Tyler Austin

[Blackjack]

 

It's much less time consuming to type "they" instead of listing everybody involved in such decisions from the Nishioka to Today. 

 

1. Saying he was gamble doesn't excuse the original assessment by the scout who recommended him or the Manager who tried him at SS before trying him at 2B before he was granted his request to be released from a multi-year deal. 

2 and 3.  Trevor Plouffe during his professional career has played more games at SS (749) then he played at 3B (710). Our people didn't realize he shouldn't be a SS until he reached the majors. Brian Dozier also played SS in the minors and was quickly moved to 2B after it was determined that he wasn't very good at SS and they found this out at the major league level. 

4. Everybody who ever wrote anything about him in 2014 and 2015... although those comments might not have come from inside the organization but they were frequent and loud. OK... I'll scratch 4... although... all he did was DH in 2015 and that is a statement in and of itself. 

5. OK... There's one you agree with. 

6. Yet... Here he is... still at SS which is a warm fuzzy for the eval department. So why worry about Austin in the OF if you've already shown that you make concessions at perhaps the most important defensive position? 

7. If Grossman's defense is good enough in the OF... How bad would Austin have to be in the OF to not be good enough?

8. Yeah because he didn't get any playing time at catcher when he was up and Bobby Wilson was hitting .130 something and we were starving for offense. 

 

Most importantly though... these are my personal reasons that I don't trust the Twins right now. I'm hoping they give Austin a look in the OF. 

2 & 3 is whats always bothered me, especially Plouffe. Get them all the way to the majors and THEN decide they don't have what it takes to play shortstop?? WTF!

 

1 Nishioka was also a headshaker. Hopefully that scout is toast.

[ashbury]

With someone as good as Mauer at first base, Polanco is a shortstop. With someone less agile, he's not. We saw in yesterday's game what happens when Mr Clean isn't there to erase Jorge's color-outside-the-lines throws.

 

But maybe Austin (back to the subject line) can get better at this aspect, hopefully soon. Otherwise, maybe outfield is a place to hide him.

[ashbury]

2 & 3 is whats always bothered me, especially Plouffe. Get them all the way to the majors and THEN decide they don't have what it takes to play shortstop?? WTF!

I'm not quite as bothered. When they "decide", it's based on a moving target: the player is still developing, and if you still see promise that they may improve just enough more, then when the bat is deemed ready for the majors maybe you ought to do it the way they did. I'd prefer a better outcome, but you don't flush a shortstop with a decent bat and the potential for some pop until you're sure he won't ever get over the hump on the defensive side.

 

Otherwise, the risk is you get a glut at 2B or 3B, you trade from oversupply, and then the other team says, "hey, let's give this 20-HR guy another look at SS."

[Riverbrian]

I'm not quite as bothered. When they "decide", it's based on a moving target: the player is still developing, and if you still see promise that they may improve just enough more, then when the bat is deemed ready for the majors maybe you ought to do it the way they did. I'd prefer a better outcome, but you don't flush a shortstop with a decent bat and the potential for some pop until you're sure he won't ever get over the hump on the defensive side.

 

Otherwise, the risk is you get a glut at 2B or 3B, you trade from oversupply, and then the other team says, "hey, let's give this 20-HR guy another look at SS."

I agree but the same works in reverse.

 

If you are willing to tolerate that. You should be able to tolerate trying Austin in the OF to avoid a glut at 1B or DH.

[stringer bell]

Not a total defense of the Twins, but when Astudillo was recalled the first time, he was the the third catcher, but the first backup almost everywhere else. Perhaps he was being groomed for utility everywhere at Rochester.

[stringer bell]

Each of the situations Brian referred to is in most respects separate from the others. To me, the biggest head-scratcher was trying to convert Sanó, especially since the guy they were keeping was Plouffe, who profiles as merely average through his career.

 

Nishi was also a disaster. I want Polanco to be the long term answer at second base. I think he’ll always be stretched at short. Sign someone like Iglesias to a 2-3 year deal and move Polanco permanently. When Lewis is ready they can make room for him.

[Monkeypaws]

I was at the game Sunday, and that blast to center was special. TA!

[Dantes929]

I heard that the Yankees teach all their guys to slap balls weakly to the opposite field no matter where it is pitched and that Austin finally feels free to swing away.

[Dantes929]

I will always cut the Twins slack for signing and trying Nishioka.    Slow start.  Strange and new environment and injury soon after starting.    Maybe if Ichiro had come over a couple years earlier and had some bad luck he wouldn't be a shoe in for HOF.     What I didn't and don't cut the Twins slack for is trading Hardy and putting all the eggs in the basket of unproven Castilla, Plouffe and Nishioka.

