Helping The Future

There's no sugarcoating it, the Twins are bad. However, let's get optimistic up in here. While some of the team's biggest stars were some the biggest disappointments on the season, there are some players who have cemented themselves into the team's future plans. Let's take a peek at some under-the-radar guys who have quietly had good seasons.


Taylor Rogers


It started out real bad for Taylor Rogers this year, but he's turned it around for a really solid season. After April his ERA was almost 9. That's bad. Since the calendar flipped to May, Rogers has posted an ERA of 2.64. That's good. He's also has a 11.2 K/9 during that timespan. He's been death to lefties his whole career, but he's shown this year that he might deserve some more high-leverage innings moving forward.


Mitch Garver


#FreeMitch was something that Twins' fan were flooding social media with during the summer. Garver, who has shown to be an above-average bat for a catcher, was finding himself basically splitting time with journeyman Bobby Wilson. As the season has moved along, Garver is getting more and more playing time, and he's making it count. On the season, Garver is slashing .260/.331/.415, for an OPS+ of 101. Not exactly Joe Mauer in his prime, but having someone hold his own at the plate, while I believe making strides behind it, can be a valuable piece for next season.


Jake Cave


Ok, Jake Cave has been a good outfielder for the Twins. He is stretched defensively in center, but he will be a good corner outfielder. Then he's shown to have some pop at the plate, hitting .263/.313/.449. However, let's pump the brakes on saying he's the outfielder of the future and the Twins should trade Buxton or Kepler. That's not happening, and it shouldn't happen. What Cave has done has been really encouraging, and he deserves to make the opening day roster next year, just as a 4th outfielder with some upside.


Gabriel Moya


Video game numbers. That's what Gabriel Moya has had throughout his career in the minors. Seriously, look them up. It's bananas. Now, those amazing numbers are translating to the MLB. Since his latest call up, he has pitched to a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings with just one homerun allowed. He's pitched some high-leverage innings as well as multiple innings when a starter doesn't go deep into the game. He's definitely an intriguing arm to watch.


Tyler Austin


I think Tyler Austin has hit a couple homeruns lately that haven't landed yet. The dude has stupid power. WARNING SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT: Tyler Austin has an OPS of 1.155 with the Twins, in just 12 games though. However, in a little larger sample, Austin has shown to be death to left-handed pitching. In his MLB career (120 plate appearances) he is hitting .304/.383/.657 with 11 homeruns against southpaws. That's a great skillset to have, especially with a lefty-heavy lineup. He could be a great platoon bat for Joe Mauer if he decides to come back next season.


See Twins' fans? It's not all sadness. It mostly is, but I'm trying here.