Alan Roden

The first rule of spring training is not to get too excited about spring training stats. That being said, Alan Roden is maybe making the Louis Varland trade look like a better deal, as he has eight hits in 22 at-bats, with one homer and a steal. For sure, a positive after he finished last [ ]

James Outman and Alan Roden are doing everything they can to force their way onto the Twins roster.

Roden entered camp as a long shot to make the Twins, but he's 7-for-14 with a homer in his five official games and there was no letup in the unofficial one today. That he bats left-handed makes him a poor fit with Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner already due to start in the outfield corners, but the Twins could have Larnach do more DHing if they want to make room for him.

That the Twins retained Trevor Larnach and added Josh Bell and Victor Caratini over the winter would seem to leave their younger outfield types with little opportunity to crack the starting lineup this spring. Roden, though, overcame similar circumstances to make the Jays last spring. He wound up disappointing and getting moved in the Louis Varland deal, but his on-base skills make him interesting, especially if he shows a little more power.