Twins release Betsill, Powers

Two former Miracle players were part of a group of nine prospects released by the Twins this week.

Matt Betsill, who started his season with Fort Myers ended up in Beloit for the second half of the season. He hit .213 for the Class A Snappers, picking up 42 hits in 197 at bats and recording 10 runs including 3 home runs. Betsill hit .155 (20 hits, 129 at bats) with Fort Myers before his demotion.

RHP Danny Powers also received his release. Powers was one of several pitchers that came down from New Britain the 2nd half of the season. He posted a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings with the Miracle in 2007. In 2006 he had 6-2 record with a 3.10 ERA in 58.0 innings. Powers posted a 2-5 record with the AA New Britian Rock Cats earlier in the season, with a 5.28 ERA in 59.2 innings pitched.

Another Rock Cat's pitcher that was released was righthander Jesse Floyd. Floyd's 130 innings pitched led the Rock Cats, but his 7-9 record with a 5.05 ERA was nothing to get excited about. Floyd was taken in the minor league protion of the Rule V draft by the Twins in December of 2006.

Lefthander Jesus Carnevales, who joined the Twins this season as a non-draft free agent, was released after spending time with the Beloit Snappers. The reliever had a 5-5 record with the Snappers with a 4.04 ERA in 55.2 innings.

Released from Rookie League Elizabethon was left handed pitcher Michael Rogers, and right hander Jose Castillo. Rogers had a promising start with the GCL Twins in 2004, but was plagued with injuries there after, missing all of the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Castillo was 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 36 innings pitched for the Apply League Champions.

Outfielder Wesley Connor was also released after 2 years with the Elizebethton Twins. Conner posted a .293 average in 140 at bats, appearing in 40 games for the Betsy Twins.

Rookies Jose Acosta and Nick Biagini were also cut. Acosta posted a 2-0, 3.18 ERA record in 22.2 innings pitched with the GCL Twins. Biagini, a free agent signee out out of the University of Minnesota appeared in 23 games for the GCL Twins, with a .258 batting average (17 hits, 66 AB).

In related moves the Twins signed former Miracle Tommy Watkins to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Shortstop Alejandro Machado, who spend the season on the disabled list after being picked up in the Rule V draft by the Twins, was signed to the same type of contract.

Both are expected to start the 2008 season with Triple-A Rochester.