Roster Projection News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/roster-projection/ Minnesota sports, but different Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:16:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Roster Projection News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/roster-projection/ 32 32 2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster Projection (2.0) https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/opening-day-roster-projection-2025-updated/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:16:17 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=61453 After enjoying a full week of Florida sunshine and picking up a fresh sunburn to prove it, I’m ready to make update my Minnesota Twins roster projections for Opening Day 2025. The Twins, currently 9-11-3 in Grapefruit League play, will start their regular season next week March 26 on the road vs the St. Louis Cardinals.

Over the next week and a half, Rocco Baldelli has the task of trimming 14 more players from the MN Twins’ roster. Many positions have been locked in for a while now, but a handful of roster battles could go right down to the Spring Training wire.

Who makes the Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster?

Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins kicked off big-league camp with 55 players in the mix, including the full 40-man roster and 16 non-roster invitees. As of Monday, 40 players remain. Don’t trust my math, but with 26 spots available on the Opening Day roster, that means they need to cut 14 more guys in the next 9 days.

So without further ado, here is my updated (2.0) Minnesota Twins 26-man roster predictions, following a few unwelcome surprises over the last week.

Catcher (2): Christian Vazquez, Ryan Jeffers

  • Just missed the cut: Jair Camargo, Patrick Winkel, Jeferson Morales, Diego Cartaya

Starting behind the dish, no changes here from my first projection. It was a lock that this duo would start the season on Rocco Baldelli’s roster once Christian Vazquez wasn’t traded this offseason. Both Ryan Jeffers and Vazquez appear healthy, and the Twins are counting on a stronger, more productive year from their catching tandem.

Related: Former Twins Slugger Turned Pitcher Granted Release From Rival

In 2024, Ryan Jeffers came out swinging, but cooled off, ending with a .226/.300/.432 slash line. His 103 OPS+ was above the league average, though it didn’t match the 133 OPS+ he posted in 2023. Christian Vazquez, meanwhile, really struggled to a .221/.248/.327 slash line last season, leaving plenty of room for improvement.

Cartaya had just nine plate appearances in eight Grapefruit League games after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started the Spring Breakout game, and should see plenty of action at Triple-A.

Related: Minnesota Twins Set Starting Rotation, Announce Third Round of Roster Cuts

Arguably the best performance by a catcher this spring has come from prospect Jeferson Morales. In 14 games the Venezuelan native slashed .450/.542/.700 with two doubles and a home run. He’s not highly-regarded, but had a .290/.367/.453 slash line between Double and Triple-A last season. It’s possible he emerges as a depth option for the Twins.

First Base (2): Ty France, Jose Miranda

  • Just missed the cut: Mike Ford

Another locked-in spot belongs to Ty France, who is set to play, and play often. Rocco Baldelli made that clear right away, and France backed it up by tearing through Grapefruit League action. In 12 games, the former All-Star boasts a .469/.514/.813 slash line, complete with two home runs.

Jose Miranda is slated to see most of his action at first base this year, serving as a key depth piece fpror the Minnesota Twins. Through 12 games, he’s hitting .303/.375/.424. After posting an insane hitting streak last season, he’s aiming to build on the .284/.322/.441 line he delivered across 121 games in 2024.

Mike Ford remains in camp, though he was getting extra reps in with the Single-A team on the back fields Sunday. He is not a threat to make the roster, and should stick around at Triple-A to provide roster depth.

Second Base (3): Willi Castro, Edouard Julien, Mickey Gasper

  • Just missed the cut: None

Sunday brought a major shakeup at this position when Royce Lewis pulled up lame with a left hamstring strain. The gifted third baseman is likely to miss some time, forcing Rocco Baldelli to find a new starter at third. For now, it also keeps Willi Castro anchored at second base.

That’s good news for Brooks Lee, who has had a tough time dislodging Willi Castro from the starting lineup. In 13 games, Lee’s hitting .256/.275/.410 with two home runs. As a rookie last season, he managed a .221/.265/.320 line over 50 games, hampered by injuries that dulled his impact. Still, The Athletic’s Keith Law sees him as a breakout candidate this year.

