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Twins Camp 2025
Championship Teams Crowned!
The 2025 camp will be remembered for great baseball and only the second time in anyone’s recollection that a camp team navigated their week with an unblemished record. We truly witnessed a great week of baseball action and with another super talented rookie class. With ten teams vying for eight playoff spots again this year.
The 10 teams that made up the 2025 Twins Camp included: The Game 7 – coached by Frank Viola & Jeff Reardon, the Villains – coached by Juan Berenguer & Al Newman, ​​team LCL – led by Tim Laudner, Gene Larkin & Milt Cuyler, the Irrelevants – managed by Glen Perkins & Matt Guerrier, team ​Redemption Tour – coached by Juan Rincon, Brian Dinkelman & Devin Smeltzer, team Roasted & Toasted – led by Ron & Toby Gardenhire, We Are Family – coached by Matt LeCroy, Phil Roof & Dick Stigman, team 6905er’s –coached by Kent Hrbek & Tom Brunansky, team Twin Killing, coached by Stu & Stan Cliburn, and the North Star Ninjas, coached by Jacque Jones & Tommy Watkins. Overseeing all of the baseball operations again in 2025 was Camp Commissioner and Baseball Hall of Fame member, Bert Blyleven. We were thrilled to have Tony Oliva, 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, back in camp again in January. Tony was back in his native Cuba visiting family during last year’s camp. We did miss veteran Pro Staff member, JC Romero who had to scratch at the last minute after a leg injury.
The standings of the camp after a week of play (at the completion of seven pool play games) looked like this:
Blue Division
Team Wins Losses Runs Allowed Runs Scored
Redemption Tour 7 0 29 71
Game 7 6 1 16 51
Irrelevants 4 4 37 49
Rst & Tsd 4 3 61 62
Red Division
North Star Ninjas 3 4 32 55
LCL’s 3 4 32 22
6905er”s 3 4 46 36
Villains 2 5 47 34
The two last place teams, We Are Family and the Twin Killing, did not qualify for the playoffs, but did play a consolation game inside Hammond Stadium on Friday morning. The game that has been affectionately tabbed by our campers as the “Toilet Bowl” in the Brown Division.
After a two year absence due to rain, the annual Pro Staff vs. Rookies game was again held in Hammond Stadium following Friday morning’s first round playoff games. The winners of those games advanced to their respective Divisional Championship game that were held on Saturday inside Hammond Stadium. In a week that featured cool weather, we were fortunate to have a dry week. The only exception came on the final day of camp. However, following a two hour rain delay, we were able to play both Championship games.
In the Red Division the top seeded North Star Ninja’s squared off against the number 2 seeded team, LCL. The LCL’s got their offense going early, scoring 3 in the first, while holding the Ninjas to a single run in their half of the opening stanza. Both teams were held scoreless over the next five innings. However, in the 5th inning, the Ninjas rallied for four runs and added another in the 6th to take what appeared to be a commanding 6-3 lead heading into the game’s final inning. But team LCL was not done yet. With the top of their line up at the plate, they were able to plate 2 runs and were threatening more with the tying run on base. However they were unable to overcome the lead that the Ninja’s had established. With the third out in the top of the 7th and final inning, the North Star Ninjas claimed the Red Division crown with a 6-5 win.
2025 RED DIVISION CHAMPIONS – THE NINJA NORTH STAR’s
Pictured left to right, first row: Greg Sell, Scott Rosenberg, Lisa Ernst, Will Malizia, Scott Shapiro, Mark Bellrichard & Scott Manwarren. Back Row: Coach Tommy Watkins, Jim Furlong, Drew Levin, Bill Clabots, Brian Slipka, Rich Siporin, Mark Heaney, Robb Bader & Coach – Jacque Jones.
The Blue Division Championship was another one run affair and is exactly what you’d expect when the top two teams in camp square off. Top seeded and undefeated team Redemption Tour, led by Juan Rincon, Devin Smeltzer and Brian Dinkelman would put their perfect record on the line against a perennially solid Game 7 squad coached by 1987 World Series heroes, Jeff Reardon and Frank Viola. Like any classic heavyweight fight, both teams took the time to size each other out in the first inning with neither squad drawing blood.
Game 7 pushed a run across in their half of the 2nd and added another run in the top of the 4th inning, to take a 2-0 lead. Things were looking a bit bleak for the Redemption squad when they came to bat with the top of their lineup in the 5th. Led by singles from Pineda, Roiger and Belzer they were able to knot the game up at 2 runs apiece. With two out, two on and first base open, Game 7 elected to put the 2025 Camp Silver Slugger Award winner, Lance Anderson aboard with an intentional walk in order to pitch to Andrew Peterson. Andrew delivered with a solid shot to the left side of the infield that resulted in an error, but the damage was complete. Peterson was safe at first and the leading run had hustled home.
Game 7 came to bat with the middle of their lineup in the top of the 7th and final inning. However, starter, Steve Swanson added another 1-2-3 inning to his day and the Redemption was complete. Redemption tour claimed the Blue Division Championship with a 3-2, and in the process became one of two undefeated teams in recorded camp history.
2025 Blue Division Undefeated Champions – Redemption Tour
Front Row: Paul Kratoska, Mike Peterson, Eric Nelson, Andrew Peterson, Alejandro Pineda, Dan Williams, Phil Prosapio & Steve Swanson. Back Row (left to right), Coach – Devin Smeltzer, Coach – Brian Dinkelman, Don Donakowski, Dave Roiger, Ron Innamarato, Bill Trubeck, Lance Anderson, Jeff Belzer and Coach – Juan Rincon.
Congratulations to the 2025 Twins Camp Champions! We wish to also congratulate the other seven teams that made for another exciting week of baseball!
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Twins Camp 2025 Player Awards!
Each year, the Twins Camp’s Pro Staff meets on Friday morning, prior to the scheduled start of the single-elimination play-off games, to nominate and select those individuals whose performance in the week’s pool play was at a truly exemplary level. This year the staff’s work was again made difficult by the number of quality players in camp, and the arrival of another large and perhaps, among the most talented rookie classes in camp history. The camp recognizes individuals in eight major categories. They are: Cy Young (over & under 50 years of age), Gold Glove (over & under 50), Most Valuable Player (over & under 50), the Rookie of the Year, and the prestigious Kirby Puckett Award. In 2020, a new award, the “Silver Slugger” award was introduced and each year the award goes to the leading hitter at the Twins Camp.
Each winner, as is the case with each of the members of the two championship teams, receives an engraved, wood plaque to commemorate their great week of baseball. Additionally, the eight individual award winners receive the appropriate autographed award during the final evening’s banquet. Those awards are autographed by such legends as Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, Joe Mauer, Frank Viola, Justin Morneau, Byron Buxton or Carlos Correa.
​Additionally, every year, the coaches on each team recognize a team MVP(s). The team’s MVP(s) as selected by the coaches, received an autographed pull-over worn by the coaches during the week by a member of their coaching staff. Some of the coaches could not zero in on just one individual and named multiple winners. The team MVP’s at the 2025 camp were:
2025 Twins Camp Team MVP’s
 
