Why has Polanco seen no time at Short?

[GP830]

It's his most realistic long term landing spot. He's got the arm for 3rd but not short? Escobar is not known for his glove, so defense isn't really an excuse. I just really don't understand.

[Linus]

Because the Twins have determined that he can't play the position. SS is substantially more difficult to play and involves longer more difficult throws. Based on the little bit I have seen him play I would concur.

[Mr. Brooks]

SS is substantially more difficult to play and involves longer more difficult throws.

That didn't stop them from putting Nunez there.

[Dr. Evil]

I imagine he will get some reps at ss, 3b and 2b in time. Right now it's just nice to have him in the lineup looking like a pro!

[Linus]

That didn't stop them from putting Nunez there.

At ss, Nunez was better.

[Danchat]

It's clear the Twins currently don't view him as a SS. He played no SS in AAA and mostly played 2B there. 

 

So I think the Twins front office believe Polanco is a 2B, and since Dozier's entrenched at 2B, they might try to trade Polanco. Though that's just conjecture from me. I wouldn't trade Polanco.

[Rosterman]

But just think how valuable he would be if he could play shortstop. At least for the next couple of seasons, then move to second...keeping Escobar as the utility infielder (instead of the other way around).

 

I still don't understand playing him exclusively at second at Rochester when you have Dozier, and you knew you will have to keep Jorge around ALL next season.

 

Plus then putting him at third, a position he last played...when?

 

So, the Twins still like their guys to wear multiple gloves, unless your name is Mauer.

[Thrylos]

Because that determination came from the same "brain"trust that thought that made sense to put Sano at the outfield to begin the season.

 

Trust their judgement about the ability of Twins' players to play positions, with a huge grain of salt.   Hopefully that will all resolve with the new Front Office this off-season...

[Linus]

But just think how valuable he would be if he could play shortstop. At least for the next couple of seasons, then move to second...keeping Escobar as the utility infielder (instead of the other way around).

 

I still don't understand playing him exclusively at second at Rochester when you have Dozier, and you knew you will have to keep Jorge around ALL next season.

 

Plus then putting him at third, a position he last played...when?

 

So, the Twins still like their guys to wear multiple gloves, unless your name is Mauer.

Yep and just think how valuable he would be if he were Ernie Banks. He's not and whether he is good enough in the field to be a regular is in question.

[ashbury]

Yep and just think how valuable he would be if he were Ernie Banks. He's not and whether he is good enough in the field to be a regular is in question.

I was about to go with how valuable Pedro Florimon would be if he could hit, but your way is good too.

[ashbury]

Because that determination came from the same "brain"trust that thought that made sense to put Sano at the outfield to begin the season.

You've seen Polanco in Spring Training. Do you think he has the arm to play short? Because when I watched him aim the ball and bounce it to the first baseman, or cut loose and then throw wide, I didn't.

[jorgenswest]

The Twins and particularly Mientkiewicz have seen Polanco play SS quite a bit. I do trust that judgment. No one had seen Sano play OF. I think that came from the front office and not the on field staff. It is possible to trust the judgment of Polanco's coaches and still question the brain trust that put Sano in the OF.

[DocBauer]

I'd like to see him play some SS just so we'd know if he's a utility option there as he develops and works his way in to a, hopefully, full time position somewhere. With Sano at 3B, Escobar at SS and Dozier at 2B, how much better are with Polanco being able to fill in at all 3?

[stringer bell]

It would be great to get Dozier's production at short, but that's not happening either. It's pretty obvious that the team doesn't believe Polanco is a capable shortstop. I saw what Ash saw in ST. Way back when he was in Cedar Rapids, I talked to an Angels scout who said his arm was a little short and that he probably was a 2B. I haven't seen anything to change my mind.

[goulik]

Career MiLB fpct:

SS 932

3B 933

2B 967

 

He belongs at 2B or converted to OF (He has 73 innings in the minors in the OF and they haven't tried him there since 2012 so there may be a reason for that too...)

[Everyday Eddy]

Honest question here... Could a good arm strengthening plan turn one into a competent SS in one offseason?    I mean like a hardcore, one focus, offseason where the main goal is to get the arm to be able make all throws from short.    Polanco can't be that far off i assume

[mickeymental]

i think it's called the ben revere academy.

[Riverbrian]

 

Honest question here... Could a good arm strengthening plan turn one into a competent SS in one offseason?    I mean like a hardcore, one focus, offseason where the main goal is to get the arm to be able make all throws from short.    Polanco can't be that far off i assume

 

 

He has enough arm strength

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v706450083/mindet-polanco-makes-great-diving-stop-for-the-out

 

I can only assume that any reported arm deficiencies are due to mechanics or head or combination of.

 

He's got enough arm strength. 

[drivlikejehu]

If his arm is an issue, how is 3B time an option? I just don't really see how Polanco and Dozier can co-exist past this year. A new GM, assuming competence, will look to trade one of them in the off-season as part of a deal for a starting pitcher.

[stringer bell]

Third base doesn't require as much arm strength as short and beside that shortstops also have to make a bigger variety of throws and angles with less time to set themselves.

