Twins Announce Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees

[Matt Braun]

Some of these guys will play on the 2023 Twins, so you may as well read about them.

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

 

As we have seen the past two seasons, the Minnesota Twins have needed more than just their 26-man roster to get through the season. In fact, they have not only used their 40-man roster, but another 20+ players each year. That is the reason why we care so much about offseason minor-league signings, many of them will get an opportunity with the Twins at some time during the season. 

Here’s a list of the 25 players invited to join the 40-man roster players in Ft. Myers for spring training:

Brooks Lee and Austin Martin are the two headline names. Lee, the Twins’ 1st round pick last year, looks to rub elbows with major leaguers for the first time in his career. Martin, now playing in his second spring training, can prove that his AFL performance was not a fluke. Both players will fight for who can pick Carlos Correa’s brain the most.

Beyond them are some exciting arms: Cody Laweryson—a gliding righty who struck out over 30% of batters at Double-A; Evan Sisk—a cross-bodied lefty reliever who owned a 1.57 ERA last season between Double-A and Triple-A; and Blayne Enlow, who cleared waivers on Friday and will be looking for a chance to re-establish himself as an impact arm. 

As the post notes, 13 players—Willi Castro (Tigers), Mark Contreras (Twins), Danny Coulombe (A's, Dodgers, Twins), José De Léon (Dodgers, Rays, Reds), Randy Dobnak (Twins), Grayson Greiner (Tigers, Diamondbacks), Ryan LaMarre (Red Sox, White Sox, Reds, Yankees, A's, Twins), Patrick Murphy (Blue Jays, Nationals), Chance Sisco (Orioles, Mets), Elliot Soto (Angels, Twins), Brock Stewart (Dodgers, Blue Jays), Tyler White (Astros and Dodgers), and Tony Wolters (Rockies, Cubs, Dodgers)—can claim previous major-league experience. There’s a good chance a few of these players will impact the Twins in 2023. 

If you’re looking for an Author’s Choice list of players to keep an eye on, it goes as follows: Laweryson, Stewart, and Sisco. Laweryson, while lacking in prominent tools, punches people out with a tricky plane—an upward one, sorry Bert—and intimidating swan-like limbs. Stewart owns over 100 forgettable innings with the Dodgers, but his fastball was sitting in the mid-90s last season, making him one of the first choices when a reliever inevitably bites it. Cisco is a former top prospect whose sheen hasn’t sparkled in years. He earned surprisingly few major league opportunities, and a fresh start could produce better results for the catcher.

Certainly more players will be invited in the coming weeks, but who would you say are the leading candidates for Sire of Ft. Myers based on this list? Comment below. 

 

 

View full article

[IndianaTwin]

He’s a catcher so he won’t get the at bats to win Sire, but I like the Sisco signing. 

[Rosterman]

Suddenly lots of decent back-up catchers. Glad the Twins got Jair Camargo back, although he might start at Wichita.

Looks like may be done signing minor league free agents. Smaller crop than in year's past, which means players advancing that the Twins have developed.

[High heat]

I’m interested in seeing a lot of inning from Martin all over the Diamond defensively.  Sisk is very intriguing!! There has to be a reason he hasn’t gotten an opportunity he has put up eye popping number in the minors is he just another Anthony Slama?  

So glad they snuck Blake Enlow through waivers.  He needs a solid healthy minor league season to see where he is at.

[tony&rodney]

I was hoping that Julien would get an invite after his outstanding year and showing in the Arizona Fall League; a reward of sorts.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I was hoping that Julien would get an invite after his outstanding year and showing in the Arizona Fall League; a reward of sorts.

Fyi, he's on the 40-man so no invite needed. He'll already be there. 

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

Fyi, he's on the 40-man so no invite needed. He'll already be there. 

Ahh. I typed before I thought .... not the first time. Thank you. I had forgotten.

I watched his at bats a number of times last year and it sure seemed like he progressed immensely all year long. He does strike out at times and has long at bats but my thinking is that he controlled the at bat as well as anyone. Julien also barrels the ball often. It should be interesting to see how he does with the robo umpire and better pitching in AAA.

[FlyingFinn]

11 hours ago, High heat said:

So glad they snuck Blake Enlow through waivers.

Great move by the Twins. Now they have at least a full year to see if he can bounce back from TJ surgery. Imagine Ortega and Garlick get invites if they don't get claimed.

[PatPfund]

Lots of future prospects to watch, but I'd love Martin to show well at the plate, and hopefully get lots of work in the OF. His on-base skills and athletic ability are far beyond so-called RH "bats" Celestino or Garlick. And he certainly can't be stupider on the playing field than Gilberto. If they stop trying to force power from him, Martin is a potential run-scoring/base-stealing offensive piece to add to a lineup that needs (especially RH) offense badly. 

[TopGunn#22]

I'm looking for Lee to continue to impress as the best college bat when he somehow slipped all the way to 8th for us in last year's draft and we snapped him up.  I'm also excited to see both Julien and Martin and see what kind of pressure they put on the Twins brain trust.  Not necessarily expecting any of Lee, Julien or Martin to break camp with the Twins, but a good showing and continued success at St. Paul could see one or more of them up with the big club.

