins roster after stitches

His spot on the roster was put in question, when Gasper suffered a serious cut on his ankle after he ran into shortstop Brandon Winokur going for a ground ball on the other side of 2nd base, Sunday. He needed six stitches and left the ballpark on crutches. Clearly, the MN Twins are confident he’ll be find.

Guess who’s making the Twins Opening Day roster?! pic.twitter.com/BqPFEcSJXb

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 23, 2025

Similar to Gasper, Keirsey Jr. is a late-blooming prospect. He made his major league debut last season at 27 years old. The outfielder went just 2-for-13 but launched his first big league home run. This spring Keirsey Jr. owns a .275/.375/.375 line in 18 games.

DeShawn Keirsey Jr makes Twins roster too

Still, DaShawn Keirsey Jr’s spot on the roster has been more in question. Outfield hasn’t hasn’t seen the same injury issues as the infield. All he had to do was beat out former first round pick Austin Martin, who was optioned down to Triple A on Monday. Keirsey Jr, a former 4th round draft pick out of Utah, gets rewarded for a strong spring.

What also hurt Keirsey’s chances of making the roster was his left-handedness. Both Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner are left-handed. The Twins would have preferred another righty option in the outfield.

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Nonetheless, Baldelli & Co opted to bring his best talent, not lineup fit. Keirsey Jr. and Harrison Bader on either side of Byron Buxton in center field would make for arguably the best defensive outfield in baseball.

Minnesota can also utilize Keirsey Jr.’s speed on the basepaths. He went 3-for-4 stealing bases during Grapefruit League action. Last season, at Triple-A St. Paul, Keirsey Jr. went 36-for-43 on stolen base attempts.

Offensive/Defensive depth chart set for Minnesota Twins

Austin Martin’s transition to the outfield is still a work in progress. Last season, Martin was worth -13 defensive runs saved -7 outs above average, while playing outfield. That hurt him this spring, when competing with Keirsey Jr.

More time at St. Paul will give Martin an ability to continue refining his new position. Across 16 Grapefruit League games, Martin slashed .275/.333/.325. Minnesota begins the regular season on Thursday March 27th in St. Louis against the Cardinals First pitch is set for 3:15pm CT.

Both Brooks Lee (back) and Royce Lewis (hamstring) will start the year on the injured list for the Minnesota Twins. The former should be back sooner than the latter, but Baldelli will be hoping he gets a pair of his top talents back in short order.