Article: Ryan LaMarre Just Might Make Twins Opening Day Roster

[Squirrel]

And LaMarre makes it! Granite optioned to AAA.

 

[jud6312]

Yuck

[jud6312]

Here's hoping the starters never need a day off because this bench is absolutely brutal.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Go get Trayce Thompson.

Assuming he can drain 3s, i’m way into bringing Trayce to MN.

[jud6312]

 

Assuming he can drain 3s, i’m way into bringing Trayce to MN.

All he needs to do is hit 3 out of 40 and he'll be better than the Sultan of Swing (and miss).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Congrats to him!

[Pardon My Dinger]

All he needs to do is hit 3 out of 40 and he'll be better than the Sultan of Swing (and miss).

I have absolutely no idea what that means, but I like your spirit.

[jud6312]

 

I have absolutely no idea what that means, but I like your spirit.

It was a LaMarre is 2 for 40 in his career joke. The nickname just came to me in a vision.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Go get Trayce Thompson.

 

Yup, and then DFA him and hope he can join Vargas (and Granite and Wade and Buss) in Rochester.

[sswen]

Congratulations Ryan!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Why? He's a backup as long as the big three are here, and there are guys on his tail.

 

In my opinion, the answer is because if one of the three starters get hurt, Granite takes over as the starter and Lamarre remains the 4th OF. 

[PseudoSABR]

TD's Parker with some rationale about why LaMarre may have had better results this spring, and hopefully in the future.

 

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/978792578215706626

 

I'm glad to see production, and not just pedigree, is rewarded with a roster spot.  His exposure will be limited, and he may only last a short while, but he did earn his spot.

[Seth Stohs]

 

How long would Granite have to be on the farm for the Twins to own another year of him? That is, postpone vesting by a year. Keep LaMarre until then?

 

I'm guessing Service Time has pretty much zero impact on this decision.

[Otto von Ballpark]

TD's Parker with some rationale about why LaMarre may have had better results this spring, and hopefully in the future.

 

In fairness, though, LaMarre was dreadful at the plate in 2017, to the tune of a 68 wRC+, .057 ISO, and 0 HR in 194 PA at AAA (in the hitter-friendly PCL, no less).

 

He could improve on that and still not be worthy of a MLB roster spot. Although as a 4th outfielder on this squad, it shouldn't much matter.

[Mike Sixel]

We are happy they are rewarding spring training production, and ignoring years of minor league results? Ok then.

 

Congrats and good luck to him. I hope he makes me look more stupid than I do on my own.

[Otto von Ballpark]

FWIW, LaMarre had decent spring training numbers in 2016 and 2017 too (.829 and .873 OPS, respectively). Actually similar/better ISO, BB%, and K% to his 2018 spring training performance -- the big difference statistically seems to be BABIP.

[jorgenswest]

The game is played by humans. Hard work, persistence and inspiration results in a few players every year that totally defy expectations based on their record. Maybe LaMarre will defy expectations and staff in the organization recognized that growth. Maybe not. I look forward to following the story.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I don't get the consternation on the 4th OF position. As Seth mentioned, Granite is going to get the call if someone gets hurt (unless LaMarre is doing well)...  Is that a bad thing? It ultimately means more talent in the org. 

 

Yeah, it's ST stats, and yeah, it's probably a mirage, but just as I'd hope the FO is smarter than taking ST stats on their own merit, I'd also hope they can look at someone and see the adjustments that were made allowing for said stats and make an educated guess as to whether or not they are sustainable. Ultimately, it's a 4th OF spot for a guy who is an above average defender. His ceiling, like it or not, is much higher than Granites as of now, and if giving a temporary roster spot is needed to determine it, I'm fine with that. It's not like Granite will be playing much had he won the spot, and one could argue that his development is best served playing every day.

[Twins33]

Happy for the dude. Hopefully Rowson works his magic on him. His swing does look better in that clip. Now he just needs to put it to use when he's called upon. Didn't really matter if it was him or Granite as neither will play much if the three regulars are all healthy, which is what we want to happen.

[jud6312]

 

I don't get the consternation on the 4th OF position. As Seth mentioned, Granite is going to get the call if someone gets hurt (unless LaMarre is doing well)...  Is that a bad thing? It ultimately means more talent in the org. 

 

Yeah, it's ST stats, and yeah, it's probably a mirage, but just as I'd hope the FO is smarter than taking ST stats on their own merit, I'd also hope they can look at someone and see the adjustments that were made allowing for said stats and make an educated guess as to whether or not they are sustainable. Ultimately, it's a 4th OF spot for a guy who is an above average defender. His ceiling, like it or not, is much higher than Granites as of now, and if giving a temporary roster spot is needed to determine it, I'm fine with that. It's not like Granite will be playing much had he won the spot, and one could argue that his development is best served playing every day.

I'm not high on Granite in any way, shape, or form, but what in the history, pedigree, or track record of either player leads you to believe that LaMarre has a higher ceiling than Granite?

 

They're pretty similar, except one is younger and has been more successful.

[Mr. Brooks]

Yeah, I'd actually say Granite has a significantly higher ceiling of the two. And I've also never been very high on Granite.

[redstorm]

 

This situation reminds me of Sean Burroughs in 2012. I remember he was a longshot for the roster but had a good Spring Training and was able to make the team. He then ended up getting 2 hits in 18 PAs and was DFA'd and never showed up in the majors again. LaMarre would likely end up doing something similar... it's not like he's going to be getting many PAs.

 

I remember him mostly as the fat kid with the mullet that mashed bombs in the little league world series.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I think the real story here is that Seth knew this was happening waaay before anyone else.