2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster Projection (2.0)

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2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster Projection (2.0)

Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins — Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Ted Schwerzler · Minnesota Sports Fan

Mon, Mar 17, 2025 ·

11 min read

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After enjoying a full week of Florida sunshine and picking up a fresh sunburn to prove it, I'm ready to make update my Minnesota Twins roster projections for Opening Day 2025. The Twins, currently 9-11-3 in Grapefruit League play , will start their regular season next week March 26 on the road vs the St. Louis Cardinals .

Over the next week and a half, Rocco Baldelli has the task of trimming 14 more players from the MN Twins' roster . Many positions have been locked in for a while now, but a handful of roster battles could go right down to the Spring Training wire.

Who makes the Minnesota Twins Opening Day roster?

Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins — Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins kicked off big-league camp with 55 players in the mix , including the full 40-man roster and 16 non-roster invitees . As of Monday, 40 players remain. Don't trust my math, but with 26 spots available on the Opening Day roster, that means they need to cut 14 more guys in the next 9 days.

So without further ado, here is my updated (2.0) Minnesota Twins 26-man roster predictions, following a few unwelcome surprises over the last week.

Catcher (2): Christian Vazquez , Ryan Jeffers

Just missed the cut: Jair Camargo, Patrick Winkel, Jeferson Morales, Diego Cartaya

Starting behind the dish, no changes here from my first projection. It was a lock that this duo would start the season on Rocco Baldelli's roster once Christian Vazquez wasn't traded this offseason. Both Ryan Jeffers and Vazquez appear healthy, and the Twins are counting on a stronger, more productive year from their catching tandem.

In 2024, Ryan Jeffers came out swinging, but cooled off, ending with a .226/.300/.432 slash line . His 103 OPS+ was above the league average, though it didn't match the 133 OPS+ he posted in 2023. Christian Vazquez, meanwhile, really struggled to a .221/.248/.327 slash line last season, leaving plenty of room for improvement.

Cartaya had just nine plate appearances in eight Grapefruit League games after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers . He started the Spring Breakout game , and should see plenty of action at Triple-A.

Arguably the best performance by a catcher this spring has come from prospect Jeferson Morales. In 14 games the Venezuelan native slashed .450/.542/.700 with two doubles and a home run. He's not highly-regarded, but had a .290/.367/.453 slash line between Double and Triple-A last season. It's possible he emerges as a depth option for the Twins.

First Base (2): Ty France , Jose Miranda

Just missed the cut: Mike Ford

Another locked-in spot belongs to Ty France, who is set to play, and play often. Rocco Baldelli made that clear right away , and France backed it up by tearing through Grapefruit League action. In 12 games, the former All-Star boasts a .469/.514/.813 slash line , complete with two home runs.

A trip around the bases for Ty?

Call it the Tour de France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/6SOgUeUxC0

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 8, 2025

Jose Miranda is slated to see most of his action at first base this year, serving as a key depth piece fpror the Minnesota Twins. Through 12 games, he's hitting .303/.375/.424 . After posting an insane hitting streak last season, he's aiming to build on the .284/.322/.441 line he delivered across 121 games in 2024.

Mike Ford remains in camp, though he was getting extra reps in with the Single-A team on the back fields Sunday. He is not a threat to make the roster, and should stick around at Triple-A to provide roster depth.

Second Base (3): Willi Castro , Edouard Julien , Mickey Gasper

Just missed the cut: None

Sunday brought a major shakeup at this position when Royce Lewis pulled up lame with a left hamstring strain. The gifted third baseman is likely to miss some time, forcing Rocco Baldelli to find a new starter at third. For now, it also keeps Willi Castro anchored at second base.

Brooks Lee told Gerrit Cole to go sit back down. pic.twitter.com/rVrMeGq6QG

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 6, 2025

That's good news for Brooks Lee, who has had a tough time dislodging Willi Castro from the starting lineup . In 13 games, Lee's hitting .256/.275/.410 with two home runs. As a rookie last season, he managed a .221/.265/.320 line over 50 games, hampered by injuries that dulled his impact. Still, The Athletic's Keith Law sees him as a breakout candidate this year .

At first, I pegged Edouard Julien for a return to Triple-A. He's hitting .286/.375/.429 through 13 Grapefruit League games, signaling a possible push for a bounce-back year after a lackluster 74 OPS+ (100 is league average) across 94 games last season. I suspect Rocco Baldelli might lean toward using him as a platoon bench bat, which could open the door for Mickey Gasper to snag the final bench spot as a versatile switch-hitting utility player.

Mickey Gasper's posting a .310/.432/.448 line across 12 spring games, showcasing his value with positional flexibility and a relentless work ethic. He debuted in the big leagues with Boston last season, going hitless in 18 at-bats, but his minor-league track record stands out. In 70 Triple-A games, he boasts a .920 OPS , paired with a .392 OBP over 407 minor-league contests.

Pretty good guy for Gasper to get help from too. pic.twitter.com/2YcJC56sVL

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 17, 2025

On Monday morning, the Twins had Mickey Gasper taking reps at first base, adding to his versatility. While it's not typically a must-have, his ability to serve as an emergency catcher could be a valuable roster bonus.

Shortstop (1): Carlos Correa

Just missed the cut: None

When you have Carlos Correa, there is really no need for a contingency plan. He doesn't have a third foot to deal with plantar fasciitis , and he has been a superstar when healthy.

The 86 games Correa played in 2023 marked his lowest total in a full season since 2019 . Yet, in that limited action, he delivered a stellar .310/.388/.517 slash line with 14 home runs. He's proven himself every bit the superstar Minnesota expected when they inked him to that second contract .