Team Villains MVP Jon Bottema Team Twin Killing MVP – Michael
with coaches Juan Berenguer & Al Newman. Conrad with coaches Stan & Stu Cliburn.
 
Roasted & Toasted MVP’s Nick Karbon and Barry North Star Ninjas MVP – Scott Manwarren with
Karon with coaches Toby & Ron Gardenhire. coaches Tommy Watkins & Jacque Jones.
 
Team LCL’s MVP’s Aimee Thornton & Chelsi Redemption Tour MVP’s, Paul Kratoska and
Nelson with coaches, Tim Laudner & Milt Cuyler. Steve Swanson with coaches Brian Dinkelman, Juan Rincon and Devin Smeltzer.
 
Irrelevants MVP’s John Stutzman and Jeremy Game 7 MVP’s, Mark Wolfe & Scott Morvig with coaches Matt Guerrier and Glen Perkins. coaches Jeff Reardon & Frank Viola.
 
6905ers MVP’s, Jason Pace & Kraig Haenke We Are Family MVP’s, Jim Hentges, Nick Hinnenkamp with coaches – Kent Hrbek & Tom Brunansky. & Adam Sampson with coaches – Matt LeCroy, Phil
Roof and Dick Stigman.
Congratulations to all of the Team MVP recipients!
Well Done Campers!
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2025 Individual Player Award Recipients
As mentioned earlier, new to the camp’s Awards a few years back, is the “Silver Slugger” that is now presented to the leading hitter at the camp who meets the minimum qualifying number of “at bats” during pool play for the week (seven games). This year’s Award winner, Lance Anderson, completed his week at the plate with an incredible .857 batting average, recording 12 hits in his 14 at bats. Lance received a mini bat autographed by three time AL Batting Champion and National Hall of Fame member, Tony Oliva.
The 2025 Silver Slugger for the Twins Camp was Lance Anderson. Lance receives his award from National Baseball Hall of Fame member and three time American League batting champion, Tony Oliva.
The 2025 Cy Young Award nominees in the Over 50 category included: Mark Wolfe, Bill Clabots, Ron Watson, Mark Besser, Kevin Ulrich, Jason Seurer & Paul Kratoska. The Cy Young award winners in each category receive an engraved plaque as well as an autographed baseball by American League 1988 Cy Young winner, Frank Viola. This year’s Over 50 Cy Young Award winner was Jason Seurer of team LCL, coached by Tim Laudner, Gene Larkin & Milt Cuyler.
Jason Seurer receives his Cy Young award from coaches Tim Laudner (left) & Milt Cuyler. Not available for the picture was coach Gene Larkin.
The Under 50 Cy Young Award nominees included: Josh Popp, Shane Moore, Blake Faust, Alejandro Pineda, Josh Stoll, Craig Johnson, Adam Sampson & Greg Sell. This year’s Under 50 award went to Josh Popp. Josh also received a Frank Viola autographed baseball from his Irrelevant coaches, Juan Glen Perkins and Matt Guerrier.
Josh Popp receives his Under 50 Cy Young Award from his coaches for the week, Glen Perkins (left) and new Pro Staff member, Matt Guerrier.
One of the keys to any championship caliber team is a great defense. Again this year, there was plenty of leather flashing at the Twins Camp in 2025. In the Over 50 Gold Glove category featured several good gloves, including award nominees: Mike Hickey, Scot Trumbull, Dave Hinnenkamp, Steve Swanson, Scott Morvig, Bill Harris, Kevin Ulrich & Scott Manwarren. When the votes were tallied, it was 2025 camp rookie, Kevin Ulrich that was recognized for earning this year’s Gold Glove for the Over 50 group.
Over 50 Gold Glove award winner Kevin Ulrich receives his Gold Glove Award from coaches Jeff Reardon (left), & Frank Viola.
The Under 50 Gold Glove group also turned in their share of incredible web gems. They included: Alejandro Pineda, Greg Sell, Blake Faust, Josh Stoll, Eddie Palmer, Nick Karbon, Scott Shapiro, & Kirby Puckett Jr. The 2025 Under 50 Gold Glove Award went to another 2025 rookie camper, Alejandro Pineda, coached by Juan Rincon, Brian Dinkelman & Devin Smeltzer.
