Here is a look at the Opening Day roster of the Red Wings in some detail:
16 of these players have spent time in the major leagues.
Starting Pitchers: Trevor May, Alex Meyer, Taylor Rogers (LHP), Jason Wheeler (LHP), Mark Hamburger
This is a pretty strong group of prospects. Hamburger is the “old man” having turned 28 years old in February. May and Meyer pitched pretty well with the Red Wings in 2015 and their time with the team could be short-lived if they get off to a fast start in April and May. Hamburger impressed in spring training and will likely pitch as a starter but also can be successful out of the bullpen. Rogers spent the 2014 season in New Britain and pitched quite well. Jason Wheeler spent the first half of 2014 in Ft. Myers with the Miracle before he was promoted to New Britain. He was added to the Twins 40-man roster after the season and had a terrific spring.
Bullpen: AJ Achter, Logan Darnell (LHP), Pat Dean (LHP), Lester Oliveros, Ryan Pressly, Stephen Pryor, Caleb Thielbar (LHP), Michael Tonkin.
This is another interesting group of guys, several having big league experience. Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Pressly have spent significant time with the Twins the last two seasons. Tonkin has made the flight from Rochester to Minneapolis many times the last two seasons. Pryor and Oliveros both cleared waivers this spring after being removed from the 40-man roster. AJ Achter, former 46
th
round draft pick, made his well-earned major league debut in September. Darnell and Dean are left-handers who have spent their careers as starters. Both will begin the season in the bullpen.
Catchers: Allan de San Miguel, Eric Fryer, Josmil Pinto, Dan Rohlfing
Josmil Pinto and Eric Fryer were in big-league camp right until the end. Pinto likely would have made the Opening Day Twins roster if not for a concussion suffered two weeks ago. He had hit pretty well with the Red Wings the last couple of seasons. Fryer is liked by his pitchers for his work behind the plate. He also hit very well this spring. Rohlfing returned to the only organization he has played for since 2007 when the Twins made him their 14
th
round pick. He also was a late cut from spring training. De San Miguel signed with the Twins in 2004 from Australia and stayed in the organization through the 2011 season. He spent 2012 and 2013 in the Orioles organization before playing independent league baseball in 2014. He was signed by the Twins before spring training.
Infielders: Doug Bernier, James Beresford, Argenis Diaz, Nate Hanson, Jose Martinez, Brock Peterson, Reynaldo Rodriguez
Bernier was the final man sent to minor league camp for the Twins. The utility infielder played all over the diamond for the Red Wings in 2014 before his September call-up to the Twins. The still just 26-year-old Beresford signed with the Twins in 2005 from Australia. He returns for his third season with the Red Wings. Brock Peterson was a 49
th
round pick of the Twins way back in 2002. He played for Rochester from 2008 through 2010. He played independent league ball before the Cardinals gave him a chance, a chance that turned into time with the big league club in 2013. He returns to the Twins organization. Argenis Diaz and Jose Martinez signed with the organization as minor league free agents. They received spring training invites. Nate Hanson and Reynaldo Rodriguez return to the Twins. They have no more to prove in AA and hope to spend the full season with the Red Wings. Hanson has spent time each of the past two years in Rochester while Rodriguez got a brief showing with the team a year ago.
Outfielders: Eric Farris, Aaron Hicks, Danny Ortiz, Eddie Rosario
Aaron Hicks is likely disappointed to be with the Red Wings after being the Twins Opening Day center fielder the last two seasons. However, the 25-year-old will use his time with the Red Wings at the start of this season to try to re-establish himself as a big league center fielder. Eddie Rosario had a very disappointing 2014 season, but a decent showing at Twins spring training this year means that he advances to the Red Wings as well. Eric Farris and Danny Ortiz each were non-roster invites to big league camp as well. All four outfielders will play, and each will likely play all three outfield spots.
Disabled List: Dan Turpen
Manager/Coaching Staff: Mike Quade (MGR), Tim Doherty (Hitting Coach), Marty Mason (Pitching Coach).
The one-time Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade takes over as the Red Wings manager. He replaced Gene Glynn who turned around a losing culture with the Red Wings during his short stint. Doherty and Mason return for their third year in the organization.
WHO ARE THE TOP PROSPECTS?
Twins Daily Prospects: #5 Alex Meyer, #8 Eddie Rosario, #9 Trevor May, #15 Taylor Rogers
Seth: #6 Alex Meyer, #8 Eddie Rosario, #9 Trevor May, #11 Taylor Rogers, #21 Jason Wheeler, #30 Logan Darnell
Cody: #6 Alex Meyer, #8 Trevor May, #9 Eddie Rosario, #19 Taylor Rogers, #29 Jason Wheeler
Jeremy: #5 Alex Meyer, #9 Eddie Rosario, #11 Trevor May, #15 Taylor Rogers
*** If you didn’t get your copy of the Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2015, be sure to order yours today. You can order a hardcopy or order an electronic copy for immediate download.
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.