Zulgad: Does Schafer have a chance to steal CF

[Seth Stohs]

Phil Mackey and Judd Zulgad are in Ft. Myers this week for Twins spring training. Their 9 to 1 radio show is being done live from there with special guests each day.

 

Zulgad wrote up an article asking whether Jordan Schafer could steal the center field position this spring. With Aaron Hicks in the possible plans, and Byron Buxton in the picture, and Danny Santana seemingly as a fall-back plan, few are talking about Schafer as a potential starting option. 
 

His speed is apparent in the outfield and on the basepaths and can be a valuable commodity for the team. He is certainly in the conversation. 

[stringer bell]

Yes, he should be in the conversation. He had a good, albeit short, run with the Twins last year. While most factors indicate he will not sustain his good performance, he did perform well last year and that can't be denied or taken away.  Even with his good performance, he would need a platoon partner because he struggles mightily against left handed pitching.

 

I like Schafer's base-stealing and speed in general.   For someone hitting down in the order, base stealing ability can help by Schafer getting himself into scoring position whenever he reaches base.

[Reider]

Yes, he should absolutely be in the conversation for the starting CF position. I liked what Sam Fuld brought to the outfield defensively and I like Schafer a bit more than Fuld.

[Seth Stohs]

I tend to agree... most likely he's best suited as a speed/defense fourth outfielder, but he was once a top prospect and is still just 28 or so. Maybe he just needed an opportunity and he's matured to the point where now he's ready. That would be awesome for the Twins. 

 

Of course, we all want Hicks to become what we think that Hicks can become... 

[jorgenswest]

They need to roll with him as long as he shows he is the hitter he was down the stretch. If he is playing close to his career numbers on June 1, release him and hand it over to Rosario or Buxton. Let's hope at least one of those is dominating in the minors.

[USAFChief]

IMO there is close to zero chance Schafer is a long term asset as a regular. He is the CF equivalent of giving starts to Sam Deduno...ultimately, it's going to fail.

 

So why do it? I'd rather see Hicks, and I don't really want to see Hicks.

[DocBauer]

Could he steal the CF spot? (pun obvious and gleefully accepted) Yes.

 

Will he? Doubtful.

 

There are guys here and there, usually former top prospects, usually in that later 20 age bracket, similar to Schafer, who find faith, quit substance, discover fitness or hard work, or a new eye doctor or even a psychic/faith healer and they suddenly find themselves. I just don't see this in Schafer.  Did he really come to Minnesota, breathe the air, meet Brunansky, and suddenly find himself? I wish that were true. And I wish Hicks would drink the same water, eat the same food, wear the same underwear...whatever.

 

Willing to wait for Buxton and to a lesser degree Rosario, or a guided or misguided belief in what is on hand, a CF move doesnt seem to be taking place. Therefore, some form of platoon or quasi-platoon of Hicks and Schafer appears to be our best bet at this point. (don't rule out a few games here and there from Santana) If Hicks could hit in the .240-.250 range while maintaining his penchant for OB skill with a few XB hits and SB's, and Schafer could at least approximate what he did last season in this role....I think we'd be looking at something along the lines of a composite .260-ish AVG with an OB around the .340 mark with a little pop and some SB's. We might even get 30 doubles, 10-ish HR's and 20-30 SB's between the two. Were that to happen, they would form a pretty decent 9 spot in the batting order, and help flip the lineup around, as well as maybe occasionally hitting near the top when someone got a day off.

 

I'm thinking this is wishful thinking, but I'd be pretty happy if this were the results pending the arrival of Buxton.

[Danchat]

I kinda want Schafer to win the job, even though the odds are against him. I just don't see anything in Hicks. No matter who wins the job in CF, I think the biggest factor will be who bats better during the first couple months (assuming both are on the roster). If one of them hits .280 and the other .220 after two months, we'll know who will be the starting CF for the rest of the season until September (hopefully Buxton will come then).

[Physics Guy]

Quality 4th OF hopefully. 

 

Option 1 - Hicks finally figures it out and Schaefer is the 4th OF

Option 2 - Hicks starts, Schaefer plays 2X a week against good RHP

Option 3 - Rosario beats out Hicks

Option 4 - Schaefer is the starter

 

I hope we don't get to option 4. 

[stringer bell]

Quality 4th OF hopefully. 

 

Option 1 - Hicks finally figures it out and Schaefer is the 4th OF

Option 2 - Hicks starts, Schaefer plays 2X a week against good RHP

Option 3 - Rosario beats out Hicks

Option 4 - Schaefer is the starter

 

I hope we don't get to option 4. 

