Zach Granite

[Run Prevention]

Would it make sense for Zach to be the call up when the twins go back to 12 pitchers?

 

He would give the Twins a real base stealing threat off the bench

 

Could compete with Rosario for playing time as Rosario still shows no patience at the plate.

 

Would be more of a true 4th outfielder over Grossman(who I love as a DH/PH).

 

The already great outfield defense would cover even more ground with Buxton Granite and Kepler.

 

Do you think Granite make sense for this roster?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The way they've been pitching they may not go back to 12

[ashbury]

His past three games counting today have been good. His season numbers for Rochester, not so much. I want to see a bit more consistency before he comes up.

[Mike Sixel]

Wade is your next outfielder,imo.

[Run Prevention]

Wade needs to play everyday while Zach could help the bench imo

[Thrylos]

Granite is playing the worst ball of his career: 84 wRC+, .297 wOBA, .257/.304/.352, in 113 PAs in Rochester.  At this point he will not be an improvement over Rosario with the bat.   With Palka hurt there is no OFer in Rochester worth calling up.

 

On the other hand, Wade is hitting pretty well at Chattanooga (.385 wOBA, 145 wRC+, .293/.417/.415, 206 PA) and could potentially help.  Other than that, the system is pretty dry in the upper levels of the minors, which makes me think that the Twins might want to give Nick Gordon an OF glove and have him take a few reps out there for a while as well...

 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Zack Granite has a .656 OPS in Rochester. If you don't like Rosario's numbers, you'll be aghast at the numbers Zack will post against MLB pitching.

 

And it's not as if Granite is some unpolished youngster. He's just 12 months younger than Rosario.

 

Given how they're both capable defensively (maybe Granite has an edge, but it's not likely to be significant), I'm not sure what you expect to gain by replacing Rosario on a regular basis with Granite. It's more than likely you'd see a steep drop off by replacing Eddie with Zack.

[Run Prevention]

Rosario would still be the everyday player but Granite would bring speed and base stealing in the late innings which the twins haven't had off the bench this year. While playing good defense.

[ashbury]

And it's not as if Granite is some unpolished youngster. He's just 12 months younger than Rosario.

 

Given how they're both capable defensively (maybe Granite has an edge, but it's not likely to be significant), I'm not sure what you expect to gain by replacing Rosario on a regular basis with Granite. It's more than likely you'd see a steep drop off by replacing Eddie with Zack.

I believe age is important when assessing prospects, but so is experience against good competition. Eddie was signed young, Zach got at least some college. Eddie reached single-A in 2012 and Zach was there in 2014. That additional year, beyond their age differential, gives me more hope for improvement to come for Zach. Call it polish.

 

But I'm talking about bringing him up next year. I'm with you, having him face major league pitchers now would be very unlikely to work out well.

[ashbury]

Rosario would still be the everyday player but Granite would bring speed and base stealing in the late innings which the twins haven't had off the bench this year. While playing good defense.

You're essentially describing the last man on the bench, when a pitcher is eventually sent down, and I think Vargas is a higher priority to be brought up when that happens.

[Run Prevention]

Yea it really is about the last bench spot and a debate about replacement level power bat and a potentially replacement level 4th outfielder. At the end of the season probably won't make much difference.

[ashbury]

Yea it really is about the last bench spot and a debate about replacement level power bat and a potentially replacement level 4th outfielder. At the end of the season probably won't make much difference.

It may be that Granite as 4th OF and Grossman as DH is a better setup than Grossman as 4th OF and Vargas as DH. But 2017 is a sorting-out year, at least in the minds of many here, and Vargas is kind of a marginal case. I believe we need to decide whether to cut bait with him, sooner than later. For that reason, it may be better strategically to delay the wiser tactical choice.

 

If we're seeing the beginnings of a six-week offensive tear by Granite, minds will change quickly.

[yarnivek1972]

IMO having Granite on the bench would be better than having Adrianza AND Escobar. Having both is kinda silly IMO.

 

As for the merits of Granite, because he missed the first month, I think his sample size at AAA is still small enough that one good or bad week has too big an influence on the numbers. On May 10, he was hitting .176. Then on the 16th, .324. A slump dropped him .237 on May 31 and a handful of good games put himback at .266. My guess is he's a low .600 OPS guy. He won't walk much and has little power. I honestly don't see him as a regular at the MLB level.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I believe age is important when assessing prospects, but so is experience against good competition. Eddie was signed young, Zach got at least some college. Eddie reached single-A in 2012 and Zach was there in 2014. That additional year, beyond their age differential, gives me more hope for improvement to come for Zach. Call it polish.

Sure, that's certainly possible but when comparing Rosario and Granite, we're talking about players with a full 120 point difference in MiLB OPS. Even if Granite improves a bit, it's unlikely he'll ever be a comparable player to Rosario.

 

And polish or no polish, Rosario was playing in MLB as a 23 year old while Granite won't break into the majors until he's 25. Age isn't everything but in this case, the lack of age difference between the two players should be considered.

[kab21]

 

Rosario would still be the everyday player but Granite would bring speed and base stealing in the late innings which the twins haven't had off the bench this year. While playing good defense.

The problem is that your bench includes nobody that can hit the ball. I would bring up Vargas without thinking twice about it.

 

The Twins have Adrianza and to a lesser extent Escobar for pinch running. Granite might be faster but they need a hitter.