Related: MLB Insider Tags Former Minnesota Twins Top Prospect as Breakout Star

At first, I pegged Edouard Julien for a return to Triple-A. He’s hitting .286/.375/.429 through 13 Grapefruit League games, signaling a possible push for a bounce-back year after a lackluster 74 OPS+ (100 is league average) across 94 games last season. I suspect Rocco Baldelli might lean toward using him as a platoon bench bat, which could open the door for Mickey Gasper to snag the final bench spot as a versatile switch-hitting utility player.

Mickey Gasper’s posting a .310/.432/.448 line across 12 spring games, showcasing his value with positional flexibility and a relentless work ethic. He debuted in the big leagues with Boston last season, going hitless in 18 at-bats, but his minor-league track record stands out. In 70 Triple-A games, he boasts a .920 OPS, paired with a .392 OBP over 407 minor-league contests.

On Monday morning, the Twins had Mickey Gasper taking reps at first base, adding to his versatility. While it’s not typically a must-have, his ability to serve as an emergency catcher could be a valuable roster bonus.

Shortstop (1): Carlos Correa

  • Just missed the cut: None

When you have Carlos Correa, there is really no need for a contingency plan. He doesn’t have a third foot to deal with plantar fasciitis, and he has been a superstar when healthy.

The 86 games Correa played in 2023 marked his lowest total in a full season since 2019. Yet, in that limited action, he delivered a stellar .310/.388/.517 slash line with 14 home runs. He’s proven himself every bit the superstar Minnesota expected when they inked him to that second contract.

Related: Carlos Correa’s ‘Shocking’ Therapy Regimen Revealed

It has been a dismal spring for Correa, but the 11 Grapefruit League games should be taken with a grain of salt. He is batting just .103/.250/.103 with no extra-base hits. He has a 12/6 K/BB, and judging by the amount he is staring at pitches, it seems he is doing plenty of pitch tracking work.

Third Base (1): Brooks Lee

  • Just missed the cut: Armando Alvarez
    • Injured List: Royce Lewis

In the initial roster projection, Willi Castro was slated as the starting second baseman. That seemed like a locked-in choice until Royce Lewis got hurt. Now, either Brooks Lee or Castro will have to step up at third base. With Opening Day looming, there is not enough time for Lewis to recover, and he’ll start the season on the injured list.

Castro has been all over the field this spring, just as he was last season. His versatility earned him an All-Star nod as a utility player, and he’s posted a .200/.368/.367 line across 12 Grapefruit League games. His 102 OPS+ in 2024 fell just short of the 105 OPS+ he recorded during his debut season with the Twins

Brooks Lee seems better suited for third base, and the Twins have more options to cover second. Long term, I see Lee settling in at the hot corner, so why not get him comfortable there from the start?

Related: Willi Castro Takes Chuck Knoblauch’s Painful Minnesota Twins Throne

It’s logical that Jose Miranda could see some time at the hot corner while Lewis is out. Armando Alvarez is depth that should stick at Triple-A St. Paul. He made his major league debut last season for the Oakland Athletics.

Outfield (4): Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Harrison Bader

  • Just missed the cut: DaShawn Keirsey Jr., Austin Martin

Minnesota chose not to bring any non-roster outfielders into Grapefruit League play. Their top-tier options are already strong. Byron Buxton’s health remains key, but he’ll be supported by two reliable sluggers in the outfield.

Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach will log plenty of time in the corners. Larnach might also see a good chunk of at-bats as the designated hitter, while Harrison Bader adds another elite glove to the outfield mix. The former Met, a Gold Glove winner, notched 10 Outs Above Average last season. Though his -2 Defensive Runs Saved was a drop from the 15 he posted in 2021, Bader could still prove to be a huge asset in left field.

