Rochester Red Wings
by roger13 on Feb 2, 2010 6:15 PM EST
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PrintI will be reviewing the likely rosters for the four full season Clubs over the next month, beginning with the AAA Red Wings. Each review will include around thirty players who are prime candidates to begin the season with each club.
The Twins are taking a different approach with their AAA franchise this season. In recent years they have signed several minor league free agents to fill key spots in the Rochester lineup and starting rotation. Although there is still more than a month until minor league players report for spring training, the Twins have signed only one relief prospect. So the 2010 Rochester Red Wings will be a team comprised of mostly players that have been developed by the Twins.
Starting Pitchers: Brian Duensing, Jeff Manship, Anthony Swarzak, Ryan Mullins and Matt Fox
There will be several battles for a few spots on the Twins roster that will determine exactly who ends up in Rochester. No battle is bigger than who will be the Twins fifth starter. Based on everything we have heard from the Dominican Republic this winter, it is likely this spot may go to Francisco Liriano. That means that Brian Duensing, who certainly earned a spot in the Twins rotation last season, Jeff Manship and Anthony Swarzak will all begin their seasons in up state New York. Duensing may find a spot as a long reliever with the Twins, but he has options and likely will join the Red Wing starting rotation to start the season.
The remaining two spots could go to two veteran starters from last year's New Britain playoff team, Matt Fox (9-9, 3.58 ERA) and Ryan Mullins (11-11, 4.03 ERA). Another potential starter is a 2008 Rule V pick up, Jason Jones (5-11, 5.75 ERA), who alternated between the starting rotation and bullpen in 2009. Mark McLemore (5-10, 4.87 ERA in Pacific Coast League) is the lone minor league veteran signed this winter. The former Houston Astro was a starter last season in AAA and could again be a starter for the Wings. The Twins must be looking at him as a potential lefty/long relief option which is the role they may want him in at Rochester. This group of starters should be the strength of the Red Wings team as they begin their first season under their new manager, Tom Nieto.
Bullpen: Anthony Slama, Rob Delaney, Tim Lahey, Jose Lugo, Kyle Waldrop, Chris Province, Mark McLemore and Jason Jones
Two of the brightest stars in the organization these past two years were Rob Delaney and Anthony Slama. Both appear to have the ability to become quality major league short relievers. Both have been as successful as any short reliever in minor league baseball the past two seasons. Tim Lahey remains on the roster as a converted catcher who had a lot of success until he reached AAA last season. Jose Lugo is a former Rule V pick who is a very effective left handed specialist. Kyle Waldrop should move up from New Britain where he was as successful as any middle reliever in the Eastern League last summer. Should the Twins decide to move him back to a starter, he would likely remain in New Britain. Chirs Province was picked up by the Twins in the Boof Bonser trade and should move up to AAA. Mark McLemore is another bullpen option, however, players in his situation often have an option to demand a release if not with the Twins by early summer.
Catchers: Wilson Ramos, Drew Butera or Jose Morales
Most fans and likely Twins management expected Jose Morales to be their backup catcher in 2010. Recent wrist surgery makes it likely that he won't be given the green light to begin spring training until late March. That means he either begins the season in EST or Rochester. Wilson Ramos is a future major league catcher and should be the starting catcher in Rochester this season. Defensive specialist Drew Butera will likely fill the backup role on the Twins roster at the start of the season. Ramos should catch about two-thirds of the games and be the Red Wing DH when not catching. Drew Butera will share the catching spot once Jose Morales is ready to join the Twins.
First Base: Brock Peterson, Erik Lis or Whit Robbins
Second Base: Brian Dinkelman, Matt Macri and possibly, Matt Tolbert
Shortstop: Trevor Plouffe
Third Base: Danny Valencia and Luke Hughes
Brock Peterson ended last season as the Red Wings top hitter (.304/.376/.468). Peterson returns as the Wings starting first baseman. Either Erik Lis (.283/.353/.462) or Whit Robbins (.278/.348/.405) will move up from New Britain as the Wings back up who will also see a lot of time as a designated hitter when Ramos is behind the plate.
One of the battles on the Twins will be at second and third base. Last year, Matt Tolbert was the odd man out and began his season with the Red Wings. Considering that Tolbert has an option remaining and Alexi Casilla does not, Tolbert may again begin his year in Rochester. Steve Tolleson going to the Athletics appears to have opened the second base job for Brian Dinkelman unless Tolbert begins his season with the Wings, keeping Dinkelman in New Britain. Trevor Plouffe returns as the Wings regular shortstop with versatile Matt Macri as a back up at all four infield positions. Unless Danny Valencia somehow wins the Twins thrid base job in spring training, he will be the Wings regular third baseman. Luke Hughes poses a problem as the Twins won't want to send him back to New Britian for a third year, yet, they will want Valencia to play third base every day. That leaves Hughes as a part-time DH with some time in left field and third base.
Outfield: Dustin Martin, Brandon Roberts, Juan Portes, Rene Tosoni
Considering that Dustin Martin hasn't been invited to spring training, Jason Pridie appears to be the leading candidate to be the Twins fourth outfielder. Martin is capable of playing all three outfield positions. Brandon Roberts was healthy last year and quietly had one of the best seasons (.287/.352/.365 with 21 stolen bases) of anyone on the Rock Cat roster. Look for Roberts to move up and be the Wings regular center fielder. Juan Portes hit .297/.366/.434 for the Cats and should also move up to the Wings. The other player who may move up as the Wings regular right fielder is Rene Tosoni. The Twins pushed Tosoni last year when he moved up to AA after only 40 some games above rookie ball. How Tosoni does in spring training with the Twins will determine whether he begins the season as the Red Wing right fielder or returns to New Britain for more seasoning.
