Article: Short Change?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Does anyone think that Santana might be better at the plate if he plays outfield?  A variation on what we heard about Dozier and Plouffe when both were moved off short?

[jimmer]

 

Does anyone think that Santana might be better at the plate if he plays outfield?  A variation on what we heard about Dozier and Plouffe when both were moved off short?

I think it's possible. I think there's something to be said for comfort level of players (though, admittedly, not sure how moving an IF to CF would make him more comfortable). I also think that his offense last year was way over his abilities but is not as bad as this year so far.  He has to figure out a way to get on base more.  

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

There's probably something to the theory that slumping offense can influence slumping defense and vice versa - He might be pressing a little bit at the plate because he's thinking about his defensive play or making mistakes in the field because he's dwelling on a bad plate appearance or thinking about the next one.

 

Could he hit better if he's not thinking about his defense? Probably yes.

 

I think that's another reason to stay the course with him playing short stop, at least for now. If he is thinking too much, it's something that he will need to work out. Short Stop is where he has the most value if he can break through.

 

More time in the field and and more plate appearances could be the only thing that will make him more comfortable.

 

 

[Platoon]

Not sure why you include Mauer with this group.    Among those with 100 games or more his fielding % was tied for the best in 2014.   He certainly seems to make a lot of nice plays, he starts double plays well and is a great target.    Annoying error Sunday but otherwise better than average since he has moved over IMO.

I waffled on Mauer, but did not think his effort on the ball yesterday, or the high throw tag the other day was adequate. Plus I read where most or all of his errors are in like the last 38 games? He could have easily been deleted from the list of miscreants, but I admit I was in an expansive mood!

[troyhobbs]

The zero BBs is the biggest reason he should be removed from leadoff but, as others have posted, who do you put there when no one else really deserves to bat there either? Don't send him down. Not any time soon anyway.

[Willihammer]

anyone know what league average BABIP is this year so far or what it was last year?

.285 in the AL in 2015. Last year was .298 (AL). Why?

[jimmer]

 

.285 in the AL in 2015. Last year was .298 (AL). Why?

Thanks for the info.

 

And why? Because Santana's BABIP is a hair above league average right now and look at the results.

 

Still, though SSS for everyone.

Edited April 20, 2015 by jimmer

[Willihammer]

Thanks for the info.

 

And why? Because Santana's BABIP is a hair above league average right now and look at the results.

 

Still, though SSS for everyone.

41 ABs. and a third he hasn't put the ball in play. He's not this bad, or this unlucky probably (with his wheels). Plenty of time to turn things around and win a batting title.

[iTwins]

I'd respectfully disagree with the premise that changes are needed. Most have acknowledged that Danny's numbers last year were a bit inflated (as indicated by his preposterously high .405 BABIP). However, his season has started with a bit of a suppressed BABIP (.286) in which Danny has been the victim of some great plays robbing him of hits (the Detroit series immediately comes to mind). In short, he's been a bit unlucky to start the year - the law of averages says that will balance out (maybe not .405, but a slight increase could be expected).

 

Not to mention, his strikeout rate so far this year (31%) is well above his career numbers (22-23%). He's had some bad at bats, that's for sure, but his career numbers indicate that this may be more slump than a true problem.

 

It's tempting to throw Escobar back into the starting SS role, especially given his strong spring and decent showing so far this year - but I'd be cautious in yanking Danny up and down the roster. I think that was an issue with the prior regime - and I think it hurt the development of some younger players. I'd like to see the team stick things out with Danny and let him learn on the job. He has to learn to hit big league pitching at some point in time, why not give him the shot now?

[Squirrel]

 

Does anyone think that Santana might be better at the plate if he plays outfield?  A variation on what we heard about Dozier and Plouffe when both were moved off short?

He could be but moving forward, there's no room for him in the outfield. When Buxton and Rosario are ready to be up, we need Santana already there at short and not rusty. As I said earlier, even though he's not a rookie, I think you still have to look at him as a rookie this year, kind of sort of, and give him some time before getting too worried about any part of his game. 

