On the Feb. 19, 2023 episode of Minnesota Foul Play-by-play, we talk about Minnesota Twins baseball, babies! Who will make the rooster? Who could provide a midseason booster, and why Mikey has a baseball boner for Brooks Lee.

Listen here.

Watch here.

We Got a Baseball Boner, Baby!

• Tyler Mahle’s shoulder is apparently back to normal, and he has a new-look slider
  • Six-man rotation could help avoid the fatigue he experienced last season
• Kenta Maeda is throwing bullpens in Fort Myers
  • Hitting 89 MPH on the gun
• Three Minnesota Spring Training competitions, per Cody Christie of Twins Daily
  • Starting rotation
    • Does Bailey Ober get the boot to the bullpen, or does Simeon Woods Richardson make the big club
  • Bullpen
    • Jorge Alcala will be starting camp with “limitations,” Falvey says
      • Hard throwing righty bullpen arm is 100% healthy
      • They’ll bring him along slowly and safely
      • We didn’t add anyone to bullpen this offseason; Alcala could be the X factor
    • Jovani Moran, and Trevor Megill all have minor-league options remaining
    • Ronny Henriquez, Cole Sands, and Josh Winder?
  • Bench
    • Trevor Larnach (100% healthy) 
      • In 16 games last June he posted a 1.077 OPS with six doubles and three home runs.
      • Make or break year
    • Alex Kirilloff
      • Rocco says he’s good…we won’t know until the year gets going.
      • Make or break year; if he’s healthy, he’s a difference maker for this team.
  • The Rest
    • Royce Lewis is expected to return in June or July
      • Dan Hayes twitter video of him sprinting on grass
    • Randy Dobnak?
    • Chris Paddack won’t likely pitch this year—maybe August or September? 
      • He just got the three-year extension
    • Jorge Polanco says there’s no pain anymore in his knee…at least that’s what he told me
      • Team will likely play it safe with him
    • Falvey addressed Byron Buxton‘s condition, saying “There’s nothing he’s coming in with that’s an issue” but also saying it will be a slow ramp up, similar to Polanco.
      • When healthy, he’s a top 3 or 5 position player in the game
      • We’re not trainers, but how would you manage Buxton’s playing time?
        • Mike would play him everyday when he’s feeling fine
        • Anthony would like to see him DH even more than last year, which he did 30 percent of the time, per Fangraphs
        • Michael A. Taylor is a Gold Glover, remember
  • Prospects not on 40-man roster, but could make debut in 2023
    • Brooks Lee (SS/3B/2B) will likely start at Double-A
    • Austin Martin (OF/2B/SS/3B)
      • Mike has a baseball boner for him

*Italicized players weren’t very available in 2022. 

TWINS 40-MAN ROSTER

Pitchers

Jorge Alcala (R) bullpen

Jordan Balazovic (R) starter, but just broke his jaw  

Matt Canterino (R) starter? Long reliever (good pitching prospect—health has been concern)

Jhoan Duran (R) bullpen

Sonny Gray (R) starter

Brent Headrick (L)  6’6” (good numbers last year—3.32 ERA 1.08 WHIP over 108.1 innings)

Ronny Henriquez (R)

Griffan Jax (R) bullpen

Pablo Lopez (R) starter

Jorge Lopez (R) bullpen

Kenta Maeda (R) starter

Tyler Mahle (R) starter

Trevor Megill (R) bullpen 6’8”

Jovani Moran (L) bullpen 

Bailey Ober (R) starter / long reliever…like literally long (6’9”)

Chris Paddack (R) starter (out for season)

Emilio Pagan (R) bullpen

Joe Ryan (R) starter (sophomore year)

Cole Sands (R) starter / long reliever

Caleb Thielbar (L) bullpen

Louie Varland (R) starter / long reliever

Josh Winder (R) starter / long reliever

Simeon Woods Richardson (R) starter 

Catchers

Ryan Jeffers (R)

Christian Vasquez (R)

Infielders

Carlos Correa (R)

Kyle Farmer ® super utility

Eduard Julien (L)

Royce Lewis (R) (not available until June/July)

Jose Miranda ® (3B/1B)

Jorge Polanco (S)

Alex Kirilloff  (L) (1st or LF)

Outfielders

Byron Buxton (R)

Gilberto Celestino (R)

Joey Gallo (L) can play first

Nick Gordon (L) super utility

Max Kepler (L) can play 1st if needed

Trevor Larnach (L)

Michael Taylor (R)

Matt Wallner (L)