[yarnivek1972]

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but there really is no reason why Sano shouldn’t have been a passable RFer. Coomer and Larkin were both serviceable there. At a considerably older age than Sano was when he was tried there. And I don’t think either was nearly the athlete Sano is either.

[Squirrel]

 

Nishi was also a disaster. I want Polanco to be the long term answer at second base. I think he’ll always be stretched at short. Sign someone like Iglesias to a 2-3 year deal and move Polanco permanently. When Lewis is ready they can make room for him.

I've been advocating moving Polanco to 2nd for a while, of course along with a Machado signing. I don't think Lewis will stick at SS, at least according to what many national writers think. But maybe by the time Lewis is ready, and if he sticks at short, you move Machado to 3rd and Sano to 1st/DH.

[nicksaviking]

I don't know why they would be opposed to trying Austin in the OF. It's unlikely he'd be as bad as Grossman and they still run him out there.

 

And if he is worse than Grossman, it's going to be very easy to see making it a very short experiment.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Tyler Austin has raked LH pitching in each of his 3 MLB years. It might be worth noting, though, that this is based on a grand total of 120 PA.

 

Mauer is once again having a better year against LH pitching than RH pitching, so maybe a platoon scenario isn't ideal. Why does Mauer have to make things so complicated?

[jkcarew]

You don't move a player that OPS's 850-900 from the least demanding defensive position (1B)...so that guys that OPS's 750 can play there.  If Austin can play the outfield, that's another matter.  But then, I'd want the Twins to go get someone else to play 1B/DH that has a realistic shot at OPS'ing 850 or better.

 

Of course we don't know if Austin is that hitter at this point.  His K-rate with the Yankees this year:  40%.  40 percent.  Since joining the Twins: 26%.  He's going to hit home runs.  If he's going K at 25%...you play him every day...somewhere.

[nicksaviking]

 

You don't move a player that OPS's 850-900 from the least demanding defensive position (1B)...so that guys that OPS's 750 can play there.  If Austin can play the outfield, that's another matter.  But then, I'd want the Twins to go get someone else to play 1B/DH that has a realistic shot at OPS'ing 850 or better.

 

The Twins could get another 1B/DH type, but why not take advantage of the flexibility? Maybe Austin is the least athletic of the options, but what if the Twins need 1B/DH for Sano or Kepler because they are healthy enough to hit but too gimpy to field? What if Brent Rooker, Zankder Wiel or Luke Raley are tearing it up and need a promotion?

 

I don't think we're going to know who's going to be OPS'ing what this time next year. I'd rather they prepare for as many outcomes as possible, free agents included. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

The Twins could get another 1B/DH type, but why not take advantage of the flexibility? Maybe Austin is the least athletic of the options, but what if the Twins need 1B/DH for Sano or Kepler because they are healthy enough to hit but too gimpy to field? What if Brent Rooker, Zankder Wiel or Luke Raley are tearing it up and need a promotion?

 

I don't think we're going to know who's going to be OPS'ing what this time next year. I'd rather they prepare for as many outcomes as possible, free agents included. 

 

Is it true that Zankder K's more than Zander?

[ashbury]

Is it true that Zankder K's more than Zander?

Yesk.

 

[SwainZag]

 

The Twins could get another 1B/DH type, but why not take advantage of the flexibility? Maybe Austin is the least athletic of the options, but what if the Twins need 1B/DH for Sano or Kepler because they are healthy enough to hit but too gimpy to field? What if Brent Rooker, Zankder Wiel or Luke Raley are tearing it up and need a promotion?

 

I don't think we're going to know who's going to be OPS'ing what this time next year. I'd rather they prepare for as many outcomes as possible, free agents included. 

 

I don't see why you have to force a guy out there during a game to know he could potentially be backup out there.  That's what practice is for.  The team should have a decent idea that the guy can play the position or not.

[nicksaviking]

 

I don't see why you have to force a guy out there during a game to know he could potentially be backup out there.  That's what practice is for.  The team should have a decent idea that the guy can play the position or not.

 

You mean in Spring Training? I'd think if the team is going to hit the free agent market it'd be better to get an assessment prior to that.

[ashbury]

I don't see why you have to force a guy out there during a game to know he could potentially be backup out there.  That's what practice is for.  The team should have a decent idea that the guy can play the position or not.

