Is it time for Polanco to get an opportunity to start at SS?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

There isn't much difference between the two offensively in 2015. Defense is a matter of opinion, but I don't think Escobar has the physical talent to hold down SS on more than a temporary basis.

I don't much care about their prospect status, but since you brought it up, Escobar wasn't highly rated either, and Santana outhit Escobar in the minors. Escobar didnt put up a .700 OPS at any minor league level.

They both played way over their head last year, and BOTH are struggling this year. Let the kid who's a natural SS play it, let the utility player be one.

While both played over their heads in 2014, one played "over his head" and the other played "waaaaayyyyy over his head".

 

Neither Escobar nor Santana are disciplined hitters but Escobar has swung at a few less pitches this season while Santana, already a free-swinger, is swinging at damned near everything thrown his direction. Pretty much everything in the two players' peripherals suggest that given regular playing time, Escobar will level out a bit - he might not be good but he shouldn't be terrible - while Santana will continue hitting at his current level until he changes his approach.

 

Danny got through last season through sheer luck. He swung at everything, hit some (not a lot) of those pitches, and luckily for him, those balls fell in for hits. That isn't happening this season and to compensate, Santana is swinging at more pitches and making less contact. 

 

That screams "send him Rochester and let him get his head straight" rather loud and clear to me. The kid's approach is fundamentally flawed this season, even moreso than it was last season.

[nater79a]

 

I think there's way to much reactionary ideas going around on Twins Daily [if there is such a thing about real Baseball Fans!! ] 

 

I don't see an immediate need to make major changes to a team that's winning.  I still believe [apparently until my dieing day] the best lineup would have been D. Santana in CF and Escobar at SS.  But now look what's happening in the OF!!  Rosario is now hitting .302.  Hicks average is back up to .255 and playing excellent CF.  Is there really a need to keep running SS's to the OF any more??

 

When Polanco got a taste of the big leagues last year, didn't he play 2B?  His hitting stats say he's probably ready for AAA. 

 

Hey, Twins Daily readers/posters are nothing if not reactionary!!  Ha.

[kab21]

 

I don't think Molitor has a ton of time to coach players up right now.  Nor is the Major League level the place we want young players tinkering with their swings, especially while we remain in the hunt.  Santana looks overwhelmed and out of sorts.  He needs to catch his breath and play without the pressure of feeling like he's the weak link.  AAA would be good for him,  as it seems to have been for Hicks.

 

Regarding power in the middle of the line up.  Polanco would certainly be a power upgrade from Santana or Escobar.  He's raking in the third spot in Chat.  I think he's got the potential to be a middle of the line up guy in the bigs.  He swings like a power hitter, and seems to relish the challenge of better competition.  I've heard reports all over the board about his defense.  I think he could help the team, but I think the better move is the more obvious one: Escobar to short.  If Escobar continues to struggle and Santana doesn't look ready in AAA, Polanco should be given a chance.  If Polanco keeps tearing it up, he'll force his way through, but I think we do have better options as of now.

He has more power than either Santana or Escobar but in absolutely no way should Polanco be an MLB middle of the lineup guy.  I don't know what has given you this idea.

[TheLeviathan]

I think Santana is a pretty important part of the future and since I don't think Escobar is a major downgrade - I'd really like to see Santana sent down to improve his approach at the plate. 

 

Send down Santana, call up Pinto or Vargas.  Solves a lot of the head scratching decisions surrounding the roster.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd note that Escobar was pushed by the WhiteSox and was in the majors at age 23.  He had a break out season at 24 in Rochester for us, which I'd add also carried over to the majors.  I think his minor league numbers probably aren't worth using to point out what his career might be like.  Santana is in a bit of a similar situation, though right now he's struggling in the majors.  I'd like to let Escobar have a chance of playing every day at SS where at least he's a defensive upgrade (and probably offensive as well) and so we can go out and bring up a real DH (which is an offensive upgrade).