MLB Pipeline Checks In From Twins Camp

Apr 10, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a baseball on the field during pre game batting practice before a game between the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Mayo’s Breakouts

When trying to decide which minor league players could make the jump in Spring Training, often times the answer is completely up in the air. When observing the Twins camp, Jonathan Mayo picked a couple of pitchers he believes can contribute and take some significant strides forward this season.

First highlighted is J.T. Chargois. A second round draft pick out of Rice, elbow issues and eventual Tommy John surgery have derailed his career thus far. With 2015 representing a new opportunity and a further distance from the injury issues, Chargois is someone the Twins are watching closely.

Steil told Mayo, “We’re looking forward to getting him going, getting him back on track from where we thought he could be. He might be a quick mover once he does get moving. It depends on what kind of command he shows. The stuff is going to be there.”

From there, Tyler Duffer and Taylor Rogers were both mentioned as potential breakout candidates. Having pitched at the Double-A season ago, neither player finds themselves too far away. Both could continue to climb the ladder and find themselves in Triple-A Rochester at some point this season. Although they may not be the top prospects like Alex Meyer or Jose Berrios, both have the ability to contribute at the major league level.

Steil said of them, “They are two guys who have the potential to help us in Minnesota this year if they can go out and be productive in Triple-A. They’re both low-90s type of guys. Neither of them have a real devastating breaking ball or anything. But they both have good intangibles and they both know how to use their mix. They both have a good feel for pitching and they both compete.”