EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – By the time you read this, it will be accurate to say that Spring Training starts next week. It’s an early Opening Day this year, which means an early start to camp, and that’s all magnified by the World Baseball Classic. It’s likely to be a very interesting camp for the Twins, with a couple of wide-open competitions, most notably on the pitching staff. Minnesota has something like eight candidates for five starting spots, and with Joe Ryan and potentially Pablo López scheduled to pitch in the WBC, that means there will be plenty of innings for all of those candidates to state their cases. Then there’s the bullpen, which remains very much in flux and could still have additions before camp gets rolling. And the outfield, where Byron Buxton and Matt Wallner are set but not much else is clear. Here’s a look at what you’ll see if you’re able to make it down to Florida this spring. When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers? Thursday, Feb. 12 What is the date of the first full-squad workout? Monday, Feb. 16 Where is the team’s facility? Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex is in Fort Myers, Fla., on 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, between US 41 and I-75. Can fans attend workouts? Yes, fans are welcome. |
Who are some new faces fans should know? The Twins may not be done just yet, but the biggest names added so far are lefty reliever Taylor Rogers, first baseman Josh Bell and catcher-first baseman Victor Caratini, all of whom signed as free agents. Other potentially intriguing additions include right-handed reliever Eric Orze, first baseman/outfielder Eric Wagaman, catcher Alex Jackson and utilityman Ryan Kreidler. All were acquired via trade except Kreidler, who was a waiver claim. Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp? It’s a fun bunch, headlined by the organization’s top two prospects: outfielder Walker Jenkins (MLB Pipeline’s No. 14 overall) and infielder Kaelen Culpepper (No. 52 overall). Other names to know include outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez (No. 74 overall), and pitchers Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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When is the team’s first Grapefruit League game? The Twins’ first game in Florida is actually not a Grapefruit League game – they play the University of Minnesota on Friday, Feb. 20, at 5:05 p.m. CT. Their first Major League opponent comes the next day, with a 12:05 p.m. CT home game against the Red Sox. What are a few other notable spring games? The Yankees, always a big draw, come to Fort Myers on Friday, Feb. 27. The Twins will face the Puerto Rican World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday, March 4, and they host the American League-champion Blue Jays on Friday, March 20. The annual party known as Minnesota Day is set for Saturday, March 14, when the Rays come to town. What is Spring Breakout and when is the game? Now in its third year, MLB Spring Breakout is a showcase event for the game’s top prospects, with each organization fielding a roster of top prospects for games against each other. All 30 teams participate in the event highlighting the future faces of baseball. The Twins’ Spring Breakout game is set for March 19, at home against a team of Phillies prospects. It starts at 12:05 p.m. CT. |
Will the team’s games be televised? Details of Twins.TV’s coverage of Spring Training have not yet been announced, but it is expected that some games will be carried. When is the club’s last game in Florida? The Twins will once again be one of the last teams playing in Florida, with a Tuesday, March 24 home game against the Red Sox at 12:05 p.m. CT finishing off the exhibition schedule. Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season? No, the team will travel directly to Baltimore for Opening Day, which is just two days after the last Grapefruit League game. What are the details for Opening Day? The Twins open on the road with a day game at Camden Yards. The opener is set for Thursday, March 26 against the Orioles at 2:05 p.m. CT. The home opener is eight days later, on Friday, April 3 at 3:10 p.m. CT against the Rays at Target Field. |
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AND, FINALLY, THE PLAYLIST |
I’ve been listening to a lot of New Order lately, so here are five favorites from their amazing catalog. Y’all be kind and look out for each other, OK? “Face Up” “Touched by the Hand of God” “Everything’s Gone Green” “Regret” “Round & Round” |
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