It has been a dismal spring for Correa, but the 11 Grapefruit League games should be taken with a grain of salt. He is batting just .103/.250/.103 with no extra-base hits. He has a 12/6 K/BB, and judging by the amount he is staring at pitches, it seems he is doing plenty of pitch tracking work.

Third Base (1): Brooks Lee

Just missed the cut: Armando Alvarez
- Injured List: Royce Lewis

In the initial roster projection, Willi Castro was slated as the starting second baseman. That seemed like a locked-in choice until Royce Lewis got hurt . Now, either Brooks Lee or Castro will have to step up at third base. With Opening Day looming, there is not enough time for Lewis to recover, and he'll start the season on the injured list .

Here's the video of Lewis' injury. pic.twitter.com/jn0rhlRixs

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 16, 2025

Castro has been all over the field this spring, just as he was last season . His versatility earned him an All-Star nod as a utility player, and he's posted a .200/.368/.367 line across 12 Grapefruit League games. His 102 OPS+ in 2024 fell just short of the 105 OPS+ he recorded during his debut season with the Twins

Brooks Lee seems better suited for third base, and the Twins have more options to cover second. Long term, I see Lee settling in at the hot corner, so why not get him comfortable there from the start?

It's logical that Jose Miranda could see some time at the hot corner while Lewis is out. Armando Alvarez is depth that should stick at Triple-A St. Paul. He made his major league debut last season for the Oakland Athletics .

Outfield (4): Byron Buxton , Trevor Larnach , Matt Wallner , Harrison Bader

Just missed the cut: DaShawn Keirsey Jr., Austin Martin

Minnesota chose not to bring any non-roster outfielders into Grapefruit League play. Their top-tier options are already strong. Byron Buxton's health remains key, but he'll be supported by two reliable sluggers in the outfield.

Just another Matt Wallner appreciation post! pic.twitter.com/cpdNiSdM0z

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 15, 2025

Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach will log plenty of time in the corners. Larnach might also see a good chunk of at-bats as the designated hitter, while Harrison Bader adds another elite glove to the outfield mix. The former Met, a Gold Glove winner, notched 10 Outs Above Average last season. Though his -2 Defensive Runs Saved was a drop from the 15 he posted in 2021, Bader could still prove to be a huge asset in left field.

With Lewis sidelined, the Twins seem to need more infield depth than outfield support. That likely sends Austin Martin back to Triple-A, while Willi Castro shifts to the fifth outfielder role. The former first-round pick has posted a .233/.314/.267 line this spring. He's not a game-changer at the plate, but Minnesota appears set on keeping him in the outfield for now.

It won't hurt Martin to get more reps before returning to the big leagues. With Bader on the team, he doesn't have to be stretched in center. He'll be the first player recalled if there is an outfield injury.

Rotation (5): Pablo Lopez , Joe Ryan , Bailey Ober , Simeon Woods Richardson , Chris Paddack

Just missed the cut: None

With the latest roster cuts, the Minnesota Twins have narrowed their rotation down to five pitchers. While the exact order is still up in the air, one thing is certain: Pablo López will take the mound as the Opening Day starter. How the rest of this group shakes out will be worth watching as the season nears.

Pablo López hasn't exactly dazzled in Grapefruit League play. He's posted a 7.98 ERA over 14 2/3 innings with an 18-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Last year, he struggled similarly with a 7.00 ERA across 14 spring innings. With one more start likely before Opening Day, he'll aim to sharpen up and build on the 4.08 ERA he delivered for Minnesota last season.

Chris Paddack might just be the biggest wild card in this mix . Which version of him Minnesota gets remains anyone's guess. He hasn't been effective since his standout rookie year in 2019 , and injuries have plagued him ever since. Fortunately, the Twins have solid rotation depth waiting at Triple-A St. Paul to back him up.

Bullpen (8): Griffin Jax , Jhoan Duran, Danny Coulombe , Cole Sands , Brock Stewart , Jorge Alcala, Louie Varland , Justin Topa

Just missed the cut: Scott Blewett, Darren MaCaughan, Anthony Misiewicz, Huascar Ynoa, Eiberson Castellano
- Injured List: Michael Tonkin

There is no questions regarding the back end of the Minnesota Twins bullpen. Both Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran are locked in. I'd prefer to see a bit more velocity from Duran this spring, but it's possible he's just a different pitcher now and makes it work anyways.

Griffin Jax struck out the side as his stuff looked immaculate

Jax already had the best sweeper in baseball and now his changeup looks fantastic. He is one of the best RP in MLB pic.twitter.com/sBGjX6clOj

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 16, 2025

Danny Coulombe is locked in as the lone lefty and Cole Sands should again be a middle-relief option with leverage upside. There is concern about Brock Stewart after he felt a hamstring tweak , but the Minnesota Twins supposedly aren't worried at this point. Jorge Alcala should also be back in a low-leverage role.

If both Michael Tonkin (guaranteed) and Justin Topa (possible) start the season on the injured list, then there are two additional spots. Louie Varland will certainly get the first one. He has a 5/1 K/BB and hasn't surrendered a run in 8 innings this spring .

Castellano would be the last man in the pen and needs Topa to occupy a spot on the injured list if he's going to make the team. The 2024 Phillies minor league pitcher of the year was taken in the Rule 5 Draft . He must remain on the 26-man roster all year or be offered back to Philadelphia . He has a 12/8 K/BB 8 innings this spring while allowing six runs, but the upside is understandable.

Topa returned to the bump on Monday against the Pirates . He threw an inning while allowing a home run and striking out two. It will be important how he responds the next day. If there's a final uncertain roster spot, this is it.

More must-reads:

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