Meet the 2015 Red Wings

The Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, are coming off last year's 77-67 season and fourth-place finish in the International League's North Division. The Wings are under the direction of a new manager this season as Mike Quade takes over in the dugout.

The team plays its home games at Frontier Field in downtown Rochester (1 Morrie Silver Way).

More: The latest Red Wings news

Reporter Kevin Oklobzija introduces the roster, starting with the batters, followed by the pitchers, and finally the manager and two coaches, in this year's edition of "Meet the Red Wings."

BATTERS

James Beresford, #2

DOB: 1/19/89

Position: 2B

Bats: L

Acquired: 2005 (FA)

Played in 131 of 144 games and had 507 official at-bats last season. His 140 hits were the most by a Red Wings player since 2008. ... Has been in the organization since the Twins signed him in 2005 as an undrafted free agent at age 16. ... Promoted to Triple-A midway through the 2013 season and was with the Wings for all of 2014. ... Hit .276 with 28 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers and 47 RBI. ... Those home runs were the second and third of his eight-year career, and his first since he was with Class-A Beloit in 2010. ... A native of Mount Waverly, Australia, he played for his homeland in the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classic (batted a combined 6-for-20 in six games over the two tournaments).

Doug Bernier, #17

DOB: 6/24/80

Position: SS

Bats: R

Acquired: 2013 (FA)

The elder statesman of the clubhouse at age 34 and with 14 years of experience, he's a leader, mentor and a really good ball player. ... Ultra-slick fielder who sparkles at shortstop or second base. ... Hit a .295 for the Wings in 2013 and .280 last season. ... Had four at-bats with the Colorado Rockies in 2008 but finally was given significant MLB playing time by the Twins in 2013 (33 games, .226, 5 RBI). Also played in seven games for the Twins last year (2-for-7). ... Set career highs in 2014 in games (131), hits (115), doubles (25), extra-base hits (33) and RBI (54). ... After hitting just four homers between 2009 and 2013, belted six for the Wings last season. ... Native of Santa Maria, California.

Argenis Diaz, #13

DOB: 2/12/87

Position: SS

Bats: R

Acquired: 2014 (FA)

Could be known as the man with the hands. ... Baseball America rated him the best defensive infielder in the Red Sox organization three straight years (2006-2008) and in the Pirates system in 2009. ... Joined the Twins as a minor-league free agent in November. ... Played for three teams last season: Triple-A Louisville in the Reds system and Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks organization. ... Spent three seasons with IL Toledo from 2011 through 2013, batting a combined .261 with 305 hits, including 59 doubles. ... His only MLB experience came in 2010 with Pittsburgh when he hit .242 (8-for-33) in 22 games. ... Native of Guatire, Venezuela.

Eric Farris, #5

DOB: 33/86

Position: CF

Bats: R

Acquired: 2013 (FA)

A key member of the 2014 Wings, he provided spark with the bat and in the field. ... Played in a team-leading 133 games and didn't have an error. ... Had 8 outfield assists, including 3 in the June 23 game at Buffalo. ... Led the Wings in stolen bases (16) and multi-hit games (44) and was second in runs (59) and hits (135, batting .280). ... Just three players in the International League were more difficult to strike out (he fanned just once every 9.18 at-bats). ... A fourth-round pick in 2007 by the Milwaukee Brewers, was in their organization for six years and appeared in 14 MLB games (1-for-9 batting). ... Native of Sacramento, California.

Eric Fryer, #22

DOB: 8/26/85

Position: C

Bats: R

Acquired: 2012 (FA)

Beginning his third season in the Twins organization and ninth in pro ball. ... Has racked up 1,042 days of Major League service the past four seasons, playing in 16 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2011 and 2012 and in 34 games with Minnesota the past two seasons. ... Had a pair of three-hit games for the Twins last season. ... Threw out 7 of 16 would-be base-stealers for the Red Wings last summer. ... He was promoted from the Wings on June 12 and never returned, batting .213 with a homer and 5 RBI for the Twins. ... The 2008 South Atlantic League batting champ (.335) while in the Brewers system. ... A graduate of Ohio State University (degree in education/emphasis on sports management). ... Native of Columbus, Ohio.

