Article: Minor League Opening Day 2016

[Seth Stohs]

I love Opening Day! I believe that Opening Day should be a Monday and that it should be a national holiday. However, for me, I get significantly more excited about Minor League Opening Day.

 

Instead of just following one game and one box score, I get to follow five teams and their games and their box scores. Instead of following one 25-man roster, we can follow five, 24-or-25-man rosters. We know what Opening Day means to big leaguers. Does it mean anything different to minor leaguers?Over the weekend, the Twins affiliates announced their preliminary Opening Day rosters. Moments after each was released, Twins Daily posted our preview for that team. They are here:

• Rochester Red Wings
• Chattanooga Lookouts
• Ft. Myers Miracle
• Cedar Rapids Kernels
• NEW-Extended Spring Training

One thing is apparently from perusing the rosters. The Twins system is strong and deep but with so much of that young talent already at or near the big league level, it becomes more difficult for players to move up. Sure, the top prospects are going to be moved and pushed at the rate at which they are deemed ready for the next level. They are not going to be blocked. But, as Steve Buhr wrote last night, others are just going to have to go back and earn their promotions again.

 

As is true in the big leagues, minor league Opening Day rosters are just that, the rosters for the teams for the first game. They are certainly subject to change. There will be injuries. There will be great performers who will get promoted. There will be players who don’t perform who could move down a level.

 

That’s part of the excitement for me as a fan and as someone who has now followed this organization and its minor league system for over a dozen years. You just never know what will happen. A player who starts the season in AA could theoretically end the season in High-A, AA, AAA, the big leagues, in another organization or out of baseball. There will likely be a few examples of each at the various levels in 2016.

 

Opening Day is about a fresh start, a new season and all of the possibilities that come with it. There are always several minor leaguers who go from relative unknown at this time a year ago to highly-regarded prospect today. Who will those guys be? It’s hard to know but we can all post our guesses.

 

For now, here is the Twins minor league affiliate’s schedule for Opening Day with the starters listed:

 

Rochester @ Scranton/Wilkes Barre - 6:05 p.m. - RHP Tyler Duffey

Chattanooga @ Biloxi - 6:40 p.m. - LHP Jason Wheeler

Bradenton @ Ft. Myers - 6:05 p.m. - LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids - 6:35 p.m. - RHP Randy LeBlanc

On Wednesday, Miracle manager Jeff Smith announced his rotation. Following Gonsalves will be Kohl Stewart, Tyler Jay, Keaton Steele, Felix Jorge, and Randy Rosario.

 

I spent nine days in Ft. Myers and spent a lot of that time watching the minor league action. While there were unfortunately several minor leaguers released, there were a lot of players who really stood out. I’ll save those thoughts for another article.

 

Here at Twins Daily, we take a lot of pride in the minor league coverage that we provide. Each and every day throughout the minor league season, we will again post our Minor League Report. Jeremy Nygaard, Cody Christie, Eric Pleiss, Steve Lien and I will write those highlighting pitching performances, hitters with multi-hit games, home runs and game stories. Along with that, we’ll present monthly awards for top hitters, starting pitchers and relief pitchers.

 

These players deserve to be recognized. The get paid almost literally nothing. When I wrote my first Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook seven or eight years ago, I wrote the below, and I have included it in every book since because it is important to know.

 

“Minor League baseball players are doing all the same work that the big leaguers do. They are just doing it with far less fanfare, smaller per diems, less luxurious travel and hotel arrangements, and noticeably lighter wallets due to pay thanks with fewer zeroes.”

So what does Minor League Opening Day mean to you? If you played, what do you think it would be like for you?

 

I asked several Twins minor leaguers what Opening Day means to them. Their responses are below.

 

Edgar Corcino, OF, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

I'm really thanking God for another season and other fresh start!!! Opening day means a lot to me because a couple of years ago, I was completely out of baseball, and having this great opportunity it means a lot! I know I had a good summer last year, but that is the past!! Now I’m focused to have a good season even better than last year!!

Travis Harrison, OF, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening Day is always an exciting time. It's the start of a hunt for another championship. For me, I'm excited to finally see all the hard work this offseason start to pay off.

