Twins fans feel left out after Opening Day rookie home run parade

Top prospects Chase DeLauter, Kevin McGonigle, Carson Benge, others have successful MLB debuts

Yesterday was a big Opening Day for several promising rookies making their MLB regular-season debuts. Unfortunately for Twins fans, three of them are with AL Central teams. Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle (No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline) went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI. Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami hit a solo homer and walked twice. Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (No. 46-ranked prospect) went 3-for-5 with two homers.

Several National League rookies also had memorable MLB debuts. St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (No. 5-ranked prospect) hit a two-run homer as the Cardinals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 9-7. Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (No. 53-ranked prospect) went 2-for-4 with a run. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (No. 22-ranked prospect) collected two hits and a double. New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge (No. 16-ranked prospect) hit a solo shot and walked twice.

While we as Twins fans should be happy for the young rookies making their marks on Opening Day (except maybe the AL Central foes), it's hard not to feel left out since our favorite team's top prospects weren't in Minnesota's Opening Day lineup in Baltimore on Thursday. Who knows? Maybe the Twins would've been victorious if at least one of their promising prospects were among the starting nine yesterday.

Twins fans wish team's top prospects were already in majors

It's understandable that the Twins want top prospects Walker Jenkins, who missed the majority of spring training because of a hamstring sprain, and Kaelen Culpepper to get a bit more Triple-A experience. But as for another top prospect, outfielder Emmanuel Rodríguez, it's hard for fans not to wish he were with the big-league club right now. Especially when outfielder/designated hitter Trevor Larnach, who has been a league-average hitter (101 OPS+) throughout his 443 career MLB games, is still on the roster.

Rodríguez had a strong spring training, slashing .421/.476/.842 with two homers, two doubles and four RBI across 21 plate appearances. The Twins' potential to make a surprise playoff run would be much higher if he were on the Opening Day roster. The fact that the Twins can have another year of service time on Rodríguez by keeping him in the minors just a bit longer is probably why he's still in Triple-A.

It feels as if the Twins need to call up Rodríguez, Jenkins and Culpepper within the next few months if they want any chance at making the postseason. Even if Minnesota calls up the trio of prospects, a postseason run would still be unlikely for the team. Still, it's probably the only possible way to make the unlikely scenario happen.