Jose Miguel Fernandez

[nicksaviking]

https://twitter.com/dwolfsonkstp

 

Darren Wolfson Tweeted that Fred Guerrero is scouting Cuban defector Jose Miguel Fernandez. I believe Fred is the team's top Latin scout and I further believe that he was instrumental in signing Sano, Polanco and Danny Santana among others.

 

Fernandez projects as a 2B/3B and doesn't have much power, but he looks to have elite on-base and contact skills. It's probably just an a perfunctory scouting trip, but certainly the team is getting close to desperate for a low strike-out/high on-base kind of hitter.

 

Of course reading between the lines, if he plays 2B/3B, the Twins would then force Dozier and Plouffe to have a caged pillow fight to see who gets traded. I'm pretty sure that's how it works.

[Vanimal46]

He's a little bit older at 27 years old, and from what I've read can play "adequate" 2B... Probably not much 3B in his MLB future. However, a guy like him could really balance out a lineup like the Twins if he's a high on-base guy. I'd be on board to sign him. 

[Thrylos]

Few concerns about Fernandez.  His numbers are here btw.

 

His best position is DH.  Pretty awful on the field and only played 2B before (add 2 years of rust into this.) Very slow. Lead the league in GIDP once and on the leader board several times.  His body type is not one that will age well (generously listed at 5'10" and 185; more like 5'8", 200 these days) and he is already 28.  If you look at his numbers up there, from 2011 on, you will see a ridiculous BB:K ratio, which I think is unsustainable in the majors, and is what drove his success in Cuba.

 

I think that Jorge Polanco is a better player and it is a shame that the Twins are not taking advantage of that 

 

About that pillow fight:  Trade them both, put Sano at 3B, Polanco at SS and Esco/Nunez at 2B.  Done.

[USAFChief]

 

https://twitter.com/dwolfsonkstp

 

 

 

Of course reading between the lines, if he plays 2B/3B, the Twins would then force Dozier and Plouffe to have a caged pillow fight to see who gets traded. I'm pretty sure that's how it works.

Both would swing and miss a lot.

[diehardtwinsfan]

never against adding talent, though this one doesn't look like a fit.  I'm guessing Nick is right here and this is simply a perfunctory visit.

[nytwinsfan]

This is good to see and all, but what I really want to know is if there are any Cuban catchers who have defected lately . . .

[alarp33]

 

Few concerns about Fernandez.  His numbers are here btw.

 

His best position is DH.  

 

That's a positive. Terry Ryan found the market inefficiency and is exploiting it, by snapping up all High K - No position guys out there.  

[nytwinsfan]

 

 

Few concerns about Fernandez.  His numbers are here btw.

 

His best position is DH.  Pretty awful on the field and only played 2B before (add 2 years of rust into this.) Very slow. Lead the league in GIDP once and on the leader board several times.  His body type is not one that will age well (generously listed at 5'10" and 185; more like 5'8", 200 these days) and he is already 28.  If you look at his numbers up there, from 2011 on, you will see a ridiculous BB:K ratio, which I think is unsustainable in the majors, and is what drove his success in Cuba.

 

I think that Jorge Polanco is a better player and it is a shame that the Twins are not taking advantage of that 

 

About that pillow fight:  Trade them both, put Sano at 3B, Polanco at SS and Esco/Nunez at 2B.  Done.

Agree, except Esco at SS. You think Polanco is a better defensive SS than Escobar, or at least is likely to become one?

[Thrylos]

 

Agree, except Esco at SS. You think Polanco is a better defensive SS than Escobar, or at least is likely to become one?

 

Yes. Very good hands, positioning and leg work.  They are pretty similar in goofing off here and there, but Polanco has the higher upside because of age and size.

[Mike Sixel]

They don't need more older players right now. Just admit they are rebuilding still.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Yes. Very good hands, positioning and leg work.  They are pretty similar in goofing off here and there, but Polanco has the higher upside because of age and size.

I've always heard he doesn't have the arm for it, but I admit that could just be an echo chamber of people repeating the same questionable narrative over and over again until it becomes conventional wisdom.

[Thrylos]

 

I've always heard he doesn't have the arm for it, but I admit that could just be an echo chamber of people repeating the same questionable narrative over and over again until it becomes conventional wisdom.

 

More like an urban legend, like: Sano cannot play third base