Twins Opening Day roster 2022
Carlos Correa's spring training addition adds star power and makes the lineup more versatile. The starting rotation and bullpen have former All-Stars and fledglings.
April 8, 2022 at 12:41PM
MIGUEL SANO, FIRST BASE, AGE: 28
Base salary: $9.25 million
Has the highest strikeout rate in Major League Baseball history — he struck out for the 1,000th time last September in his 661st game — but he hit 30 home runs for the second time.
JORGE POLANCO, SECOND BASE, AGE: 28
Base salary: $5.5 million
The Twins' MVP last season (97 runs, 98 RBI, 70 extra-base hits, .826 OPS) was finally free from nagging injuries.
GIO URSHELA, THIRD BASE, AGE: 30
Base salary: $6.5 million
Came from the Yankees in the Josh Donaldson deal and replaces Donaldson at third. Has some power (21 homers in 2019) and also can play short.
CARLOS CORREA, SHORTSTOP, AGE: 27
Base salary: $35.1 million
His signing gave the Twins stronger leadership and a marquee player. No matter what WAR you use, he was among baseball's top five players in 2021.
ALEX KIRILLOFF, LEFT FIELD, AGE: 24
Base salary: $700,000
A wrist injury and surgery derailed his promising rookie season after 59 games. Will get some action at first base, too.
BYRON BUXTON, CENTER FIELD, AGE: 28
Base salary: $9 million
One of baseball's top players when healthy. In 61 games had a 1.005 OPS, but he hasn't played a whole season since 2017.
MAX KEPLER, RIGHT FIELD, AGE: 29
Base salary: $6.75 million
Hit 36 HR and had 95 RBI in 2019, but the numbers have fallen quickly the past two seasons. Standout defensive player.
RYAN JEFFERS, CATCHER, AGE: 24
Base salary: $700,000
Very good defensively and can handle the staff. Has good pop (14 HR in 85 games) but fanned 108 times in 293 plate appearances.
GARY SANCHEZ, CATCHER-DH, AGE: 29
Base salary: $7.5 million
The key player acquired in the Yankees trade had 34 HR in 2019, but the past two seasons have been offensive duds.
RESERVES
LUIS ARRAEZ, UTILITY, AGE: 24
Base salary: $2 million (in arbitration now)
Has a .313 average through 966 major league at-bats. Worked his way into 120 games last season, including 27 in the outfield.
GILBERTO CELESTINO, OUTFIELDER, AGE: 23
Base salary: $700,000
Obtained from Houston in 2018 Ryan Pressly trade. Overmatched in 23 games for Twins last season, hitting .136 in 59 at-bats.
NICK GORDON, UTILITY, AGE: 26
Base salary: $700,000
An infielder by trade, Gordon finally made the majors last season, hit .240 and played 45 of his 73 games in the outfield.
STARTING PITCHERS
CHRIS ARCHER, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 33
Base salary: $2.75 million
Signed late to fill out the rotation, the two-time All-Star with Tampa Bay has been saddled by injuries the past two seasons.
DYLAN BUNDY, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 29
Base salary: $4 million
After a promising 2020 season, the Opening Day starter for the Angels finished 1-9 in 2021 and was relegated to the bullpen.
SONNY GRAY, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 32
Base salary: $10.7 million
Acquired from the Reds during spring training, Gray was an All-Star in 2019 and posted impressive K/9 numbers the past three seasons.
BAILEY OBER, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 26
Base salary: $700,000
After going 17-1 over his last three minor league seasons, the 6-foot-9 Ober was called up last year and started 20 games, pitching only 93 innings.
JOE RYAN, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 25
Base salary: $700,000
Acquired from Tampa for Nelson Cruz in July, he pitched in the Olympics, then was impressive in three of five big-league starts.
CHRIS PADDACK, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 26
Base salary: $2.25 million
Picked up Thursday in a trade with the Padres, the 6-5 Paddack had a strong rookie season (0.981 WHIP) in 2019 but slumped last season.
RELIEF PITCHERS
JORGE ALCALA, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 25
Base salary: $700,000
His 0.972 WHIP in 59 games made him one of the team's most effective relievers. Might he get some save opportunities?
JHAREL COTTON, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 30
Base salary: $700,000
Claimed off waivers from Texas, Cotton was a starter for the A's in 2017 but Tommy John surgery derailed his promising career.
DANNY COULOMBE, LEFTHANDER, AGE: 32
Base salary: $700,000
Veteran lefty has pitched in seven major league seasons, and was decent in 29 appearances last year for the Twins.
TYLER DUFFEY, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 31
Base salary: $3.8 million
Lights out in 2019 and 2020, he wasn't quite as sharp in 2021, but was still dependable and targeted for big-spot outings.
JHOAN DURAN, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 24
Base salary: $700,000
A 6-5 flamethrower, Duran has not pitched in the majors yet. He was shut down at St. Paul last season because of elbow issues.
EMILIO PAGAN, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 30
Base salary: $2.3 million
Obtained from San Diego on Thursday, Pagan throws in the mid-90s and had 20 saves and a 2.31 ERA for Tampa Bay in 2019.
JHON ROMERO, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 27
Base salary: $700,000
Romero pitched briefly for the Nationals last season but Washington designated him for assignment and the Twins claimed him.
JOE SMITH, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 38
Base salary: $2.5 million
He has pitched for seven teams and has been good for all of them. In 832 games (most among active pitchers), he has a 3.09 ERA.
CALEB THIELBAR, LEFTHANDER, AGE: 35
Base salary: $1.3 million
A native Minnesotan who went five years between big-league appearances (2015-20), he had a strong 2021 (7-0, 3.23 ERA).
JOSH WINDER, RIGHTHANDER, AGE: 25
Base salary: $700,000
Minor league numbers (14-3, 1.82) are fabulous, but he was sidelined last season because of a sore shoulder.
The Twins executive was on hand with Cleveland when Mark Shapiro did the double, and Shapiro noticed then his ability to “connect across every role in the organization.”
