Article: Twins Organizational Depth Chart: Third Base

[Seth Stohs]

Earlier this week, we looked at the organization depth at first base for the Twins. Today, we make the jump across the diamond to the hot corner and see all the third basemen in the Twins organization.Major Leagues

 

Trevor Plouffe put together the best season of his big league career. At the plate, he hit .258/.328/.423 (.751) with 40 doubles, 14 home runs and 80 RBI. As important, he made some huge improvements defensively. He is arbitration-eligible for the second year (of four).

 

Eduardo Nunez and Eduardo Escobar both got time at third base when Plouffe was out of the lineup. Escobar is perceived by many as a utility infielder, though in 2014 he played most every day at shortstop. He played a lot of third base in previous seasons. In 465 plate appearances, the 25-year-old hit .275/.315/.406 with 35 doubles and six home runs.

 

Nunez played in 72 games with the Twins after being acquired from the New York Yankees. He hit .250/.271/.382 (.654) with seven doubles, four triples and four homers. He is arbitration-eligible and may be a non-tender candidate.

 

Minor Leagues

 

Doug Bernier played in 124 games in Rochester before his September call-up. He played all over the diamond including in the outfield. He played 44 games at third base. He was removed from the 40-man roster and became a free agent.

 

28-year-old Deibinson Romero had a very strong showing with his bat in big league spring training. He spent the season in AAA where he hit .265/.364/.406 (.770) with 31 doubles and eight home runs. He can become a minor league free agent again this year.

 

Miguel Sano is the big prospect. A year ago, he was a Top 10 prospect in all of baseball, but Tommy John surgery cost him the entire 2014 season. He’ll need to be brought along slowly and cautiously in 2015, but that doesn’t take away from his best tool, his power. He hit 65 home runs total in the last two years at three levels. He will turn 22 years old in May. Hopefully he can come back healthy and force the Twins to make some decisions on him and Plouffe.

 

Brandon Waring tied for the team lead in home runs in spring training. OK, he hit two, but the 28-year-old was sent back to AA. In 106 games, he hit .212/.311/.406 with 28 doubles and 13 home runs. He came to the Twins as a minor league free agent and will be the same following the World Series.

 

Nate Hanson split his season between New Britain and Rochester again in 2014. The 27-year-old who graduated from Eden Prairie High School and then went to the University of Minnesota and was the Twins 28^th round pick in 2008. In 2014, he combined to hit .256/.327/.369 (.696) with 33 doubles and six home runs. He can become a six-year minor league free agent following the World Series.

 

Stephen Wickens hurt his shoulder in spring training and missed a large chunk of the beginning of the season. The 25-year old rehabbed with the Miracle and then spent time playing various positions for the Rock Cats. In 72 games, he hit .242/.296/.301 (.598) with eight doubles. He played mainly 3B and 2B, but also got time in the outfield.

 

Niko Goodrum was the Twins 2^nd round pick in 2009 out of high school. He had been a good fielding shortstop until 2013 when he was moved to third base. Offensively, he hit .249/.337/.336 (.672) with 19 doubles, five triples and three home runs. He has very good speed and stole 35 bases in 39 attempts. Defensively he was a work in progress, adjusting to the hot corner where instincts are as important as range. He would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter if not added to the 40 man roster.

 

Bryan Haar split the season between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers. He was the 34^th round pick in 2012 out of the University of San Diego. In 108 games with the Kernels, he hit .267/.319/.446 (.765) with 20 doubles, five triples and 14 homers. He moved up to the Miracle and played in just 10 games. He played the majority of his games at third base but also got into 19 games at first base.

 

Logan Wade is a 22 year old Australian who spent most of the season in Cedar Rapids playing second base and third. He missed extended time due to injury and struggled mightily in his return. In 75 games with the Kernels, he hit .233/.272/.380 (.652) with 12 doubles, four triples and seven home runs.

 

At 5-11 and just 155 pounds, Jonatan Hinojosa is certainly not your typical third baseman. He is more of a middle infielder, but in 2014 he played a lot of third base in Elizabethton and at Cedar Rapids when he returned there late in the season. He didn’t hit in E-Town, but when he got to Cedar Rapids, he hit .341/.378/.494 with seven extra base hits in 20 games. He missed 50 games this year due to a PED suspension.