Nate Hanson, #12

DOB: 2/8/87

Position: Infield

Bats: Right

Acquired: 2008 (Draft)

Started the season on the disabled list because of a strained right calf muscle. ... In his eighth season in the Twins organization after being drafted on the 28th round in 2008. ... Starts in Triple-A for the first time but he has been with the Wings for 20- and 23-game stints the past two seasons. ... Starred at the University of Minnesota and was an All-Big Ten selection at third base in 2007 and 2008. The only other Gophers third basemen to accomplish the feat: Terry Steinbach (1981, 82, 83) and Jack McCartan (56, 57, 58; better known as an Olympic and NHL goalie). ... Hit .241 with 2 homers and 11 RBI in 83 at-bats for the Wings last summer. ... Native of Cerritos, California, and grew up in the Twin Cities metro area.

Aaron Hicks, #31

DOB: 10/2/89

Position: CF

Bats: S

Acquired: 2008 (Draft)

The highly skilled center fielder was the Twins first-round draft pick (14th overall) in 2008. ... Began 2013 and 2014 on the Twins' Opening Day roster and was in MLB for the majority of both seasons. ... Hit .215 with one homer and 18 RBI in 69 games for the Twins last summer. In 2013, batted .192 with 8 homers and 27 RBI. ... A switch-hitter who last summer thought about sticking solely to batting right-handed until Hall of Famer and Twins legend Rod Carew implored him to embrace the skill. ... Speedy outfielder has a knack for the highlight-video catch, something he proved yet again on Opening Day in Buffalo. ... His 2012 Eastern League season with New Britain is why he has so much promise: .286, 100 runs, 21 doubles, 11 triples, 13 homers and 61 RBI. ... Native of Long Beach, California.

Jose Martinez, #4

DOB: 1/24/86

Position: 2B

Bats: R

Acquired: 2014 (FA)

Signed as a minor-league free agent with the Twins in December after 10 previous seasons with three other organizations: the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros and Oakland A's. ... Is coming off his first full season of Triple-A ball, when he hit .276 with 8 homers and 61 RBI for the Sacramento River Cats. ... A right-handed hitter, he hit a robust .362 against lefties last season with a .385 on-base percentage and .457 slugging percentage. ... Finished 2014 with a .986 fielding percentage, which included a 42-game errorless streak. ... Native of Caraboba, Venezuela.

Danny Ortiz, #11

DOB: 1/5/90

Position: LF

Bats: L

Acquired: 2008 (Draft)

A prospect with power, this is his eighth season in the organization after the Twins drafted him on the fourth round in 2008. ... Split 2014 between Double-A New Britain (49 games) and Triple-A Rochester (73 games). ... Hit .256 for the Wings with 13 doubles, 3 triples and 8 home runs. Drove in 33. ... Hit 12 homers and had 60 RBI in 2013. ... His first career grand slam enabled the Wings to overcome a 6-0 deficit and defeat Pawtucket 8-6 on June 19. Just 31 days later, hit another grand slam. ... His walk total from last season says he definitely prefers to swing the bat: just 13 free passes, 9 in 254 plate appearances for the Wings, 4 in 189 PA's with New Britain. ... Native of Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Brock Peterson, #19

DOB: 11/20/83

Position: 1B

Bats: R

Acquired: 2014 (FA)

The Twins said welcome home when they re-signed him as a minor-league free agent in December. … Spent the first eight years of his pro career, from 2003 through 2010, under contract to Minnesota before testing pastures elsewhere. … Played 2011-2013 in the Cardinals system and then spent all of last season in Triple-A, splitting between Syracuse (Washington Nationals) and Albuquerque (Los Angeles Dodgers). … Hit a combined 15 home runs and drove in 67 runs. … Stung the ball for Albuquerque (.387 in 45 games). … Season ended prematurely due to a broken thumb on Aug. 23. … Native of Centralia, Washington.

Josmil Pinto, #39

DOB: 3/31/89

Position: C

Bats: R

Acquired: 2006 (FA)

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006, he has steadily risen through the Twins system, from rookie ball to MLB. … Suffered a concussion in spring training when hit by the follow-through of a swing by Baltimore's Adam Jones. … Split 2014 between Rochester (60 games) and Minnesota (57). … Hit .279 for the Wings with 6 homers, 17 doubles and 35 RBI in 208 at-bats. … Set a Twins record for walks by a rookie in April (11). … 2013 was his breakout season. Named a Double-A All-Star by Baseball America and was an Eastern League All-Star for New Britain (.308, 14, 68). … Stopped by Rochester for 19 games that summer before getting his first promotion to MLB on Aug. 31. … A career .273 hitter. … Native of Valencia, Venezuela.

