Joe Ryan’s Decision to JOIN Team USA and What It MEANS for the Minnesota Twins

Joe Ryan commits to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, sparking excitement for Minnesota Twins fans. Can Ryan elevate his profile on the global stage and return sharper for the MLB season? C.J. Baumgartner evaluates why Ryan’s decision is a win for both the player and the franchise, and considers the risk-reward for the Twins as their ace pursues international glory.   The episode spotlights key Twins roster moves as top prospect Kaelen Culpepper and Aaron Sabato are reassigned to minor league camp, while Byron Buxton’s position at No. 37 on the MLB Top 100 list stirs debate—is he underrated among baseball’s elite? Other highlights include takes on the club’s infield and outfield depth, rising stars like Walker Jenkins, and who could make a surprise jump to the big leagues in 2026. Stay tuned for insights on Buxton, Culpepper, and the Twins’ evolving roster strategy.   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…   🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-twins/   Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/   00:00 — Joe Ryan to Team USA Discussion of Joe Ryan leaving the Minnesota Twins to pitch for Team USA in the WBC, his injury recovery, what this means for the Twins, and why it’s a positive move for both player and team.   08:36 — Twins Roster Cuts & Prospects Breakdown of the latest Twins roster cuts, including Kaelen Culpepper (top 5 prospect) getting reassigned. Analysis of Culpepper’s spring, timeline impact, and how the Twins’ roster and utility battles are shaping up.   20:06 — MLB Top 100 List & Buxton’s Ranking Review of the PlayStation MLB Top 100 player rankings (focus on 40-31), Byron Buxton’s place on the list, and why C.J. Baumgartner thinks Buxton is underrated. Includes player comps, Buxton’s stats, and general MLB commentary.   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PlayStation This episode of is brought to you by MLB The Show 26. Visit https://mlbthe.show/lockedon and use code “LOCKEDON” to unlock a pack for use in Diamond Dynasty. Pre-Order now, Available March 17th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. RATED E FOR EVERYONE.   Turbo Tax Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. You can meet face-to-face with a real tax expert, and your documents get uploaded straight to your TurboTax app on the spot.     Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to find a store near you and book your appointment today.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions app