Minnesota Twins Farm Update: Rochester Red Wings

An update on the Minnesota Twins’ AAA affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings

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There’s still plenty of time before the minor league season starts for the Minnesota Twins to fill out the Red Wings rosters. However, we wanted to check in and see what progress has been made on that front and what holes need to be filled. The Red Wings are usually the first number that the Twins call if they need a replacement but Rochester is also an independently owned organization with aspirations of its own. The International League is not a development league and teams expect their Major League affiliates to provide them with enough talent to be competitive.

The Red Wings finished second in the northern division of the International League last year with a 77-67 record. Let’s take a look at who’s slated/in contention to play in AAA for 2016 (those on the lists below are not necessarily on the official roster. Some may be cut or play for lower levels of the system):

(*candidate for a spot on major league club)

Starters:

Jose Berrios *
Tyler Duffey *
J.R Graham *
Taylor Rogers
Pat Dean
Jason Wheeler
David Hurlbut
Alex Meyer

Relievers:
Dan Runzler
Tim Shibuya
J.R Graham*
Aaron Thompson
Loek van Mil
Buddy Boshers
Cole Johnson
Brandon Kintzler *
Logan Darnell
Alex Meyer
Ryan O’Rourke *
J.T Chargois
Mason Melotakis
Nick Burdi
Jake Reed
Fernando Abad *

Catchers:

Juan Centeno
Carlos Paulino
John Hicks

First base:
Kennys Vargas

Middle Infielders:

Wilfredo Tovar
James Beresford
Buck Britton
Levi Michael
Jorge Polanco
Heiker Meneses

Third Base:

Stephen Wickens

Outfield:

Joe Benson *
Byron Buxton *
Darin Mastroianni *
Reynaldo Rodriguez
Max Kepler *
Ryan Sweeney *
Adam Brett Walker II

As packed as the Red Wings currently arefor pitchers, the Twins organization could use a few more veteran arms contending for spots. First and third base depth needs to be addressed. The Twins should able to find some cheap reclamation projects to fill those slots.

Next: Weekly Reaction: Sano and the Bullpen

It’s still a few months before camp and the beginning of the regular season but the Red Wings’ roster is already nearly full and well stocked.