On the Feb. 19, 2023 episode of Minnesota Foul Play-by-play, we talk about Minnesota Twins baseball, babies! Who will make the rooster? Who could provide a midseason boost to the club, and why Mikey has a baseball boner for Brooks Lee.
We Got a Baseball Boner, Baby!
Tyler Mahle’s shoulder is apparently back to normal, and he has a new-look slider
Six-man rotation could help avoid the fatigue he experienced last season
Kenta Maeda is throwing bullpens in Fort Myers
Hitting 89 MPH on the gun
Three Minnesota Spring Training competitions, per Cody Christie of Twins Daily
Starting rotation
Does Bailey Ober get the boot to the bullpen, or does Simeon Woods Richardson make the big club
Bullpen
Jorge Alcala will be starting camp with “limitations,” Falvey says
Hard throwing righty bullpen arm is 100% healthy
They’ll bring him along slowly and safely
We didn’t add anyone to bullpen this offseason; Alcala could be the X factor
Jovani Moran, and Trevor Megill all have minor-league options remaining
Ronny Henriquez, Cole Sands, and Josh Winder?
Bench
Trevor Larnach (100% healthy)
In 16 games last June he posted a 1.077 OPS with six doubles and three home runs.
Make or break year
Alex Kirilloff
Rocco says he’s good…we won’t know until the year gets going.
Make or break year; if he’s healthy, he’s a difference maker for this team.
The Rest
Royce Lewis is expected to return in June or July
Randy Dobnak?
Chris Paddack won’t likely pitch this year—maybe August or September?
He just got the three-year extension
Jorge Polanco says there’s no pain anymore in his knee…at least that’s what he told me
Team will likely play it safe with him
Falvey addressed Byron Buxton's condition, saying "There's nothing he's coming in with that's an issue" but also saying it will be a slow ramp up, similar to Polanco.
When healthy, he’s a top 3 or 5 position player in the game
We’re not trainers, but how would you manage Buxton’s playing time?
Mike would play him everyday when he’s feeling fine
Anthony would like to see him DH even more than last year, which he did 30 percent of the time, per Fangraphs
Michael A. Taylor is a Gold Glover, remember
Prospects not on 40-man roster, but could make debut in 2023
Brooks Lee (SS/3B/2B) will likely start at Double-A
Austin Martin (OF/2B/SS/3B)
Mike has a baseball boner for him
*Italicized players weren’t very available in 2022.
TWINS 40-MAN ROSTER
Pitchers
Jorge Alcala (R) bullpen
Jordan Balazovic (R) starter, but just broke his jaw
Matt Canterino (R) starter? Long reliever (good pitching prospect—health has been concern)
Jhoan Duran (R) bullpen
Sonny Gray (R) starter
Brent Headrick (L) 6’6” (good numbers last year—3.32 ERA 1.08 WHIP over 108.1 innings)
Ronny Henriquez (R)
Griffan Jax (R) bullpen
Pablo Lopez (R) starter
Jorge Lopez (R) bullpen
Kenta Maeda (R) starter
Tyler Mahle (R) starter
Trevor Megill (R) bullpen 6’8”
Jovani Moran (L) bullpen
Bailey Ober (R) starter / long reliever...like literally long (6’9”)
Chris Paddack (R) starter (out for season)
Emilio Pagan (R) bullpen
Joe Ryan (R) starter (sophomore year)
Cole Sands (R) starter / long reliever
Caleb Thielbar (L) bullpen
Louie Varland (R) starter / long reliever
Josh Winder (R) starter / long reliever
Simeon Woods Richardson (R) starter
Catchers
Ryan Jeffers (R)
Christian Vasquez (R)
Infielders
Carlos Correa (R)
Kyle Farmer ® super utility
Eduard Julien (L)
Royce Lewis (R) (not available until June/July)
Jose Miranda ® (3B/1B)
Jorge Polanco (S)
Alex Kirilloff (L) (1st or LF)
Outfielders
Byron Buxton (R)
Gilberto Celestino (R)
Joey Gallo (L) can play first
Nick Gordon (L) super utility
Max Kepler (L) can play 1st if needed
Trevor Larnach (L)
Michael Taylor (R)
Matt Wallner (L)
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