The Twins announced earlier today that catcher/outfielder Chris Herrmann has been optioned to AAA Rochester, and that B.J. Hermsen, Trevor May, Josmil Pinto, Daniel Santana and Michael Tonkin have been optioned to AA New Britain.
Herrmann’s early departure from camp likely means that Drew Butera has won the third catcher role, if the team does in fact decide to head north with three catchers. This will be Herrmann’s first taste of AAA.
Hermsen and in particular May are both likely in the Twins future plans, and both could see time with the big league club as early as late this season, but finishing 2013 in AAA may be a more reasonable expectation. Tonkin, a reliever, made big strides last season between two levels of Class A ball.
Pinto has shown flashes as a catcher and with his bat, and after a strong 2013 in AA Santana is the closest Twins shortstop prospect to making the Majors.
The Twins made their first cuts yesterday.
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Ben Noble is a Minneapolis-based writer, editor and photojournalist who began covering sports for the Star Tribune when Joe Mauer was still finishing up high school. His passions include Twins minor league baseball, pit bulls, pretty ladies and bacon.
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