Time to examine the infield and its future

[DocBauer]

We've taken time in recent weeks to look at the current state, the rest of the season, and projections toward 2015, in regard to the rotation, the bullpen and the outfield. There have been widely varied opinions, ideas and projections shared. I believe it's time now to exams in the infield. A section of the team that may be, surprisingly, a strength of the team!

 

When was the last time you could say that? Maybe the United Nations infield of Koskie, Guzman, Rivas and Dougie Baseball? Koskie's career was cut short due to concussion syndrome, as was Morneau's, at least with the Twins, when he came in late to join in. Guzman was never special, but solid and occassionaly dynamic, and Rivas never hit his potential. But for a couple of years, it was a very nice infield.

 

The past several years was Morneau as a fixture at 1B, whoever at every other position. We got one surprising year from Pinto, who was truly an underrated utility guy, and one so-so year from Hardy and Hudson.

 

And yet, yet, suddenly, we are in the midst of an infield rebuild and revolution to the Twins infield. And any discussion has to begin with Mauer at 1B. Before the season began, there was tremendous hope and speculation of what a healthy 150 game season might mean for Joe. Very few believed he was due to suddenly become a 20+ HR guy, but most felt double digits were possible along with a slew of doubles and a return to the .300 BA and .400 OB % we have come to expect. Sadly, this has been amongst Mauer's worst seasons as a professional. There has been speculation of the pressure of a permanent position change, as well as a different perspective at the plate just not being a catcher any longer. But I think the reality we've all had to face and agree with is that he simply hasn't been the same while still recovering from his concussion.

 

However, before his oblique injury, Mauer was really starting to look like Mauer again. The hope and plan here is that he will be healthy and ready soon to finish the season looking like himself. And if that ccan happen, it jump starts the 2015 where he can get those 150 games in, and just be Mauer.

 

Parmelee might FINALLY be rounding in to a real ML player who may assume a "Randy Bush" role as a solid corner OF/1B/DH/PH. And that's not a bad thing. There is some possibility that Colabello can be a RH version. Vargas is the wild card in all of this. How good of a 1B is open to debate and future revelation. And he has yet to see AAA, much less the majors, but the offensive production potential is excellent.

 

Second base is set. Period. Unless someone feels Dozier is their missing piece and offers up a package too outrageous to turn down, he has 2B locked down for us. He's an excellent defensive player, and ranks amongst the Twins and league leaders in several offensive categories. The ONLY thing he hasn't done yet is bring the BA up. His stroke, his patience, his milb track record all indicate that this too will improve. In fact, were it not for his top of the order mates Mauer and Santana getting injured, we might have already seen a climb this season.

 

The seemingly eternal black hole at SS has been filled wonderfully by the freed Escobar this season, with contributions from the previously mentioned Santana. Escobar has been a revelation, even with some expected regression. He's been solid to very good defensively, and has proven he can play and hit at this level. In fact, the only real downturn he's had this season is when the Twins mistakenly messed with him by playing 3B with the Plouffe injury instead of letting Romero get his first ML shot. Long term, the talented and surprising Santana should be able to replace him. Either way it plays out, the other offers a talented and versatile bench option.

 

Speaking of the bench, Nunez was a really nice aquisition. He may not be starting potential, ever, but he has a nice bat with some pop, has some speed, and despite bad reports, is not a butcher with the glove. I think he's out of place in the OF, but I actually support work out there to see if it can lead to his greater versatility.

 

Beresford at Rochester is interesting. From all accounts he can pick it. From all accounts and milb success it appears he can hit a little and run a little while possessing a decent eye. But is he just too weak to develop in to a ML ball player? If you could just stack 10lbs of muscle on the guy, maybe.

 

Rosario is still playing some 2B, and he should be. It doesn't matter if Dozier is an impending fixture at the spot, versatility is a good thing. And despite being at least a year away, still stuck in A ball, hopefully soon to finish at AA, Polanco is an athletic, talented hitting machine.

 

Remember when it seemed we had nobody to play the infield, especially the middle infield? And no prospects? Seems like just a season or two again doesn't it? My how things have quickly changed!

 

Now to 3B. I know, I know, I know. Sano is the future. Unfortunately, Sano got hurt just when it seemed he might make an appearance at some point this season, even if it was September. Some are already filled with tremendous angst that his TJ will rob him of the ability to play the hot corner. But I have to remind those doubters about several points:

 

A) TJ surgery for a position player is less harmful, and easier to overcome, for a position than a pitcher. Also, TJ surgery is no longer, nor has it been for several years, a death sentence for a P, much less said position player.

 

With a very strong arm to begin with, even with some loss of strength, temporary or permanent, there is nothing at this point to hold Sano back from being able to handle the position.

 

C) Pre-injury, all indications were that the former SS was developing defensively as a 3B.

 

Unless there is some missing information that Romero is an absolute butcher in the field, or has a bat made of Swiss cheese, I'm still surprised he hasn't had at least a cup of coffe yet to see if he can at least be a decent fill in option.

 

For now, 3B belongs to Trevor Plouffe. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. There is absolutely no question that in 2014 he has begun to mature both offensively and defensively. He is no Sano, never will be, and there is no question the Twins will be a better team when Sano forces Plouffe off the hot corner. But for now, he's a solid option. And while it might beg its own thread, I have done some Plouffe vs Cuddyer comparisons since it's often been debated on here at TD.

 

The comparisons are somewhat eerie. Both are former 6' 2" 1st round SS picks. Neither had what it took to stick and moved around. While Cuddy spent a little less time in the minors, both of them were age 26 when they finally had 400+ ML AB's. And they had very similar numbers, and almost exact OPS. The biggest difference was the age 27 season where Cuddyer seemed to take a real step forward.

 

Im not saying Plouffe can or will be Cuddyer part 2. But I am saying his maturity this season has made him a solid option at 3B for now, who might have a future with the Twins as a potential OF or utility bench/bat player.

 

Remember when the infield was a mess with no options?

[DocBauer]

Anything you guys? I'd really like to hear your thoughts on where we're sitting now, and what we think 2015 and on will bring here. I confess to being intrigued and excited about the future of our infield.

[twinsnorth49]

I'll get back to you, I'm still reading, but I only started 4 1/2 hours ago .

 

Good stuff Doc.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

me too - I just jumped in at shortstop.

 

We seem to have assets at short for the present, the near term, and long term. No longer the black hole.

 

I agree with you on Escobar. He shouldn't have been shifted to third. Wouldn't have made much of a difference either way, though.

 

At this point I'd let Escobar play full time and see what happens. He's done well enough. And there's Santana too (who might as well stay in Center at this point). Gardy likes to "mix 'n match" lineups though I'd prefer writing guys into the same spot day after day. Escobar and Santana ought to bridge the time until Polanco is ready for a chance, and right behind him Gordon. Shudder to think that Stephen Drew might have been playing SS full time this year (and taking at bats yada yada)

[DocBauer]

i'll get back to you, i'm still reading, but i only started 4 1/2 hours ago .

 

Good stuff doc.

 

rolling!