Miranda, Larnach Optioned, Nine More Reassigned to Minor League Camp

[Seth Stohs]

Following their 9-4 win over the Pirates at Hammond Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, 11 players found out they will be heading to minor-league camp. Soon several of them will be on a plane to Minnesota to start their Triple-A season with the Saints. 

Trevor Larnach and Jose Miranda were both optioned to Triple-A St. Paul today. Nine players were reassigned to minor-league camp. They are pitchers Chi Chi Gonzalez, Ian Hamilton, Trevor Megill, and Juan Minaya, catchers David Banuelos and Caleb Hamilton, infielders Jermaine Palacios and Curtis Terry, and outfielder Derek Fisher. 

The moves put the Twins' spring training roster at 38 players which means over the next five to six days, they will need to drop ten more players from the roster to get to the 28-man Opening Day roster. Of course, there could be other transactions and Injury List moves in between. 

There are currently 20 pitchers in camp (3 non-roster), three catchers (0 non-roster), eight infielders (2 non-roster), and seven outfielders (2 non-roster). 

Jose Miranda was added to the 40-man roster following his incredible 2021 season between Wichita and St. Paul in which he hit .344 with 32 doubles and 30 homers. He hit .231 (.544) during his spring training appearances and made some nice plays at third base. 

Trevor Larnach needs to play. Last year, after missing the 2020 season due to the pandemic, he was called up to the Twins during the season's first week. He sure showed glimpses of the immense talent he has, but he went through a prolonged slump that included a ton of strikeouts. 

For both Miranda (23) and Larnach (25), they need at-bats. They need repetition. They will both have long big-league careers, but sitting on the bench for the first month instead of playing every day for the Saints just doesn't make sense. Both will be impact players in 2022 and beyond. 

No real surprises among the non-roster position players that were reassigned on Wednesday. Both catchers are likely to spend the majority of the season in St. Paul. The question is, will they be joined by Jose Godoy? Jermaine Palacios impressed with his glove, and after a strong 2021 season in Wichita, he should start the 2022 season as the Saints' primary shortstop. Curtis Terry can hit, and at just 25, he will get a lot of at-bats as the Saints first baseman and be prepared if needed. 

Again, not a lot of surprise with the non-roster pitchers reassigned either. That said, Juan Minaya was so good with the Twins over the final two months of the season, it is a little surprising he was only able to get a minor-league deal this spring. Hamilton and Megill are young and throw hard. My sense is that both will get time with the Twins during the season. And Chi Chi Gonzalez only joined the Twins the last 7-10 days as a free agent. He will likely make starts and/or work long relief out of the Saints bullpen. 

What do you think? The roster is coming together? Any surprises for you? What do you think the final ten moves will be? Leave your COMMENTS below.  

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[big dog]

I'm really, really surprised about Larnach. I guess they want him to OPS 1.000 for a little while and make sure his swing his back. I hope he fights his way to the majors soon.

[GKuehl]

I agree with the decisions to send Larnach and Miranda down for the time being. Both of them have immense potential, but they need more than periodic playing time, and each of them would be relegated to a redundant bench piece on the fully-healthy 28 man roster. As a lefty corner outfielder, it wouldn’t make much sense to keep Larnach around when Kepler and Kiriloff, two left corner outfielders, are our presumed starters in the corner OF spots. This looks like good news for Rooker, who can take over in LF with Kiriloff sliding to RF for Kepler against tough lefty SPs. With Miranda, he just wouldn’t see much more than spot starts at the beginning of the year, especially since it looks like one of Arraez or Urshela will probably be on the bench on opening day and Miranda looks best suited for 2B/3B just like Arraez. 

[wsnydes]

10 minutes ago, big dog said:

I'm really, really surprised about Larnach. I guess they want him to OPS 1.000 for a little while and make sure his swing his back. I hope he fights his way to the majors soon.

I imagine this means that Larnach hasn't clearly won a starting spot where he'd get consistent, any plentiful, plate appearances.

[Otto von Ballpark]

We're down to 31 guys from the 40-man roster who are left in camp, which is pretty close to the opening day roster size of 28.

Who are the last 3 to go from this group? Can any non-roster guys still sneak in?

Pitchers
Jorge Alcala
Chris Archer
Dylan Bundy
Jharel Cotton
Tyler Duffey
Jhoan Duran
Sonny Gray
Griffin Jax
Jovani Moran
Bailey Ober
Taylor Rogers
Jhon Romero
Joe Ryan
Joe Smith
Cody Stashak
Caleb Thielbar
Josh Winder

Catchers
José Godoy
Ryan Jeffers
Gary Sánchez

Infielders
Luis Arraez
Carlos Correa
Nick Gordon
Jorge Polanco
Miguel Sanó
Gio Urshela

Outfielders
Byron Buxton
Gilberto Celestino
Max Kepler
Alex Kirilloff
Brent Rooker

[dex8425]

9 minutes ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

We're down to 31 guys from the 40-man roster who are left in camp, which is pretty close to the opening day roster size of 28.

