Lineup Projections?

[srlarson]

How does everyone see the Lineup shaking out.....lots of choices for Rocco.....but Interesting exercise: 

 

Aareaz

Polanco

Cruz

Donaldson

Sano

Garver

Kepler

Rosario

Buxton

 

Could see Garver @ 2, Kepler @ 5.........interesting...  

[miller761]

Not sure you can take Kepler out of the lead off spot based on last year's production out of that spot.

[KFEY93]

 

Not sure you can take Kepler out of the lead off spot based on last year's production out of that spot.

 

I would want to be able to manufacture as many runs as possible as early as possible with this line up. Punch em right in the face and put the pressure on them to catch up. To do that You need people to get on base, and then people to drive them in (obvious I know). I like a lead off homer as much as the next guy, but I would prefer a first inning homer with people on base. I would do Aareaz, Polanco, Keplar, Donaldson, Cruz, Sano, Rosario, Garver, Buxton. To me, this makes no part of the line up safe, you have high contact, get on base guys in the 1 and 2 spots, then 6 straight batters that yes, may strike out a lot, but will also hammer the ball HARD. Then if buxton gets on base, the nightmare starts over. Not to mention everyone in that line up can hit a homer at basically any time as well. Thats my logic anyway. 

[Number3]

Regardless of who hits lead off, there are no easy outs and Cruz is in a great spot with Donaldson on deck and Sano in the hole. No pitch arounds. Lets play 2.

[South Dakota Tom]

I think they'll avoid right-handers in all of the 3-5 slots (though my initial take was close to yours); I also like Josh D in the 3-hole, as a guy who takes a lot of walks and is projected to be our WAR leader.

 

I also like Josh (as an OBP guy) being ahead of Cruz and Sano in the lineup.

 

And separating Kepler and Rosario by at least one slot, so you don't have LH just at 1/2 and 7/8.  Obviously, there are changes when Avila (LH bat) or Marwin or Ehire (switch hitters) or Jake Cave (LH) are playing. 

 

So maybe:

Arraez

Polanco

J. Donaldson

Cruz

Kepler

Sano

Rosario

Garver

Buxton

[South Dakota Tom]

Hey, that was my 100th post!  And I've only been here since, well, the beginning....

[4twinsJA]

Rocco not traditional when comes to lineups, uses analytics more. Twins don't steal much and probably not going to bunt much so traditional approach not applicable. Who do you want to get the most at bats-the best, most dangerous hitters and group them together at top of lineup. Never made sense to me to put light hitting, contact batter #2, how many times during year did they come up late in games in crucial situation when you could have a stronger hitter there. Lead off batter only guaranteed to lead off once a game. I think Arraez bats lower in lineup, maybe Kepler, Donaldson, Cruz, Sano first 4.

[Puckett34]

 

How does everyone see the Lineup shaking out.....lots of choices for Rocco.....but Interesting exercise: 

 

Aareaz

Polanco

Cruz

Donaldson

Sano

Garver

Kepler

Rosario

Buxton

 

Could see Garver @ 2, Kepler @ 5.........interesting...  

Just me, but I'd go:

1) Kepler (L) RF

2) Donaldson ® 3B

3) Cruz ® DH

4) Garver ® C

5) Sano ® 1B

6) Rosario (L) LF

7) Polanco (S) SS

8) Buxton ® CF

9) Arraez (L) 2B

 

I love the idea of Arraez hitting behind Buxton to roll over the lineup. Only problem with mine is 4 righties in a row.

 

Bench is deep as well with Gonzalez, Andrianza and Cave. 

[Twodogs]

Rocco not traditional when comes to lineups, uses analytics more. Twins don't steal much and probably not going to bunt much so traditional approach not applicable. Who do you want to get the most at bats-the best, most dangerous hitters and group them together at top of lineup. Never made sense to me to put light hitting, contact batter #2, how many times during year did they come up late in games in crucial situation when you could have a stronger hitter there. Lead off batter only guaranteed to lead off once a game. I think Arraez bats lower in lineup, maybe Kepler, Donaldson, Cruz, Sano first 4.

However, even if you don't bunt much or steal bases, Arraez still had an on base of almost .400? So he gets on 40% of the time, then 40% of the time the starting pitcher now has to move to the stretch, a little bigger hole opens up on the 1B side, or the opposing team has to play a severe shift, now the pitcher is trying to be more careful to the next hitter up, etc.... As long as Arraez keeps getting on base at a high clip keep him in the lead off spot.

 

Arraez high on base

Donaldson power high on base

Polanco switch hitter good onbase

Cruz power, hit .300

Kepler decent power on on base

Sano mashes clears the bases

Rosario well rounded impatient

Garver huge power #'s, only like 110 - 120 games or so

Buxton best # 9 hitter in the league.

