Minnesota Twins Name Minor League MVPs, Fall League Players

There is hope for the Minnesota Twins. Maybe this year was a fluke, maybe not. But life goes on either way. On Wednesday the organization announced their minor league players of the year which gives Twins fans a little hope.

The Twins have both a minor league pitcher and position player of the year: Liam Hendricks and Brian Dozier.

Hendricks pitched 139 1/3 between AAA and AA this season. He had a 3.36 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 21 walks before being brought up to the big leagues. With the Twins, Hendricks pitched 23 1/3 innings with a 6.17 ERA along with 16 strikeouts and six walks.

It looks like Hendricks may be a year or two away from permanent playing time with the Twins, but with the Twins struggles at shortstop, Brian Dozier may be at Target Field a lot quicker.

Dozier played in High-A and AA this season, playing both second and short, but with most appearances being at shortstop. Dozier had a batting average of .320, with nine home runs, 12 triples and 33 doubles.

In the offseason Dozier is playing in the Arizona Fall League with another notable Twins prospect, Aaron Hicks.

Not only are some familiar Twins faces making appearances in Arizona, but some are also playing in the Venezuelan Winter Leagues. Outfielders Joe Benson and Rene Tosoni are playing in Venezuela for Tigres de Aragua and Cardenales de Lara respectively.

Benson isn't the only familiar face on Tigres de Aragua because lefty reliever Jose Mijares is also playing for that team.

One more familiar face to Twins fans that’s playing in Venezuela is former Cy Young winner Johan Santana, who’s playing for Navegantes del Magallanes. San Fransisco Giant Pablo Sandoval is just one of Johan’s MLB teammates playing in Venezuela.

The Twins may not have made the playoffs, but at least some Twins are playing in October.