2025 Under 50 Gold Glove winner, Alejandro Pineda accepts his award from coaches, Juan Rincon, Brian Dinkelman (left), & Devin Smeltzer (right).
The key to any successful Fantasy Camp is a great group of rookies each year. We have been blessed at the Twins Camp to annually attract approximately 30 first time campers. The 2025 Camp was no exception. We were thrilled to have a group of incredible first time campers and it made for a difficult task for our Pro Staff to single out just one of this group for the Rookie of the Year Award. This year’s nominees – great players all – included: Alejandro Pineda, Aimee Thornton, Kevin Ulrich, Jeremy Popp, Jeremy Schwartz, Jon Bottema & Adam Freeland. In 2025 the Twins Camp ROY went to Jeremy Popp of the Irrelevants, coached by Glen Perkins and Matt Guerrier.
Standout 2025 Rookie of the Year, Jeremy Popp receives his Tony Oliva autographed mini helmet from his coaches for the week, Glen Perkins (left) & Matt Guerrier.
2025 Under 50 Most Valuable Player, Lance Anderson. Here Lance is pictured receiving his award from his coaches, Brian Dinkelman, Juan Rincon & Devin Smeltzer.
Ask any Twins Camper and they’ll tell you that one of the most anticipated awards for camp week is the Most Valuable Player Award. Each year it has gone to some of the finest players to ever join us at Twins Camp. The 2025 Twins Camp Under 50 Most Valuable Player nominees in 2025 included: Jeremy Schwartz, Lance Anderson, Josh Stoll, Nick Karbon, Nick Hinnenkamp, Craig Johnson, Justin Seurer, Shane Moore, Josh Popp & David Prybilla. This year’s Under 50 MVP is, Lance Anderson of team Redemption Tour, coached by Juan Rincon, Brian Dinkelman and Devin Smeltzer.
Over 50 MVP, Lloyd Kepple with his coaches for the week, Kent Hrbek (left) and Tom Brunansky (right).
In the Over 50 Most Valuable Player category, another talented group of campers were recognized in 2025 – a group that we’ve come accustomed to seeing at a high level. Those players nominated for this year’s recognition included: Greg Williams, John Green, Lloyd Kepple, Phil Prosapio & Mike Hickey. This year’s Over 50 MVP is Lloyd Kepple coached by Kent Hrbek & Tom Brunansky.
The “Kirby Puckett” Award is without question the most prestigious and coveted awards that any camper can aspire to receive. The Award goes annually to the camper that most exemplifies the passion and positive attitude that Kirby Puckett brought to the clubhouse and field each day. While we again had an impressive and deserving group of candidates, no one could argue with the Pro Staff’s selection this year. The nominees included: Nick Karbon, Will Malizia, Jim Hentges, Tim Salter, Chelsi Nelson, Bob Spector, Scott Morvig, Jon Bottema & Tim Vernon. This award goes each year to that camper that has demonstrated a passion for baseball and an incredibly positive attitude. This year’s recipient is Tim Salter. Tim also serves as our Auctioneer for the charity auction the final night of camp and he received a standing ovation from campers and staff when the selection was announced.
The entire Pro Staff gather with Tim Salter (Front with Toby Gardenhire) as he receives the highly coveted “Kirby Puckett” award for the 2025 camp. Pictured from left to right front row are: Glen Perkins, Matt Guerrier, Phil Roof, Tommy Watkins, Dick Stigman, Juan Rincon, Kent Hrbek, Juan Berenguer, Milt Cuyler, Tim Laudner, Tom Brunansky, Stan Cliburn, Stu Cliburn, Brian Dinkelman, Al Newman, Matt LeCroy, Frank Viola, Jeff Reardon, Devin Smeltzer & Bert Blyleven.
Congratulations to all of the 2025 Twins Camp Award winners and nominees!
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