NEW ULM — Major league pitchers and catchers report for spring training on Feb. 12, but baseball fans in New Ulm got a leg up on Twins baseball when the Twins Winter Caravan stopped at New Ulm Cathedral High School Thursday morning.

Twins infielders Ehire Adrianza and Brent Rooker, along with legend Tony Oliva, announcer Kris Atterberry and T.C. Bear attended to a large crowd of students and fans.

Rooker, who was an International League All-Star for AAA Rochester, hit .281 last season with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs.

He said that right now his job is to keep working.

“I need to continue on the path and do whatever I can to get to the big leagues this year,” he said. “And it is going to be tough to crack a spot in the Twins’ outfield this season because our outfield roster is so deep and talented. They are experienced and had a lot of success. If I can get over that hump from Triple-A, I am going to be on a really good team.”

How much depth do the Twins have in the outfield?

Max Kepler hit 36 home runs and Eddie Rosario hit 32 last season, with Byron Buxton hitting 10 in an injury-shortened season.

Even as an International League All-Star last season, Rooker was not part of the September call-ups as Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade were outfield reserves for the Twins.

“It is out of my hands whether I am called up or not, but as long as I keep doing what I am doing, I like the path that I am on, “Rooker said. “I like the improvements that I have made in my first three years in the minors. As long as I keep doing that, everything else is out of my hands, but I know when the time is right it will happen.”

Rooker said that the Twins’ signing of Josh Donaldson is exciting.

“[It] is incredibly exciting for an organization to get a player of his caliber,” Rooker said. “He was an MVP and a multiple-time All-Star. You add that kind of player to a really good line-up, it’s exciting for the whole system.

Rooker also commented on the talent in the Twins’ farm system.

“We do have a lot of talent in our (farm) system, so being a part of that it is exciting to know with all of the talent that we have in the big leagues already that we do have even more players on the way.”

Adrianza, who filled in at time for Jorge Polanco at that positon last season, said that the signing of Josh Donaldson made him happy.

“The lineup on the club improved and is going to take us to another level.” said Adrianza, who hit .260 last season with four home runs and 25 RBI.

“His signing is going to bring some energy and passion to the game. He is good to have on the team.

“I have not met him before, but I am looking forward meeting him. He is going to also bring that experience to our infield. He takes walks (100 last season along with 37 home runs), he plays defense (.969 fielding percentage at third base) and he is a good teammate.”

Adrianza added that Donaldson will be a good leader to the young squad.

“He is going to get us better and lead us young guys,” he said.

And the Twins infield — like the rest of the Twins team — is young.

Miguel Sano, who will move to first base now, is 26. Polanco is also 26, while second baseman Luis Arraez is 22. Donaldson is the veteran at third at 34 years old. Catcher Mitch Garver is 29.

Around the outfield, Kepler and Buxton are 26, with Rosario at 28.

As far as Adrianza, he thinks that he wants to first of all stay healthy.

“This is a big year for me as I am a free agent next season, so I am pretty excited,” Adrianza said. “This is a tough lineup to crack.”