Article: Who Will Be Crowned Sire of Fort Myers?

[Tom Froemming]

The gang over at 1500 ESPN, along with other members of the Vikings media, made it a tradition to name a “Mr. Mankato” each year at training camp. The honor was designed to recognize the player who entered camp under the radar but emerged with an eye-opening performance. Well, I figured it would be fun to steal that bit and crown a “Sire of Fort Myers." Who are the top contenders?It’s great to see the Twins back on the field, but let’s face it, these games are meaningless. Well, at least for the guys who are already established major leaguers.

 

There are very few spots up for grabs on the 25-man roster, but there are still guys who have a lot to gain from having strong showings down in Fort Myers. This is their chance to be seen by top members of the Twins coaching staff and front office. For the non-roster invitees who are in their mid to late 20s, this also represents an opportunity to showcase their skills to the other 29 MLB teams, not to mention overseas and independent leagues.

 

So who is eligible to be named Sire of Fort Myers? Anybody who’s not on the 40-man roster, even guys with several years of MLB service time, and anyone on the 40-man roster who hasn’t made their MLB debut also qualifies.

 

If you don’t think that crop of players is worth monitoring, I’d beg to differ. But, just to be clear, these guys' chances of breaking camp with the Twins are anywhere from remote to downright unthinkable. This isn't about identifying the player most likely to make the team, it's simply honoring the player who had the most impressive spring training performance.

 

Without further adieu, here are five pitchers and five hitters who have emerged as the early favorites for the title of Sire of Fort Myers:

 

Fernando Romero

Romero has gotta be the early frontrunner for the title. He’s pitched five no-hit innings, walked just one batter and has six strikeouts. In his first appearance of the spring, “El Toro” retired Caleb Joseph, Tim Beckham, Jonathan Schoop, Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Trey Mancini in order, all of whom figure to be regulars in the Orioles lineup.

 

Zack Littell

Littell is giving Romero a good run for his money so far. In five innings, Littell has given up a run on a pair of hits, but he’s also struck out eight batters and hasn’t issued a walk. He’s gotten the majority of his work late in games, once the MLB regulars have been replaced, but he’s been impressive nonetheless.

 

Stephen Gonsalves

Gonsalves started against the Astros in his first official appearance of spring training (the exhibition against the Gophers doesn’t count), and faced a very recognizable lineup from the defending World Series champs. He gave up one run on four hits over 2.2 innings of work. In his other game, Gonsalves managed to pitch around a leadoff double to record a scoreless inning.

 

Jake Reed

Reed went unprotected and then unselected in the Rule 5 Draft, but he’s off to a strong start down in Fort Myers. He’s racked up four strikeouts over three scoreless innings. Reed has primarily been working the later innings, so he hasn’t faced many hitters projected to be in the big leagues.

 

Tyler Kinley

Being a Rule 5 pick, Kinley is easily the most likely guy on this list to break camp with the Twins. His overall numbers aren’t great, but he’s had to put in some extra work thanks to his defense misplaying a few balls. He’s struck out four batters in four innings while flirting with triple digits on the radar gun, but he’s also surrendered five hits and three walks.

 

LaMonte Wade

Wade had his Arizona Fall League experience end with a scary outfield collision that resulted in him suffering a concussion. Just seeing him in camp and healthy is a great thing, but he’s also having no trouble tracking pitches so far this spring. Wade is 6-for-16 with four walks, a .500 on-base percentage.

 

Ryan LaMarre

This 29-year-old former outfielder for the Reds, Red Sox and A’s has made quite an early impression. LaMarre is 7-for-15 with a triple and a home run. There’s virtually zero chance he breaks camp with the Twins, even if he maintains his 1.342 OPS through the rest of spring, but it’s guys like him that make the late innings fun to watch. He’ll be playing his guts out.

 

Taylor Featherston

Featherston, 28, has also played in the majors for three different clubs: the Angels, Phillies and Rays. He’s 6-for-17 with a pair of doubles and a homer. He fits into the same category as LaMarre, except he’s an infielder.

