10 Players to Watch in Twins Spring Training

[Nash Walker]

Who could push their way into a job or up prospect lists?OF KYLE GARLICK

 

The Twins elected to outright RHP Ian Gibaut rather than Garlick when the Matt Shoemaker signing became official Friday. The move was inconsequential as Gibaut passed through waivers unclaimed. Still, this may show the team’s belief in Garlick as a depth option in the outfield.

 

Garlick, 29, has shown signs of harnessing a prolific bat. He’s hit .288/.345/.536 with 91 home runs in 464 minor league games. Garlick posted a 1.072 OPS against Triple-A lefties in 2019. He’ll compete with Brent Rooker as a right-handed option off the bench. A productive spring could vault Garlick onto the opening day roster.

 

 

RHP DAKOTA CHALMERS

 

Chalmers’ stuff alone made the Fernando Rodney trade in 2018 a success for the Twins. He runs his fastball up to 98 with an extremely high-spin curveball to boot. Chalmers has the arsenal to electrify hitters out of the bullpen.

 

The 24-year-old has had major command issues, walking over 16% of batters in five minor-league seasons. His electricity is evidenced by a 27% strikeout rate and an ERA under 4.00. The upside is there. Can the Twins tweak him to throw more strikes?

 

 

1B AARON SABATO

 

Sabato, 21, was drafted in June as an already-developed bat. Sabato dismantled the ACC for North Carolina, hitting .332 with a 1.158 OPS in 83 games. In a recent interview, Sabato suggests the questions about his position are overblown. He says he’ll have more flexibility than a DH-only bat.

 

If he continues to crush in the spring and through the first half of 2021, it’s not out of the realm for Sabato to be considered for a call-up later this year. He is an advanced right-handed slugger with a spotless track record at the plate.

 

 

RHP MATT CANTERINO

 

The hype train on Canterino has left the station. The Twins’ second round pick in 2019 was seen as a polished-type at Rice University. He had good command of four pitches but nothing seen as plus-plus on its own.

 

That seems to have changed. Canterino pumped 99 with his fastball just weeks ago, per this video from Darren Wolfson:

 

 

I am very intrigued to see Canterino this spring. Twins Daily recently ranked him as the Twins’ 9th best prospect. He could move up even more with a strong showing in the Fort.

 

RHP JOSH WINDER

 

Winder, 24, is listed at 6-foot-5 and has already succeeded in the minors. He posted a 2.65 ERA in 21 starts for Cedar Rapids in 2019 with a miniscule 6% walk rate. Much like Canterino, Winder apparently added considerable velocity this offseason, flashing a fastball “up to 97,” according to Keith Law.

 

Already good command + increased fastball velocity = exciting stuff, despite Winder’s lack of experience above Low-A.

 

 

RHP IAN HAMILTON

 

The Twins snuck Hamilton through waivers and now boast increased bullpen depth. Hamilton has been plagued by bad luck and setbacks. He possessed a high-90s fastball and low-90s slider not that long ago but suffered facial fractures after taking a line drive in 2019.

 

His velocity was understandably down in light 2020 work for the Phillies. If the Twins can unlock or simply oversee him regain form over the next month, he’ll be in the conversation to hold the eighth bullpen spot on opening day. He’s still only 25.

 

 

C TOMÁS TELIS

 

The Twins have enviable catching depth with a duo of Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers. As Mike Tyson said though, everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face. If Garver or Jeffers go down, Telis could be a more attractive option than Willians Astudillo to fill the void.

 

Telis, 29, was a star for the Red Wings at Triple A in 2019. He hit .330/.364/.490 in 82 games. He’s played in nearly 1,000 minor league games with impressive offensive numbers overall. Hitting just .230/.267/.298 in 122 MLB games has limited his opportunities to show more. Keep an eye on the Saints’ catcher.

 

 

RHP GLENN SPARKMAN

 

Sparkman contributed to a horrendous season for Kansas City in 2019. He posted a 6.02 ERA and 5.92 FIP in 136 innings. The Twins hit five home runs and scored 19 times in 25 ⅔ innings against him.

 

A forearm strain limited the 28-year-old to just five innings in 2020, forcing him to settle for a minor-league deal with the Twins. Sparkman threw his fastball too much in 2019 and generates decent spin on his slider. Guys like him end up mattering over 162 games. A strong ramp-up could move him up the organizational depth chart.