If only the Yankees had allowed other teams' scouts to attend any of the approximately 2631.1 innings that Tyler Austin has logged at RF in the minors.

[nicksaviking]

 

Is it true that Zankder K's more than Zander?

.

Yeah, I re-read my post and fixed that typo then saw the entertainment it provided in the ensuing posts so I changed it back for future generations to enjoy!

[jkcarew]

 

The Twins could get another 1B/DH type, but why not take advantage of the flexibility? Maybe Austin is the least athletic of the options, but what if the Twins need 1B/DH for Sano or Kepler because they are healthy enough to hit but too gimpy to field? What if Brent Rooker, Zankder Wiel or Luke Raley are tearing it up and need a promotion?

 

I don't think we're going to know who's going to be OPS'ing what this time next year. I'd rather they prepare for as many outcomes as possible, free agents included. 

Defensive flexibility is good.   Did the Yankees move him from the outfield to first because he can't play the outfield (the corners in Yankee stadium are among the smallest/easiest to cover in baseball)...or because they were significantly more thin organizationally at first?  Agree that now would be the time to experiment.

[SwainZag]

 

If only the Yankees had allowed other teams' scouts to attend any of the approximately 2631.1 innings that Tyler Austin has logged at RF in the minors.

 

I know he has played a ton if the OF for the Yankees and their system. Hah, I am just saying....the Twins probably don't need to toss him out in RF to see what they have in him out there.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

.

Yeah, I re-read my post and fixed that typo then saw the entertainment it provided in the ensuing posts so I changed it back for future generations to enjoy!

 

you are such a giver!

[Riverbrian]

 

You don't move a player that OPS's 850-900 from the least demanding defensive position (1B)...so that guys that OPS's 750 can play there.  If Austin can play the outfield, that's another matter.  But then, I'd want the Twins to go get someone else to play 1B/DH that has a realistic shot at OPS'ing 850 or better.

 

Of course we don't know if Austin is that hitter at this point.  His K-rate with the Yankees this year:  40%.  40 percent.  Since joining the Twins: 26%.  He's going to hit home runs.  If he's going K at 25%...you play him every day...somewhere.

 

That's the idea. Prepare for possible success and prepare for possible failure. 

 

If Austin can play a passable OF... It gives you the chance to find a 1B with a shot at an .850 OPS. If he can't play OF or won't be considered for OF, then you you have no room for the addition of a 1B with a shot at .850

 

And I agree with you... We don't know if Austin is a hitter at this point but if he can play OF allowing you to pick up that 1B with a shot. An Austin regression will not be as painful. If you end up with Austin and that 1B with a shot both hitting... you can accommodate. 

 

And of course... Mauer is a real wild card here.

 

If Mauer comes back... he will play and he will play 1B. So now you have Mauer with Austin playing the same role that Morrison played this year. If Austin pulls a Morrison circa 2018... we just made the exact same mistake again. 

 

If Austin can play some OF... It allows you to pick up another big bat. It allows Sano some games at 1B, If Sano can play some 1B... It gives Escobar a place to play if you want to bring him back. 

[DocBauer]

I actually feel it is kind of important to give him some games this year in the OF to take a look because Mauer might come back and being able to throw him in the OF helps insure the OF. 

 

I don't know what kind of outfielder he would make but I'd like to find out. If he is (Sano like) out there... just stop the experiment. 

 

I'll tell you this. If they believe that he will be a defensive liability in the OF and don't even want to try. I'm not going to buy it until I see it for myself. I don't trust the people who decide these things right now. 

 

Here are 8 reasons that I don't trust them to decide and demand to see it for myself. 

1. They thought Nishioka was major league quality.

2. They thought Plouffe was a SS because he made his debut as a SS after playing SS throughout the Minors. 

3. They thought Dozier was a SS because he made his debut as a SS after playing SS throughout the minors.  

4. They didn't think Sano could play 3B

5. They thought Sano could play RF

6. They didn't think Polanco could play SS

7. They thought Grossman was passable in the OF

8. They didn't think Astundillo could play catcher.

 

Love ya Brian and most all your points made here and elsewhere. Probably because we often think alike. Great...errr...decent minds and all that such. LOL

 

But I am going to disagree with you here in regards to your list of questionable moves and "they".

 

Only points 7 and 8 are part of this current FO. Are their still members of the old regime around? Of course. Housecleaning wasn't complete. But I'm going to offer a pass on the first 6 points with a new sheriff and marshal in town. That being said, I'm not a fan of the average/mediocre Grossman in the OF. The "raindrops" OF fully in place, I could live with him In the field here and there and as a useful bench bat. But I think that ship has sailed now with Cave, Wade on the way, and maybe even Granite back next season but off the 40 man.