 

Wyston Sawyer

One interesting battle to watch this spring is the one for third catcher. Bobby Wilson is the favorite, as he has more than 300 major league games under his belt, but Sawyer is an interesting name in the mix. At the plate, the 26-year-old is 2-for-5 with a walk and he also threw out the only base runner who attempted to steal on him. Other contenders for the third catcher spot include Jordan Pacheco, Willians Astudillo and Brian Navarreto.

 

Nick Gordon

Gordon has had a few miscues in the field, but he’s flashed his extra-base power at the plate. Most of the remarks I’ve seen on Twitter from people seeing “G Cinco” play for the first time are about how skinny he is or how high he wears his socks, but in just nine plate appearances, he already has a double and a triple.

 

There are another dozen or so guys who are contenders for the title of Sire of Fort Myers, but this group of 10 has hit the ground running. If you’ve been following along with the early action, or better yet have already visited Fort Myers, please share your thoughts on anyone who has caught your eye.

 

Click here to view the article

[Seth Stohs]

I would suspect that Gonsalves, Romero and Littell (along with Thorpe) will be among the first cuts this spring so that they can get stretched out. 

 

Assuming I read it right and Erick Aybar is eligible, he's right up there with Kinley in terms of likelihood of making the roster. 

[Old Twins Cap]

The head of a Fort, in military parlance, is usually a General, but also, commonly, Base Commander.

 

That's for the head honcho.

 

Here, you are looking for a stand-out prospect, so I would slide down the ranks and find one that makes sense. 

 

Kind of Elvis Presley, 1954, enlisted man, lip curl and swagg'ah. 

 

I get that "Sire" rhymes with Fort Myers, but a "sire" is the lead genetic line of a herd, or, in olden times, of a king, who, of course, sires as much as possible before he retires.

 

Twins don't want those optics, especially from guys like Sano.

 

So, there's that.

[Vanimal46]

It's fun to see some of these guys that I've only read about.

 

Concur with Nick Gordon looking like he needs a Double Cheeseburger or 7.

 

I also assumed Romero was kind of a lanky kid but he's pretty big. Hopefully he can continue to get stretched out as a starter, and save the last 20 odd innings in the MLB bullpen.

[Tom Froemming]

 

I would suspect that Gonsalves, Romero and Littell (along with Thorpe) will be among the first cuts this spring so that they can get stretched out. 

 

Assuming I read it right and Erick Aybar is eligible, he's right up there with Kinley in terms of likelihood of making the roster. 

Correct on Aybar. He is eligible, but he hasn't done enough yet in my book to crack the current top five for hitters. And this is simply about performance, not taking into account their chances of making the roster. Your 25-man roster projections already do a great job of forecasting that stuff.

 

The head of a Fort, in military parlance, is usually a General, but also, commonly, Base Commander.

 

That's for the head honcho.

 

Here, you are looking for a stand-out prospect, so I would slide down the ranks and find one that makes sense. 

Let me just stop you right there. You're way overthinking this.

 

It's fun to see some of these guys that I've only read about.

Concur with Nick Gordon looking like he needs a Double Cheeseburger or 7.

I also assumed Romero was kind of a lanky kid but he's pretty big. Hopefully he can continue to get stretched out as a starter, and save the last 20 odd innings in the MLB bullpen.

Maybe Gordon and Romero should switch diets the rest of camp? I agree on Fernando's role, as tantalizing an idea it is just to plug him into the Twins bullpen, I hope they stay the course and keep him on a starter's path in the minors. For now.

[jimbo92107]

 

Maybe Gordon and Romero should switch diets the rest of camp? I agree on Fernando's role, as tantalizing an idea it is just to plug him into the Twins bullpen, I hope they stay the course and keep him on a starter's path in the minors. For now.

Have Gordon eat a few meals with Sano; he'll be looking like me in no time.

 

For reference: When I look down, I can't see my feet. And it ain't my chest in the way.

