Twins Claim Erik Komatsu, DFA Clete Thomas

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins claimed 24 year old OF Erik Komatsu and Designated Clete Thomas for Assignment. Also, Sean Burroughs cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA Rochester.

 

He was the Cardinals' Rule 5 pick and made the opening day roster. However, he has just four hits in 19 at bats. No surprise considering he played in AA last year with the Brewers and then the Nationals (after being traded in a deadline deal). He will need to remain on the Twins roster or be offered back to the Nationals.

 

Clete Thomas made a strong first impression with the Twins, hitting a ball to the warning track in his first AB against Neftali Feliz and then homering to deep right field in his second at bat. Since then, he has put up some very impressive strikeout numbers.

 

Burroughs was signed to a minor league contract and got just 18 at bats with the Twins before being DFAd earlier this week.

 

Feel free to discuss.

 

 

[mikeee]

seeya clete.

[Thrylos]

.211/.286/.211 with the Cardinals this season. LHB can play all 3 OF positions. Speed not much power. 24 years old. I really do not see what he has over someone like Revere or Mastroianni...

[TiberTwins]

The Erik Komatsu era has begun.

[James]

.211/.286/.211 with the Cardinals this season. LHB can play all 3 OF positions. Speed not much power. 24 years old. I really do not see what he has over someone like Revere or Mastroianni...

Agreed. I don't know what to think when baseball-reference lists him as a pinch hitter first.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/komater01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker

 

On a positive note, we don't have to deal with Clete Thomas anymore.

[Gernzy]

Interesting, We'll see what happens.

[Thrylos]

Erik Komachu's twitter account is @KomoBeatz FYI

[gmarais66]

Well, he had some pretty good minor league numbers.... At least for the moment, it's something to be hopeful about..... I guess it would be tough for him to be worse than Clete, who made Drew Butera look like Ted Williams... In all seriousness, I know Clete is a much better player than he showed in his time with the Twins, he just picked the worst time possible to go into a horrible slump... He'll likely get a chance somewhere else and hopefully he can turn things around... At least Ryan is not letting the bad eggs rot on the shelf... He's dumping them and trying to find one that doesn't stink...

[gmarais66]

I don't know what to think when baseball-reference lists him as a pinch hitter first.

I think that's because the majority of his appearances with the Cardinals were as a pinch hitter...

[ashbury]

I think that's because in five of his seven appearances with the Cardinals, he came into the game as a replacement player...

Yeah, looks like B-R automates everything they can. And in his major league career, PH is what he's been, according to his game log. He's had more than seven appearances, though.

[Seth Stohs]

.211/.286/.211 with the Cardinals this season. LHB can play all 3 OF positions. Speed not much power. 24 years old. I really do not see what he has over someone like Revere or Mastroianni...

Rule 5 guy who had never played above AA. So I don't care about the 19 at bats in the big leagues. Revere and Mastroianni provide very little, so hopefully in a year or two, this guy can be good... (Note - i don't anticipate it)

[Seth Stohs]

Yeah, looks like B-R automates everything they can. And in his major league career, PH is what he's been, according to his game log. He's had more than seven appearances, though.

Pinch-hitting is what most Rule 5 guys that make a roster do. You try to hide him at the back of the bench or the back of the bullpen. The Twins aren't competing this year. it's ok to 'hide' guys on the bench for the future. And yeah, can't be any/much worse than Clete Thomas.

[Thrylos]

Rule 5 guy who had never played above AA. So I don't care about the 19 at bats in the big leagues. Revere and Mastroianni provide very little, so hopefully in a year or two, this guy can be good... (Note - i don't anticipate it)

I actually did a bit more research:

He hit .323/.413/.442 in A+ in 2010 and was the Brewers MiLB player of the year. And that was FSL, so it projects. Last season he had a .294/.393/.416 line in AA Huntsville before traded to the Nats at the deadline. Projects as a CF and leadoff hitter.

 

Revere and Mastro did not do anything that good at those levels (well, Mastro might this season but he is oldest). The fact that he is actually a prospect and CFer makes me think that a. the Twins do not think much about Revere and b. Span might be going sooner than later

[adjacent]

Maybe I am missing something, but if there is something that the Twins have, it is outfielders. Mastroianni and Revere could play similar roles. If you are going to take a fly, why not look for pitching?

