September callups

[drjim]

Two weeks away, who do you think the Twins call up?

 

I'm assuming the 4 pitchers on the DL are still there on September 1 and no trades (though I wouldn't be stunned if they add another reliever).

 

I'll go 6 additions:

 

Buxton

Vargas

Polanco

Meyer

Tonkin

A catcher - likely Fryer, but maybe Pinto is a dark horse if he can get right.

 

Kepler isn't coming up to sit on the bench.

 

Polanco jumps Santana because of injury/ineffectiveness.

 

Arcia does nothing the rest of the year and the Twins give him a long offseason to contemplate his future, with a chance to win a part time gig in the fall.

 

I don't think they add any arms that aren't on the 40 man.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Two weeks away, who do you think the Twins call up?

 

I'm assuming the 4 pitchers on the DL are still there on September 1 and no trades (though I wouldn't be stunned if they add another reliever).

 

I'll go 6 additions:

 

Buxton

Vargas

Polanco

Meyer

Tonkin

A catcher - likely Fryer, but maybe Pinto is a dark horse if he can get right.

 

Kepler isn't coming up to sit on the bench.

 

Polanco jumps Santana because of injury/ineffectiveness.

 

Arcia does nothing the rest of the year and the Twins give him a long offseason to contemplate his future, with a chance to win a part time gig in the fall.

 

I don't think they add any arms that aren't on the 40 man.

 

 

Polanco hasn't played in 5-6 days either, so he'll have to be healthy too. I'd be surprised if they brought up both Polanco and Santana.

 

I think Buxton will be up before September. 

 

Vargas should be up. I still think Kepler will come up. 

 

I don't think Berrios comes up.

 

[brvama]

I have to believe that Kepler will be up. Reasons: his performance and his option status.

 

Seth, could clarify if Kepler is in his third and last option year?

 

If he is he will need to be on the roster next year or go thru waivers. I can't see the Twins waiting til spring to see what they have with him. This is assuming I am right about the options.

[James]

1. Buxton (Pretty much a given)

2. Kepler - Already on the 40 man and has been to the Arizona Fall league.  I think they give him a taste.

3. Vargas

4. Meyer 

5. Tonkin

 

I think you're right about Polanco and Santana.  I think which ever one is healthy will get the call though.  

 

Side note -

I think Walker heads to the Arizona Fall League.  It would be some recognition that he had a good year, and they could see what he could do.  I don't think they send Berrios as they probably want to shut him down after the season is over due to innings.  I guess the AFL roster could be a whole separate thread.

[James]

 

I have to believe that Kepler will be up. Reasons: his performance and his option status.

Seth, could clarify if Kepler is in his third and last option year?

If he is he will need to be on the roster next year or go thru waivers. I can't see the Twins waiting til spring to see what they have with him. This is assuming I am right about the options.

I think he gets 4 option years because he was signed as a 16 year-old. 

[drjim]

 

Polanco hasn't played in 5-6 days either, so he'll have to be healthy too. I'd be surprised if they brought up both Polanco and Santana.

 

I think Buxton will be up before September. 

 

Vargas should be up. I still think Kepler will come up. 

 

I don't think Berrios comes up.

 

Good point. I think it will be one or the other but not both and will depend a lot on health.

[brvama]

I think he gets 4 option years because he was signed as a 16 year-old.

 

Thanks, James for the clarification. That certainly relieves my concern about next year. I still think they will give him a look see in Sep.

[drjim]

 

Thanks, James for the clarification. That certainly relieves my concern about next year. I still think they will give him a look see in Sep.

 

My continual point with this is look see where? He isn't going to play ahead of Rosario, Hicks or Buxton (and all three absolutely need reps), and if they call up Vargas (or Arcia) that is pretty much all lineup options.

 

I don't think he would come up to sit on the bench.

[Blackjack]

 

My continual point with this is look see where? He isn't going to play ahead of Rosario, Hicks or Buxton (and all three absolutely need reps), and if they call up Vargas (or Arcia) that is pretty much all lineup options.