Who are the last 3 to go from this group? Can any non-roster guys still sneak in?

Pitchers
Jorge Alcala
Chris Archer
Dylan Bundy
Jharel Cotton
Tyler Duffey
Jhoan Duran
Sonny Gray
Griffin Jax
Jovani Moran
Bailey Ober
Taylor Rogers
Jhon Romero
Joe Ryan
Joe Smith
Cody Stashak
Caleb Thielbar
Josh Winder

Catchers
José Godoy
Ryan Jeffers
Gary Sánchez

Infielders
Luis Arraez
Carlos Correa
Nick Gordon
Jorge Polanco
Miguel Sanó
Gio Urshela

Outfielders
Byron Buxton
Gilberto Celestino
Max Kepler
Alex Kirilloff
Brent Rooker

I'd pick Winder, Celestino and Godoy from that group to get from 31 to 28. 

[DJL44]

Kyle Garlick still has a chance.

Who has looked better - Jax or Stashak?

[mikelink45]

14 minutes ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

We're down to 31 guys from the 40-man roster who are left in camp, which is pretty close to the opening day roster size of 28.

Who are the last 3 to go from this group? Can any non-roster guys still sneak in?

Pitchers
Jorge Alcala
Chris Archer
Dylan Bundy
Jharel Cotton
Tyler Duffey
Jhoan Duran
Sonny Gray
Griffin Jax
Jovani Moran
Bailey Ober
Taylor Rogers
Jhon Romero
Joe Ryan
Joe Smith
Cody Stashak
Caleb Thielbar
Josh Winder

Catchers
José Godoy
Ryan Jeffers
Gary Sánchez

Infielders
Luis Arraez
Carlos Correa
Nick Gordon
Jorge Polanco
Miguel Sanó
Gio Urshela

Outfielders
Byron Buxton
Gilberto Celestino
Max Kepler
Alex Kirilloff
Brent Rooker

I would remove Rooker, Romero and Sanchez - but it would be Godoy first.

 

[KirbyHawk75]

Please not Garlick or Cave.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

7 minutes ago, dex8425 said:

I'd pick Winder, Celestino and Godoy from that group to get from 31 to 28. 

That was my first guess too.

[IndianaTwin]

17 minutes ago, dex8425 said:

I'd pick Winder, Celestino and Godoy from that group to get from 31 to 28. 

That would be only 12 position players. I’d think it would be Celestino OR Godoy. Along with Winder and another pitcher. 

[roger]

Question about your comment that Palacios will be the Saints primary shortstop.  Wasn’t Lewis optioned to the Saints?  If yes, won’t he be their shortstop?

[stringer bell]

3 minutes ago, roger said:

Question about your comment that Palacios will be the Saints primary shortstop.  Wasn’t Lewis optioned to the Saints?  If yes, won’t he be their shortstop?

Lewis almost certainly will start the season in Wichita. 

[stringer bell]

I'm disappointed for Larnach. He's done well in the spring and appears to be healthy. Regarding the post that Rooker can take over in left field, I'd prefer if Kirilloff played first base and there would be room for a lefty in left field. Whatever. I'd rather have Celestino on the roster than Rooker, but I would think not both will survive the cutdown. 

[Mill1634]

I too am upset about Larnach being sent down. I didn't expect him to come North with the team, but there is no reason to send him down already. He was crushing the ball and Jake Cave is still with the team. Zero reason for that. 

[Mill1634]

6 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Lewis almost certainly will start the season in Wichita. 

They mentioned on the radio broadcast today that Toby said Royce will be the Saints starting SS and Palacios will move around the diamond. 

[ashbury]

I want Larnach to prove something for a month at AAA.  So I'm very much OK with his demotion.

Rooker is the easiest final cut for me, again with a challenge to prove something at AAA (either that he's elite and not just passable at bat and can be a DH, or else that he's learned to play a position, any position).  Two pitchers, that would be Moran and then, um, I dunno, maybe Stashak.

Looking ahead to when it's time to cut down 2 further in May, Godoy looks like one - 12 position players is pretty thin but we have a lot of positional flexibility.  One more pitcher, but chances are that in a month's time that decision will make itself, likewise for position players actually, now that I think of it.

[Mill1634]

50 minutes ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

We're down to 31 guys from the 40-man roster who are left in camp, which is pretty close to the opening day roster size of 28.

Who are the last 3 to go from this group? Can any non-roster guys still sneak in?

