3 most exciting non-roster players Twins invited to Spring Training
There's a lot to be excited about with Twins Spring Training finally here.
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.
Brooks Lee with a MONSTER shot for his first HR in Triple-A to extend the @StPaulSaints lead 💣
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) August 12, 2023
🚀 109.2 mph
🚀 29 degrees
🚀 445 feet #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/thCnzEyfMF
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.
DaShawn Keirsey, OF
Back in November the Twins opted not to protect DaShawn Keirsey from the Rule 5 Draft which raised some concern among fans that a potential impact prospect might be stolen by another team. That didn't happen, and now we're going to see if the hype was worth it during Spring Training.
He wasn't protected, which means the Twins weren't ready to add him to the 40-man roster but he can prove his worth by building on a strong 2023 season.
Keirsey started the year in Double-A but jumped up a level after 91 games at Wichita. After arriving at St. Paul he hit .264/.375/.364 with a double, three triples, and two home runs in 39 games which came on the heels of him slashing .305/.363/.488 earlier in the season.
DaShawn Keirsey is our @Twins MiLB Hitter of the Week💥
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) August 27, 2023
In 4 games this week, Keirsey went 5-14 with a HR, 2B, 3 BBs, and 5 RBI
Over the last 10 games since getting promoted to @StPaulSaints, he is slashing .382/.475/.559 with a 1.034 OPS 👀#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/xZ9uusYhBp
It's not just some potential offense that he brings, as Keirsey is a speed demon who could end up being the fastest player in the organization if it were put to a test. He projects as a utility outfielder who can play all three positions, which is a huge selling point considering how the Twins still need to figure out some corner outfield depth heading into the season.
Trading Nick Gordon to Miami subtracted a do-it-all player that Minnesota loves to plug into the lineup but Keirsey could prove to be a worthy replacement.
David Festa, SP
One name that might not be totally familiar to Twins fans but could be near the top of everyone's list is David Festa. He's the organization's No. 10 prospect and one of two top pitchers who could get called up at some point this year (the other being Marco Raya).
The fact that Festa was a non-roster invite to Spring Training while Raya wasn't suggests he's jumped him a bit and is closer to making his debut. A soft launch in Fort Myers will go a long way in telling us just how ready Festa is to being tossed into the mix à la Bailey Ober and Louie Varland over the last few years.
Festa has been doing all the right things making a name for himself across two different levels of the minors. Between the end of July and beginning of September, he posted a 2.40 ERA and a 35 percent strikeout rate across 30 innings of work and went 9-4 with a 2.43 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings back in 2022.
David Festa (@davidfesta13) wins back-to-back @Twins MiLB Pitcher of the Week honors with his stellar debut in Triple-A💥
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) September 3, 2023
Since the start of July, the 23-year-old has a 2.40 ERA and a 35% K rate in 30 IP 🤯#MNTwins https://t.co/wYhRha44Ef
He still needs to develop before he makes the leap, but he already seems to have a trio of big league pitches to work with -- fastball, slider and changeup. Festa won't be an early-season candidate to get called up like Brooks Lee is, but he has a chance to whet everyone's appetite in Spring Training and make his name one to remember as the Twins attempt to figure out what the back-end of its starting rotation will look like.
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