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Tosoni
“whether he begins the season as the Red Wing right fielder or returns to New Britain for more seasoning”
They need him in AAA. He could be a 4th outfielder for the Twins but I suspect they’d rather have him play everyday.
I like the review roger13
I put my rosters together while we were doing the 50 prospects. The Twins have some choices to make on some talented prospects. On the starting pitchers I had DeVries up with Duensing making the Twins. I guess that depends on Perkins. In relief I had Lock Van Mil up. That might depend on McLemore. Here’s were in gets tuff. How could you keep Lis or Robbins down? I had Ortiz up, I thought I saw that the Twins resigned him. I’d drop him. Dinkelman I have in Left with Martin. I think Portes will stay down. Tosoni everyday in right, that why they didn’t resign Winfree. To me this is a strong Offensive Team. Roberts,Tolbert,Valencia,Hughes,Tosoni,Peterson,Dinkelman,Plouffe,Butera. Bench-Lis,Robbins,Lehmann,Macri,Martin. To many!? Good starting Pitching with Delaney and Slama to follow. Nice.
Plouffe
The question is what to do with Trevor. Smith made sme comments at TwinsFest about giving Trevor more playing time at second and third, as he is currently blocked by Hardy. Smith talked a if they still ahd ideas of Plouffe being a starter rather than a utility guy sometime soon (he has two option years left, right?)
Pridie, Perkins, Tolbert all could make Rochester.
The Twins have to make some decisions on Lahey, Jones and Macro. Worthwhile to keep them around…especially Macri who could be the initial call-up to the majors.
That’s the other question…who from the Rochester list will see some time in Minnesota iof the phone rings.
Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!
It looks like the Red Wings have a full roster.
I’m glad the Twins haven’t signed a lot of minor league free agents this year.
I also agree...
…that it is great to see the Red Wings comprised of mostly guys who worked their way up through the system. I think the Twins couldn’t do that the last few years because some of their higher drafted players moved quickly to the Twins and there were some gaps in talent.
I believe the Twins used their last option on Perkins last September, so he cannot be in Rochester without clearing waivers. The decision will be made in spring training (or before) that he will either make the roster or be traded. Most believe a trade is likely, however, some teams apparantley want to see him throw before closing a deal.
As for Loek VanMil, he pitched only 8 games in AA late last season. Odds are he will begin there and hopefully move forward mid-season. The player who has a great chance of making Rochester’s bullpen is Alex Burnett. He was the best the Twins had last year in his half season in New Britain. I look for him staying there to start the season, then be the first reliever to move up when the Twins need someone from Rochester (Slama, Delaney, Lugo).
Good for morale
I think the team will be better in the clubhouse with a group of guys who know each other and no bitter AAAA types.
I'd say Perkins will be the 12th man on the staff
If Liriano continues to pitch in ST like he did in the DWL, he’ll be the fifth starter. Duensing has an option, so he’ll likely start the year in Rochester, along with Swarzak and Manship.
Perkins could provide balance to the bullpen and will probably stay healthier out there. Plus, his stuff is more suitable to the bullpen because he doesn’t have an exceptional second pitch. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s always pitched well in relief.
The bullpen should look like this:
Nathan
Rauch
Mijares
Guerrier
Crain
Perkins
Condrey/Neshek
Both Condrey and Neshek have options. Depending on Neshek’s health and performance in ST, he could be sent down to work on some stuff with the new elbow. If he’s all the way back, then Condrey will go down and provide depth.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Jim Mandelaro
Is going to be complaining about the offense this year. I am sure he would’ve liked to see a vetern hitter and I do think the team could use a bat with more power potential. – Especially if Ramos is on the MLB team.
From a player development standpoint its great to have all of the homegrown talent up there. And hopefully the pitching is strong. But Rochester would rather have a winner.
by clutterheart on Feb 3, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
The OF is weak, I agree
Valencia and Ramos should have some power. It will be interesting to see if Tosoni breaks out or perhaps Ben Revere makes it to AAA on the fast track.
JIm Mandelaro complain? Say it ain't so!
He never complains about Twins' management.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Seriously
I believe the main complaint he’s had over the years is that the Twins sign too many washed-up veterans and prefer to keep the real talent in AA. It would be hypocritical of him to complain about not signing a washed-up veteran. Also, he seems to forget that the AA team has had one winning season in the last four.
Anyway, I think the offense in AAA will be better this year. This is a pretty good order:
Tolbert 2b
Plouffe ss
Tosoni RF
Valencia 3B
Lis DH
Ramos C
Robbins 1B
Martin/Portes LF
Roberts CF
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Where does Hughes fit in?
or Macri. someone has to go. Lis,Hughes,Robbins,Peterson,Valencia. Thats to many 1B/3B/DH types. There could be one to many outfielders as well with Portes and Dinkelman.
by b1 on Feb 3, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
The one complaint he had that is legitimate...
…was when the Twins allowed the team to get down to 9 healthy position players, if my memory serves me right. It would be one thing if it were for one game and due to injuries, but I recall that they played several games with maybe one guy on the bench. That is uncalled for and in my opinion was a big mistake by the Twins organization. Most of his other complaints are often, in my opinion, with little merit. I suspect when he writes his articles late in spring training about this team he will not be kind as there aren’t a lot of big names on this club. Personally, I think they will have tremendous pitching (starting and bullpen) which should keep them in the hunt throughout the season.
I agree
And one of the healthy guys was Tommy Watkins. Now, Tommy’s a great guy and everything, but he hit his level at AA. AAA was a bit beyond him, yet he played there for like five years. The Twins kept running him out there instead of promoting guys like Roberts. I never got that. So there is some truth to what Jim says. But he’s prone to exaggeration.
.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
With Peterson platooning with Robbins
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
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