 

I don't think he would come up to sit on the bench.

Don't forget about Hunter, like it or not, he'll also be taking some of that outfield time.

[brvama]

You could be right Doc. I'd like to bring him up personally, as I feel he could provide better upside that Vargas in the future. Kepler has also played 1B, so he could slot in there a few times. Chances are likely less than 50-50 though.

[stringer bell]

I like Kepler getting a couple weeks at the end of the season. He'll stay with the Lookouts until they are eliminated in their playoffs (given their depleted roster, probably in the first round). How much he plays depends on where the Twins are in the standings (we should have a better handle on that after this road trip). Vargas is hitting very well, a third catcher should be added, and a bullpen arm (Tonkin and Achter if he gets optioned in the next two weeks). I thought Polanco had been playing at AA, correct? It is news to me if he has been injured.

[sane]

Call-ups depend heavily on whether the Twins are competing for anything; and which of their affiliates in the playoffs.

[shs_59]

I don't think Kepler gets called up, I don't believe Berrios will either...However

 

Berrios gets the call if Hughes and Millone are still DL'd and if Erv Santana continues mediocrity.

 

Heck if that continues Berrios might be up in late August.

 

My choices/ guesses:

 

Byron Buxton - but not untill sept. 1

Jorge Polanco - not 100% sure, but, either him or Danny Santana

Agreed a 3rd catcher (Fryer, Pinto likely)

 

Tyler Duffey - assuming he's still up here anyway

Alex Meyer  - If may could do the 7th inning thing so well Meyer needs to show he can too.

 

the longshot:

 

LHP Taylor Rogers  (with Thielbar getting claimed by the Pads)  we need to try out Rogers in a LOOGY role and see if he can be the 2016 replacement to Brian Duensing.

[shs_59]

Oswaldo Arcia and Kennys Vargas have to show they can improve in Spring Training and maybe one of them makes the 2016 opening day roster as a DH .

 

Otherwise one or both of those guys could be traded this off-season...

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Kepler isn't coming up to sit on the bench.

True, probably not Sep. 1st.  But the Chattanooga season ends on Sep. 7, and the AFL doesn't start until October 13.  (Forgot about Chattanooga playoffs, I guess)

 

So Kepler is either on the bench in Minnesota during that time, or sitting at home.

[DuluthFan]

Wasn't Fryer removed from the 40 man roster when he was sent down the last time?

[drjim]

True, probably not Sep. 1st. But the Chattanooga season ends on Sep. 7, and the AFL doesn't start until October 13. (Forgot about Chattanooga playoffs, I guess)

 

So Kepler is either on the bench in Minnesota during that time, or sitting at home.

Or in Ft. Myers or prepping for winter leagues or many other things.

 

Is it true that he is no longer eligible for AFL?

[drjim]

Wasn't Fryer removed from the 40 man roster when he was sent down the last time?

Correct. Twins would have to add him. They have a roster spot open and they will have a 3rd catcher.

 

I wonder if he returned with a promise he would get the September call up. If so, wouldn't bode well for Pinto (though might be moot anyways).

[Otto von Ballpark]

In regards to AA playoffs, judging by last year, it's just two rounds, both best of 5, with no off days in each round.

 

So if Chattanooga's regular season ends on Sep. 7, they will get Sep. 8-9 off, and could be done as early as Sep. 12-14, or Sep. 18-20 if they advance to the finals.

 

Twins regular season goes through Oct. 4, so that's still 2-3 weeks for potential AA call-ups.

 

(FYI, Rochester is unlikely to make any postseason, so potential AAA call-ups could see almost a full month of MLB time.)

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Or in Ft. Myers or prepping for winter leagues or many other things.

Is it true that he is no longer eligible for AFL?

I have found no reason he wouldn't be eligible for the AFL.  There does not appear to be a limit on AFL appearances, provided you meet the other eligibility criteria (service time, roster dates, etc.).  Perhaps they won't bother sending him a third time, but he should be eligible.