Reynaldo Rodriguez, #23

DOB: 7/2/86

Position: RF/1B

Bats: R

Acquired: 2012 (FA)

Coming off an All-Star season with New Britain in the Eastern League. … His name was plastered about the Top-10 lists of Eastern League batting leaders … Led the EL with 36 doubles, was second in extra-base hits (59), runs (81) and total bases (235), sixth in homers (21), seventh in hits (132) and 10th in RBI (66). Yep, that's an All-Star. … Did have a 10-game look with the Wings (5-for-32 with a homer). … Twins are his third organization. Started in the Yankees system in 2005, was released in 2008, then signed with Boston in 2010. … Native of Cartegena, Colombia.

Eddie Rosario, #1

DOB: 9/28/91

Position: CF

Bats: L

Acquired: 2010 (draft)

Fast-tracking his way up the ladder in the Twins system. … Drafted on the fourth round in 2010, he starts his first season in Triple-A after turning some heads in the big-league camp during spring training. … A .294 career hitter through five minor-league seasons. … Very good contact hitter. … Played in the Arizona Fall League and lost the batting title on the final day of the season to Cincinnati prospect Jesse Winkler. … Didn't make an error on 116 chances with Double-A New Britain last year. … His 2014 season was put on hold by a 50-game suspension to start the season for using a drug of abuse. … Added to the Twins 40-man roster in November. … Native of Guayama, Puerto Rico.

********

PITCHERS

A.J. Achter, #35

DOB: 8/7/88

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2010 (Draft)

Was one of two International League relievers selected to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game in 2014. … Beginning his sixth pro season, all in the Twins organization. … Went 4-4 with a 2.38 ERA out of the bullpen for the Wings last year. Had a .944 WHIP (walks + hits/innings pitched) and opponents batted just .176 against him. … Made his MLB debut in September (1-0, 3.27 ERA) with the Twins. … Over his past three seasons – his time as a full-time reliever – he has a sparkling 2.11 ERA. … Native of Toledo, Ohio.

Logan Darnell, #15

DOB: 2/2/89

Position: P

Throws: L

Acquired: 2010 (Draft)

Has primarily been a starter but is slated to pitch out of the bullpen this season. Went 7-6 with a 3.60 ERA last season for the Wings, making 19 starts. … Made his MLB debut in 2014 for the Twins (0-2, 7.13 ERA). … Pitched the final six innings (at home) of a combined two-pitcher, two-day, two-city no-hitter for the Wings against Durham on Aug. 11. (Trevor May pitched the first three innings July 24 on the road before rain struck). … Named the Wings "most civic-minded" player last year. … Native of Nashville, Tennessee.

Pat Dean, #21

DOB: 5/25/89

Position: P

Throws: L

Acquired: 2010 (Draft)

Had a one-month taste of Triple-A with the Red Wings in 2013 (3-2, 2.03 ERA in six starts) but spent all of 2014 with Double-A New Britain. … A third-round draft pick of the Twins in 2010, he has been used exclusively as a starter since rookie ball. That may change this year; he's slated to pitch out of the bullpen to start the year. … Led the Rock Cats pitching staff in innings last season (144). … The Johnny Vander Meer of Naugatuck (Connecticut) High School, pitching a no-hitter and perfect game in successive starts. … Native of Waterbury, Conn.

Mark Hamburger, #41

DOB: 2/5/87

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2014 (FA)

Split 2014 between Double-A and Triple-A, starting with New Britain before coming up to the Wings. … Was 4-4 with a 3.79 ERA in Rochester, starting six times and relieving eight times. … Allowed just one home run in 54.2 innings for the Wings. … Missed the first 50 games of 2014 due to a drug suspension (reportedly for marijuana use). … Has appeared in five MLB games, all with the Texas Rangers in 2011. … Never drafted, he was signed by the Twins out of an open tryout camp at the Metrodome in 2007. The only others to reach MLB out of a Twins tryout camp: Charley Walters from 1966 (he has been a long-time sports columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press) and Gary Serum from 1975. … Native of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Trevor May, #50

DOB: 9/23/89

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2012 (Trade-PHI)

Now in his eighth pro season, he came to the Twins organization along with pitcher Vance Worley in the December 2012 trade that sent OF Ben Revere to the Phillies. … Was among the IL's elite starters with the Wings last season, going 8-6 with a 2.84 ERA before his Aug. 9 promotion to the Twins. Dominated at Frontier Field (5-1, 1.28 ERA). … Named to the MLB All-Star Futures Game but couldn't participate due to a calf strain. … In 10 appearances (nine starts), was 3-6 with a 7.88 ERA for Minnesota. … Led the Eastern League in strikeouts in 2012 and 2013. … Fanned 94 in 98.1 innings with the Wings last summer. … Native of Longview, Washington.

