Minnesota Twins: Minor League Roster Roundup

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 17: Baseball gloves sit on the field before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards at on August 17, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 17: Baseball gloves sit on the field before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards at on August 17, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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Want to know where the future stars of the Minnesota Twins will be playing to start the 2018 season? Puckett’s Pond is here to keep you up to date on all of the latest roster details.

The Minnesota Twins have one the most homegrown rosters in all of Major League Baseball. The solid foundation this organization has built throughout their Minor League system is what helps make that possible.

The Twins top four Minor League affiliates compiled a 321-236 cumulative record during the 2017 season. Each of those four teams finished with records well above .500. However, the number one priority of the Minor Leagues is to develop players for the big league level. Minnesota has had more success with this than most teams in recent seasons.

A couple of recent examples

The Minnesota Twins drafted Jose Berrios in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. It has taken a little bit of time for Berrios to reach his potential in the Majors. However, he is blossoming into a future ace right before our eyes, and it’s time to take notice.

Berrios had a breakout performance during the 2017 season for the Twins. He started 25 games with a 3.89 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings pitched. Berrios also showed improved command, allowing only 48 walks last season, and that will be the key for him moving forward.

Another player that the Twins drafted and developed is the power-hitting second baseman, Brian Dozier. The Twins struck gold when they drafted him in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft. Over the last three seasons, the Twins have reaped the benefits of having Dozier in the clubhouse.

He has hit 151 home runs through the 2017 season and continues to be one the more consistent players on the team. Dozier showed last season that he is more than power bat by earning the Gold Glove award at second base. His steady presence in the lineup helped the Minnesota Twins reach the postseason in 2017.

Now, let’s take a look at the Opening Day roster’s for the Twins Minor League system. First up, we have the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Twins Midwest League affiliate.

Cedar Rapids Kernels- Single-A 2017 record: 75-65

Toby Gardenhire is at the helm of the Minnesota Twins Single-A affiliate Cedar Rapids Kernels. This team won 75 games during the 2017 season and this season should be even better.

The Kernels roster is stocked with eight of the Twins Top-30 prospects. Without question, this team should contend for a Midwest League title during the 2018 season. The 2018 Kernels roster has been released and Puckett’s Pond is here to fill you in.

Position players: David Banuelos, Ben Rortvedt, Andrew Bechtold, Jordan Gore, Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda, Ben Rodriguez, Akil Baddoo, Trey Cabbage, Shane Carrier, Mark Contreras, Alex Kirilloff

Pitchers: Nick Brown, Edwar Colina, Randy Dobnak, Blayne Enlow, Calvin Faucher, Jared Finkel, Moises Gomez, Griffin Jax, Kevin Marnon, Jose Martinez, Ryan Mason, Jovani Moran, Bryan Sammons, Tyler Watson, Tyler Wells

One player to keep an eye on

The Minnesota Twins drafted Royce Lewis with the number one overall pick during the 2017 MLB draft. Expectations are high for Lewis and he will have a chance to prove himself over the course of a full season.

The sky is the limit for Lewis and the Twins will be thankful they drafted him. MLB.com has him ranked number one overall in the Twins system, and for good reason. Lewis has the potential to develop into a threat at the Major League level.

Lewis runs like a gazelle and has a good feel at the plate already at this point in his career. He opened the 2017 season playing in 36 games with Minnesota’s Rookie-level GCL Twins. He hit .271 with 11 extra base hits and 17 runs batted in while also stealing 15 bases in 17 attempts.

Minnesota promoted Lewis to Cedar Rapids toward the end of last season and he lived up to expectations again. He hit .296 during his brief 18 game stint with the Kernels in 2017. A full season in Cedar Rapids will be good for Lewis and he will be impressive.

Lewis may find himself playing for our next team on the list before the 2018 season is over. For now, let’s take a look at who will be on the Fort Meyers Miracle Opening Day roster.

Fort Meyers Miracle- Advanced-A 2017 record: 75-60

The Twins Advanced-A level Fort Meyers Miracle won 75 games last season. Manager Ramon Borrego will have a talented squad for the 2018 season and this will be a fun team to follow as they contend for a Florida State League title. Here’s a look at the Miracle Opening Day roster.

Position players: Taylor Grzelakowski, Caleb Hamilton, Mitchell Kranson, Travis Blankenhorn, Lewin Diaz, Brandon Lopez, Nelson Molina, Alex Perez, Jaylin Davis, Jared Foster, Jimmy Kerrigan, Aaron Whitefield

Pitchers: Brady Anderson, Charlie Barnes, Clark Beeker, Adam Bray, Max Cordy, Colton Davis, Tom Hackimer, Logan Lombana, Hector Lujan, Anthony Marzi, Sean Poppen, Alex Robinson, Cody Stashak, Andrew Vasquez, Lachlan Wells, Tyler Wells

One player to keep an eye on

Travis Blankenhorn is ranked number 14 in MLB.com Minnesota Twins Top-30 prospects and his future is bright. The Twins drafted Blankenhorn out of high school in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft. Blankenhorn has been impressive during his first 230 games in the Minors and has a chance to play a huge role in the future for Minnesota.

