For the first time since the hay day of the Twins I feel this team merits a season preview thread.
Expectations: Coming off the most wins since 2022 (83), I have hopes of at least competing for the Wild Card into September. The key will be what the kids do. If the power comes on, bar the doors.
Starters:
CA Fernando Pena- Improved in every statistical category last year. Now he needs to take the next step
1b Enrique Vallejo- Can he break the magical barrier??? 10 HRs!!!
2b Earle Olson- CRUSHED AAA all year, going to hope he can learn it passibly in ST.
3b Justin Hickmon- Can he surpass 1 HR every 266.5 at bats?
ss Val Hunt- 113 games had a .371 OBP. Like everyone else has power potential and can he tap it?
RF Emilio Ramirez- Solid Rookie Year, need to see further development.
CF Dale Ries- No long needed to be in the middle of the lineup, hopefully he can recover 2024 form
LF Jason Lock- there for defense any production is bonus.
DH Daniel Wade- New Deal, same guy. Will bat 2nd to try and maximize his RBI/R potential.
Bench:
1 Leo Varela (R) No Glove PH
2 Porfirio Torre (R) Backup C
3 Eugene Nilles (R) Nice power, good enough glove
4 Eugene Kim (R) Backup Middle Infield Some potential
5 Alberto Arrendondo (S) 4th of
Rotation:
1 Armador Ramirez- Reigning AL Cy Young, AL Rookie of the Year, the phenom, whatever you want to call him can he be as good as he was as a Rookie.
2 Joseph Gehring- Had a solid season, #2 because none of the others have had that solid of a season yet.
3 Johnnie Masselli- Young stud that I need to improve on his rookie season.
4 Lloyd McCarville- Better season, was below average still.
5 Benito Mateo- One more chance to see if hes good or not in the rotation
Bullpen:
1 Harold Richardson- Made closer to see what would happen. Went on to finish 2nd in the AL in saves with 39 in 83 wins.
2 David Nutt- Was absolutely great in the setup role. 2.99 ERA last year.
3 Alexis Berrios- Acquired mid season was rough early on settled into the pen magnificantly in August and September.
4 Max Power- Brought in to take the place of some of the filler I had in the MR area.
5 TBD.
Thoughts/Predictions?