Dalton Hicks, 1B, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening Day is always fun! Jitters are always at an all-time high, plus everyone arrives a few hours earlier than normal! Best part is always putting on the new jersey and cleats!

Sean Miller, Infielder, Cedar Rapids Kernels:

 

Opening Day, to me, is the start of something you have been working your butt off for. Obviously you work for the whole season but Opening Day is one day like no other.

Logan Darnell, LHP, Rochester Red Wings:

 

Well, Opening Day is just one game. It doesn't count for anything more than any other game, but it is exciting in a lot of ways! You get to see how your team matches up with the other. It's the start of a long season with new goals, ups and downs, and surprises!

Trey Vavra, 1B, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

Opening Day is one of the greatest atmospheres to play in. A ton of fans, everyone is into the game. It's awesome.

Adam Brett Walker, OF/DH, Rochester Red Wings:

 

Opening Day means it's another opportunity to go make more memories with my friends. I get excited to go out and win some ball games and play in front of some awesome fans. Really looking forward to a new experience in Rochester this year!

David Hurlbut, LHP, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening Day means a new start, fresh opportunities to work towards another successful season, and no more spring training. Haha! Returning to Biloxi on our Opening Day also brings back good memories of winning the championship last year, especially with the 19 guys who returned back to AA.

Keaton Steele, RHP, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

Just a reminder to be thankful for what you have. To be able to wake up and go to the ballpark everyday is a privilege.

Bryant Hayman, C, Cedar Rapids Kernels:

 

Opening Day, to me, is obviously one of the best days of the year. This will be my first Opening Day in professional baseball, and I couldn't be more excited. I feel like it's a time when you can put the year before away (whether it was really good or really bad) and try to do something special. I'm extremely thankful to be here for Opening Day and can't wait to see what's in store for us.

Trevor Hildenberger, RH RP, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

Opening Day just means the wait is over. The barren six-month winter is done, and it's time to prove whether last year was a mistake or the truth.

LaMonte Wade, OF, Cedar Rapids Kernels:

 

Opening Day, to me, means that it is time to put all of the hard work that was done over the offseason on display and Day 1 of a long season that will be filled with lots of ups and downs, nevertheless, Day 1 of getting to play the game that I love.

Austin Diemer, OF, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

Nothing better than Opening Day jitters. The excitement of putting on your jersey and getting out on field with your boys for the first time after months of hard work is amazing.

Zack Tillery, RHP, Cedar Rapids Kernels:

 

Opening Day, to me, is about the fans. For us and for them, it marks the beginning of a new journey and a season full of good times with good people.

Ryan Walker, Infielder, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

This'll actually be my first Opening Day since I've been hurt the past two years, but I'm excited nonetheless! It's always fun kicking off the season, getting some fans in the stands, and having a good time.

Aaron Slegers, RHP, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening Day, for me, as a kid meant the beginning of summer and the end of the school year was around the corner. As a professional baseball player, it brings the excitement of starting the journey of the season with a new team full of unique personalities and the possibility that anything and any goal is possible.

Ryan Eades, RHP, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening day is something that every player looks forward to after putting in their work all offseason and going through spring training. It marks the start of a new season and new teammates to share the experience with along the way.

Niko Goodrum, Infielder, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening Day, to me, means it's time to let your game speak for itself and chase that ring again! Going to "war" with your brothers/teammates!

Todd Van Steensel, RHP, Ft. Myers Miracle:

 

I signed as a 17-year-old and never experienced an Opening Day until I was 24-years-old. So to be able to enjoy that after so many years, it was something special. Putting on the uniform and running out in front of the home crowd for the first time makes you feel like a kid on their first day of school.

Zach Granite, OF, Chattanooga Lookouts:

 

Opening Day means I get to put the uniform on again and do what I love to do every single day. There is no better feeling than that!

Brandon Peterson, RHP, Chattanooga Lookouts:

This is what opening day means to me. The time when there's no more "I'll do it tomorrow." Time to showcase the work you put in the offseason. And, for some of us that feels like Christmas morning.

Ryan O'Rourke, LHP, Rochester Red Wings

 

Opening day is a special time for me. It is the beginning of all of the hard work that I and others have put in. The preparation is done with, now it is time to compete and win.

