Friday,
September 16, 2011
Twins Florida Instructional League Roster
On Friday, the
Twins began their Instructional League season down in Ft. Myers. The purpose of
the instructional league is just what it says, instruction. It is for many of
the younger players in the Twins system, but not all. I wish I could tell you
the criteria for who is invited, and why others may not be. Below, you will
find the Twins roster in the FIL:
Catchers: Kelly Cross (19), Matt Koch (22), Andy Leer (23), Danny Rams
(22), Jairo Rodriguez (23).
Infielders: Adam Bryant (22), Michael Gonzales (23), Niko
Goodrum (19), Tyler Grimes (21), Travis Harrison
(18), Levi Michael (20), AJ Pettersen (22), Jorge Polanco (18), Miguel Sano (18).
Outfielders: Oswaldo Arcia
(20), Angel Morales (21), Jairo Perez (23), Lance Ray
(22), Nate Roberts (22), Dereck Rodriguez (19), Eddie
Rosario (19), JD Williams (20).
Pitchers: Madison Boer (21), Hudson Boyd (18), Josh Burris (19), Nathan Fawbush (21), Steven Gruver (22), Matt Hauser (23), BJ Hermsen (21), Tyler Herr (20), Trent Higginbotham (19),
Edgar Ibarra (22), Tyler Jones (22), Brett Lee (20), Kuo
Hua Lo (18), Austin Malinowski (18), Angel Mata (18),
Josue Montanez (19), Cole Nelson (22), Luis Nunez
(19), Hein Robb (19), Matt Summers (22), Dakota Watts (23), Jason Wheeler (21),
Corey Williams (21), Alex Wimmers (22).
Coaching Staff: Joel Lepel (Field Coordinator),
Eric Rasmussen (Pitching Coordinator), Bill Springman
(Hitting Coordinator), Nelson Prada (Manager), Gary Lucas (Pitching Coach),
Ramon Borrego (Coach), Jeff Smith (Coach), Milt Cuyler (Coach).
The team will
play games against teams from the Red Sox, Orioles, Mets and Rays. The only
position change is Andy Leer getting some time behind the plate. He played
infield at the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND) and in his two minor league
seasons.
This will be the
first pro experiences for several players including Hudson Boyd, Josh Burris,
Trent Higginbotham, Austin Malinowski, Jason Wheeler, Travis Harrison and Levi
Michael. Kuo Hua Lo
(Taiwan) spent this season pitching in the Australian Summer League.
How fun was it
to watch the Elizabethton Twins box scores this year to see what Miguel Sano
and Eddie Rosario would do next. Rosario was the Appalachian League Player of
the Year Baseball America named him as their choice for the Rookie
Classification Player of the Year. Rosario ended the year hitting 21 home runs.
Meanwhile Sano hit 20 home runs. It’s interesting because they physically are
very different. Miguel Sano is listed at 6-2 and 225 pounds. Rosario is 6-0 and
180 pounds.
I think that
Hudson Boyd is a big-time pitching prospect. The Twins used their second
supplemental first round pick on the right-hander from Ft. Myers. He is also
just a BIG prospect. He measures in at 6-2 and 270 pounds.
If you have any
questions or comments on any of these players, please feel free to ask in the Comments section.