 

Honestly, could Austin really be any worse/average/mediocre than Grossman in the OF? He should/could be tbe 5th OF to create versatility. And im 100% with you on roster and lineup flexibility.

[DocBauer]

I don't know what will become of him, but I'm glad he's getting a lot of at-bats.

 

My goodness does the ball jump off his bat.

And I don't think that can be discounted,

 

NOT going to break down splits, or dwell on SSS since joining the Twins. And I don't have Farmer's eye or video/data breakdown. But at 26, he is not some milb journeyman getting a cup of coffee. While milb numbers simply don't guarantee a darn thing, still, his quad slash numbers are: .285/ .363/ .474/ .837. And we've seen the natural power potential. He could be nothing. He could be a solid bench bat. He could also be a developing 26yo with big power who needs opportunity and maybe a change of scenery.

 

I am predicting nothing, but let's just say I'm intrigued to keep watching him and want to bring him back for 2019.

[Riverbrian]

 

Love ya Brian and most all your points made here and elsewhere. Probably because we often think alike. Great...errr...decent minds and all that such. LOL

But I am going to disagree with you here in regards to your list of questionable moves and "they".

Only points 7 and 8 are part of this current FO. Are their still members of the old regime around? Of course. Housecleaning wasn't complete. But I'm going to offer a pass on the first 6 points with a new sheriff and marshal in town. That being said, I'm not a fan of the average/mediocre Grossman in the OF. The "raindrops" OF fully in place, I could live with him In the field here and there and as a useful bench bat. But I think that ship has sailed now with Cave, Wade on the way, and maybe even Granite back next season but off the 40 man.

Honestly, could Austin really be any worse/average/mediocre than Grossman in the OF? He should/could be tbe 5th OF to create versatility. And im 100% with you on roster and lineup flexibility.

 

For clarity... When I made that list... it wasn't my intention to hang anybody specific for anything specific or put them into compartments like that.  

 

I was just pointing out the mistakes made and if they preemptively say Austin can't play OF and don't try him in the OF, I've heard that type of thing before and it ended up not being true.

 

So my trust for these professionals is waning. 

 

I am attaching the old school label on the Twins. 

 

Old School says that Tyler Austin can play either 1B or OF but not both. Old School is taking 3B Nick Castellanos and moving him to RF and never playing him at 3B again. When we suggest playing Austin playing OF... Old School doesn't understand why we don't want him to play 1B. 

 

New School says he can play 1B and OF in the same week and do it every week all year... every year. 

 

I agree with you on Grossman... If Grossman was chosen for the 25 man and if Grossman plays OF. How Bad does Austin have to be out there to slide under that low bar? 

 

I don't even hate Grossman like others here have expressed. I think he is actually contributing at the plate. I've said all along... they selected Grossman for the 25 man roster. He is still on the 25 man roster. That's an endorsement. If they selected him, he should play, you need those guys to step up and play when the others are not playing well and we had a lot of that.

 

We've all heard the saying... "Those who live near the water... eventually end up in the water". 

 

Well... Those who live near the Grossman... eventually end up in the Grossman". 

 

They chose to live near the Grossman. They did it on purpose. 

 

 

[ashbury]

Well... Those who live near the Grossman... eventually end up in the Grossman". 

 

They chose to live near the Grossman. They did it on purpose. 

Robbie Grossman cost $2M in rent this year. Rents usually go up. Their real estate agent is going to suggest they move and live somewhere else soon.

 

I think the team knows pretty well what Austin's capabilities are in the outfield. I.e. in the Grossman/Palka range. Maybe his bat plays up enough to make it a better tradeoff than for those two - depending on what the team does to take advantage of the flexibility.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Robbie Grossman cost $2M in rent this year. Rents usually go up. Their real estate agent is going to suggest they move and live somewhere else soon.

 

I think the team knows pretty well what Austin's capabilities are in the outfield. I.e. in the Grossman/Palka range. Maybe his bat plays up enough to make it a better tradeoff than for those two - depending on what the team does to take advantage of the flexibility.

 

I'd argue that Cave is Grossman's replacement. If Austin can play some OF, even better, but Austin should be starting next year. 

 

I still want a decent bat that can play DH every day, whether that's a dedicated DH or someone with positional flexibility.... but they need a >.800 OPS bat at DH in my opinion. 

 

Oh, and I want a 2B (Escobar) and a 1 year CF deal as well.