Infielders in the Outfield

[stringer bell]

"Infielders in the Outfield" has been a common refrain around TD for the past year. It seems to be code for managerial (and GM) misconduct in putting together a roster. Specifically, going in 2014, Jason Bartlett, who had never played outfield in the majors was slotted in as a backup outfielder, with predictable results. When injuries occurred, AAA depth from Rochester's infield was playing two spots in the Twins' outfield, along with first baseman Chris Colabello. Shortstops Eduardo Nuñez and Eduardo Escobar also took some turns on the corners and Escobar made an ill-fated start in center field.

 

New season, new manager, no more of this? Well, even with Molitor in charge, Danny Santana has started the last three games in center field, Eduardo Escobar has made far more starts in left (26) than he has at shortstop and Nuñez has chipped in with a couple games in the outfield, as well.

 

Is everyone in Twins' management daft? Is it truly irrational to play these guys out in the grass instead of on the dirt where they belong? I, for one, am not that preturbed by it. Short benches mean that guys have to be versatile. Escobar, for one, has shown he can play acceptably at three infield positions and has added left field to his resumé. Santana played a lot of center field last year and according to what I can see can be acceptable there.

 

Last year, Santana was both a rookie and an outfield novice. His lack of experience showed, but by season's end, I thought his defense was quite acceptable. Outstanding speed and a great arm are tools that play well in center and Santana has those tools. In the three games he's been in center, I haven't seen a ball drop in that he should have caught and I haven't seen the opposition get any extra bases.  Still, he isn't hitting and I guess I'd rather see Aaron Hicks in center if the choice were between Santana and Hicks.

 

Escobar has a larger body of work this year. He's got okay speed and a good arm. I've seen Esco miss balls that he should have gotten to, but he has improved. According to BBRef, his OF numbers are satisfactory. Escobar is good at going toward the line and denying an extra base and he's shown off a good arm. His routes haven't been good sometimes, but that comes with experience. If Escobar is to be a utility player, he is going to get some innings in the outfield. Again, similar to Santana, my gripe with Escobar in the outfield is that he doesn't hit enough to be starting consistently.

 

In summary, having versatile players who can play acceptably in the infield and the outfield is a good thing. I think Escobar is acceptable in left field and it looks like Santana is acceptable in center. I don't think an occasional start by an infielder in the outfield is cause for a manager to be fired, but these should be stopgap moves and not something that recurs over and over or lasts for more than a week.

[TheLeviathan]

Since it has been happening over and over again for weeks (years by the organization), doesn't that make most of your argument moot?

 

If they want to play some infielder on a Sunday getaway once a week I won't love it, but that's not what is happening.  This has been a systemic belief that you can just toss anyone out in the OF and it'll be ok.  As Escobar demonstrated the other night - that can and does cost you in a big way.

 

I understand the recent rash of injuries, but that doesn't explain why the team's best SS is frequently standing in LF.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Since it has been happening over and over again for weeks (years by the organization), doesn't that make most of your argument moot?

 

If they want to play some infielder on a Sunday getaway once a week I won't love it, but that's not what is happening.  This has been a systemic belief that you can just toss anyone out in the OF and it'll be ok.  As Escobar demonstrated the other night - that can and does cost you in a big way.

 

I understand the recent rash of injuries, but that doesn't explain why the team's best SS is frequently standing in LF.

of 61 games, Escobar has played 31 in LF and 16 at SS. That's not a stop gap situation.

[Platoon]

Utility guys could also just be utility infielders. Which would be pretty preferable. In a normal world, the bench would not be as short, Because the BP would be one pitcher shorter. Hicks would have been back by now. And instead of TRYING to get EE into a game via LF, they would be AVOIDING putting him out there. As for Santana in CF, he gets credit for doing the best he can. That can't be said for the FO. They failed to address the CF issue, which caused them to non evaluate the SS positon all last year. Leaving an undefined black hole there. The playing of EE in the OF is a reflection of the FO molasses slow reaction to injuries, and promotions, and it's deep doghouse. And as far as Santana not hitting well enough to play SS, and the same "problem" for Hicks, then someone has to explain why for years we have used the DH to give utility level players AB's and as a "vacation day" for whomever. Get some production out of the Dah spot, and maybe you can carry a glove first SS or CF.

[stringer bell]

What I think is that for some reason Molitor has overvalued Escobar's hitting, while simultaneously undervaluing his defense at short. IMHO, Escobar hits and fields well enough to be an average shortstop. He doesn't hit enough to be an average left fielder.  I also was quite surprised that Molitor started Nuñez at short in a couple games where Escobar was in left. Even though Nuñez isn't very good in left, I would think the Twins would want the better defender at short, but that didn't happen. They had two games, I believe, with Nuñez at short, Santana in center and Rosario in left. Again, I would put Nuñez in the outfield, Rosario in center and Santana at short, but the Twins chose to do otherwise.

[Craig Arko]

Sounds like Hicks is coming to KC today.

