Willians Astudillo quickly became a fan favorite at Target Field last season for his enthusiastic sprint around the bases and good numbers in a small sample size. But nobody quite knows what to make of Astudillo's future, leading to our questions of the week: Does he deserve to be on the Twins' 25-man roster when the regular season begins, and do you think he will be?
First take: Michael Rand
Astudillo absolutely belongs on the 25-man roster. He hit .355 with an .887 OPS in 97 plate appearances with the Twins and proved that his minor league contact rate was no fluke by striking out just twice.
He followed up with a dominant winter showing in Venezuela, finishing second in the league MVP voting (to Delmon Young, by the way!).
Even if you aren't sold on his ability as a catcher — more on that in a minute — there should be a role for someone like that.
Twins writer La Velle E. Neal III: Willians, Willians, Willians. Everyone wants them some Willians. I think Patrick Reusse has an out-of-body experience when watching Astudillo, imagining that's what he would look like if he played baseball.
Look, I see a path in which Astudillo makes the team. You have one backup catcher, Ehire Adrianza as the infield backup, then Jake Cave as the fourth outfielder. That leaves one spot open on a four-man bench. Astudillo, who can catch, play some third and be an emergency outfielder, could claim that role while being an intriguing pinch-hitting option. The man makes contact and doesn't waste time doing it. Rob Manfred might order the Twins to keep him around to help speed up games.
The wild card in this is Ronald Torreyes, signed just before the winter meetings. Torreyes could end up as the 25th man as an extra infielder. Personally, I would give him a shot.