[CDog]

Maybe I am missing something, but if there is something that the Twins have, it is outfielders. Mastroianni and Revere could play similar roles. If you are going to take a fly, why not look for pitching?

Was there a particular pitcher recently on the waiver wire that you're thinking of?

[Mike Sixel]

I like picking up young guys with some upside....much better idea than most of the decisions this year so far.

[LaBombo]

Pinch-hitting is what most Rule 5 guys that make a roster do. You try to hide him at the back of the bench or the back of the bullpen. The Twins aren't competing this year. it's ok to 'hide' guys on the bench for the future. And yeah, can't be any/much worse than Clete Thomas.

Komatsu takes Clete's role, which is placeholder for Revere so Ben can play every day and possibly develop into a poor man's Denard Span. Then we can trade Span for the next Jeff Diamond and the next Clete Thomas...

[luckylager]

Definitely worth taking a look at Komatsu. He's playing a bit over his head having never played AAA but was the Brewers minor league player of the year in 2010. Has much more upside than Clete.

[Rosterman]

Well, you have to keep him all year to keep him, or get $25,000 grand if he stinks (and no one else claims him). Still, can't quite understand...Carsom. Wilkin, Mastro...aren't they basically place setters.

 

I wish I really knew what the Twins think of Ben Revere. If they don't really see him in their future, they could've possibly shipped him to the Red Sox for Bowden, which would've been a lopsided deal...except if the Twin s don't really see Revere in their future.

 

he again, they are hanging onto #1 draft pick Trevor Plo

uffe and squandering him in the utility role.

[Top Gun]

Twins sent 3B Sean Burroughs outright to Triple-A Rochester.

 

He cleared waivers and has accepted his assignment. Burroughs managed just two hits in 17 at-bats with the Twins but might get another shot at some point.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

When I saw that Komatsu was available, I thought "Why not?" At this point, he can't be any worse than Clete Thomas was.

[Teflon]

This move is akin to changing out the cupholders in your Aztek.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

He has more upside than Thomas (and is better), but Komatsu needs more time in the minors and unfortunately we can't stash him there. I think Mastroianni should have been promoted instead of this signing. He fills the role much better and is on fire in AAA.

[glanzer]

Judging strictly by the first dozen Komatsu Tweets, it seems like he and Danny V are gonna be besties.

[nicksaviking]

I have no problem taking a shot with a young guy who still has potential. The team might get lucky, even so, OF is one spot where the team actually does have multiple options. However this probably speaks volumes as to how the Twins feel about Trevor Plouffe's future and maybe Ben Revere's too. This is the second time the Twins have picked up a waiver-wire dump off, instead of giving either of those players a real shot at a full time gig. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but I don't think anyone can get a fair read on Plouffe if he can't get more than a couple days at a time getting starts at the same position.

[gmarais66]

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but I don't think anyone can get a fair read on Plouffe if he can't get more than a couple days at a time getting starts at the same position.

Plouffe is having trouble getting a read on those balls hit to him in the outfield... I think that's the issue... Outside of 2011, Plouffe has nothing in his minor league stats that suggests he is some great talent that just needs time... I think we've seen the top of the Plouffe mountian and the view ain't that great... Komatsu at least has a minor league history of strong play, suggesting he has potential...

[gmarais66]

Judging strictly by the first dozen Komatsu Tweets, it seems like he and Danny V are gonna be besties.

Yikes.... Well, at least he has confidence....

[greengoblinrulz]

Am I not understanding the rule, why wasnt WASH first given the right to take him back for the 25K before he was placed on waivers??

Are we sure they didnt take him back AND then St Lou tried to get him thru waivers to avoid an option??

[ashbury]

they could've possibly shipped him to the Red Sox for Bowden

Didn't realize it was possible, but I endorse this potential acquisition.

[TwinsGuy55422]

When I saw that Komatsu was available, I thought "Why not?" At this point, he can't be any worse than Clete Thomas was.

True. He can't be any worse than Clete Thomas and given that he is 4 years younger than Thomas and has put up excellent numbers in the minors without ever having played at AAA, he just might end up being a good player at the major league level.