He hit .251 with a .343 on-base percentage during his first full season of Minor League baseball. Blankenhorn also chipped in 46 extra base hits, 13 home runs, with 69 runs batted in across 508 plate appearances during the 2017 season.

Blankenhorn has shown his versatility defensively by playing second and third base during last season. That trend should continue for him during the 2018 season and will help him reach the Major Leagues with the Minnesota Twins very soon.

However, for him to reach his potential, he will need to improve defensively. Blankenhorn has been adequate at second base with a career .975 fielding percentage. However, his career .914 fielding percentage at third base is terrible and third base will be his easiest path to MLB.

As the Twins move forward, third base is the biggest question on the infield and Blankenhorn could be the answer. However, as you’ll see with the next team on this list, Blankenhorn has some talented players ahead of him within the organization right now. Let’s take a look at the Chattanooga Lookouts Opening Day roster.

Chattanooga Lookouts- Double-A 2017 record: 91-49

The Chattanooga Lookouts are the Twins Double-A affiliate and will be another exciting team to watch during the 2018 season. Manager Tommy Watkins has a roster full of future Major Leaguers that will contend for a Southern League championship this season. Here’s a look at the Lookouts Opening Day roster.

Position players: Brian Navarreto, Brian Olson, Wynston Sawyer, Nick Gordon, Sean Miller, Chris Paul, Ryan Walker, T.J. White, Zander Wiel, Andy Wilkins, Edgar Corcino, Tanner English, Brent Rooker, LaMonte Wade

Pitchers: Omar Bencomo, Sam Clay, Ryan Eades, Stephen Gonsalves, Ryne Harper, Tyler Jay, Zack Jones, Felix Jorge, Randy LeBlanc, Zack Littell, Anthony McIver, Williams Ramirez, Kohl Stewart, Lewis Thorpe, Todd Van Steensel

One player to keep an eye on

This is a big season for the Minnesota Twins 12th ranked prospect Lewis Thorpe. He showed promise while pitching for Single-A Cedar Rapids during the 2014 season. However, he missed the 2015 season following Tommy John surgery and missed the 2016 season due to mono.

Thorpe came back healthy and pitched well for Advanced-A Fort Meyers during the 2017 season. He had a 2.69 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched with the Miracle during the ’17 season. Thorpe earned a call-up last season, making one start for the Lookouts, and his future is bright.

He uses his pitches well and has four potential average or better pitches in his arsenal. However, he will have to prove he can hold up for more than 90 innings before advancing. The potential is there with Thorpe and this season he will have his opportunity to show what he can do.

He’s not a top of the rotation type of pitcher, however, he could be a solid back-end starter in the future. Speaking of a possible top of the rotation type of pitcher, let’s take a look at the Rochester Red Wings Opening Day roster, the last team on our list.

Rochester Red Wings- Triple-A 2017 record: 80-62

Joel Skinner will be managing the Twins long time Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings. The Red Wings have a strong pitching staff and will be in contention for the International League championship during the 2018 season. Here’s a look at the Rochester Red Wings Opening Day roster.

Position players: Willians Astudillo, Jordan Pacheco, Bobby Wilson, Taylor Featherston, Gregorio Petit, Leonardo Reginatto, Brock Stassi, Nick Buss, Jake Cave, Jermaine Curtis, Zack Granite, Kennys VargasJames Ramsey

More from Minnesota Twins Prospects

Pitchers: Nick Anderson, D.J. Baxendale, Alan Busenitz, Casey Crosby, John Curtiss, Tyler Duffey, Dietrich Enns, Myles Jaye, Matt Magill, Adalberto Mejia, Mason Melotakis, Jake Reed, Fernando Romero, Aaron Slegers

A player to keep an eye on

Fernando Romero has the potential to anchor a Major League rotation in the near future. He is currently the Minnesota Twins number two ranked prospect and will be in the mix if Minnesota needs a starter during the 2018 season. His future is as bright as they come, we may see it soon in the Twin Cities.

Romero was solid last season pitching in Double-A Chattanooga. He started 23 games with a 3.53 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 125 innings pitched. His 3.2 BB/9 is evidence of a pitcher who keeps it around the strike zone. He is a big piece in the future for the Minnesota Twins.

This season, Romero will test his stuff against the highest level of the Minor Leagues. The Twins still have questions in the rotation as we look past the 2018 season. Romero is sure to be part of the answer, and that’s an exciting thing for Twins fans.

Next: What does the future hold for Brian Dozier?

The Minnesota Twins Minor League system will have a lot of success once again during this season. We will surely see some of these players playing in the Majors throughout points of this season. Keep an eye on Puckett’s Pond for all the latest Twins-related news.

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