 

RHP JHOAN DURAN

 

Duran, recently ranked by the site as the Twins’ 5th best prospect, needs to be watched closely over the next few weeks. If he continues to show progression in his curveball and command, there’s a chance he could be in Minneapolis before schools are out for the summer.

 

23 years old with a monster fastball and disgusting “splinker,” Duran is extremely close to making a huge impact. I am very high on his arm and potential as a frontline starter. I do think he could thrive in a multi-inning bullpen role in 2021, though.

 

 

OF TREVOR LARNACH

 

Not that he necessarily qualifies as “under the radar,” but Larnach still finds himself multiple names back in the outfield. He’ll have to hit throughout the spring and early summer, much like 2019, to force the Twins’ hand.

 

Larnach is a clear top-100 global prospect with huge power potential and a strong resume. Just last year, many wondered if he was on track to pass Alex Kirilloff as the organization’s best outfield prospect.

 

 

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[Doctor Gast]

I'm not expecting any of these to be on the original 26 man roster breaking camp. Hope Duran get called up as soon as possible. Larnach and some pitching prospects should be called up towards the end of the season. I don't understand obtaining Garlic unless they plan to trade a bunch of our over abundant corner OFs.

Hope also Wes Johnson can tweak some of the pitchers that were obtained to help out the BP.

The only one that I'm really cheering for is Broxton because we really need his glove to back up Buxton. Whatever capacity that may be.

[TopGunn#22]

I'm intrigued by Telis.  He would clearly be a better option than Austudillo and the fact he's a LH hitter gives you someone you could start with a tough RH pitcher on the mound.

Some of these Twins pitching prospects look very interesting.  Depth is a great thing to have.

[DocBauer]

Granted the examples may be hand picked, but if Chalmers' change can be even close to that good on a regular basis he is going to be nasty.

 

Love Duran's length, velocity and splinter. I don't doubt he will be be helping in 2021.

 

As someone pointed out in another thread, interesting that Winder was brought in instead of Sands. Not a negative comment on Sands, I'd think, but more of a positive one regarding Winder.

[puckstopper1]

 

I'm not expecting any of these to be on the original 26 man roster breaking camp. Hope Duran get called up as soon as possible. Larnach and some pitching prospects should be called up towards the end of the season. I don't understand obtaining Garlic unless they plan to trade a bunch of our over abundant corner OFs.
Hope also Wes Johnson can tweak some of the pitchers that were obtained to help out the BP.
The only one that I'm really cheering for is Broxton because we really need his glove to back up Buxton. Whatever capacity that may be.

 

I totally agree Doc - hopefully the Twins do not NEED any of these guys this season, but it is very comforting to see all them in the system.

 

These guys plus the top prospects show the depth of the Twins system and bode well for long-term sustained success of the team.

 

These guys could also provide trade bait to bring in quality MLB talent.

[Fatbat]

I want to here "Garlick battered that butter ball" from a color commentary guy

[Dman]

Thanks for this article and I agree with your analysis.

 

I was curious as to why the Twins kept Garlick on the 40 man.  I thought for sure they would keep an extra reliever on there.  They had just traded Wade and gotten the 40 man down to 6 outfielders which seemed like a good idea to me.  Also I didn't hear any rumors that the Twins were looking for a right handed bat for left field or right field for that matter. Sooo what gives?  I guess if a guy like that falls into your lap you take a good hard look and see if he fits at worst you have right handed depth.

 

I have been waiting all winter to hear something good about Chalmers but it has been crickets in regards to him at this point.  I sure hope he had made some improvement on his control otherwise it is getting hard to see how he fits.

 

Canterino and Winder have had major hype since last fall and all winter so I sure hope they prove it is for real.  Would be nice to have two more big arms to go with Balazovic and Duran.

 

I really liked the Hamilton pickup and am hoping the Twins can take him to another level.  He seems to have the control he needs just might need to miss more bats.  Can't hurt to see if they can make him something sprecial.

 

I can't believe Tellis stayed with the Twins but man that is some nice insurance to have going into the season.  Austudillo will have to prove his worth this year as there are all kinds of players that could slot into that spot.

 

Thanks again for the article I do plan to watch these guys closely.

[Richard Swerdlick]

St. Paul could have a heck of a team this year.

[Trov]

I do not expect any of the list players to do well enough in spring to break with camp, unless there are injuries to others.  For the recent pickups they need to show they can contribute enough to provide depth for when injuries happen.