 

Tyler Mautner was the Twins 14^th round pick in 2014 out of the University of Buffalo. At 21, he hit .210/.306/.383 with 13 doubles and five home runs in his 45 game professional debut in Elizabethton.

 

TJ White was the Twins 18^th round pick in 2014 out of UNLV. He signed quite late and played in just eight games in the GCL before finishing with five games at Elizabethton.

 

Ruar Verkerk signed as a 16-year-old in 2013 out of the Netherlands. The 6-3, 180 pound third baseman played in 25 games with the GCL Twins. He hit just .147/.216/.147 (.363) with no extra base hits in 68 at bats. As you would expect, he is quite raw and has much to learn about the game.

 

Nelson Molina was the Twins 11^th round pick in 2013 out of high school in Puerto Rico. The smooth-fielding shortstop actually played a little more at third base in 2014 (18 games). He hit .243/.305/.287 (.591) in 45 games. He added three triples and was 12-14 in stolen base attempts.

 

Rafael Valera is a 19-year-old who made his US debut with the GCL Twins in 2014 after spending two seasons toiling in the Dominican Summer League. In 47 GCL games, he hit .254/.370/.341 (.710) with eight doubles and two triples. He was also 13 of 15 in stolen base attempts. He also played in three games for the Miracle when they had a need for a body.

 

Roni Tapia signed as a 16-year-old in 2013 out of the Dominican Republic for $550,000. He made his professional debut in 2014 in the Dominican Summer League. In 50 games, he hit .269/.306/.386 (.692) with 15 doubles and four triples. In 25 games at third base, he committed 20 errors.

 

Jermaine Palacios also played as a 17-year-old in the DSL. In 49 games, he hit .270/.404/.399 (.802) with 11 doubles and six triples. In 40 games at third base, he committed 10 errors.

 

SUMMARY

 

Trevor Plouffe took a step forward in his offensive and defensive games in 2014. He certainly goes into 2015 with the third base job. Like one year ago, his hold on the job is still somewhat slippery due to the presence of Miguel Sano. Sano is the big prospect, one of the best (and literally biggest) in the game. He has elite power potential. The team, and Sano, need to be patient in his return from Tommy John surgery.

 

There are some other prospects worth watching at the position who will need to develop. Also, Travis Harrison played 15 games at third base at Ft. Myers in 2014, though it appears his move away from the position may be permanent.

 

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[Mike Sixel]

It looks like Plouffe, Sano, and a bunch of AAAA or minor leaguers (or players so young, they are not any older than my kids, meaning we have no idea what they are or are not).

 

The big international FA signing a couple of years ago, he's an OF now, right? Sorry, I can't recall his name.

[Seth Stohs]

Amaurys Minier moved to Left Field this year after shoulder surgery... though he wasn't going to be a 3B anyway.

[Mike Sixel]

Ah, right, that name. Thanks Seth. 

[markos]

Seth, do you have any sense whether Goodrum will be added to the 40-man roster this offseason or not? My initial thought is that he wouldn't be drafted if left unprotected - he's too raw and only at high-A - but last year I thought the same about Kepler who was added.

[Lakeside]

Here's my take on ths for 215--

 

MLB -  It is Plouffe's job.  He will begin here and be the primary 3B for the immediate time.  Escobar will spell him occaisonaly.  Nunez may or may not be wih the team.

 

Rochester--  I don't believe that Robinson, Hanson, or Bernier will be protected on the 40 man roster.  Either Robinson or Hanson, my guess is Hanson will re-sgn as a minor league free agent and man this position.  Waring is a long-shot to play here simply because he could be an injury protection player if the other three all sign somewhere else.

 

Chattanoga -- Sano is put in the line-up everyday if his health dictates.  If by Juy 1 he is playing very well he will be promoted to the Twins ala Vargas and skip AAA.  Goodrum will be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft, nottaken,  and will be on the roster here.  He can play 2B, SS, and 3B when Sano DHs and play 3B if/when Sano moves.  

 

Ft Myers-  Haar will be the everyday 3B which will give Christenson the everyday 1B position.

 

Cedar Rakpids -- Wade returns here along with Hinjoso and Mautner comes from Elizabethton.  Wade will be successful and move up when Sano does or will not be successful and be released. 

 

ETown/Gulf Coast --  The young players mentioned have not distinguished themselves yet and Spring Training and EST will determine their fates.

