Twins Final Opening Day Roster Projection

They say the third time’s the charm right? My initial 2019 roster projection was put out right around the beginning of Spring Training. The amended version debuted on March 11. With just six days until Target Field shows off Rocco Baldelli’s first 25 man roster, it’s time to get serious.

At this point in camp there’s a handful of non-roster invitees left. The prospects have been jettisoned, the guys with opt outs are largely decided upon, and we’re using ink to write down names at this point. Today Minnesota optioned Fernando Romero to Triple-A, and that brings another level of clarity to the club.

Let’s get going, here’s your 2019 Minnesota Twins:

Rotation (5): Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson, Jake Odorizzi, Michael Pineda, Martin Perez

Changes: None
FINAL UPDATE: All Correct

Nothing to see here, everything is status quo with this group. Given the unnecessary nature of the 5^th starter to begin the year though, Perez probably pitches out of the pen in the beginning.

UPDATE: Hours after this writing, Tim Collins was cut. Ryne Harper is now likely to be the final arm out of the Twins pen.

Bullpen (7): Trevor May, Blake Parker, Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger, Adalberto Mejia, Matt Magill, Tim Collins

Changes: Addison Reed to IL, Fernando Romero to AAA
FINAL UPDATE: May, Parker, Rogers, Hildenberger, Mejia, Ryne Harper

Even before the Twins confirmed that Addison Reed was dealing with injury, I opined that a trip to the IL looked likely. His stuff hasn’t been there, and he’s been hit around plenty. Now with a confirmed thumb injury and a week of inactivity, he’s a good bet to start on the IL.

Fernando Romero really scuffled down the stretch during Spring Training, and his roster spot looked in jeopardy about a week ago. Unfortunately this exposes the Twins lack of depth, and he’ll need to get off to a fast start in order to stop the bleeding there.

With Romero headed to Rochester, non-roster invitee Tim Collins makes the club. He hasn’t been good since 2012, and hasn’t pitched consistent innings since 2013. Now healthy and further removed from surgery, Minnesota is hoping that’s the version they’ll employ.

Also worth monitoring here is Matt Magill. He too hasn’t pitched in roughly a week. If there’s an IL spot claimed by him to start the year, Spring Training star Ryne Harper makes the club. The curveball is nasty, and he’s got strong K/BB rates on the farm, but he’s a 30-year-old career minor leaguer with lots of uncertainty surrounding him.

Catchers (3): Jason Castro, Mitch Garver

Changes: Add Willians Astudillo
FINAL UPDATE: All Correct

Again, no changes here. Astudillo could be optioned to Triple-A if Minnesota wants to stash Tyler Austin but that doesn’t seeme all that necessary.

Infielders (5): C.J. Cron, Jonathan Schoop, Jorge Polanco, Ehire Adrianza, Marwin Gonzalez

Changes: Miguel Sano to IL, Lucas Duda released
FINAL UPDATE: Cron, Schoop, Polanco, Adrianza, Gonzalez, Tyler Austin

No changes here either. There’s been talk of Ronald Torreyes pushing Ehire out, but I don’t see it. Yes everyone is enamored with Tyler Austin’s spring, but he’s a right-handed bat that plays the same position as two right-handed starters. Keeping him around for something like five at bats a week doesn’t seem sensible.

Outfielders (5): Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Nelson Cruz, Jake Cave

Changes: None
FINAL UPDATE: All Correct

No changes have taken place here either. Michael Reed likely gets exposed to waivers and Minnesota will hope to pass him through. Cave hasn’t done anything to lose his job though.