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Here is a very brief look at the players on the 2017 Elizabethton Twins Opening Day roster, though we know there will be others added soon. In fact, Twins Daily has learned that four players will be added to this roster on Thursday, and more on Friday. In large part, this may be due to the draft being a week later than it has been in past years. I’m certain you’ll notice some names missing. This page will be updated as the players are added.
We’ll post the GCL roster preview in coming days and some of your questions may be answered. It’s possible some are heading up to Cedar Rapids, and some players have already been released. We’ll try to find answers to all of these questions. Note also that this roster is subject to change for a variety of reasons, particularly in the next few days as more 2017 draft picks sign, etc.
THE ROSTER
Catchers: Robert Molina (20), Rainis Silva (21), Bryant Hayman (24-DL)
Molina hit just .135/.200/.149 (.349) in 25 games (80 PA) in 2016. Silva hit .230/.297/.254 (.551) with three doubles in 37 games a year ago at Cedar Rapids. Hayman had ACL surgery earlier this year.
Infielders: Andre Jernigan (23), Wander Javier (18), Kolton Kendrick (20), Jose Miranda (18).
Wander Javier is one of the organization’s top prospects. Signed to a $4 million bonus in 2015, he played in just nine games a year ago in the DSL due to hamstring issues. He is impressive offensively and defensively at shortstop. Jose Miranda was one of two compensation picks that the Twins had last year between the second and third rounds. Drafted as a shortstop, the assumption was that he would move to third base at some point. That happened already in spring training. He played in the GCL after the draft last year. Kolton Kendrick was the team’s eighth-round pick in 2015 out of high school in Louisiana. He lost time that year due to mono, and last year, he really struggled with the bat in the GCL. The burly first baseman will get a shot in the Appy League this year. Andre Jernigan was the Twins 14th-round pick in 2016 out of Xavier University. In 36 games a year ago in Elizabethton, he hit .243/.336/.374 (.710) with six doubles, a triple and two home runs.
Outfielders: Matt Albanese (21), Trey Cabbage (20), Shane Carrier (21), Brent Rooker (22), Mark Contreras (22), Alex Kirilloff (19-DL).
Trey Cabbage has been transitioning somewhat to the outfield during extended spring. That said, he’s also likely to play a lot at third base as well. The Twins fourth- round pick in 2015 out of high school hit .204/.297/.337 (.634) with five doubles, a triple and two home runs last year in E-Town. Matt Albanese was the Twins eighth- round pick a year ago, but he did not play due to some wrist injuries and a couple of surgeries. He’s a good athlete and looking forward to making his professional debut. Shane Carrier began this season in the Cedar Rapids outfield. In 30 games, he hit .215/.243/.299 (.542) with six doubles and a homer. He can be a big power threat in the middle of the E-Twins lineup.
The Twins Comp pick is indeed heading to Elizabethton to start his pro career. So is 9th round pick Mark Contreras.
Pitchers: Huascar Ynoa (19), Charlie Barnes (21), Jose Martinez (20), Griffin Jax (22), Taylor Clemensia (20), Jovani Moran (20), Melvi Acosta (22), Juan Gamez (23), Moises Gomez (20), Blair Lakso (22), Carlos Suniaga (20), Edwar Colina (20), Bryan Sammons (22), Calvin Faucher (22), Miguel DeJesus (21-DL), Cam Booser (Restricted List)
Huascar Ynoa turned 19 at the end of May. He was the Twins Daily choice for short-season Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year after he went 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 11 starts for the GCL Twins. In 51 innings, he walked 12 and struck out 51. He’ll be quite young for this level. Charlie Barnes was the Twins fourth-round pick just last week out of Clemson. Known to have a terrific changeup, he’s a guy who could move up to Cedar Rapids relatively soon. The situation with Griffin Jax sounds as if it is yet to be resolved, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t spend the full season in E-Town, for pitching reasons or Air Force reasons. He made four appearances for the E-Twins during his time off last year.
Miguel De Jesus split 2016 between the GCL and Elizabethton. Combined, he went 3-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 53 innings (11 starts). Jose Martinez made 11 starts last year for the E-Twins but went 1-5 with a 7.88 ERA. He gets another shot at the Appy League.
Then there are several pitchers who threw in the GCL last year. Lefty Taylor Clemensia (from the Netherlands) pitched 43.2 innings in 11 games (10 starts). He went 1-4 despite a 2.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts (26 walks, too). Juan Gamez was drafted out of NDSU as a catcher. After just a few games, he was moved to the mound where he pitched in three games last year in the GCL. He has a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s. Moises Gomez posted a 1.19 ERA over 37.2 innings last year. He pitched a lot in long relief and ended the season with a start.
Several pitchers are making the jump from the Dominican Summer League to Elizabethton this year. Melvi Acosta went 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA over 14 DSL starts. In 70.1 innings, he walked 14 and struck out 57. Edwar Colina struck out 52 (and walked 26) over 58.2 innings. He was 1-3 with a 2.30 ERA. Carlos Suniaga worked 57.2 innings last year. He walked just 13 and struck out 58. He went 7-3 with a 2.03 ERA.
Finally, two pitchers who did not pitch in the Twins system at all last year are on this roster. 2015 draft pick Jovani Moran had some bone chips removed before the season last year which caused him to miss the whole year. Blair Lakso was signed after the draft. He was a pitcher at the University of Buffalo, but really struggled. He was working for a summer team when he got some tips from a former big leaguer, John Halama, and suddenly he was throwing more strikes and hitting 95. The Twins signed him.
Bryan Sammons was the team's 8th round pick in June. Calvin Faucher was their 10th round pick. Both were senior signs.
As I mentioned right from the outset, this roster is subject to change as guys in the GCL start performing, and as more 2017 draft picks decide to sign and report. For instance, Brent Rooker is not currently on this roster, and yet we have heard that he will start in E-Town. It has to be challenging for the coaches and for the minor league coordinator to keep things straight for the next week or so with these rosters.
On Monday afternoon, the GCL Twins will play their first game. We’ll provide a roster preview for them in the coming days.
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