Former first-round draft pick Nick Gordon will wear a Twins uniform this spring, one of 16 minor-league players invited to training camp with the major-league team next month in Fort Myers, Fla.
Gordon, a 21-year-old shortstop drafted fifth overall by the Twins in the 2014 draft, has yet to play above Class A, but he'll be given an opportunity to make an impression on Twins manager Paul Molitor and his staff. Gordon, the brother of Marlins infielder Dee Gordon, batted .291 with 19 stolen bases for Fort Myers last season.
Another former first-rounder, righthanded reliever Alex Wimmers, who spent September with the Twins last season, will be in major-league camp for the first time.
Ben Paulsen, an outfielder with 480 games of major league experience with the Colorado Rockies, has also been extended an invitation to Twins' camp, along with outfielder J.B. Shuck, who has played for the Astros, Angels, Indians and White Sox.
Among other newcomers invited to camp: Former Pirates and Blue Jays first baseman Matt Hague, utility infielder Tommy Field, who has seen action with four big-league teams, catcher Eddy Rodriguez, infielder Benji Gonzalez, and righthanded reliever Drew Rucinski.
In addition, players with experience in the Twins' system will be in camp: lefthander Stephen Gonsalves, the team's minor-league pitcher of the year in 2016; pitchers Raul Fernandez, Jake Reed and Aaron Slegers; catcher Dan Rohlfing; and infielders Niko Goodrum and Leonardo Reginatto.
Twins spring training camp opens in 39 days, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 14.