[Shane Wahl]

I basically would never send him down to AAA again. Same with Arcia, and probably Vargas. Pinto down there again beyond a reasonable time is already atrocious enough. If ever comes down to Doug Bernier replacing Danny Santana, I will give up. I don't even know what it means, but I will give up.

[SwainZag]

 

I basically would never send him down to AAA again. Same with Arcia, and probably Vargas. Pinto down there again beyond a reasonable time is already atrocious enough. If ever comes down to Doug Bernier replacing Danny Santana, I will give up. I don't even know what it means, but I will give up.

 

But why?  You could probably say Santana was called prematurely last year.  If he continues to struggle mightily at the plate and defense stays shakey for the next 3-4 weeks, what's it going to hurt if he is sent down to right the ship while Escobar took over as the starter?  If it was just fielding that concerned people I would agree, but when he looks completely lost with the bat as well....

[owenowain]

You can't have someone at lead off who isn't getting on base. Bat him 9th till he gets his swing back. Give him time to get his defense in order. The kid has a lot of potential.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

He could be but moving forward, there's no room for him in the outfield. When Buxton and Rosario are ready to be up, we need Santana already there at short and not rusty.

Saying there's no room for Santana in the outfield right now because of Buxton and Rosario is the same kind of thinking/projecting that's gotten us too much Hicks, Thomas, Mastro, Presley, Schafer, etc.

 

And why couldn't Escobar be there at short when those OF prospects come up?  And Santana could be a trade chip or a super utility at some point if the OF really is too crowded.  But it's not crowded now, not even close if we're starting Schafer/Robinson (not to mention Nunez and Escobar and potentially Herrmann) and have Arcia and a 39 year old lumbering around the corners, and nobody is forcing the issue in the minor leagues.

 

I don't know, I get what the Twins are doing now, and I probably wouldn't mess with it quite yet, but before I'd send Santana to the bench or AAA, I would probably put him back in the MLB OF first.

Edited April 20, 2015 by spycake

[SwainZag]

 

Saying there's no room for Santana in the outfield right now because of Buxton and Rosario is the same kind of thinking/projecting that's gotten us too much Hicks, Thomas, Mastro, Presley, Schafer, etc.

 

And why couldn't Escobar be there at short when those OF prospects come up?  And Santana could be a trade chip or a super utility at some point if the OF really is too crowded.  But it's not crowded now, not even close if we're starting Schafer/Robinson (not to mention Nunez and Escobar and potentially Herrmann) and have Arcia and a 39 year old lumbering around the corners, and nobody is forcing the issue in the minor leagues.

 

I don't know, I get what the Twins are doing now, and I probably wouldn't mess with it quite yet, but before I'd send Santana to the bench or AAA, I would probably put him back in the MLB OF first.

 

If he projects as a SS and Twins management thinks he is a more valuable asset at SS than in the OF, why would sending to AAA to play SS everyday to hone those skills be a worse option than playing on the MLB roster in CF? 

[jimbo92107]

Too early to send Santana down. Let the kid get his game settled down for another month. If by then he's still flailing at the plate, bring up Jorge Polanco again. Polanco looks good at SS, and his bat looks more promising than Santana's. Either that, or just stick Escobar at SS and see how that works for a while.

 

One thing I would NOT do is stick Santana back in the outfield. That didn't do him any good, and it cost other outfield candidates some playing time last year.

 

BTW, has anybody else noticed that Santana's bat doesn't seem quite a quick as last season? Maybe he's swinging the stick too much like a garden rake.

Edited April 20, 2015 by jimbo92107

[Dantes929]

I like Santana.   I said last year he wasn't as good as his numbers suggest and I say now he isn't as bad as his numbers suggest.    While I am not sure if he is our shortstop of the future with Gordon and Polanco coming up, 12 games is still a long ways away from the outer range of SSS.    Maybe wait until his career batting average goes below .290.  Or at least .300.

[Shane Wahl]

Twelve games have been played so far this year. Look around the league at some of the players who are struggling mightily. Should the Reds send Billy Hamilton down? Etc. etc.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

If he projects as a SS and Twins management thinks he is a more valuable asset at SS than in the OF, why would sending to AAA to play SS everyday to hone those skills be a worse option than playing on the MLB roster in CF? 