[jmlease1]

12 hours ago, High heat said:

I’m interested in seeing a lot of inning from Martin all over the Diamond defensively.  Sisk is very intriguing!! There has to be a reason he hasn’t gotten an opportunity he has put up eye popping number in the minors is he just another Anthony Slama?  

So glad they snuck Blake Enlow through waivers.  He needs a solid healthy minor league season to see where he is at.

Sisk's control is fairly dreadful still and last season was the first year he was able to limit baserunners to a reasonable level. He also started last season in AA, so considering where he was at with his pitching I can understand why the Twins weren't prepared to have him jump multiple levels last season to make his MLB debut. The talent is there if he can find the strike zone a little more consistently. The spring training invite makes sense.

[Heiny]

12 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

He’s a catcher so he won’t get the at bats to win Sire, but I like the Sisco signing. 

I agree.  And we certainly have a need for some backup catching in the minors.  Hopefully only one of Vasquez and Jeffers will be on the IL at one time.

[puckstopper1]

Prediction - Ryan LaMarre stuns the TD world like he did in 2018 and makes the Twins opening day roster as a RH bat...

I sure hope I am wrong!

[Brandon]

5 hours ago, puckstopper1 said:

Prediction - Ryan LaMarre stuns the TD world like he did in 2018 and makes the Twins opening day roster as a RH bat...

I sure hope I am wrong!

Not many people have won the Sire award twice.  Will that get LaMarre entrance to the Twins Hall of Fame someday?

I think Dobnak could surprise.  I would like to see him get some opportunities with the Twins if for no other reason then to help justify his contract.  It would be cool if he was in the rotation in 2024 with Paddack, Ryan, Ober, Winder, Varland, and or SWR.  The cheapest rotation in the division.

Another player I want to see get some time with the Twins is David Banuelos.  I just like the idea of a player we got for absolutely nothing make the team at some point.  Remember we got him from Seattle for ability to spend 1,000,000 , more on international free agents.  Seattle at the time was trying for Ohtani.  So if he could provide 10 games and 25 plate appearances with positive value then we win that deal by a mile. 

Coulombe should get innings with the Twins if he can stay healthy.

Castro will be first one up if an IF gets hurt so he can be the utility player while someone else gets the starts.

but I hope Lee wins the Sire award and opens the season on the Twins. That would be impressive. 

[MMMordabito]

Remember when Ryan LaMarre got that one hit in Puerto Rico .... That was awesome.

[DocBauer]

I had some small hope Leon would come back as a AAA catcher on a milb deal. But I can't be disappointed about the addition of Wolters. He's basically a younger version of Leon. Sisco, IIRC, was with St Paul last year but had some injury issues and barely played. As stated, the shine has dulled to black for a former top prospect. But he's been around, still has some talent, and who knows if a light will suddenly turns on and he becomes a solid #3 option. Really happy Carmago stuck with the Twins. I believe he will begin 2023 at AA, but I think he's on an escalator, though I don't know what floor he will step out on. I'm thinking he's a "Butera" with more power. Really, really wish Banuelos could learn to hit even a little. He's been to ST now at least twice because of his game calling and defense. Williams being included surprises me. Is he a AAA 1B, or is he a catcher? I've heard he's very smart behind the plate. And I get milb catchers spend time at other positions, especially if they have a good bat, to keep them in the lineup. But he's spent so much more time at other positions, I have to believe his shoulder in college just never took hold and he's REALLY a 1B/DH who CAN catch. Very surprised Isola wasn't invited. I think he's a similar player to Williams.

The TOP catching prospects in the system are all in A ball. And there are about 5-6 of them. Carmago is an OK prospect. That makes the development of Jeffers and the signing of Vasquez that more important. What is somewhat humorous is the projected AAA roster has 6 guys who can catch.

Castro could be a surprise as a super utility guy. He's nothing special. He doesn't move the needle. But he's young enough, has flashed briefly, that you have to wonder if MAYBE a light comes on and he turns in to a solid ML utility player. 

Other than that, a couple RP in their 26-ish years with potential and options who might develop, and can provide a couple decent arms, at worst, to ride the shuttle between St Paul and the parent club. And that's not a bad thing. But I have to admit, I am VERY intrigued by Sisk and Laweryson and parts they MIGHT play in 2023 and beyond.

All in all, not a bad invite list. But I would prefer the FO say "screw it" and bump the payroll to $160M plus and add another RP and RH bat. But I don't think they are done yet.

[Richard]

I am very interested in how the battle for the 4th outfield spot is going to happen, and who wins it; we have four, almost five guys to fill that role.  How much do Kiriloff, Larnach, Gordan, and Celestino play this spring training?  Will Matt Wallner get a real shot at making the opening day roster?

[Trov]

I do not expect any of them to do enough to crack our 40 man out the gates, barring injuries to others, but will love to see how Lee does at the plate.  I have a feeling he makes a debut this year after some injuries to infielders.