Arizona Fall League Predictions

[Shane Wahl]

Right now, I would imagine that Levi Michael, Stuart Turner, and Adam Walker would be three guys to send to Arizona, though maybe they want to see Travis Harrison there too.

 

Pitchers . . . I have no idea. Burdi and Meyer?

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[bluechipper]

How about Niko Goodrum?

[Badsmerf]

Burdi and walker for sure I think. Maybe Meyer.

[Thrylos]

Harrison, Hicks (DJ,) Walker, Michael

Corey Williams (needs innings,) Chargois, Lee, Wheeler

[Twinfan603]

I'm torn on Meyer going to the AFL. On the one hand, he definitely needs the work, but on the other hand I think the more rest he gets, the better, especially if he is returned to a starter's role next year. Also, what would happen if he does go and gets lit up?

[bluechipper]

Hopefully Travis Harrison uses the AFL like Eddie Rosario did last year and gains some momentum going into the offseason because he has been terrible this season.

[Boblovestwins21]

How can you say Harrison has been terrible?? Yes, his batting average has dropped and we aren't seeing the home runs we would like to, but he is still putting up decent numbers.

 

The last month or so has been a struggle for him, but prior to that he was actually doing well. Batting average isn't everything. He is up there in the originization in hits,2B, walks even with his not so good month and a half.

 

Harrison as of late has been hitting the ball extremely well and I see that trend continuing. Hope he gets to the AFL this year.

[Thrylos]

 

How can you say Harrison has been terrible?? Yes, his batting average has dropped and we aren't seeing the home runs we would like to, but he is still putting up decent numbers.

The last month or so has been a struggle for him, but prior to that he was actually doing well. Batting average isn't everything. He is up there in the originization in hits,2B, walks even with his not so good month and a half.

Harrison as of late has been hitting the ball extremely well and I see that trend continuing. Hope he gets to the AFL this year.

 

Not quite terrible, but has career worst in BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, wOBA, wRC+, K%...

[Shane Wahl]

 

Harrison, Hicks (DJ,) Walker, Michael

Corey Williams (needs innings,) Chargois, Lee, Wheeler

 

Probably pretty accurate. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with Lee and Wheeler.

[Shane Wahl]

 

 

How about Niko Goodrum?

 

That's possible, though I think the Twins know exactly what they are doing with Goodrum for 2016 (AA). I bet next fall would be his time for the AFL.

[Thrylos]

 

Probably pretty accurate. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with Lee and Wheeler.

 

They are really really hurting at the LHSP department, so they would need to look at them closer.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Someone needs to refresh my memory on AFL, but it's primarily A ball guy with a waiver for AA players, correct?  I know it's used to help determine 40 man considerations, so the first thing I think of is who on the team is on the 40 man bubble this offseason?

 

Walker - I think he has another year yet.

Goodrum - HS draftee in 2010.  He's a candidate.

Meyer - already on 40 man, playing in AAA.  Could use the time, I don't think he's really a candidate here.

Michael - played quite well in AA this year.  Also on the 40 man bubble list (though I think he's most likely a sure thing).

Stuart Turner - I could see that.  Not on 40 man bubble, but a candidate.

Burdi - definitely a candidate.

 

 

I think Brandon Peterson or Mitch Garver would be a good candidate here as well.

[Shane Wahl]

 

They are really really hurting at the LHSP department, so they would need to look at them closer.

 

True, though I don't think all that highly of Dean, Darnell, or Wheeler. Rogers is legitimate.

[Shane Wahl]

 

 

Someone needs to refresh my memory on AFL, but it's primarily A ball guy with a waiver for AA players, correct?  I know it's used to help determine 40 man considerations, so the first thing I think of is who on the team is on the 40 man bubble this offseason?

 

Walker - I think he has another year yet.

Goodrum - HS draftee in 2010.  He's a candidate.

Meyer - already on 40 man, playing in AAA.  Could use the time, I don't think he's really a candidate here.

Michael - played quite well in AA this year.  Also on the 40 man bubble list (though I think he's most likely a sure thing).

Stuart Turner - I could see that.  Not on 40 man bubble, but a candidate.

Burdi - definitely a candidate.

 

 

I think Brandon Peterson or Mitch Garver would be a good candidate here as well.

 

Peterson went last year with Reed. Both were dominant (maybe they each had one blow up game? Or not even that. That is why I was so shocked that they messed around with A+ ball at all for Peterson this year.

Yes, determining 40 man stuff, but also giving playing time to those who missed some, and also to see how certain guys respond to what amounts to a AA/AAA hitters league.

 

DJ Hicks, Levi Michael, Corey Williams, and JT Chargois are locks in my view, as they are all good and need playing time. Showcasing DJ Hicks and Michael also has an added benefit too.

 

Given Burdi's up and down year, I think he should go too. Walker is clearly fatigued or something right now, so maybe not him. Goodrum just moved up to AA and is a slow developer. I don't see the need (though I would protect him). Stuart Turner should be a near-lock in my view. Dude should see all the pitching he can . . .

 

Some damn decision has to be made about Meyer and being a starter vs. a reliever. This decision needs to be made by sometime in March at the latest. I will maintain that he *cannot* flop around back and forth between the two next year. I would pick one for him for the AFL and send him off. If it goes well, likely stick with him in that role in ST. If not, switch roles in ST and hope for the best.

[pierre75275]

Isn't there a limit on how many players can be sent to the AFL?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Peterson went last year with Reed. Both were dominant (maybe they each had one blow up game? Or not even that. That is why I was so shocked that they messed around with A+ ball at all for Peterson this year.