 

Unfortunatey,  I believe that Wickens, Waring, and Bernier are released.

[Willihammer]

Also, Travis Harrison played 15 games at third base at Ft. Myers in 2014, though it appears his move away from the position may be permanent.

What prompted the move? Was it Harrison's play or the overabundance of 3B options (Goodrum, Meija, Michael, etc). Does he have the glove to move back if the spot opens up again?

[Rosterman]

What to do with Plouffe. My own long range thoughts, he loses the job in 2015 and becomes a super utility guy for the Twins. But he will also make around $5 million, be eligible for $7-8 in 2016, and if he gets any kind of playing time, break $10 million in arbitration in 2017. Holy Cow.

 

The Twins cannot afford to keep him, but right now he has value coming out of spring training if anyone NEEDS a third baseman. Let them worry about arbitration.

 

Sano will need to come up in 2015. 

 

But the Twins have no stopgap, unless you call him Escobar. Or if they bring back Nunez. And that may be the main reason to keep Nunez around for now, in case the Twins do wish to move Plouffe. 

 

I wished the Twins had added Debinson to the 40-man for September and gave him a 10-12 game looksee, especially since Plouffe did go down. Deb Romero would be smart and resign with the Twins with the knowledge that he may have the best short opportunity ever to make the major leagues with the Twins this coming season, or even out of spring training if he shines like he did last time.

 

It is nice to see that the Twins MAY have some other choices: Haar, Goodrum, possibly Harrison, or at least one of the other five low minor league guys, as the general consensus (shades of Pedro Sandoval) is that Sano won;t stay at third. It would be nice to get to 2018 without a position change for Sano, but e will see.

 

Do the Twins keep Plouffe. Is it worthwhile to sign him to a 3-4 year deal for $20-26 million, mainly to be a backup at third, first or the outfield (and maybe short...a super Denny Hocking). Or can we restock some positions with his value to another club and just call it a wash and if we ever want him back, get him at a much reduced single or duo year deal down-the-line.

 

Escobar is now looking like a longtime signing just for his utility value. Is that something the Twins should also consider? Plouffe or Escobar. Who would you keep going towards 2016/2017.

[DocBauer]

I'm more than fine with the solid, improved, (still improving?) Plouffe at 3B for now.

 

Sano is the real deal, but has rust to shake off. I believe he begins the season at AA to do so.

 

Doubtful Hanson has a ML future, but he's the kind of player you try to bring back to help fill out a roster as a solid player.

 

Romeo's window is closing, but I'm still baffled the Twins didn't promote him this season for some kind of audition of look-see.

 

I find Haar interesting. Long, long way to go. But is he a mid round steal option? I'm a big believer in Christiansen and feel he could be a nice multi positional role player. He is a former all Big 10 SS who also played the OF, and would seem to have the defensive ability to play multiple positions.

 

Goodrum I don't get. He's a 2nd round pick, an exciting athlete with growth potential who has reportedly been a very solid SS with offensive potential and speed. My understanding was he moved to 3B to allow Polanco to be the primary SS. Has he already outgrown SS? Is there something lacking at SS despite earlier reports as to his potential and ability there? I'm wondering if he's been given up on too soon if the move to 3B is permanent.

[Paul Pleiss]

I'm a big Nikko fan, and while I don't think he would be claimed in the rule-5 draft if left unprotected, I think there will be room to add him to the 40-man, and the Twins should do so rather than risk losing him, even if that risk is small.  I really think he can stick at the MLB level with another season or 2 of MiLB experience. Of course, this is pure conjecture, based soley on what I've read, a large portion of that by Seth.

[Seth Stohs]

Seth, do you have any sense whether Goodrum will be added to the 40-man roster this offseason or not? My initial thought is that he wouldn't be drafted if left unprotected - he's too raw and only at high-A - but last year I thought the same about Kepler who was added.

 

My sense is that he won't be added, but it will depend upon how many roster spots they want to add. My sense is that a team won't take him because he wouldn't be likely to stick. I can't even find a way to get him onto the Opening Day Chattanooga roster right now.

[Seth Stohs]

What prompted the move? Was it Harrison's play or the overabundance of 3B options (Goodrum, Meija, Michael, etc). Does he have the glove to move back if the spot opens up again?

 

The glove/range were really the issues. I'm sure he'll get some time there, but not a ton. 

