As September begins, the Minnesota Twins have begun making call ups from the minor leagues.
The Minnesota Twins are working on getting a wild card spot at the major league level, and as the rosters are allowed to expand on September 1st, they called up a trio of players, the first of what should be a collection of players to help push the team to the playoffs!
With Rochester fighting for a playoff spot and Chattanooga certain to be in the playoffs, it could be that the minor leaguers don’t come up to the major leagues until the playoffs are completed for both Chattanooga and Rochester, which could take until mid-month.
Let’s look at the first trio to get the call.
Nik Turley, LHP
Originally drafted in a round of the draft that no longer exists (50th) by the Yankees in 2008, Turley has had a long career in the minor leagues, leaving the Yankees in 2014 as a minor league free agent to join the Giants organization, and then leaving the Giants after one season to join the Red Sox.
Turley finished the 2016 season pitching in independent ball, so when he opened the season with a 0.37 ERA in his first 24 1/3 innings with Chattanooga, needless to say, he came out of nowhere.
Turley has shown good ability to pound the strike zone with Rochester through the rest of the season, using location and movement to get weak contact and keep hitters off balance. He’s struggled, however, in his brief time in the major leagues, with a 12.51 ERA in 5 major league appearance sin 2017 over 13 2/3 innings.
Turley will likely serve in the bullpen, a role many have felt was a much better major league fit for him, so he could see a significant improvement in those numbers by the end of the season.
Buddy Boshers, LHP
The Los Angeles Angels originally selected Boshers out of community college in Alabama in the 4th round of the 2008 draft. However, after just two seasons, he was moved out of the rotation into the bullpen. After working up to the major leagues with the Angels in 2013, Boshers did not find himself with a contract for the 2015 season, leading him to a season of independent ball.
The Twins signed Boshers, and he made a quick impression in Rochester in 2016, with a 1.04 ERA over 22 appearances. He posted a 4.25 ERA with the major league club in 2016 over 37 appearances. The Twins have bounced Boshers between AAA and the majors with 4 times on the year that he was sent down to Rochester. He hopes to make a big impression in the final month on his fourth call up to the big league team to secure a 2018 role.
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Niko Goodrum, IF/OF
A unique build, Goodrum was drafted in the 2nd round out of high school in Georgia in 2010. His wiry frame led to thoughts that Goodrum could develop both power and speed as he matured into his frame.
Instead, Niko has really remained the 6’3″, 185-215 pound guy that he was in high school throughout his minor league career. He’s never really played badly, but he’s never truly developed into the elite physical specimen and talent that the Twins envisioned when they drafted him.
Goodrum is having a career-best season with Rochester this year, hitting .263/.309/.426 with 25 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. More importantly, Goodrum has shown his value with legit ability to play multiple positions, including 2B, 3B, SS, and all three outfield positions.
He’ll be hoping to make an impression to show he could handle a utility man role for 2018.
Next: What to do with Mauer in 2018?
There should be more players coming up soon. Who do you want to see called up? What do you hope to see out of these three? Comment below!