Andrew Albers Remains Appreciative, Hopeful

[Seth Stohs]

There have been many twists and turns, and teams, in the baseball life of Minnesota Twins and St. Paul Saints pitcher Andrew Albers. He is beginning his third stint in the Twins organization and looking to contribute any way he can.

Andrew Albers grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. It isn’t exactly a baseball hotbed. As Albers said during a Saints press conference on Friday, “Most (Canadian) ballplayers come from BC (British Columbia) or Ontario.”

However, scouts found him and he was drafted out of high school but chose to attend the University of Kentucky. The Padres drafted him in 2008 and he pitched in a handful of games for their rookie Arizona League team. He got hurt, missed the 2009 season and was released. He pitched some for Quebec in the independent Atlantic League.

That could have been the end of Andrew Albers' baseball career. Instead...

The next offseason, he pulled a lot of strings, made a lot of phone calls and sent a lot of e-mails in an attempt to sign with an affiliated team including driving from Saskatchewan to Arizona,

In fact, as the story goes, the Twins said they might be interested, but they wouldn't be able to have anyone see him in Arizona for a couple of weeks. Albers gave it some thought, called the Twins scout back and said he would drive from Arizona to Ft. Myers for the tryout. If they liked him, they would sign him and reimburse his travel expenses. If not, he would say Thank You and, well, probably just hope for some travel expense reimbursed.

The Twins gave him a shot. In 2011, he spent time in Ft. Myers and Double-A New Britain. He spent 2012 with the Rockcats. He began the 2013 season at Triple-A Rochester, but he was pitching well, and the Twins called him up to make a couple of starts.

In his MLB debut, he tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings. In the next game, he threw a complete game shutout.

Not promised a big-league spot in 2014, he signed with Hanwha in the Korean Baseball Organization.

In 2015, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and got to pitch in one game for the team from his home country. He pitched in Venezuela that offseason and then returned to the independent leagues in 2016 for Lancaster to start the season, but he quickly signed with the Twins and went to Rochester before pitching in six games for the Twins.

In 2017, he went 12-3 with a 2.61 ERA in Gwinnett (Atlanta AAA) but was traded/sold to the Mariners in August. They called him up and he went 5-1 with a 3.51 ERA in nine games and six starts.

He went to Japan in 2018 and went 9-2 with a 3.08 ERA. He received an offer to extend his deal for two years and accepted it. Unfortunately, he was “nicked up” and didn’t pitch as well as he would have liked.

Albers thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity he had in Japan. ““I really enjoyed the experience there. Was treated very well by the organization. It was great to immerse yourself in a different culture. I enjoyed my experience in Japan much more than I did in Korea. Really enjoyed the way they played the game. The fans there are tremendous. They just do a tremendous job creating a great atmosphere. It’s all really positive. They’re extremely respectful. The team itself, they take really good care of you. I had a really great time there. Was very thankful for that opportunity. I was glad that I was able to go over there and do that.”

Late this offseason, he and his agent sent out e-mails to several teams to see if any might be interested in his pitching services for this season.

“The Twins showed some interest, so it was a pretty easy decision for me to end up back here. Obviously have some fond memories here with the organization. Some things have happened in the past and couldn’t be happier to be back.”

While he got to spring training late due to visa issues, Albers feels like it only took him a couple of weeks to feel as if he had caught up.

Albers is currently in St. Paul, working out at the alternate site. His manager with the Saints in 2021 will be Toby Gardenhire.

Gardenhire’s final season as a player in the Twins organization was 2011 when he played 103 games in Rochester. That was Albers first year in the organization, and he split the year between Ft. Myers and New Britain.

While they never played together, they both recall a time they played against each other. In September of 2012, there was a WBC Qualifier tournament in Germany. Gardenhire (and a 19-year-old Max Kepler) played for Team Germany. In the championship game, Germany faced Team Canada. Andrew Albers made the start for Canada and gave up one run over six innings and Canada advanced to play in the 2013 WBC.

Gardenhire recalls, “I think I was like 0-for-3 off of him in the game. So it’s funny that now we’ve come full circle, I’m managing and he’s still pitching.” (online research shows that Gardenhire was indeed 0-for-3 in the game.)

