We’ve made it, we have finally made it. The long-running
national nightmare seems to be nearly over. On Friday night we will have a
Twins baseball game that counts. Back in late June I projected the 30-man Opening
Day roster for Minnesota. A few changes have been made and it’s time for an
update.
While Summer Camp has been relatively uneventful for the
Twins, there have been a few key developments. Thankfully, Byron Buxton’s
injury scare doesn’t seem like it will hold him back. Luis Arraez also tweaked
his knee but when then immediately all systems go. Miguel Sano got a late start
due to COVID-19 tests despite being asymptomatic, but he’s been back for a few
days now as well.
Only Nick Gordon and Willians Astudillo remain on the COVID
related Injured List for the Twins. The former was never likely to make the
Opening Day roster, while the latter definitely opens up a spot for Rocco
Baldelli. Having just requested his release, rotation candidate Jhoulys Chacin
also generates an opportunity for someone.
Let’s get into who should be expected to make the club:
Catchers (2): Mitch Garver, Alex Avila
No surprises here. Astudillo is still looking to generate
two negative COVID-19 tests which makes him ineligible to participate. With a
catcher being available every night on the three-man taxi squad, carrying two
to open the year is just fine.
Infield (6): Miguel Sano, Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Josh
Donaldson, Ehire Adrianza, Travis Blankenhorn
If there’s a guy that benefits from Astudillo’s absence, it’s
probably Travis Blankenhorn. I loved what he could’ve provided during regular
Spring Training, and think his skillset translates perfectly to a year needing
depth. He can play second and third base while also having some outfield
flexibility. The bat has pop and while he’s not a top tier prospect, there’s plenty
of talent to contribute at the big-league level.
Outfield (6): Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Jake
Cave, Marwin Gonzalez, LaMonte Wade Jr.
This group adds one to it in the form of LaMonte Wade Jr. He’s
had a strong Summer Camp and is showing that he’s more than just an on-base
machine. Minnesota doesn’t have a true replacement in centerfield outside of
Max Kepler, but both Cave and Wade should rotate in on the corners prior to any
activation of the top prospects.
Designated Hitter (1): Nelson Cruz
As has always been the case, this one is as easy as it gets.
Minnesota’s leader is ready to go following a very strong Summer Camp
Rotation (5): Jose Berrios, Kenta Maeda, Jake Odorizzi, Rich
Hill, Homer Bailey
No changes here from the original group, but Jake Odorizzi
slides back at least a spot in the rotation due to back stiffness. He’s going
to have his last Summer Camp appearance shifted, and he’ll likely be moved off
the Saturday game in Chicago.
Bullpen (10): Taylor Rogers, Trevor May, Sergio Romo, Tyler
Duffey, Zack Littell, Tyler Clippard, Matt Wisler, Cody Stashak, Randy Dobnak,
Devin Smeltzer
This group decreased by one with me no longer including
Lewis Thorpe. I think the goal would be to have him throwing regular pens and
staying stretched out at the alternate site in St. Paul. He was the first
rotation option jettisoned during original Spring Training, and both Dobnak and
Smeltzer are ahead of him still. Would have been nice to include Chacin as
depth, but he’s miscast as a long reliever anyways.
There you have it, your 2020 Minnesota Twins