Yes, determining 40 man stuff, but also giving playing time to those who missed some, and also to see how certain guys respond to what amounts to a AA/AAA hitters league.

 

DJ Hicks, Levi Michael, Corey Williams, and JT Chargois are locks in my view, as they are all good and need playing time. Showcasing DJ Hicks and Michael also has an added benefit too.

 

Given Burdi's up and down year, I think he should go too. Walker is clearly fatigued or something right now, so maybe not him. Goodrum just moved up to AA and is a slow developer. I don't see the need (though I would protect him). Stuart Turner should be a near-lock in my view. Dude should see all the pitching he can . . .

 

Some damn decision has to be made about Meyer and being a starter vs. a reliever. This decision needs to be made by sometime in March at the latest. I will maintain that he *cannot* flop around back and forth between the two next year. I would pick one for him for the AFL and send him off. If it goes well, likely stick with him in that role in ST. If not, switch roles in ST and hope for the best.

 

Peterson didn't go last year. Zack Jones and Jake Reed went. 

 

Someone who would know told me that Burdi said he didn't need the AFL last year, so I don't know if he'll go this year. He should. 

 

40 man roster decisions - I don't think that's really something that is considered there, unless a player gets hurt or really tears it up there. They likely already know.

 

The AFL is for AA and AAA players, although they can have up to two guys from A-Ball too. 

 

They can have up to 7 players. 

 

My guesses, and they're just guesses because there is some strategy, but they also fill a roster with five other teams:

 

Stuart Turner, Adam Brett Walker, Levi Michael, Jake Reed, Nick Burdi, Aaron Slegers and Corey Williams.

[goulik]

Maybe Kohl Stewart as he has missed time due to injuries? Push the prospect?

[goulik]

Gonsalves?

[rukavina]

It might be a bit early, but I would think Vielma will be considered.  I want to see if he can continue to hit against better competition.

[sane]

Those who are eligible for the first time to be lost in Rule V are:

Luke Bard, Baxendale, Harrison, DJ Hicks, Zack Jones, Melotakis, Muren,Joel Polanco, Taylor Rogers, Valera, Vielma, Logan Wade and Adam Brett Walker.

Many of those are VERY unlikely to be lost to Rule V.

Walker, Jones, Rogers, Melotakis (although he has been injured) and Vielma are (IMO) the most vulnerable to Rule V.

[nater79a]

I really struggle with the position players this year. Anyway, I go with Garver, AB Walker, Michael, Burdi, Slegers, Chargois and Eades. There's always a surprise or two every year, and Ryan Eades is my surprise. Try to keep his momentum going (although I saw he left the game last night with an injury). 

[70charger]

wrong thread, sorry.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Those who are eligible for the first time to be lost in Rule V are:
Luke Bard, Baxendale, Harrison, DJ Hicks, Zack Jones, Melotakis, Muren,Joel Polanco, Taylor Rogers, Valera, Vielma, Logan Wade and Adam Brett Walker.
Many of those are VERY unlikely to be lost to Rule V.
Walker, Jones, Rogers, Melotakis (although he has been injured) and Vielma are (IMO) the most vulnerable to Rule V.

 

This is Walker's third full season since college.  I don't think he's rule V eligible this season.  If not, I'd have to think he's a lock to make it.   Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was 4 full years after college and 5 after HS/intl for 40 man consideration. 

[sane]

This is Walker's third full season since college.  I don't think he's rule V eligible this season.  If not, I'd have to think he's a lock to make it.   Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was 4 full years after college and 5 after HS/intl for 40 man consideration.

This is his 4th season since college. His first season was the 2012 half-season at High-Rookie Elizabethton. The rule doesn't say "FULL" season, so that half-season counted as season#1. Add seasons 2013, 2014, and 2015 adds up to four seasons.

[Badsmerf]

I really struggle with the position players this year. Anyway, I go with Garver, AB Walker, Michael, Burdi, Slegers, Chargois and Eades. There's always a surprise or two every year, and Ryan Eades is my surprise. Try to keep his momentum going (although I saw he left the game last night with an injury).

I like that list. There are always surprises, so it will be fun to see who gets chosen.

[BoomBoom]

I see the 7 players as such:

Stuart Turner

Adam Brett Walker

Nick Gordon (ala Buxton route)

Nick Burdi

Luke Bard

Brandon Peterson

JT Chargois

[Jham]

What about Wimmers?  He's a former #1.  His K numbers have been solid.  He seems to be making a nice transition to the bull pen, and now that I think about it, he may have been moved to the pen to limit his innings.  He threw 83 innings last year, he's already at 102 this year.  We didn't protect him last go round, and he's almost 27.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I could see Wimmers added.  He's not really much of a prospect anymore.  I know injury has been a big factor here, but he hasn't exactly lit up AA either.

[goulik]

I see the 7 players as such:

Stuart Turner

Adam Brett Walker

Nick Gordon (ala Buxton route)

Nick Burdi

Luke Bard

Brandon Peterson

JT Chargois

I think this would be a year too soon for Gordon, maybe next fall coming out of high A or AA second half of season but not out of low A where he took some time to develop this year.

[roger]

Was thinking about this earlier today and have a feeling Max Kepler will be going to the AFL.  With Vargas getting back to what is expected these past few weeks and Buxton likely activated prior to 8/31, Kepler would see almost zero playing time with the Twins in September.  Seems to make sense to send him to Arizona.