Albers said that he certainly remembered that game. “Any time I get to play for Team Canada, I treasure those moments. It was a lot of fun.”

Albers is just three years younger than the 38-year-old Gardenhire. “Obviously I played for his dad in ‘13, so that’s a really interesting relationship there. I guess that’s when I really know that I’m getting up there in age when I start playing for both father and son as managers. I try not to think about it that much.”

But there is value in having a guy like Albers on the roster. Gardenhire has seen it already in their brief time together. “It’s cool having Albers around because he has so much experience, and he’s been around and done so much. He’s had conversations with all the guys about different things. I’ve heard him talk to guys about playing in Japan. He’s been around so much.”

He continued, “It’s cool having a guy like that. He knows how to get his work done. He knows everything he has to do. He’s just staying ready to go. Once the season starts, he’s a guy that’s reliable. You know what you’re going to get from him because he’s done it so many times. He’s been in those situations before.”

Albers relishes the role of a mentor for other players, but he doesn’t push anything on his teammates.

“I think that’s an important part to play. Obviously you hope that you can provide some experience to help the younger guys.” He continued, “If somebody comes up and has a question for me or we can just have a discussion about baseball. I love that. I think the biggest thing is just to be open and approachable. You’re a little bit older now, but at that same time you try to be one of the guys and have fun with them. Obviously I think I appreciate it more now having spent some time internationally where you can’t necessarily communicate with a lot of your teammates. So that part of it’s a lot of fun.”

All that said, Albers may not throw hard, but he can pitch, and he can keep batters off balance. He hopes to help whichever team he is playing for, be it the Saints or the Twins.

“Anything I can do to help the club, right? Whatever role they see me in. We’ve talked a little bit about that, whether it’s going to be a middle to long guy, or a starter. I’m trying to get extended a little bit here in St. Paul right now just so that I’m available if the need arises, and if they feel I can contribute hopefully up there with the big league club at some point this year. It’s one of those things where you’re just trying to get yourself ready as best you can. Trying to prepare yourself for whatever role that they think you can help in. That’s what I’m doing. That’s my approach.”

Andrew Albers is 35 and has had some great experiences and memories throughout his baseball career, a career that could have ended 12 years ago when he was hurt and released. Despite a fastball that likely won’t hit 90 mph, he has had four stints in the big leagues with three different organizations. He’s represented Canada in several international competitions. He’s played in Japan and Korea, and he’s now back with the Twins for a third time. This is a guy who is appreciative of his opportunities.

“I’m just thankful that I have an opportunity and then hopeful that I get an opportunity up there. Just going to try to prepare for whatever that opportunity may be.”

OH CANADA!

There are currently four Canadians in Twins minor league spring training in Ft. Myers. Right-handed pitchers Jordan Balazovic and Landon Leach, infielder Edouard Julien and catcher LaRon Smith. Albers noted the age gap between him and those players, so he hadn’t met any of them until this spring when he met Balazovic at big-league spring training. “I met Balazovic this spring, was really impressed with him. Impressive character, seems like he has a good head on his shoulders, obviously throws the ball real well.

He then gave a lot of credit to Greg Hamilton who has been very instrumental in the Canadian Junior National team which has helped player development in the country. Albers mentioned Josh Naylor. Mike Soroka. Cal Quantrill and Tyler O’Neill as big-league guys from that program.

MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED

Albers was in the Twins organization from 2011 to 2013, in 2016 and now in 2021. It’s fair to say that things have changed quite a bit since his previous stints.

“It’s almost like it’s a whole new organization. Obviously with the new front office and bringing in some different guys, the philosophy’s changed from what it used to be, certainly from 2013 and then even from ‘16. The last few years, there have been a lot of changes, or at least it seems like a lot of changes to me.”

While he hadn’t previously been brought up with the analytics and technology that the Twins now use, he is excited about it and how it is being communicated and how he’s able to put what he’s learning into action in St. Paul.

“I think they’re doing a great job here getting guys that are extremely knowledgeable with the analytics. Obviously that’s part of the game now. You get the older guys like me where it’s a lot of new information, but they're doing a great job communicating to me what they’re looking for, what they think can help me improve."

