Article: From Key Cogs To September Call-Ups

[Nick Nelson]

Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas were both in Minnesota's Opening Day lineup this year, batting leadoff and fifth. Following impressive rookie campaigns, both were viewed as important young staples for the rebuilding Twins.

 

Now, nearing the end of tumultuous sophomore seasons, both return from the minors as September call-ups, needing to prove that there's still a place for them in the team's plans.Regression was widely expected for Santana and Vargas in light of some ominous statistical indicators that came along with their overall outstanding production in 2014 – namely a lack of plate discipline exhibited by each.

 

Yet, few could have anticipated that the dropoff in both cases would be so dramatic. Vargas was demoted twice, first to Triple-A and then to Double-A. Santana was given an extremely (some might say overly) long leash and still couldn't do anything to justify his place in the lineup. He was optioned at the end of July with a miserable .541 OPS and 16 errors at shortstop.

 

Now, both players return to the fold as September call-ups, and with some momentum behind them. Vargas has shown tremendously improved patience at the plate since his latest demotion, drawing 42 walks against 52 strikeouts in 56 games between Double-A and Triple-A while hitting .277/.418/.492. Santana ended the month of August on a blistering tear at Rochester, with six straight multi-hit games and a .403 batting average in his last 15 contests.

 

Despite their fine work in the minors, neither player is going to be in line for regular playing time this month, and maybe not even a substantial role.

 

Eduardo Escobar has excelled at short since Santana's removal, hitting .295/.375/.577 in August with much sharper defense and surprisingly strong plate discipline (14 strikeouts and 10 walks in 88 plate appearances). At this point the Twins need to be planning around Escobar as their shortstop. Santana can help out this month as a pinch-runner and bench guy, but I think his opportunity is gone.

 

For Vargas, there appears to be a bit more hope. For one thing, his improvement in the minors was more encouraging in that he clearly improved his approach, as opposed to Santana whose 15-game torrid stretch came attached to a 12-to-0 K/BB ratio. Obviously Miguel Sano is entrenched at DH for the time being but long-term the Twins would like to find a place in the field for him. If Vargas can demonstrate the same adjustments that he made in the minors when he gets his chances, he can re-establish himself as a legit DH option going forward, although I don't think there's anything he can do at this point to ensure himself a spot on next year's Opening Day roster.

 

Ultimately both players are going to have their work cut out for them this month, because they've dug themselves pretty deep holes and their sporadic playing time will make it tougher to maintain the grooves they've found in the minors.

 

The Twins have put themselves in position to contend for a postseason berth without getting much of anything from two players that were viewed as key cogs at the outset of the season. Now both will have a chance to contribute to a contending team – albeit in significantly reduced roles.

 

Can Vargas and/or Santana end a negative season on a positive note?

 

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[stringer bell]

Remember who the two players were in 2009 who scored and drove in the winning run in game 163? Both of those guys had gone from regulars to bench players over the course of that season. I am speaking of Gomez, who scored the winning run and Alexi Casilla, who drove him in.

[curt1965]

I don't believe Danny Santana's chance is gone. He'd have to take it away from Escobar, but he's way to young and athletic to right him off.

[Rosterman]

I never considered Danny Santana more than a place-setter, or at best a utility player, if the Twins wanted a slightly younger Santana. Shortstop is in limbo for at least one moe season.

 

Vargas had the opportunity to cememnt his role with the Twins as a designated hitter. Sano has that role. If the Twins decide to part with Plouffe and move Sano to third, then good luck to Vargas (and maybe Arcia) to fight out for DH in the spring. But unless he can play first-base in palce of Mauer (doubtful), the best Vargas can do is spark some numbers to find a job elsewhere via trade.

 

But going into September, as late-inning repalcements or bench bats, gald to have the two on baord, as well as the return of Hicks (sending Hunter and his dismal, what, 5 for 35 with 17-18 strikeouts) to the bench, too. Wish Pinto was farther ahead.

[DocBauer]

A switch hitter who can actually hit some...potentially...with legit XB/HR power, you bet there is room for Vargas still. I don't think the Atwins would keep him around as a glorified PH next season, but guess you never know. But if any of his new-found approach is for real and sticks, he could be a key cog in the lineup at DH and backup 1B in the near future.

 

I also agree Santana's shot is not done yet. But at this point, not only does he have to improve his approach, but he will have to wait for a "seize the moment" opportunity because Escobar isn't going anywhere. Not after last season, this past ST, and what he's done now that he's been allowed to play consistently.

 

I'd love to see Santana learn to play 2B. Whether for us, or someone else, I think he could have a future as a reserve INF/OF if he never lays claim to a full time SS job.

[HitInAPinch]

D Santana:  end of last year [mainly in CF] had regular AB's and was successful.  Fast forward to 2015:  Moved back to his original SS, had fielding issues, got yanked from starting lineup and with diminished, regular AB's, didn't hit either.

 

E Esocbar:  after a successful 2014 season at SS with regular AB's, EE gets moved to a utility role, has diminished regular AB's and doesn't hit well.  Fast forward to a ~month ago, EE is moved into the starting SS role and "hitting .295/.375/.577 in August with much sharper defense and surprisingly strong plate discipline"

 

Is the ability to have a starting role and consistent AB's directly related to better all around performance?  Or a fluke compared to their minor league production? 

 

[troyhobbs]

Baseball is a hard game that not a lot of young players play consistently. Their long term potential isn't any less than it was last year and only time will tell if they can make the necessary adjustments to be successful big leaguers.  I think they're both talented enough to have nice MLB careers once they put it all together. 

[mikelink45]

I am always delighted when the young players come up and get a taste of MLB.  Santana and Vargas need this to test their improvement.  But the call ups must continue - we all know Berrios should be up and I would put Walker on the bench even if it was not intended that he play.  We have him going to AZ - give him a sense of what he is working for.  And do the same with Kepler. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

D Santana:  end of last year [mainly in CF] had regular AB's and was successful.  Fast forward to 2015:  Moved back to his original SS, had fielding issues, got yanked from starting lineup and with diminished, regular AB's, didn't hit either.

 

E Esocbar:  after a successful 2014 season at SS with regular AB's, EE gets moved to a utility role, has diminished regular AB's and doesn't hit well.  Fast forward to a ~month ago, EE is moved into the starting SS role and "hitting .295/.375/.577 in August with much sharper defense and surprisingly strong plate discipline"

 

Is the ability to have a starting role and consistent AB's directly related to better all around performance?  Or a fluke compared to their minor league production? 

Santana's 2015 hitting struggles started before his playing time was diminished, unfortunately for the Twins.

 

Escobar hit very well in a utility role to finish 2013 and begin 2014 too.  I wouldn't read too much into the timing of his 2015 slump.