Occasionally, a relatively unheralded player enters camp in spring training with little more than a glimmer of hope, a chip on their shoulder, and the makings to become a cult hero. All he needs is an opportunity.
We’ve seen it from beloved players such as Sugar Shane Robinson and Ryan LaMarre. Oh, and of course, the incomparable Willians Astudillo (gone too soon).
So, could the Twins be readying one of their only off-season additions to be the next cult hero?
Enter Mickey Gasper.
Suppose we’re looking at interesting positional and lineup versatility, a strong showing in spring training, and maybe some iconic facial hair to differentiate himself from other candidates. Then, it’s hard to see anyone besides Gasper taking that mantle.
What He Brings To the Table
Gasper was the return in a Christmas Eve trade that sent left-handed reliever Jovani Moran to the Boston Red Sox over the winter. It was a low-wattage trade for both clubs. Moran has been recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Gasper was likely on the outside looking in when it came to Boston’s plans for the 2025 season. The Red Sox have a crowded infield picture that features a slew of top prospects and perennial All-Stars.
However, the Twins liked Gasper’s positional versatility and ability to hit from both sides of the plate. He’s on the older side, having made his MLB debut at age 28 last season. However, he could reasonably develop further if the right coaching staff works with him.
Gasper’s stint with the Sox last season was underwhelming. There’s no getting around an admittedly small sample size of 13 games and 23 plate appearances where he went hitless. But look at his combined numbers between Double-A and Triple-A last year, and it’s easy to see the upside the Twins are banking on.
In those 92 games, Gasper hit a whopping .328/.440/.531 (.971 OPS) with 12 home runs and more walks (56) than strikeouts (42). That clip is roughly 65% better than an average hitter. His ability to slot in as a catcher, first baseman, or even at second made him a true blessing for his managers. Gasper could reasonably slot in regardless of the opposing pitcher’s handedness.
For a team that mixed and matched with platoon splits as much as anyone, the Twins have to be enticed to see that flexibility in action at some point in 2025.
Where He Fits With the Twins
Is it possible that Gasper’s age and lack of top prospect pedigree would give him an inside track at a bench role coming out of spring training? He likely finds himself behind youngsters Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien regarding playing time at second base, and he likely follows Ty France and Jose Miranda at first.
However, I find it unlikely that Lee and Julien both make the club on Opening Day. I believe that Twins management would want one to be the primary second baseman, and the other would get everyday playing time with the St. Paul Saints until they force the club’s hand on a big-league promotion.
Suppose we’re talking about a bench role where the focus isn’t necessarily on the player’s development like it would be for Lee and Julien. Then, Gasper could offer the perfect balance of in-game upside without the fear of stalling his career growth. He would provide a left-handed option at first base, and a right-handed option at second, especially if Lee starts at Triple-A. That would give super utility player Willi Castro more availability to fill in on the left side of the infield or in the outfield.
Of course, all of this depends on Gasper proving he can hit against MLB pitching. So far this spring, he has shown just that. He left Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays with a .350 batting average and an OPS near .900, with a few strong at-bats where he demonstrated his situational hitting with a few sac-fly runs batted in.
Gasper has the in-game flexibility. He’s also the ideal fit on the roster field with players needing most of playing time above him and the strong spring performance to suggest he’d be a useful bench option on Opening Day. Above all else, he has that je ne sais quoi that could make him a fan favorite going forward.
Oh, and he has a killer ‘stache.
