Minnesota Twins baseball is back, and with it comes the exciting next chapter of the team's ongoing youth movement.
Last season guys like Royce Lewis and Edouard Julien burst onto the scene -- or in Lewis' case reintroduced himself -- to help Minnesota end a 19-year postseason losing streak. They were joined by the likes of Bailey Ober, Matt Wallner, and Ryan Jeffers as young players who had impactful roles while showing the ability to be everyday players.
Ober is the exception in that he's a pitcher (won't play everyday, duh) and he wasn't a rookie but he established himself as a home-grown success.
That's something the Twins are hoping to continue this year and the list of non-roster invites to Spring Training offers an exciting glimpse into what the future might hold.
3 most exciting non-roster players Twins invited to Spring Training
Brooks Lee, 2B
It's not hyperbolic to say that Brooks Lee might be the most exciting player the Twins are bringing to Fort Myers for Spring Training.
Before Walker Jenkins arrived, Lee was the No. 1 prospect in the Twins farm system and he's on track to get called up at some point this season. If he turns in a great spring performance there's a chance he could make the Opening Day roster, although front office logistics might create some challenges there.
Either way, it would be stunning if Lee didn't make his MLB debut this year which is a testament to how much he's exceeded expecations at every turn.
He was a first round pick back in 2022 who rose all the way to Triple-A last September, and has now gone from someone who might get called up this year to a player who is already being used as a reason to move an All-Star.
Minnesota traded Jorge Polanco due to a logjam of talent at second base, and Lee is leading the charge there. He's already being penciled in as a major part of the future which is going to make him appointment viewing in Spring Training this year.