There is never an absolute certainty that draft selection, even a first-round draft pick, will be completed. But after thorough scouting and development, hopes for the future often rest on those possibilities.
Twins fans have been dreaming about Royce Lewis since he was cast with the first pick in the 2017 draft. He dreamed of Byron Buxton, second in the 2012 draft just behind Carlos Correa, in a similar fashion.
Saturday’s lineup included five first round picks (Buxton (2012), Nick Gordon (2014), Alex Kiriloff (2015), Royce Lewis (2017), Trevor Larnach (2018)), two second rounders ((Jose Miranda)). 2016), Ryan Jeffers (2018)) and two international stints (Max Kepler (2009) and Jorge Polanco (2009)) entirely in the domestic lineup.
It was a dashed pregame when Larnach was scratched with a lower body tightness, and Gary Sanchez was added to the lineup in his place. But even so, the idea of a fully indigenous lineup is a testament to the Twins’ scouting and development departments over the past decade, as they chose – and then cherished – the core of the status players who make up their present and future.
“I feel like it shows how well the Minnesota Twins develop their players and get them to the levels that we need and that’s awesome,” Gordon said. “We’re all having fun, we’re having a blast and working hard, and that’s what you can really ask for.”
Lewis, the newest addition to the group, made his long-awaited debut on Friday, and when he will likely return to Triple-A when Correa (with a bruised finger) and Luis Arrez (COVID-19) -19) ) Make his comeback healthy, his arrival brings a clear buzz around the team.
The road to the big companies was not an easy one for Lewis or many other first-rounders. Lewis tore his right anterior cruciate ligament, missing the entire 2021 season following knee surgery. Kirilloff recalled an extensive period after Tommy John underwent surgery in 2017. Gordon dealt with gastrointestinal issues for years, often struggling to maintain the weight.
COVID-19 wiped out the entire 2020 season for minor league prospects – though some trained at the Twins’ alternate site in St Paul that year – robbing minor leaguers of a traditional growth path.
Maybe that’s what makes it all the more special to the group.
“It’s a lot of fun because you know how long it takes to get here and for some, it was longer than others because of injuries or the (Covid) season, so just to see the people we have here ‘It just gives more pleasure than nothing,’ Buxton said. “That’s great dope.”
The twins have young arms, some desi — Bailey Ober, Josh Winder, Jordan Balazovic, Matt Cantarino — some not — Joe Ryan, Joan Duran, Shimon Woods Richardson, among them — that they’re excited about, too, ready or willing to contribute.
“I think it’s amazing, and it’s really, a credit to the organization on all fronts,” said acting manager Jayce Tingler. “Definitely on the scouting side, the player development side. … To see the development happen, you look at the state of the players, obviously. There’s a lot of domestic talent, and then with the pitching side and some of those young pitchers What are capable of doing, I think it gives credit to a lot of people in the organization.
brief
cole sandsCalled back on Friday, he was sent back to Triple-A when the Twins activated Sonny Gray, who started with the injured list on Saturday. … Twin Chance louis verland On Friday, Double-A Wichita overtook her older brother Gus, playing Tulsa. Louis Vreeland conceded two runs in five innings and won, while Gus conceded six runs in three innings. The Vreeland brothers are from St. Paul.