[High heat]

The twins need to make some organizational decisions this winter. If they decide that Sano is going to stick at 3B they should package Plouffe for a pitcher. 3B is down around the league and Plouffe could help a lot of teams out.

 

You go into 2015 with Escobar who earned a starting job at 3B and Santana who's value is best at SS at SS. Sano in AAA. When Sano is ready you bring him up to man 3B and Escobar plays a utility role.

 

I don't see Plouffe as being any good as a utility guy off the bench I remember he looked awful in the outfield and he doesn't hit enough to play 1B. His value is at 3b and twins should move him while he has value. Guys who are above average players at a position and under team control for 3 more years have a lot of value throughout the league.

[HitInAPinch]

Plouffe is a serviceable player, now that his defense has improved.  Who knows?  Maybe his 40 doubles is for real. It's his BA that bugs me more than anything.  But I know we'll be seeing him next year and maybe the one after that. 

 

I probably think higher of Nunez than most.  He is more than capable at multiple positions.  And if the Twins do get younger really soon, they will need the veteran presence.

[h2oface]

Plouffe has been improving every year.  If he is traded, he will likely become another that the Twins gave up on right when he had become the player they had hoped he would. Sano is a hope at this point.  It may be Mauer that needs to be traded to make way for Sano to take over first base if he is the real deal everyone is hoping for.

[Brock Beauchamp]

It may be Mauer that needs to be traded to make way for Sano to take over first base if he is the real deal everyone is hoping for.

Mauer has a no-trade clause. Mauer is coming off the worst year of his career. Mauer is owed roughly $100m on his contract.

 

Mauer cannot and will not be traded.

[h2oface]

It always amazes me that folks feel the need to say to any Twins' fan that Mauer has a no-trade clause, and how much he gets paid.  Most are also well aware of his performance. This is common knowledge.  It is also common knowledge that any no-trade clause can be waived, and often is with the right trade.  To say that Mauer cannot be traded is just not true.  Of course he can.  Nobody knows the future and the infinite possibilities.  No one.

 

I am also not hoping Mauer is traded, and have not said that I am.  

[Seth Stohs]

Mauer has a no-trade clause. Mauer is coming off the worst year of his career. Mauer is owed roughly $100m on his contract.

 

Mauer cannot and will not be traded.

 

Don't forget... "and SHOULD not"

[tobi0040]

It always amazes me that folks feel the need to say to any Twins' fan that Mauer has a no-trade clause, and how much he gets paid.  Most are also well aware of his performance. This is common knowledge.  It is also common knowledge that any no-trade clause can be waived, and often is with the right trade.  To say that Mauer cannot be traded is just not true.  Of course he can.  Nobody knows the future and the infinite possibilities.  No one.

 

I am also not hoping Mauer is traded, and have not said that I am.  

 

Outside of about 1-2 horrible contracts, no team is taking on Mauers contract.  Maybe straight up for A-Rod.   That was the bigger point, I believe.

[tobi0040]

Plouffe is a serviceable player, now that his defense has improved.  Who knows?  Maybe his 40 doubles is for real. It's his BA that bugs me more than anything.  But I know we'll be seeing him next year and maybe the one after that. 

 

I probably think higher of Nunez than most.  He is more than capable at multiple positions.  And if the Twins do get younger really soon, they will need the veteran presence.

 

 3 WAR players are far better than "serviceable". 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Outside of about 1-2 horrible contracts, no team is taking on Mauers contract.  Maybe straight up for A-Rod.   That was the bigger point, I believe.

Yep. Hey, maybe the Twins can move Mauer's contract to one of the teams willing to take on that kind of money.

 

There is also a chance that Terry Ryan will be struck by lightning four times in the next 15 minutes.

 

Suggesting that the nearly impossible - though technically feasible - might happen is a pointless endeavor. Mauer isn't going to get traded for several reasons. Combine all those reasons together and we're looking at a situation where it borders on the unbelievable that he will be traded so why bother suggesting it at all?

[Lakeside]

How did Mauer get into this topic?

 

Isn't this about 3B??

[tobi0040]

How did Mauer get into this topic?

 

Isn't this about 3B??

 

Mauer and payroll are part of any topic.  Those are the rules.

[TheDean]

Maybe someone who knows a little more about the Twins farm system could help me understand why Romero hasn't gotten a look in the bigs at some point over the years?