Alex Meyer, #32

DOB: 1/3/90

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2012 (Trade-WSH)

His mid- to high-90s fastball is his trademark. … In just his fourth pro season, he has climbed the ladder quickly, from Class-A in 2012 to AA in 2013 to Triple-A with the Wings last season. Went 7-7 with a 3.52 ERA in the IL for Rochester, leading the league in strikeouts per inning for starters (1.17 per inning average). … Acquired from the Washington Nationals in a December 2012 trade for OF Denard Span. … Pitched for the U.S. in the MLB Futures Game. … Struck out 11 in back-to-back starts in April 2014, the first Wings pitcher to do so since Francisco Liriano in 2005. … Has worked as a substitute teacher in the offseason back home in Greensburg, Indiana, for $63 a day.

Lester Oliveros, #33

DOB: 5/28/88

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2011 (Trade-DET)

A 10th-year pro, he came to the Twins organization 2011 in the Delmon Young trade. … Rallied stoutly in 2014 after missing nearly all of the 2013 season because of Tommy John surgery. … Was a combined 4-3 with a 1.63 ERA in 50 relief appearances for New Britain and Rochester (including 1-2/2.29 in 24 games for the Wings). … Pitched in seven games for the Twins (0-1, 7.11). … Played for five teams in 2011 (Erie, Toledo and the Detroit Tigers before the Aug. 16 trade, and the Wings and Twins after). … A native of Maracay, Venezuela.

Ryan O'Rourke, #49

DOB: 4/30/88

Position: RP

Throws: Left

Acquired: 2010 (Draft)

Started the season with Double-A Chattanooga and was promoted when Caleb Thielbar joined the Minnesota Twins. … His specialty is retiring left-handed batters in dicey situations. … His repertoire of cutters, sliders and changeups make him especially effective against lefties. … Faced 68 left-handed batters at Double-A in 2014 and struck out 41. He also allowed only seven hits and four walks. … He appeared in 50 games for Double-A New Britain and in 25 of those appearances he pitched less than an inning. … Is in his sixth organization in the Twins organization. … A 13th-round draft pick out of Merrimack College. … Native of Worcester, Massachusetts.



Ryan Pressly, #18

DOB: 12/15/88

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2012 (Rule 5)

An eighth-year pro, he was plucked away from the Boston Red Sox in the 2012 offseason in the Rule 5 draft. … Spent the entire 2013 season on the Twins roster and led American League rookie relievers in innings pitched (76.2 while going 3-3 with a 3.87 ERA). … Split the 2014 season between the Twin Cities and Rochester (2-0, 2.86 with the Twins, 1-4, 2.98 with the Wings). … Recorded the first six saves of his career last summer with the Wings. … Converted from starter to reliever by the Red Sox in 2012. … Was an all-state defensive back for Marcus (Texas) High School. … A native of Dallas.

Stephon Pryor, #30

DOB: 7/23/89

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2014 (Trade-SEA)

The sixth-year pro begins his first full season in the Twins organization. … Was obtained in a July 24 trade that sent Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners. … Has had a taste of the big leagues with Seattle each of the past three seasons; went 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA in 26 appearances in 2012. … Appeared in one game last year for the Mariners (against the Twins, ironically) and seven in 2013. … Sparkled for the Wings after the trade, going 1-0 with an 0.89 ERA in 14 appearances out of the bullpen. The two runs he allowed were solo homers. … Native of Donelson, Tennessee.