[soofootinsfan37]

Here is the deal.  Are we in agreement that the Twins offense is to say the least a bit stagnant? I think we are. In the last 30 games Escobar is slashing  300\583\932. Nunez is 295\492\825.

So even if you could put Santana back at short right now one of these bats has to sit. Molitor is just going with the hot bats, because the offense is not doing its thing right now. Escobar is slugging better than anyone on the team over the last 30 games. He is not going to play 3rd or 2nd. Danny Santana is the only infielder capable of playing center. I am fine with Escobar in left until his offense is no longer making up for the missed plays. Nunez really has no business in the outfield but his bat is hot and he is not going to play 3B or 2B. He will see spot starts in left until Hicks is back. Nunez will be primary short stop until we get some real outfielders back and Santana takes over short again, and then he will got back to utility infielder. Escobar super utility? Maybe he can play first as well.

[TheLeviathan]

If you HAVE to have Nunez and Escobar in the lineup, why (for the love of god) isn't Escobar the SS and Nunez the LF?

[HitInAPinch]

My, oh my.  If only people had listened to me during spring training.  D. Santana in CF and Escobar at SS.

  But seriously folks:  how many OF'ers have failed this year?  Who is the only current Twin hitting over .300?  Why is SS a revolving door?  I understand WHY they are doing this.  However, to me this is a wedgie between are we going to be competitive this year and are we trying to hold prospects down in MiLB this year to get more experience for real competition in spring training next year. 

 

Anyway you put it, this is all on the Front Office! 

P.S.  I said wedgie and I mean wedgie.  Think about it

 

    wedg·ie
    ˈwejē/
    nouninformal
    noun: wedgie; plural noun: wedgies
        1.  a shoe with a wedged heel.
        2. North American an uncomfortable tightening of the underpants between the buttocks, typically produced when someone pulls the underpants up from the back as a prank.

 

[stringer bell]

 

Sounds like Hicks is coming to KC today.

Who heads to Rochester/is released? Maybe that should go in Next Transactions or whatever the thread title is.

[Craig Arko]

Who heads to Rochester/is released? Maybe that should go in Next Transactions or whatever the thread title is.

I'm sure when there's a formal announcement there will be an article thread that will preempt the others. There is no mention yet of the corresponding roster move, but I'd think either Robinson or D. Santana would be the likeliest choices. And then the other of those two when it's time to recall Arcia.

[stringer bell]

 

I'm sure when there's a formal announcement there will be an article thread that will preempt the others. There is no mention yet of the corresponding roster move, but I'd think either Robinson or D. Santana would be the likeliest choices. And then the other of those two when it's time to recall Arcia.

I only caught a snippet, but is Plouffe's paternity leave imminent?

 

Honestly, I don't think Robinson will lose his spot this year. I think a lot of other things will happen before Robinson is DFAed.

[jimbo92107]

As I said earlier, the move I'd make for the outfield is Max Kepler to CF. Kepler's hitting looks better than what we've seen from Aaron Hicks, and his speed and arm are acceptable for that position. Plus, it allows Rosario to play a corner OF spot, where he looks better.

 

I'd try Kepler for one month, see how he hits, then decide whether Der Kid works better than Hicks. If not, you bring Hicks back and send Kepler to AAA for the rest of the season.

 

Meanwhile, I'd also bring up Jorge Polanco to play SS, so Escobar and Nunez can go back to bench duty. In fact, I see little reason to keep Nunez around once Polanco is up. Danny Santana should also spend the rest of the season in AAA, honing his hitting skills. Same deal there - play Polanco for a month, then if he scuffles at the plate, swap him for Santana at AAA.

 

Both AA moves are predicated on the possibility of getting better offense from CF and SS.

[SwainZag]

 

As I said earlier, the move I'd make for the outfield is Max Kepler to CF. Kepler's hitting looks better than what we've seen from Aaron Hicks, and his speed and arm are acceptable for that position. Plus, it allows Rosario to play a corner OF spot, where he looks better.

 

I'd try Kepler for one month, see how he hits, then decide whether Der Kid works better than Hicks. If not, you bring Hicks back and send Kepler to AAA for the rest of the season.

 

Meanwhile, I'd also bring up Jorge Polanco to play SS, so Escobar and Nunez can go back to bench duty. In fact, I see little reason to keep Nunez around once Polanco is up. Danny Santana should also spend the rest of the season in AAA, honing his hitting skills. Same deal there - play Polanco for a month, then if he scuffles at the plate, swap him for Santana at AAA.

 

Both AA moves are predicated on the possibility of getting better offense from CF and SS.

 

I've always heard Kepler projects as a corner OF.  How good is his defense for CF?

[stringer bell]

 

As I said earlier, the move I'd make for the outfield is Max Kepler to CF. Kepler's hitting looks better than what we've seen from Aaron Hicks, and his speed and arm are acceptable for that position. Plus, it allows Rosario to play a corner OF spot, where he looks better.

 

I'd try Kepler for one month, see how he hits, then decide whether Der Kid works better than Hicks. If not, you bring Hicks back and send Kepler to AAA for the rest of the season.