[BJames]

Romero and LeMarre are the winniers at this point.  The three that have impressed me, because I've never seen them are Littell, Sawyer and Wade.  Littell looks composed and in control, I like him a lot for a guy 22 years old. I'd move him past Gonzales to #3 prospect.  As far as Sawyer and Wade, they both are swinging the bat.  I'd prefer Sawyer 26 as the third catcher and Wade is making solid contact in his first S.T. games, good to see.  I'd like to see Rooker called over for some AB's as well. 

[Tommygun921]

I'd put Gabriel Moya on the list. Based off of the box scores as I haven't watched any games. I believe he's only given up a homer to the first batter he faced. (I believe) Also could Wade pass Granite as the true 4th outfielder? Or make Grossman expendable?

[amjgt]

Can Lamonte Wade switch to RH?

 

That would help.

[Doctor Wu]

LaMarre has indeed made an impact thus far. I only vaguely recall seeing his name prior to the Twins signing  him, but he'll be nice insurance in AAA if we need any reinforcements during the season. Stassi also a couple of hits the other day and is another one of those "slim chance" guys who could be called up at some point during the season.

[Tom Froemming]

 

I'd put Gabriel Moya on the list. Based off of the box scores as I haven't watched any games. I believe he's only given up a homer to the first batter he faced. (I believe) Also could Wade pass Granite as the true 4th outfielder? Or make Grossman expendable?

Since he's already made is MLB debut, Moya is ineligible. But, you're right, he is having a nice spring. He's given up one run over five innings with five strikeouts and no walks.

 

Mike Berardino reported this morning that Littell and Sawyer have been sent to minor league camp, along with Thorpe, Enns, Jorge and Navaretto. That doesn't necessarily mean we won't see them in any more major league spring games, but it will certainly be less frequent. 

[Tomj14]

If the Twins don't want to bring Romero with them to Minnesota, they best send him down quickly  to stretch out, because if he keeps pitching this way it will be a tough sell to leave one of your two best relief pitchers in the minors.

He seems like the perfect Sanatan/Lirano scenario.

[Vanimal46]

Have Gordon eat a few meals with Sano; he'll be looking like me in no time.

 

For reference: When I look down, I can't see my feet. And it ain't my chest in the way.

Don't sell yourself short! I remember you saying you went to a bar last season and ordered a salad during the Twins game!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Since he's already made is MLB debut, Moya is ineligible. But, you're right, he is having a nice spring. He's given up one run over five innings with five strikeouts and no walks.

 

Mike Berardino reported this morning that Littell and Sawyer have been sent to minor league camp, along with Thorpe, Enns, Jorge and Navaretto. That doesn't necessarily mean we won't see them in any more major league spring games, but it will certainly be less frequent. 

 

It actually does mean we won't see Thorpe, Enns, Jorge and Navarreto in any more major league spring training games. Navarreto and Sawyer still could. 

[Tom Froemming]

 

It actually does mean we won't see Thorpe, Enns, Jorge and Navarreto in any more major league spring training games. Navarreto and Sawyer still could. 

You're just saying that's more than likely going to be the case, right? There's not a rule against using guys on the minor league side in the major league games, correct? Or is there a difference between when a guy is optioned and when a guy is reassigned? 

[Loosey]

 

You're just saying that's more than likely going to be the case, right? There's not a rule against using guys on the minor league side in the major league games, correct? Or is there a difference between when a guy is optioned and when a guy is reassigned? 

Good Question, I would like to know the difference as well.

[Tom Froemming]

Ryan LaMarre blasted a two-run homer this afternoon. He's now hitting .500 with a 1.470 OPS!

[gagu]

 

Ryan LaMarre blasted a two-run homer this afternoon. He's now hitting .500 with a 1.470 OPS!

You beat me to it, Tom. LaMarre started strong and hasn't cooled off in the least. He's been the first name I look for in the box score each day since early on. He's probably facing the weaker pitchers and very probably won't make the cut, but he's clearly the fun story of spring training for me.

[wabene]

Ryan LaMarre blasted a two-run homer this afternoon. He's now hitting .500 with a 1.470 OPS!

slugger!