He's been hitting pretty well at AA and AAA for nearly half a decade, but he's been passed over for the Chris's a number of times (C and P deserved their shots, H has positional flexibility).  I'd like to see the Twins retain him as their upper level 3B depth seems to be mainly light-hitting MI converts (besides Plouffe and Sano).  He and Danny Ortiz were the only Red Wings OPSing over .700 on the season not to get a shot in Minnesota.  That said, if I were him, maybe I'd consider taking my services elsewhere if I knew of a place with a less obstacle-filled (Plouffe and Sano) path to the majors.  Has it mainly been a question of his glove?

[Steve Lein]

Goodrum I don't get. He's a 2nd round pick, an exciting athlete with growth potential who has reportedly been a very solid SS with offensive potential and speed. My understanding was he moved to 3B to allow Polanco to be the primary SS. Has he already outgrown SS? Is there something lacking at SS despite earlier reports as to his potential and ability there? I'm wondering if he's been given up on too soon if the move to 3B is permanent.

 

I think Niko was moved only because of the Twins' desire to see how Polanco could handle SS over a full season.

 

Everybody talks about moving Goodrum off SS to 3B because of his size, which I don't get or see at all.  He's certainly not "too big" or lacking in athleticism for it.  He's lanky and skinny if you ask me, and I've thought that since I first saw him in 2011 so it's also not like he's been growing out of it since he's been here.

[stringer bell]

Maybe someone who knows a little more about the Twins farm system could help me understand why Romero hasn't gotten a look in the bigs at some point over the years?

He's been hitting pretty well at AA and AAA for nearly half a decade, but he's been passed over for the Chris's a number of times (C and P deserved their shots, H has positional flexibility).  I'd like to see the Twins retain him as their upper level 3B depth seems to be mainly light-hitting MI converts (besides Plouffe and Sano).  He and Danny Ortiz were the only Red Wings OPSing over .700 on the season not to get a shot in Minnesota.  That said, if I were him, maybe I'd consider taking my services elsewhere if I knew of a place with a less obstacle-filled (Plouffe and Sano) path to the majors.  Has it mainly been a question of his glove?

Romero is older and has no positional flexibility. Romero's offense is okay, but probably no better than Escobar or Nuñez and he's pretty lousy with the leather. He might have had his chance when Nuñez and Plouffe went on the DL the same day, but he wasn't on the 40-man and the Twins are averse to losing someone for a two week or less call-up.

[stringer bell]

I think Niko was moved only because of the Twins' desire to see how Polanco could handle SS over a full season.

 

Everybody talks about moving Goodrum off SS to 3B because of his size, which I don't get or see at all.  He's certainly not "too big" or lacking in athleticism for it.  He's lanky and skinny if you ask me, and I've thought that since I first saw him in 2011 so it's also not like he's been growing out of it since he's been here.

I saw Goodrum this spring and he's certainly long, but not bulky. He has plenty of speed and I think he has shortstop range and arm. It was always presented that he moved to third to give Polanco a long look. It probably enhances his value, as well.

[DJL44]

Goodrum projects as a utility guy. Might as well move him around the infield and sometimes the best way to learn a position is to play it every day for a while.

[Thegrin]

Nobody has mentioned that Sano had Tommy John surgery for an arm injury.  This means that Sano needs time to work his throwing mechanics before he moves up to the Twins.  I would not be surprised if Sano is terrible until July or so and a fall call-up is not a done deal.

[TheDean]

Romero is older and has no positional flexibility. Romero's offense is okay, but probably no better than Escobar or Nuñez and he's pretty lousy with the leather. He might have had his chance when Nuñez and Plouffe went on the DL the same day, but he wasn't on the 40-man and the Twins are averse to losing someone for a two week or less call-up.

 

I suppose it makes sense from a 40-man perspective, and he's never crushed AAA in the same way that Parmelee and Colabello have in the past.  I just think it's too bad that he hasn't gotten a September callup at some point.  He's a guy who has rarely had a bad year with the stick and has spent nearly a decade on Twins farm teams.

 

But hey, who knows, maybe he gets his chance if the Twins resign him and find 40-man space if they ship CC to Korea and Parms leaves without an arb offer.  Not likely, but you never know.  I think he's only been optioned once, so he'd have the advantage of having options intact to be that 26th or 27th guy.