Related: Twins Turn to Interesting Choice at Leadoff

With Lewis sidelined, the Twins seem to need more infield depth than outfield support. That likely sends Austin Martin back to Triple-A, while Willi Castro shifts to the fifth outfielder role. The former first-round pick has posted a .233/.314/.267 line this spring. He’s not a game-changer at the plate, but Minnesota appears set on keeping him in the outfield for now.

It won’t hurt Martin to get more reps before returning to the big leagues. With Bader on the team, he doesn’t have to be stretched in center. He’ll be the first player recalled if there is an outfield injury.

Rotation (5): Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Chris Paddack

  • Just missed the cut: None

With the latest roster cuts, the Minnesota Twins have narrowed their rotation down to five pitchers. While the exact order is still up in the air, one thing is certain: Pablo López will take the mound as the Opening Day starter. How the rest of this group shakes out will be worth watching as the season nears.

Pablo López hasn’t exactly dazzled in Grapefruit League play. He’s posted a 7.98 ERA over 14 2/3 innings with an 18-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Last year, he struggled similarly with a 7.00 ERA across 14 spring innings. With one more start likely before Opening Day, he’ll aim to sharpen up and build on the 4.08 ERA he delivered for Minnesota last season.

Related: Chris Paddack in Danger of Losing Starting Job for Twins?

Chris Paddack might just be the biggest wild card in this mix. Which version of him Minnesota gets remains anyone’s guess. He hasn’t been effective since his standout rookie year in 2019, and injuries have plagued him ever since. Fortunately, the Twins have solid rotation depth waiting at Triple-A St. Paul to back him up.

Bullpen (8): Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, Danny Coulombe, Cole Sands, Brock Stewart, Jorge Alcala, Louie Varland, Justin Topa

  • Just missed the cut: Scott Blewett, Darren MaCaughan, Anthony Misiewicz, Huascar Ynoa, Eiberson Castellano
    • Injured List: Michael Tonkin

There is no questions regarding the back end of the Minnesota Twins bullpen. Both Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran are locked in. I’d prefer to see a bit more velocity from Duran this spring, but it’s possible he’s just a different pitcher now and makes it work anyways.

Danny Coulombe is locked in as the lone lefty and Cole Sands should again be a middle-relief option with leverage upside. There is concern about Brock Stewart after he felt a hamstring tweak, but the Minnesota Twins supposedly aren’t worried at this point. Jorge Alcala should also be back in a low-leverage role.

Related: Minnesota Twins Bullpen Harboring Dark Horse Stud Nobody is Talking About

If both Michael Tonkin (guaranteed) and Justin Topa (possible) start the season on the injured list, then there are two additional spots. Louie Varland will certainly get the first one. He has a 5/1 K/BB and hasn’t surrendered a run in 8 innings this spring.

Castellano would be the last man in the pen and needs Topa to occupy a spot on the injured list if he’s going to make the team. The 2024 Phillies minor league pitcher of the year was taken in the Rule 5 Draft. He must remain on the 26-man roster all year or be offered back to Philadelphia. He has a 12/8 K/BB 8 innings this spring while allowing six runs, but the upside is understandable.

Topa returned to the bump on Monday against the Pirates. He threw an inning while allowing a home run and striking out two. It will be important how he responds the next day. If there’s a final uncertain roster spot, this is it.

]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:16:20 +0000 Minnesota Twins 2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster Projection (1.0) https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-news/initial-opening-day-roster-projection/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 20:19:13 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=60229 The offseason has officially concluded as Major League Baseball clubs open their Spring Training camps in Florida and Arizona. For the Minnesota Twins, pitchers and catchers are set to report on February 13, though most players are already on site.

Rocco Baldelli is surrounded by many familiar faces this year. The offseason saw little spending, and while there might still be some moves, the players currently in camp are poised to claim most of the roster spots. Over the next few weeks, the primary question will be: where will each player fit in the lineup?

Who makes the Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster?

The Minnesota Twins invited 55 players to big league camp. That includes the entirety of the 40-man roster and 16 non-roster invitees. They have just 26 spots on the active roster and will need to trim players as camp goes on. By position, this is where things stand from the jump.