Taylor Rogers, #24

DOB: 12/17/90

Position: P

Throws: L

Acquired: 2012 (Draft)

His performance has put him on the fast track in the organization since the Twins drafted him on the 11th round in 2012. … Was 11-6 with a 2.55 ERA for Class-A Fort Myers in 2013 and then duplicated the W-L record in 2014 (with a 3.29 ERA) for Double-A New Britain. … April 2014 was not kind to him (0-3, 9.33 ERA, one no decision) but then sparkled (11-3, 2.42) the rest of the season. … Twin brother Tyler is a relief pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. … One of three University of Kentucky products on the pitching staff (Alex Meyer and Logan Darnell are the others). … Native of Littleton, Colorado.

Caleb Thielbar, #25

DOB: 1/31/87

Position: P

Throws: L

Acquired: 2011 (FA)

Spent entire 2014 season, and most of 2013, in the Twins bullpen. … He went 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances last season. … Was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers out of South Dakota State University but released before the 2011 season. The Twins then signed him out of their backyard when he was pitching in the independent Northern League for the St. Paul Saints. … When he was promoted from the Wings to the Twins in 2013, he became the first South Dakota State product to reach MLB. … Native of Northfield, Minnesota.

Michael Tonkin, #37

DOB: 11/19/89

Position: P

Throws: R

Acquired: 2008 (Draft)

The Wings leader in saves each of the past two seasons (14 in 2013, 10 last season). He is 24-for-27 in save situations for his career in the IL. … With runners on base and two outs, he retired 35 of 38 batters last season. … The climb from low-A to Triple-A took from 2008 to 2013, but he has been a mainstay in the Wings bullpen since his arrival on May 30, 2013. … He also has pitched for the Twins in each of the past two seasons (0-0, 0.79 ERA in nine appearances in 2013, 0-0, 4.74 ERA in 25 games in 2014. … Pitched in the 2012 Class-A Midwest League All-Star Game for Beloit. … Native of Glendale, California.

Jason Wheeler, #48

DOB: 10/27/90

Position: P

Throws: L

Acquired: 2011 (Draft)

A Triple-A rookie, he starts the season in the Red Wings starting rotation. … His only appearance with the Wings came last summer on July 25, when he pitched the first five innings against Indianapolis (5 hits, 2 runs, 3 Ks). … An eighth-round draft pick by the Twins in 2011, this is his fourth pro season. … Led the organization's minor-league pitchers in ERA in 2014 (a combined 2.67 between Class-A, Double-A and Triple-A). … Led the Class-A Midwest League in victories (14) for Beloit in 2012. Brother Ryan is an infielder in the Angels organization. … Has passed the law school admissions test (LSAT). … Native of Torrance, California.

********

MANAGER, COACHES

Mike Quade, #8

Manager

Returns to the dugout for the first time since 2011, when he was at the helm of the 71-91 Chicago Cubs, his "hometown" team. … Age 58. … Born and grew up in Evanston, Illinois, he now lives in Bradenton, Florida. … Elevated to Cubs manager on Aug. 22, 2010, following the retirement of Lou Piniella, and posted a 24-13 record. … Opted to take a break from baseball in 2012 and 2013 after being relieved of his duties in Chicago. … Served as a roving outfield and baserunning coach for the New York Yankees in 2014. … Has 17 years of minor-league managerial experience. … Twice named Manager of the Year (in 1991 with Double-A Harrisburg and in 1993 with Triple-A Ottawa). … His University of New Orleans teammate, Randy Bush, won a pair of World Series titles with the Twins in 1987 and 1991. … If there's a body of water, there's a good chance he'll want to cast a fishing line into it.

Tim Doherty, #9

Hitting coach

Begins his third season as the Red Wings hitting coach. … Age 48. … Was the staff assistant for the 2012 Boston Red Sox. … Spent the previous nine years in the independent Northern League with the Kansas City T-Bones, where he was the manager in 2010 and 2011. … Coached at the collegiate ranks for nine years, including four at Southwest Texas State. … Daughter Jordyn is a gymnast at the University of Missouri. … Makes his home in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Marty Mason, #38

Pitching coach

This is Year 30 as a coach in professional baseball, and Year 3 as the Wings pitching coach. … Age 56. … Was Tony LaRussa's bullpen coach from 2000 through 2010 with the St. Louis Cardinals and has a World Series ring from 2006. … Was in the Cardinals system for 25 years, including as the Triple-A pitching coach for three years. … Reached the Double-A level as a player, working almost exclusively out of the bullpen. … His career minor-league record was 46-27 with a 2.59 ERA in 276 games (2 starts). … Native of Central City, Kentucky, makes his offseason home in Stuart, Florida.