Where does Danny Santana fit in your options? 

[Physics Guy]

Where does Danny Santana fit in your options? 

He would probably be Option 4B.  Same response at the end.

[DocBauer]

Quality 4th OF hopefully. 

 

Option 1 - Hicks finally figures it out and Schaefer is the 4th OF

Option 2 - Hicks starts, Schaefer plays 2X a week against good RHP

Option 3 - Rosario beats out Hicks

Option 4 - Schaefer is the starter

 

I hope we don't get to option 4.

 

Love option 3 but not betting on it. I think #2 is closer to what we get, maybe even 3 or 4 games per week depending on matchups and days off for Hunter or Arcia.

[Lakeside]

Could he steal the CF spot? (pun obvious and gleefully accepted) Yes.

 

Will he? Doubtful.

 

There are guys here and there, usually former top prospects, usually in that later 20 age bracket, similar to Schafer, who find faith, quit substance, discover fitness or hard work, or a new eye doctor or even a psychic/faith healer and they suddenly find themselves. I just don't see this in Schafer.  Did he really come to Minnesota, breathe the air, meet Brunansky, and suddenly find himself? I wish that were true. And I wish Hicks would drink the same water, eat the same food, wear the same underwear...whatever.

 

Willing to wait for Buxton and to a lesser degree Rosario, or a guided or misguided belief in what is on hand, a CF move doesnt seem to be taking place. Therefore, some form of platoon or quasi-platoon of Hicks and Schafer appears to be our best bet at this point. (don't rule out a few games here and there from Santana) If Hicks could hit in the .240-.250 range while maintaining his penchant for OB skill with a few XB hits and SB's, and Schafer could at least approximate what he did last season in this role....I think we'd be looking at something along the lines of a composite .260-ish AVG with an OB around the .340 mark with a little pop and some SB's. We might even get 30 doubles, 10-ish HR's and 20-30 SB's between the two. Were that to happen, they would form a pretty decent 9 spot in the batting order, and help flip the lineup around, as well as maybe occasionally hitting near the top when someone got a day off.

 

I'm thinking this is wishful thinking, but I'd be pretty happy if this were the results pending the arrival of Buxton.

Very much agree that this scenario is possible in a platoon looking at historic numbers.  Not a bad situation for a 9th hitting "defensive" player.

 

That said, those numbers are probably reachable soon by either Rosario or Buxton.

[bird]

IMO there is close to zero chance Schafer is a long term asset as a regular. He is the CF equivalent of giving starts to Sam Deduno...ultimately, it's going to fail.

 

So why do it? I'd rather see Hicks, and I don't really want to see Hicks.

Chief, you're going to change your mind about Hicks once Torii has mentored the crap out of him.

[iTwins]

No disrespect intended for Schafer here, but...I hope not!

 

He was a nice surprise last season, but I still fear that the years of Schafer being nothing more than a 4th OF / platoon guy for the Braves / Astros is more indicative of the type of player he is than the two very good months he had with the Twins.

 

Schafer is a great threat to have off the bench. Defensive replacement, pinch runner - the quintessential 4th OF - but if he's the best option your have at CF - something has gone very wrong.

 

I'd still lean towards Hicks, with an outside (way outside) shot that Rosario tears things up and Molitor gives him a chance.

[Danchat]

Oh, I completely missed that Option #3 was a choice in the first place - I'd love to see Rosario in CF. I'm not sure if his defense would be great, but his bat would be much better in the lineup than Hicks or Schafer.

[ashbury]

Chief, you're going to change your mind about Hicks once Torii has mentored the crap out of him.

Mentorin'!   The whole outfield!

 

http://www.educationelf.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shutterstock_45340885-300x199.jpg

[adorduan]

Chief, you're going to change your mind about Hicks once Torii has mentored the crap out of him.

  What makes you say this?  Torii offering a few tips around the batting cage is suddenly going to turn Hicks around?  I don't see it.

[kab21]

No disrespect intended for Schafer here, but...I hope not!

 

He was a nice surprise last season, but I still fear that the years of Schafer being nothing more than a 4th OF / platoon guy for the Braves / Astros is more indicative of the type of player he is than the two very good months he had with the Twins.

 

Schafer is a great threat to have off the bench. Defensive replacement, pinch runner - the quintessential 4th OF - but if he's the best option your have at CF - something has gone very wrong.