It might not be a worse option, given those assumptions and an otherwise solid roster.  But "Jordan Schafer, starting CF" is not a solid part of the roster.  If those AB could get Santana's bat back on track, I'd give it a shot before a demotion.

 

There is no reason that Santana couldn't be valuable in the same kind of super-utility role that Escobar is currently occupying.

[Dantes929]

 

You can't have someone at lead off who isn't getting on base. 

Dan Gladden, Pat Meares, Jaque Jones, Nick Punto, Adam Everett, Brendan Harris, Alexi Casilla, Nishioka, Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks notwithstanding.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

One thing I would NOT do is stick Santana back in the outfield. That didn't do him any good, and it cost other outfield candidates some playing time last year.

Didn't do him any good?  He had his best season ever at the plate.

 

And what outfield candidates were cost playing time, then or now?

[Hrbowski]

Leave him at short, Nick Gordon isn't ready to take over. Danny is our best shortstop, and we should be playing our best players.

[Steven Buhr]

It seems to me that Santana is what he is at SS. I don't think he has ever been considered an outstanding defensive SS. He's got a strong arm and great range, but tends to screw up routine plays. I'm sure I've read that about him throughout a good chunk of his minor league days. He was deemed the "SS of the future" because he could hit.

 

I'm not going to be surprised if that's the SS he turns out to be. The question is whether his bat is good enough to overlook mediocre defense.

 

It's too early for me to form an opinion on that, yet.

[Minniman]

That is one thing I have disliked about Gardy and the Twins; players come through the organization at one position, but the Twins try to have them learn a new position at AAA or the major league level. Of course, the players faulter.

[Platoon]

Leave him at SS here. You have to find out if he can play the position in the majors. He has no future in the OF, except as a utility player. If you are serious about improving your defense to win this year then get a real CF here. But all that would be is a charade!

[stringer bell]

Dozier is a good lead-off guy.  He works counts and draws walks and there is nothing wrong with a lead-off homer.    Today, I'd make the lineup:  Dozier, Hunter, Mauer, Vargas, Plouffe, Arcia, Suzuki, Schafer/Robinson, Santana.

[SwainZag]

 

Dan Gladden, Pat Meares, Jaque Jones, Nick Punto, Adam Everett, Brendan Harris, Alexi Casilla, Nishioka, Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks notwithstanding.

 

But how many of those guys are prototypical leadoff guys?  I

[Shane Wahl]

 

It seems to me that Santana is what he is at SS. I don't think he has ever been considered an outstanding defensive SS. He's got a strong arm and great range, but tends to screw up routine plays. I'm sure I've read that about him throughout a good chunk of his minor league days. He was deemed the "SS of the future" because he could hit.

 

I'm not going to be surprised if that's the SS he turns out to be. The question is whether his bat is good enough to overlook mediocre defense.

 

It's too early for me to form an opinion on that, yet.

 

This. Back around 2012-2013 I thought of him as Pedro Florimon (when he was shaky) but with a bat that could keep him in the majors if he didn't strike out too much. We'll see how that pans out.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Right now he's striking out too much. He doesn't always have to make solid contact to be effective with his speed, but he does need to make *some* contact if he wants to keep his spot in the batting order and ultimately in the lineup.

 

The poor defense and mental mistakes of the team killed the Twins last night, but Santana also blew some opportunities at the plate with some very short at bats in which he looked overmatched.

[Mike Sixel]

From Grantland.........

 

Worst of all might be Danny Santana, who ranks last in the majors in DRS and has somehow already cost his team six runs on defense in just 12 games. Thanks to a seemingly excellent rookie season in 2014, Santana won the Opening Day shortstop job, but his shiny .319/.353/.472 effort last year can largely be chalked up to a tremendously flukish .405 batting average on balls in play. In 2014, Santana struck out five times more than he walked, and he projected as one of MLB’s most likely regression candidates heading into this season. Instead of a gentle pullback, the early returns have been brutal: a .195 batting average, just one extra-base hit, 13 strikeouts, and no walks in 42 times at bat. Throw in the rough fielding and Santana might be the worst player in the majors through these first two weeks.