[nicksaviking]

Start considering Granite (or Wade or Palka) if there is an OF injury on the 25 man. If this team ever adds another offensive player, I'd hope it's Vargas.

[Darius]

It would be nice to have him available at times, but I'm not sure if there's a place for him, IMO.

 

There are 3 guys in the OF now that could play any of three if necessary, and Grossman's one of the best offensive players on the team. You'd have to get rid of one of Escobar or Adrianza, and I'm not sure I'd do that.

 

Offense and defense aren't holding this team back. They are a playoff squad in those departments. Nothing you can do to this team, outside of the pitching staff, is really going to accomplish much.

[Mr. Brooks]

I don't think Granite will ever hit enough to be on an mlb roster, not even as a bench option.

[Brandon Warne]

 

Granite is playing the worst ball of his career: 84 wRC+, .297 wOBA, .257/.304/.352, in 113 PAs in Rochester.  At this point he will not be an improvement over Rosario with the bat.   With Palka hurt there is no OFer in Rochester worth calling up.

 

On the other hand, Wade is hitting pretty well at Chattanooga (.385 wOBA, 145 wRC+, .293/.417/.415, 206 PA) and could potentially help.  Other than that, the system is pretty dry in the upper levels of the minors, which makes me think that the Twins might want to give Nick Gordon an OF glove and have him take a few reps out there for a while as well...

 

Palka wasn't worth a call up when he was healthy. He has not been good this year, and I've gotten pretty negative reports about his defense.

[Brandon Warne]

 

I don't think Granite will ever hit enough to be on an mlb roster, not even as a bench option.

 

I think he'll probably be a .275/.335/.350 kind of guy. Could cut it as a fourth outfielder and occasional starter, but maybe not much more than a Jason Tyner type.

[Thrylos]

 

Palka wasn't worth a call up when he was healthy. He has not been good this year, and I've gotten pretty negative reports about his defense.

 

His defense is much better than Doumit's and Parmelee's at the OF, and a bit better than Grossman's.  He is more of a DH type who can play OF if needed without slamming on the wall or on the OF next to him.  But he can hit.

[jorgenswest]

Grossman appears more athletic this year on the basepaths and in the field. I was very surprised he made the catch on the foul ball today. Is it possible he is a better outfielder than last year?

[Willihammer]

 

Would it make sense for Zach to be the call up when the twins go back to 12 pitchers?

He would give the Twins a real base stealing threat off the bench

Could compete with Rosario for playing time as Rosario still shows no patience at the plate.

Would be more of a true 4th outfielder over Grossman(who I love as a DH/PH).

The already great outfield defense would cover even more ground with Buxton Granite and Kepler.

Do you think Granite make sense for this roster?

I think its close. Keep in mind Granite's AAA BABIP is .274. That is low for a rabbit who  puts the ball on the ground. He never strikes out. I think he'd definitely be an improvement in baserunning and quite possibly OF defense and OBP. He'd give more competitive AB's without the power threat. Overall, probably a lateral move. 

If the Twins see something correctable in Rosario and feel he should work on it then absolutely I'd make that switch. If they feel Rosario needs to work out his problems at the MLB level then no.

[Mike Sixel]

His defense is much better than Doumit's and Parmelee's at the OF, and a bit better than Grossman's. He is more of a DH type who can play OF if needed without slamming on the wall or on the OF next to him. But he can hit.

When he isn't striking out, maybe. Grossman is a much better batter. Not close right now.

[Brandon Warne]

 

His defense is much better than Doumit's and Parmelee's at the OF, and a bit better than Grossman's.  He is more of a DH type who can play OF if needed without slamming on the wall or on the OF next to him.  But he can hit.

 

The reports I got said not good out there. We'll see. 

[Rosterman]

I would vote yes if you need a 4th outfielder and you feel you can hit Grossman at DH against both RH and LH pitching. But the reality is, you can't. Vargas still has better potential as a bench bat. Granite could egt the call and an everyday looksee if one of our outfielders did go down. And, in the future, he could be a fourth outfielder. But like others have said, both of our bench infielders are adequate pinch-runners, if you do that anymore.

 

The bigger question is the return of Park...will be come back anytime this year (needs a 40-man ad). The Twins are paying him bucks if he plays or doesn't play. Do you need to attempt to showcase him at the major league level to get anyone to eat his contract, or make you feel good about keeping him on the roster for this and two more seasons. And, yes, he probably brings more to the team as a sub at first than Vargas.

[stringer bell]

If a position player goes down after Vargas is recalled, it is possible for Granite to be recalled and regardless he's probably a September recall.

[Shaitan]

If he's up, he's the 5th OF and gets 6 AB per week, max. That doesn't help a young player develop. If you think that's his ceiling, sure.

 

As others have said, his only path right at this given moment is an injury to a starter.

[Mike Sixel]

If he's up, he's the 5th OF and gets 6 AB per week, max. That doesn't help a young player develop. If you think that's his ceiling, sure.

 

As others have said, his only path right at this given moment is an injury to a starter.

Isn't that true next year also? I mean, that seems like no reason to keep him down. There are other reasons, but not that, imo.

[goulik]

Zack Granite has a .656 OPS in Rochester. If you don't like Rosario's numbers, you'll be aghast at the numbers Zack will post against MLB pitching.

With Granites ability to steal so many bases and those extra bases not counting in OPS, his OPS is deceptivly low. A large percentage of his singles are like getting a double... I'm not saying this well but I think you get my point....