Catcher (2): Christian Vazquez, Ryan Jeffers
Others: Jair Camargo, Diego Cartaya, Alex Isola, Patrick Winkel, Jeferson Morales

This position seems secure unless there’s a trade involving the more expensive veteran, Christian Vazquez. Vazquez is in the final year of his $30 million contract. He was considered by the San Diego Padres in trade, but that possibility appears to have passed. His .221/.248/.327 slash line from last season was dismal, particularly given the efforts he made last offseason to improve his swing

Last year, Baldelli was inflexible with the division of playing time between his catchers. Ryan Jeffers started strong but tapered off, finishing with a .226/.300/.432 slash line. His 103 OPS+ was above league average, yet it fell short of his 2023 mark of 133 OPS+. He deserves to be given every chance for a 60-40 or even a 75-25 split this season.

Should the Minnesota Twins find a trade partner for Vazquez, or need to make a depth move, the combination of Cartaya and Camargo are next up. Camargo debuted last season. Cartaya is a former top prospect looking for a fresh start.

First Base(2): Ty France, Jose Miranda
Others: Mickey Gasper, Mike Ford, Yunior Severino

Arguably the most uncertain spot on the diamond is first base. The Minnesota Twins no longer have Gold Glove winner Carlos Santana, whom they lost in free agency. It wasn’t until the final hour before Spring Training that they signed Ty France to solidify the position.

They also have Jose Miranda, who bounced back well last season offensively with a .284/.322/.441 slash line. He was a hitting machine for a while but tailed off to end the season. The Twins would love to see consistency from the youngster hitting, but he will need to show defensive improvement if he’s going to factor in.

Related: Minnesota Twins Release Spring Training Non-Roster Invite List

In limited action last year Miranda was neutral from a defensive metrics standpoint. As a rookie, in nearly 600 innings at first base, he was worth -6 DRS (defensive runs saved) and -4 OAA (outs above average). That’s a problem for a position of strength last year.

France brings plenty of questions on his own. Last season he was worth -8 DRS with a -12 OAA mark. That doesn’t speak to any defensive improvement. Despite being an All-Star in 2022, he was below league-average offensively for the Mariners and Reds last season.

Neither Mickey Gasper or Mike Ford represent substantial upgrades as all around players. Miranda not holding them off would be problematic, and mean that he’s severely struggling. It’s a possibility that some combination of Edouard Julien, Willi Castro, and Luke Keaschall all see time here too.

Severino is a former 40-man player, but has never looked the part defensively. He struggled offensively last year, too. The strikeout problems will probably stop him from ever being anything but an all-or-nothing designated hitter.

Second Base (2): Brooks Lee, Willi Castro
Others: Luke Keaschall, Edouard Julien

Second base may be the Minnesota Twins deepest position. Former top prospect Brooks Lee should be considered the favorite to start. He played 50 games last season with underwhelming results, but should use that to develop as a big leaguer.

It’s possible that Royce Lewis sees time at second base, and maybe swaps spots with Lee too. The position will see plenty of players rotate throughout it. Castro is a utility player, but best suited at second base. Julien broke out as a rookie while playing second base and will factor in there too.

Related: Exclusive: Twins Top Prospect Opens Up About Torn UCL That Eventually Ended His Season

Luke Keaschall is the most talented second baseman in the system, but he may wind up moving to first base out of need. Expect Baldelli to use this spot on the diamond as something of a revolving door until he finds consistency.

Shortstop (1): Carlos Correa
Others: None

When you have Carlos Correa there is really no need for a contingency plan. He doesn’t have a third foot to deal with plantar fasciitis, and he has been a superstar when healthy.

86 games were the least Correa has played in during a full season since 2019. In that action though, he slashed .310/.388/.517 with 14 home runs. He is every bit the superstar Minnesota believed they were getting when they signed him to a second deal.

The hope is that Correa can stay healthy all year this season. He has never had the nagging back issues in Minnesota that he did in Houston. If he is going to miss time, then a combination of Lee, Castro, and potentially a yet-to-be-identified addition would take his place.

