Twins bolster MiLB depth at catcher, pitcher

MLB Trade Rumors reported the other day on a couple of minor signings for the Twins. Both players are veteran minor leaguers, but both could play for the Twins this season.

The first signing is catcher Tomas Telis, who has appeared in 122 games for the Rangers and Marlins since 2014. Telis is a journeyman catcher entering his age 28 season. He is technically a major league baseball player, but has been slightly below replacement value during his various cups of coffee. Telis has hit .230/.267/.298. He will probably be pure organizational filler, and projects to begin the season at Rochester, where he will probably share time behind the plate with Willians Astudillo. Unless we all get lucky and the Twins keep Astudillo in the big leagues.

The other player signed by the Twins is a pitcher named Dario Alvarez. He is a lefty reliever from the Dominican Republic. Being from the Dominican Republic, I assume he too was signed to be a mentor to Miguel Sano. Alvarez spent last season in the Mariner’s organization, and has pitched for the Mets, Braves, and Rangers. He, too has been slightly below replacement value. His ERA is 5.06 in 48 MLB innings. He struggles with giving up homers and walks, but has very high strikeout rates, and projects to also begin the season at Rochester. I hope he gets called up at some point just for the “Super Dario” jokes.

Both players reportedly signed minor league deals, and no other details appear to be available.