 

Meanwhile, I'd also bring up Jorge Polanco to play SS, so Escobar and Nunez can go back to bench duty. In fact, I see little reason to keep Nunez around once Polanco is up. Danny Santana should also spend the rest of the season in AAA, honing his hitting skills. Same deal there - play Polanco for a month, then if he scuffles at the plate, swap him for Santana at AAA.

 

Both AA moves are predicated on the possibility of getting better offense from CF and SS.

I don't agree with either proposal. I think Kepler might get a recall in September as a reward for a fantastic season in the minors (and he's on the 40-man) and I see him as more of a corner guy than Rosario. If both Rosario and Kepler were in the same OF, my guess is that Eddy plays center.

 

I don't think Polanco is the answer at short. I do believe he can develop into a capable hitter for a middle infielder, but I think he's really stretched as a shortstop. Further, despite his success in his major league call-ups, I don't think he's quite ready as a hitter, either.

[Craig Arko]

@RhettBollinger: The Twins placed Shane Robinson on the family emergency list and activated Aaron Hicks from the DL.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

There's this fascinating split on opinion about Escobar as shortstop. Even Ryan and Molitor seem split. Half the people on Twins Daily see him as a good everyday shortstop and the other half doesn't know what the first half is hallucinating on.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Bummer for Robinson. Hope everything will be ok.

[stringer bell]

I've commented about Esco at short before and will again. He has good hands and enough arm, so he turns outs into outs very reliably. He doesn't possess the tools to make a lot of highlight film plays. His bat also profiles as about average for a shortstop, last year's gaggle of two-baggers notwithstanding. The whole picture is a competent, about league-average guy, who would hit in the bottom of the order and never take many walks. My take is that this kind of player can be surrounded by better players and be on a playoff team.

[HitInAPinch]

If Aaron Hicks is not the answer [again]  maybe this is:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/orioles-designate-delmon-young-for-assignment-will-seek-trade-partner.html

 

 

[HitInAPinch]

 

I've commented about Esco at short before and will again. He has good hands and enough arm, so he turns outs into outs very reliably. He doesn't possess the tools to make a lot of highlight film plays. His bat also profiles as about average for a shortstop, last year's gaggle of two-baggers notwithstanding. The whole picture is a competent, about league-average guy, who would hit in the bottom of the order and never take many walks. My take is that this kind of player can be surrounded by better players and be on a playoff team.

Agree.  And I think the same thing about D. Santana as a CF, with probably a better throwing and hitting upside.  I think we can throw in D. Santana will NEVER walk

[SwainZag]

 

If Aaron Hicks is not the answer [again]  maybe this is:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/orioles-designate-delmon-young-for-assignment-will-seek-trade-partner.html

 

No, no, no.  If we want an OF that can't field, let's just bring up Arcia, he has a lot more upside than Young does.

[HitInAPinch]

 

No, no, no.  If we want an OF that can't field, let's just bring up Arcia, he has a lot more upside than Young does.

Ha Ha HA HA!!!  Just couldn't resist  

Just think of it this way:  Big Del will make Oswaldo look down right fleet footed!

[Danchat]

Since the name of the topic is what it is, I believe this is appropiate:
http://i.imgur.com/wJ3Ezda.jpg

 

Oh, no! It's like a bad Disney sequel!

[jimbo92107]

 

I've always heard Kepler projects as a corner OF.  How good is his defense for CF?

He's fast and athletic, with a good arm. Mainly I'd put him in CF until Buxton or Hicks gets back. Both those guys are faster and have even better arms. Rosario (to my eye) looks better in a corner spot, and that may be where Kepler winds up, too. I'm assuming Torii Hunter won't be back next season as the youth movement continues.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Since the name of the topic is what it is, I believe this is appropiate:http://i.imgur.com/wJ3Ezda.jpg

 

Oh, no! It's like a bad Disney sequel!

This movie looks like it has a happy ending

[Platoon]

I'm assuming Torii Hunter won't be back next season as the youth movement continues.

And I am assuming you have not watched the Twins FO for the last, quite a few, years! :) Hunters resigning will be like the Bunonic plague! first you hear about it, but it's nothing to worry about! Then you hear there's a chance it might be close! Then you find out it's almost here! Then you start to cough! Lol

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

If Aaron Hicks is not the answer [again]  maybe this is:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/orioles-designate-delmon-young-for-assignment-will-seek-trade-partner.html

That was mean of you to make me look at that link. Shame on you.

[Andrew]

Since the name of the topic is what it is, I believe this is appropiate:

http://i.imgur.com/wJ3Ezda.jpg

 

Oh, no! It's like a bad Disney sequel!

IMDB gave this movie a 3.5/10. The critics said it was a horrible strategy and how could this team make the same mistake twice. However Danny Santana's performance was sub par compared to his Oscar worthy performance in the the first one and Nunez had less screen time but his performance was pretty solid in this one, unlike the first. The new cast members Eddie Escobar and Magic Molly were mediocre at best. Overall this movie should of taken place in the little leagues.