 

I'd still lean towards Hicks, with an outside (way outside) shot that Rosario tears things up and Molitor gives him a chance.

 

Something has completely gone wrong.  The Twins enter spring training with a CF competition of Hicks and Schafer.  Rosario could enter into the equation at some point but he's the longshot.  I like him long term but he played almost no OF in 2012 and 2013 and only played about 70 games there last year.  I think he could be the 2015 Danny Santana that gets called up in May to take over CF but I think it's in his best interests as a prospect to spend some time in the minors working on his hitting and defense.

 

Schafer is best off at the 4th OF'er position but unless Hicks shows a lot of improvement then Schafer is the best option as a placeholder until Buxton (or Rosario) are called up.

[Linus]

I hate to say this and hope I am wrong.....but at this point I think Schafer has just as good a chance as Hicks.   

 

Of course, long term he is a nice 4th outfielder that can steal a base late in the game.

[Lazarus]

Schafer is a classic 4th outfielder. His playing time should be on par with what you'd typically give a 4th outfielder - spot starts, late-inning defensive replacement after pinch-running, and hold down a position when someone goes on the 15-day DL. That's his role - and that is a valuable role on the team if it is done well.

 

I've had my fill over the last four years with 4th outfielder-quality players being passed off as starting outfielders. We know what Schafer is - let him be successful in that role. The Hicks question is different - is he a starting outfielder-quality player, a 4th outfielder-quality player, or a AAAA-quality player? He should be given one last chance to convince TR and PM what he really is. Pick your favorite day to call the trial complete - Memorial Day, first round of the amateur draft, 4th of July - but make a decision based on what he's shown. I know what I expect to be the result, but in the guise of fairness I won't put it in writing at this time.

[jay]

I've had my fill over the last four years with 4th outfielder-quality players being passed off as starting outfielders. We know what Schafer is - let him be successful in that role. The Hicks question is different - is he a starting outfielder-quality player, a 4th outfielder-quality player, or a AAAA-quality player? He should be given one last chance to convince TR and PM what he really is. Pick your favorite day to call the trial complete - Memorial Day, first round of the amateur draft, 4th of July - but make a decision based on what he's shown. I know what I expect to be the result, but in the guise of fairness I won't put it in writing at this time.

I agree on Schafer's ideal role, but I also believe there's a quote out there about the definition of insanity. Most folks seem to expect Hicks will fail yet again, so why make him the Opening Day CF for a third year in a row??

 

I recall another young OFer in Twins history who was pretty upset about being sent to AAA and proceeded to play his way on to the MLB team. I think that is exactly what would be best for Mr. Hicks' development.

[TheLeviathan]

I agree on Schafer's ideal role, but I also believe there's a quote out there about the definition of insanity. Most folks seem to expect Hicks will fail yet again, so why make him the Opening Day CF for a third year in a row??

 

I recall another young OFer in Twins history who was pretty upset about being sent to AAA and proceeded to play his way on to the MLB team. I think that is exactly what would be best for Mr. Hicks' development.

 

Exactly.  I don't like Schafer as the starting CF to open the season, but I also would've made finding a better option a priority this offseason.  Why the Twins didn't for the third consecutive year is baffling.  Just baffling.

 

Hicks needs to prove he belongs.  Hitting .190 in the bigs with a decent OBP and no power is not doing that.  Put his butt in AAA and make him earn the job, something we still have yet to do and we're three seasons into his career.  

[kab21]

Schafer is a classic 4th outfielder. His playing time should be on par with what you'd typically give a 4th outfielder - spot starts, late-inning defensive replacement after pinch-running, and hold down a position when someone goes on the 15-day DL. That's his role - and that is a valuable role on the team if it is done well.

 

I've had my fill over the last four years with 4th outfielder-quality players being passed off as starting outfielders. We know what Schafer is - let him be successful in that role. The Hicks question is different - is he a starting outfielder-quality player, a 4th outfielder-quality player, or a AAAA-quality player? He should be given one last chance to convince TR and PM what he really is. Pick your favorite day to call the trial complete - Memorial Day, first round of the amateur draft, 4th of July - but make a decision based on what he's shown. I know what I expect to be the result, but in the guise of fairness I won't put it in writing at this time.

Hicks shouldn't be given anything at this point.  Certainly not two more months as a starter.  If he wants to start then he better be able to outplay a 4th OF'er type.

 

The best usage would be a platoon of Schafer and Hicks.  Just give me a bridge until Buxton is ready and then each of them can be 4th OFers.