Jason Adam, RHP, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

Opening day is the most exciting time of the year for a player. We spend our whole offseason doing what we can to make ourselves the best player possible and once opening day comes around, we finally get to start enjoying the fruits of our labor as a team. There's nothing like it.

And we get to watch all of it from afar. That said, if you’re in the Twin Cities, I have to point out that you can watch it from the seats at Perfect Game Field at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids. Count on a drive that’ll take four to five hours, depending on where you’re located. The Kernels staff does a great job and makes the game fun. In addition, you get to watch young players on their way up. Someday, you may see them again on Fox Sports North. Click here for the Kernels scheduleand here to order tickets.

 

And be sure to stop by Twins Daily every day throughout the season to keep up with everything going on in the system.

 

Click here to view the article

[BoomBoom]

http://www.whec.com/article/610/?vid=3544004&v=1

Great mixture of veterans and youth in Rochester

 

I like Quade and how he thinks............  Good Luck Red Wings

 

http://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/local-sports/walker-ready-to-bring-mashing-back-to-wings

 

 

 

[DocBauer]

I absolutely love waking up in the morning, and pretty much first thing, popping on TD and checking out the minor results from the previous day. One of the absolute highlights of my day.

 

Seth, the SD Buhr article was a great one. And the milb depth is such that it does appear a lot of guys are a rung lower than expected. At least to open the year. Would you agree with me that we may see more movement this season, promotion wise, and perhaps earlier as well? I would be surprised to see several moves as early as the 1st of June.

[Mike Sixel]

I truly love the minor league coverage here. It's why I first came.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I absolutely love waking up in the morning, and pretty much first thing, popping on TD and checking out the minor results from the previous day. One of the absolute highlights of my day.

Seth, the SD Buhr article was a great one. And the milb depth is such that it does appear a lot of guys are a rung lower than expected. At least to open the year. Would you agree with me that we may see more movement this season, promotion wise, and perhaps earlier as well? I would be surprised to see several moves as early as the 1st of June.

 

Agree on Steve's article... It's something I noted when I was at spring training. There are at least a handful of guys who really shouldn't be at the lower minor league level, but due to depth and numbers, that's how it has worked out. For me, Randy LeBlanc and Mike Theofanopoulos shouldn't be in Cedar Rapids. Todd Van Steensel shouldn't be in Ft. Myers. Neither should Alex Muren, though he is starting the year on the DL anyway. 

 

I don't know that we'll see more moves. I do think we've noticed Brad Steil much more willing to move guys up more quickly than Rantz ever was, but numbers aren't going to disappear. Thee are a lot of good players in the upper levels being blocked by good young players in the big leagues and that trickles down. It's definitely not a bad thing for the organization. 

[Seth Stohs]

A bunch of DL moves helped the teams get down to their Opening Day rosters:

 

Rochester:

IF Stephen Wickens ("Knee")

 

Chattanooga:

RHP Jason Adam, Nick Burdi, DJ Baxendale

C Jairo Rodriguez, 

IF Niko Goodrum

OF Shannon Wilkerson

 

Ft. Myers:

IF Aderlin Mejia

RHP Alex Muren

 

Cedar Rapids:

RHP Michael Cederoth, Fernando Romero

LHP Lewis Thorpe, Cam Booser

[Mike Sixel]

I am pulling for Goodrum*.....no idea why, but he's always been on my follow and hope list. 

 

Here is hoping all these guys get healthy soon!

 

* I pull for all these guys.....but some are more equal than others, as it were.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I am pulling for Goodrum*.....no idea why, but he's always been on my follow and hope list. 

 

Here is hoping all these guys get healthy soon!

 

* I pull for all these guys.....but some are more equal than others, as it were.

 

I like Goodrum, and he grew this offseason... Added probably 20 pounds. He's strong. He can play SS... works hard... all that stuff.

[TRex]

 

<snip> Mike Theofanopoulos shouldn't be in Cedar Rapids. Todd Van Steensel shouldn't be in Ft. Myers....

Maybe they were just trying to save some 'monograming' money on their uniform bills.