 

I have to imagine they'd want to reward Kepler's 2015 season with at least a token call-up.  He's healthy, performing well in AA, already on the 40-man roster, and he's not super-young anymore (turns 23 this winter).  Seems like a perfect confluence of factors.

[SwainZag]

 

I have found no reason he wouldn't be eligible for the AFL.  There does not appear to be a limit on AFL appearances, provided you meet the other eligibility criteria (service time, roster dates, etc.).  Perhaps they won't bother sending him a third time, but he should be eligible.

 

I have to imagine they'd want to reward Kepler's 2015 season with at least a token call-up.  He's healthy, performing well in AA, already on the 40-man roster, and he's not super-young anymore (turns 23 this winter).  Seems like a perfect confluence of factors.

 

I am going to agree with you there.  If they waited until after the Lookouts were completely done, I see zero reason not to bring him up for the last 2-3 weeks of the season, especially because he's already on the 40 man roster.

[DocBauer]

I think we're all agreed on the obvious choices to be brought up in September, if not before:

 

Buxton

Vargas

Polanco (ahead of the out of whack Santana right now if healthy)

Tonkin

 

I'm on board with Meyer. He's been throwing much better of late and seems to be getting stretched out. That's encouraging! I'd bring him up. He's already on the roster and been up once. He needs a better experience and taste to finish out the season at the ML level than the bitter cup of coffee he had earlier. 

 

Thompson? Why not another LHRP?

 

Kepler, and to play, not sit, but don't think he'll come up until the Lookouts season is over.

 

Berrios is questionable to me. I'd love to see him get that ML experience, no matter how brief, to help build towards next season. But, to begin 2016 at least, there ARE viable options to begin in the rotation. Berrios doesn't have to be "pushed" if the Twins don't want to. (numbers games and all) And I believe he's about to hit his IP cap for the season. 

 

If healthy, I'd bring up Arcia. His issue(s) remains a mystery to us. If it is attitude, I'd hate to reward that. HOWEVER, if healthy, regardless of the situation involved, I believe bringing him up can A] help with his confidence and motivation B] assist trade potential if he shows something. 

 

Beresford, as a reward for another solid season and his years in the organization, if for no other reason. But really, sooner or later this guy needs some kind of shot doesn't he?

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think he gets 4 option years because he was signed as a 16 year-old. 

 

That's not the reason, but this is Kepler's second of four option years. So, they don't have to bring him up.

[James]

 

That's not the reason, but this is Kepler's second of four option years. So, they don't have to bring him up.

Yup.  I was wrong about the "why" part.  The getting a 4th option part isn't super straight forward.  Something about how he wouldn't finish his 5th year of professional service by the time his 3 options years are done.

 

I'll take the 50% of being right on this one and try to learn the reason behind the 4th option in my spare time.  

 

Thanks for clearing that up, Seth.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Yup.  I was wrong about the "why" part.  The getting a 4th option part isn't super straight forward.  Something about how he wouldn't finish his 5th year of professional service by the time his 3 options years are done.

 

I'll take the 50% of being right on this one and try to learn the reason behind the 4th option in my spare time.  

 

Thanks for clearing that up, Seth.  

 

There's a reason I didn't write out the why myself. Ha!

[jorgenswest]

Assuming they are hanging around playoff contention they could use the following.

 

-Another left handed bat in the OF...

 

Arcia has a few weeks to show he is worthy of a call up. Otherwise let him have some time off and try to get straightened out in winter ball. if not Arcia then Kepler can give them a left handed bat on the bench and in the OF.

 

-Arms in the bullpen...

 

They should load up the bullpen with every useful arm. Go one batter at a time late in the game if necessary.

 

-Another infielder and speed on the bench...

 

Polanco or Santana or both.

 

-a catcher...

 

I can't think of anyone

 

-And baseball's top prospect