[Riverbrian]

 

If his arm is an issue, how is 3B time an option? I just don't really see how Polanco and Dozier can co-exist past this year. A new GM, assuming competence, will look to trade one of them in the off-season as part of a deal for a starting pitcher.

 

Molitor is figuring it out.

 

We just had three games in a row with Dozier and Polanco in the same lineup and we did alright. 

 

Much better than April and May when Molitor couldn't figure out how to get Polanco and Kepler into the lineup while we lost at a near record pace. That's where I lost my mind. 

 

 

[ashbury]

He has enough arm strength

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v706450083/mindet-polanco-makes-great-diving-stop-for-the-out

 

I can only assume that any reported arm deficiencies are due to mechanics or head or combination of.

 

He's got enough arm strength. 

That's a nice play and is more recent than my personal half-assed scouting. I still expect he'll disappoint in terms of consistency, but this is the time of the year to try him again.

 

 

That's where I lost my mind.

Are you certain 2016 was the inflection point on that?

[Pardon My Dinger]

Aw, crap. I just realized that Plouffe is coming back at some point. 

[alskntwnsfn]

This kid looks absolutely fantastic. SSS and all, but still to see a K/BB ratio of 8/9 in 75 PA's entering today is terrific - and he has some pop in his bat for a small guy. He squares up a lot of balls all over the zone, and doesn't chase too much. Escobar is a pretty good SS option, but I hope they give Polanco plenty of PAs the rest of this year. If he keeps it up, then we should install him at SS. Yeah, 2B would be ideal but we're not moving Dozier and hopefully Sano can be serviceable at 3B - and should be given every opportunity to prove it the rest of the year (assuming he breaks out of this slump). It's a stretch, but it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up hitting leadoff or third for this team at some point (depending on where they slot Dozier and Mauer). 

[ThejacKmp]

 

But just think how valuable he would be if he could play shortstop. At least for the next couple of seasons, then move to second...keeping Escobar as the utility infielder (instead of the other way around).

 

I still don't understand playing him exclusively at second at Rochester when you have Dozier, and you knew you will have to keep Jorge around ALL next season.

 

Plus then putting him at third, a position he last played...when?

 

So, the Twins still like their guys to wear multiple gloves, unless your name is Mauer.

 

Polanco played some 3B in rookie ball and in AAA this year. Not a ton but some.

 

Dozier will be on the block this winter. The Twins won't be actively trying to trade him I'm sure but the right offer would do it. I'm cheering for him to get 30 HR so they can get a nice haul for him. He should be attractive as a Top 5 2B with two team-friendly contract years left.

[bluechipper]

Polanco played some 3B in rookie ball and in AAA this year. Not a ton but some.

 

Dozier will be on the block this winter. The Twins won't be actively trying to trade him I'm sure but the right offer would do it. I'm cheering for him to get 30 HR so they can get a nice haul for him. He should be attractive as a Top 5 2B with two team-friendly contract years left.

Do you really think they're going to trade the face of the franchise? That'd be a pretty bold early move for the new GM, and I don't see it happening.

[Platoon]

Do you really think they're going to trade the face of the franchise? That'd be a pretty bold early move for the new GM, and I don't see it happening.

Sadly I agree with you! But one can hope. We need a catcher and pitching and a SS.

[Monkeypaws]

 

Because the Twins have determined that he can't play the position. SS is substantially more difficult to play and involves longer more difficult throws. Based on the little bit I have seen him play I would concur.

Maybe Polanco has determined that himself, without any help from coaches, management etc. Just a wild shot in the dark....

[ThejacKmp]

 

Do you really think they're going to trade the face of the franchise? That'd be a pretty bold early move for the new GM, and I don't see it happening.

 

I don't know if Dozier is the face of the franchise. Sano, Buxton, Kepler and Berrios are all guys you can market around. This isn't 2014 where we're milking Danny Santana for all he's worth. There are legitimate building blocks.

 

I expect the new GM will look at moving Polanco and Dozier but I imagine Dozier will get a lot of interest as someone's solution at 2B for the next two years. If the trade brings back starting pitching prospects in the high minors (not an unreasonable request) I think the fan base will buy it. People like Dozier but this isn't a team with only one guy to root for.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Sadly I agree with you! But one can hope. We need a catcher and pitching and a SS.

 

I don't know that we need a SS. Escobar is fine in the short term and Engelb Vielma is hitting .300 in AA with Nick Gordon looking good in A ball. Vielma should get a cup of coffee next September and be ready for 2018 with Gordon coming right behind him in 2019. Escobar is a good enough SS for 2017.

 

I also am not as big on going for catching. It's always expensive and I'm not sure how much of an upgrade the guys available by trade will be on JRM (disastrous year but a solid minor league and major league track record indicates that's an aberration) and Garver (who needs another year of seasoning but should be ready for 2018). Centeno is a fine backup catcher in the meanwhile and you can always get a vet on a 1 year deal to span the gap until Garver is ready.

 

So I want pitching, lots of high-upside starting pitching. Find a contender with a gap at 2B and get some young pitching. The free agent market this offseason is weak (one-hit wonder Descalso is the cream of the crop while Neil Walker is the only other guy to get moderately excited about) so it should be a good market for the Twins to get something.