This spot on the roster is set.

Third Base (1): Royce Lewis
Others: Armando Alvarez

Minnesota is saying that Royce Lewis will be the Opening Day starter at the hot corner. He was last season, but that lasted less than one game. Healthy, Lewis is among the most exciting players in the game. Unfortunately, however, he hasn’t been able to make that a consistent reality.

The 82 games that Lewis played in last season were a career-high. He hit .233/.295/.452 and struggled for virtually the first time as a professional. The former first overall pick still hit a career-best 16 homers, but his process at the plate was off.

Related: New Twins Channel Debut Revealed Along with Broadcast Enhancements

This offseason has been big for Lewis. He got married, reset his outlook, and is eyeing an opportunity to put the 2024 season behind him. He may not stick at the hot corner all year, but he will be a catalyst for whatever the Twins are trying to do.

Outfield (5): Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Austin Martin, Harrison Bader
Others: DaShawn Keirsey Jr., Emmanuel Rodriguez,

There’s a reason that the Minnesota Twins don’t have a single non-roster invitee amongst their outfield group. The depth here is significant, and they should feel good about the ceiling of those involved.

Byron Buxton needs to stay healthy. That has always been part of the equation for him. He played 100 games for just the second time in his career last season. Bader presents a solid defensive backup, even if he’s an offensive question mark.

With Max Kepler on to greener pastures, Buxton will be flanked by Larnach and Wallner this season. That’s a new pairing, and a rather unproven one. Martin can fill in as a rotational option, but is better suited in center and left field with his arm limitations.

It was nice to see Keirsey Jr. given a chance last year. It would seem that he’ll be the depth center option, while Emmanuel Rodriguez could push both corner spots. His path would be much more straightforward if he was right-handed hitting.

Related: Suddenly Spend Happy Twins Want to Make More Moves

Rotation (5): Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Chris Paddack
Others: David Festa, Zebby Matthews, Cory Lewis, Andrew Morris, Travis Adams, Marco Raya

There is zero reason to consider what the top three of the Twins rotation looks like, because it’s already set. Pablo Lopez is starting on Opening Day. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober are the horses behind him. However, Minnesota needs better than the 4.08 ERA they got from Lopez last season. A bounce back season could have him in the Cy Young conversation.

Ryan and Ober look like legit rotation options, and hopefully take another step forward. What Baldelli gets from Woods Richardson and Paddack remains to be seen, though. The rookie owned a respectable 4.17 ERA and the veteran was a mixed bag who missed the second half of the season with a forearm strain.

When there is a need for depth, the Twins have a couple of tested options. Both David Festa and Zebby Matthews pitched significant innings in the majors last year. Top prospect talent will also get a look during spring training, and the non-roster talent will have a chance to impress at St. Paul before earning a promotion.

Bullpen (8): Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, Danny Coulombe, Cole Sands, Justin Topa, Brock Stewart, Jorge Alcala, Michael Tonkin
Others: Matt Canterino, Eiberson Castellano, Kody Funderburk, Louie Varland, Ryan Jensen, Scott Blewett, Randy Dobnak, Darren MaCaughan, Anthony Misiewicz, Alex Speas, Huascar Ynoa

Right now the Twins are projected to have one of the best bullpens in the big leagues. That’s largely because of Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran. Brock Stewart has been lights out when healthy, and new addition Coulombe looked great in an Orioles uniform last season.

Baldelli needs Cole Sands to continue developing as a reliever, and Justin Topa has to be the reliever that Minnesota believed they were acquiring in the Jorge Polanco trade.

There aren’t many straightforward ways to crack the Twins relief group outside of injury. Canterino has sat on the 40-man through injury, and he could be a quick and exciting promotion if healthy. Castellano must be on the big league roster all year after being a Rule 5 pick, so Minnesota may have a tough decision to make there.

If either Funderburk or Varland can hone things in at Triple-A St. Paul, that duo will be interesting to watch as the season progresses as well. It should be an interesting year, and we are closer than ever.

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