Pitchers
Jorge Alcala
Chris Archer
Dylan Bundy
Jharel Cotton
Tyler Duffey
Jhoan Duran
Sonny Gray
Griffin Jax
Jovani Moran
Bailey Ober
Taylor Rogers
Jhon Romero
Joe Ryan
Joe Smith
Cody Stashak
Caleb Thielbar
Josh Winder

Catchers
José Godoy
Ryan Jeffers
Gary Sánchez

Infielders
Luis Arraez
Carlos Correa
Nick Gordon
Jorge Polanco
Miguel Sanó
Gio Urshela

Outfielders
Byron Buxton
Gilberto Celestino
Max Kepler
Alex Kirilloff
Brent Rooker

My prediction:

C (3):

Jeffers
Sanchez
Godoy

IF (6)
Sano
Arraez
Poloanco
Correa
Gio
Gordon

OF (4)
Kepler
Buxton
AK
Garlick

 

SP (5)
Gray
Ober
Ryan
Bundy
Archer

RP (9)
Rogers
Duffey 
Thielbar
Alcala 

Smith
Cotton
Winder
Duran

Jax//Thorpe/Smeltzer

 

[Mike Sixel]

12 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Lewis almost certainly will start the season in Wichita. 

And Martin?

[Mike Sixel]

9 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I'm disappointed for Larnach. He's done well in the spring and appears to be healthy. Regarding the post that Rooker can take over in left field, I'd prefer if Kirilloff played first base and there would be room for a lefty in left field. Whatever. I'd rather have Celestino on the roster than Rooker, but I would think not both will survive the cutdown. 

Ditto. Also, they DON'T need 3 catchers. If someone gets hurt, fly the dude to where they are. Pinch hit for the DH spot if you somehow lose it.....

If they put Rooker in LF, Buxton better be VERY fast.....

No surprise on Miranda. I'm disappointed Larnach isn't ready, maybe they should stop drafting bat first guys in round 1? Maybe?

[roger]

8 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

I too am upset about Larnach being sent down. I didn't expect him to come North with the team, but there is no reason to send him down already. He was crushing the ball and Jake Cave is still with the team. Zero reason for that. 

Yes there is a big reason to send him down now.  Expect they have made their decision that they want him to play every day and not ride the bench.  If that is true, they will ship guys on the 40-man early because if injured before being optioned they would both be accruing service time and paid the big league minimum while on the IL.

[weitz41]

a trade for a starting pitcher that included Rooker and Gordon would make this a lot simpler...FO..

[Linus]

2 minutes ago, weitz41 said:

a trade for a starting pitcher that included Rooker and Gordon would make this a lot simpler...FO..

For Rooker and Gordon they would get me in trade……

[weitz41]

1 minute ago, Linus said:

For Rooker and Gordon they would get me in trade……

but can U up pitch?

[The Mad King]

The Minaya move surprises me too. He was one of their best through August and September. Oh well, if they think they have better arms at least he's only a cab ride away. 

Is it just me or has it seemed like Sanchez has been getting more work at C than Jeffers?

Miranda, I've said before he's going to play everyday somewhere, not ride the bench at Target Field. But I'm still anxious to see him get his chance.

[Linus]

2 minutes ago, weitz41 said:

but can U up pitch?

I’ve got 4 different change ups. The hardest starts at 48 and goes down from there. 

[ToddlerHarmon]

23 minutes ago, weitz41 said:

a trade for a starting pitcher that included Rooker and Gordon would make this a lot simpler...FO..

And Sanchez or Urshela

[sthpstm]

Is Rooker injured? I can’t seem to find him in the box score for the last week.

[Rosterman]

Looks like they have to eventually send out three players. Rooker seems to be the only one on the bubble if they wish to add someone, but these sendouts pretty much guarantee that the Twins aren't expecting to add a minor league free agent to the 40-man.

I'm sure they want to set minor league roster sooner rather than later (remember, minor leagues always broke camp after major league players left in the past).

 

I think WInder will be here for the first month.

 

 

[chpettit19]

48 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I want Larnach to prove something for a month at AAA.  So I'm very much OK with his demotion.

Rooker is the easiest final cut for me, again with a challenge to prove something at AAA (either that he's elite and not just passable at bat and can be a DH, or else that he's learned to play a position, any position).  Two pitchers, that would be Moran and then, um, I dunno, maybe Stashak.

Looking ahead to when it's time to cut down 2 further in May, Godoy looks like one - 12 position players is pretty thin but we have a lot of positional flexibility.  One more pitcher, but chances are that in a month's time that decision will make itself, likewise for position players actually, now that I think of it.

Is the rule about requiring 13 position players still there? To my knowledge it is so I don't think they even have the option to go to 12 position players. I think they'll carry 15 pitchers for the first month and then drop 2 of them while having the same 13 position players until injury and/or performance dictate a callup from the minors.