February 6, 20188 yr The Twins have announced 13 players that they are inviting to big league spring training that are not on the 40-man roster. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that 13 players on minor league contracts have been invited to major league spring training camp in 2018. Joining the Twins will be three pitchers: right-handers Myles Jaye, Michael Kohn and Jake Reed; catchers Willians Astudillo, Brian Navarreto and Bobby Wilson; infielders Taylor Featherston, Nick Gordon, Gregorio Petit and Brock Stassi; and outfielders Nick Buss, Ryan LaMarre and LaMonte Wade. Of the 13 players invited to camp, eight have major league service time: Myles Jaye (Detroit), Michael Kohn (Los Angeles-AL and Atlanta), Bobby Wilson (Los Angeles-AL, Arizona, Tampa Bay, Texas and Detroit), Taylor Featherston (Los Angeles-AL, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay), Gregorio Petit (Oakland, Houston, New York-AL and Los Angeles-AL), Brock Stassi (Philadelphia), Nick Buss (Los Angeles-NL and Los Angeles-AL), and Ryan LaMarre (Cincinnati, Boston and Oakland). Twins pitchers and catchers are scheduled to begin their workouts on Wednesday, February 14. The first full-squad workout is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 19, which coincides with the Twins Open House at CenturyLink Sports Complex. The Twins currently have 53 players scheduled to report to 2018 spring training.
February 6, 20188 yr Author Of that group, these players played in the Twins system in 2017: Pitchers: Michael Kohn, Jake ReedCatchers: Brian NavarretoIF: Nick GordonOF: LaMonte Wade.
February 6, 20188 yr Isn't it exciting, Seth, that we soon will be talking about baseball......not who hasn't signed with the Twins or anybody else. Assume that Wilson will battle Garver for the backup spot. If Garver wins it, Wilson will be at Rochester working with the young pitchers and available should either catcher get injured. Can't believe we got thru last year without a catcher going on the DL. Also interesting that the Twins do not have any infielders on the 40-man who won't be with the Twins. Of this group, who do you give the highest chance of making the opening day roster?
February 6, 20188 yr Author Isn't it exciting, Seth, that we soon will be talking about baseball......not who hasn't signed with the Twins or anybody else. Assume that Wilson will battle Garver for the backup spot. If Garver wins it, Wilson will be at Rochester working with the young pitchers and available should either catcher get injured. Can't believe we got thru last year without a catcher going on the DL. Also interesting that the Twins do not have any infielders on the 40-man who won't be with the Twins. Of this group, who do you give the highest chance of making the opening day roster? They'll say that Wilson is battling with Garver for the backup job, but those'll likely be just words. It's got to be Garver at this point. As for the infielders, Gordon's fairly close, and the other guys that they signed to minor league deals have big league time, some of them quite a bit as utility infielders. They'll be fine. Of these guys, I think Michael Kohn - if fully healthy - probably has the best shot to make the team.
February 6, 20188 yr Good luck to them. Out of the list, I recognize 3 names (Reed, Gordon, and Wade). The others I don't know much about them at all.
February 6, 20188 yr Other than the signed AAA, AA depth players not much in the system was rewarded by a longer look in spring training.
February 6, 20188 yr Author Good luck to them. Out of the list, I recognize 3 names (Reed, Gordon, and Wade). The others I don't know much about them at all. If I had guessed, I would have guessed Kohn just because he was signed to the 2-year deal last year so he could recover from injury and get innings last year. I also would have guessed Brian Navarreto. Need a bunch of catchers, and he's as good as it gets behind the plate.
February 6, 20188 yr Author Other than the signed AAA, AA depth players not much in the system was rewarded by a longer look in spring training. Agreed... but I do wonder if that is similar to other years. A couple of arms. An infielder. An outfielder and some catchers. And, they do have to fill a lot of spots in the upper levels, and the way to entice guys is the NRI.
February 9, 20188 yr Author The truck got to Ft. Myers today. Fun seeing the pictures on twitter of them unloading the bags and equipment and Hammond Stadium.
February 9, 20188 yr Truck Day in Boston was last Monday and I forgot to go. It's a festive atmosphere at Fenway in mid-winter.
February 9, 20188 yr Truck Day in Boston was last Monday and I forgot to go. It's a festive atmosphere at Fenway in mid-winter.Disappointing. We were looking forward to hearing that Boston was depressed on Monday. Edited February 9, 20188 yr by Deduno Abides
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