He gave a real-life example of this. "That’s the great thing about being here in St. Paul right now. I’m getting the opportunity to work on some of those things in a low-stress environment. If you’re trying to work on increasing the depth on your slider, you can go out and do it in your game and you don’t have to worry if you give up a couple of hits or some runs."

We have heard a lot about how the Twins now have individual improvement plans.

"I think they’re doing a good job giving guys plans going forward on what they think they can improve on in order to give themselves a better chance of not only getting to the big leagues but being successful once they get there."

Yes, Albers plainly sees that changes in the organization since his previous stints and again points out the importance of how the information is communicated. How can a player improve? What can they tinker with or alter or add, but also what is it that has worked for you in the past?

"When I first got here in ‘13, they weren’t very analytically based. I would say that’s changed substantially over the past three or four years. They do a great job communicating it to us. Certainly they rely heavily on it not only in the big leagues but even at the minor league level. The thing that I really appreciate as someone new here, they do a great job communicating their expectations, communicating what they want you to try, and at the same time they realize you’ve had some success in the past a certain way and they don’t want you to change exactly who they are.”

THE SAINTS EXPERIENCE

Finally, Albers has played in the independent leagues and appreciates those opportunities. He was well aware of the St. Paul Saints and looks forward to playing in front of fans at CHS Field.

“The ballpark looks like it could be great. Obviously it’ll be a lot nicer once you get fans in here. I’ve heard nothing but great things about how the Saints run their program, they draw really well here in the summer, and that was as an indy league team. It will be interesting to see as a Triple-A team. I wouldn’t expect there not to be a fall off, maybe even an increase. I’ve heard a lot of great things about their on-field promotions and how they get people to the ballpark. I’ve heard they create a great atmosphere. So I’m really looking forward to seeing that. Really looking forward to getting to be a part of it and hopefully have some success along the way.”

For More Twins Minor League/Saints Content at Twins Daily, click these links:

• Kirilloff Preparing for Big-League Opportunity
• The Brightest, Anonymous Superstar: My Conversation with Tzu-Wei Lin
• Twins Minor League Report: Depth Camp Opportunities
• Twins Minor League Report: Follow the Affiliates
• Toby Gardenhire is Following in his Father's Footsteps

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[sampleSizeOfOne]

I hope he finds his way to the majors sometime this summer.

 

His a favorite of mine for his first two starts if nothing else.

 

Also 1 for 1 batting record in the majors!

[Rosterman]

Never give up the dream! Especially if you are a lefty!

[Dodecahedron]

Always loved Albers.  It's nice to see him on the field again.

[USAFChief]

I like a nice, warm and fuzzy human interest story once In a while.

 

Just not as part of a plan to build a championship baseball team.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

There's a plan?

[Brandon]

On 4/19/2021 at 7:02 AM, sampleSizeOfOne said:

I hope he finds his way to the majors sometime this summer.

 

His a favorite of mine for his first two starts if nothing else.

 

Also 1 for 1 batting record in the majors!

Is this where you get your handle?  sampleSizeOfOne

 

[Dodecahedron]

13 hours ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

There's a plan?

The gist of the plan since this FO came in is "Build a team that can beat Cleveland."

They're still doing that, I guess, but it was time for a new plan nearly a year ago.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

11 hours ago, Brandon said:

Is this where you get your handle?  sampleSizeOfOne

 

No.... pretty sure my handle choice predates his at bat.

 

But it fits. 

 

I went searching a year or two afterwards for the comment what had seeded the idea for my handle, but was looking at things at a career level, that most people only get one career...

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

3 hours ago, Dodecahedron said:

The gist of the plan since this FO came in is "Build a team that can beat Cleveland."

They're still doing that, I guess, but it was time for a new plan nearly a year ago.

For the record I’m a huge Albers fan and loved his debut starts in 2013. I love pitching an love to watch guys who know how to pitch.

Albers would be the perfect guy to pitch at AAA full time but who could also make the occasional fill-in start when the MLB team needs it. I hope he likes it here and sticks around.