[Diesel]

Arraez (L)

Polanco (S)

Donaldson ®

Cruz ®

Kepler (L)

Sano ®

Garver ®

Rosario (L)

Buxton ®

 

This switches the Lefties and Righties a bit more, while giving the OBP guys higher spots in the lineup. Cave and Avila are lefties, Gonzalez/Adrianza are switch hitters, and Gordon/Raley/Blankenhorn in the minors are all lefties, which is interesting. Could see a lot of “rest” platooning for the starters

[mikelink45]

Fun exercise - with this lineup Rocco could pull names from a hat and still have a lineup to scare anyone.

 

I am all for Arraez as leadoff.  On Base, takes pitches, smart player and we all know that pitchers are not as good when they have to abandon their windup with a player on base.

 

What does a number two do in this age of no steals, no hit and run?  Well I would do some more hit and run and put Kepler at number two.

 

Cruz carried us last year - keep him at three.

 

Donaldson can start things up again after Cruz drives in the top of the lineup.

 

Polanco is a good change of pace hitter and if the bases are cleared we can start with another runner on base.

Sano can drive in Polanco

 

Rosario can have runners on base and he is better then

 

Garver, if he repeats last year can hit anyplace in the order.

Buxton has become our number 9 guy, but I would love it if he could force his way to number one. 

[gunnarthor]

I don't know how the players broke down v. lefty and righties but I suspect the lineup will be similar to last year. I think Arreaz will start low in the lineup to prove that last year wasn't a fluke but then get moved up. Same with Buxton. That would likely let Kepler move to the middle of the order to break up our righties. But right now, I'm not sure we need to worry that much about breaking them up. All three are excellent hitters who can take a walk.

 

Kepler

Polanco

Cruz

Donaldson

Sano

Rosario

Garver

Arreaz

Buxton

 

I also think it's possible Polanco is more likely the hitter we saw from July onward (.267/.332/.446) and could be pushed to the bottom third of the order. But this is still a really strong lineup. It could easily hit 300 home runs. 

 

[HawksNest]

FWIW, Rocco was on WCCO during Twinsfest over the weekend and was asked specifically about the lineup.  As expected, he didn't go into much detail but he did say that we will likely see Kepler in the leadoff spot more often than not (or something to that effect).

 

Obviously things can change during Spring Training, but that quote leads me to believe that he still would like to bat Kepler in the leadoff spot.

 

My guess:

 

Kepler

Polanco

Cruz

Donaldson

Sano

Rosario

Garver

Arraez

Buxton

 

Having Garver, Arraez, and Buxton at the bottom of the order is very interesting as high OBP guys (maybe not Buxton as much, but that speed!) for when the lineup turns over to the top of the order.

[jkcarew]

Rocco will tweak a bit for left-handed starters...especially high-end lefties.

 

Also beyond 'rest-days', we know going into the season that Avila will start about 60 games or so...a third of the games, or slightly more.

[redstorm]

With the caveat of Kepler being the preferred lead-off hitter (per Rocco), I think the opening day lineup will look like this:

 

Kepler

Donaldson

Cruz

Rosario

Sano

Polanco

Garver

Arraez

Buxton

 

Maybe switch Polanco and Garver, depending on how Rocco feels about Polanco's 2nd half last year vs. his 1st half

[srlarson]

thanks guys....scratched that itch.....good to get some talk going.....pitchers and catchers soon please.....not sure how are Pitching and D will look but when they are at the plate going to be a fun season!!  Roll out the balls, grab a bat...lets get it on!!  

 

[Halsey Hall]

There's about 80 minor leaguers working out daily.  It's always nice to see major leaguers join tthem.  Today, Arraezs  and Polanco played catch with each other,, and Thorpe and Graterol worked out with the pitchers.  

[Doctor Gast]

 

I think they'll avoid right-handers in all of the 3-5 slots (though my initial take was close to yours); I also like Josh D in the 3-hole, as a guy who takes a lot of walks and is projected to be our WAR leader.

 

I also like Josh (as an OBP guy) being ahead of Cruz and Sano in the lineup.

 

And separating Kepler and Rosario by at least one slot, so you don't have LH just at 1/2 and 7/8.  Obviously, there are changes when Avila (LH bat) or Marwin or Ehire (switch hitters) or Jake Cave (LH) are playing. 

 

So maybe:

Arraez

Polanco

J. Donaldson

Cruz

Kepler

Sano

Rosario

Garver

Buxton

Agreed, except switching Polanco (SH) & Donaldson (RH). Maybe bring Garver up against Lefties. Definitely Arraez at lead-off we need his bat & put in a defensive replacement in late innings if needed

[TFRazor]

Kepler at 1 and Donaldson at 2 interests me mightily. Wonder what the league record for back to back bombs to lead off a game is?

[Sssuperdave]

I think Buxton should be in consideration for leadoff.  I know there is some speculation that he is most comfortable lower in the lineup, but if he can keep his OPS over .800 like it was in 2019 then it would be great to see his speed leading off.  He's not an OBP guy but if he starts to live up to his potential then you'd have great speed and slugging at the top of the lineup.

 

Buxton ( R )

Polanco ( S )

Donaldson ( R )

Cruz ( R )

Kepler ( L )

Sano ( R )

Rosario ( L )

Garver ( R )

Arraez ( L )

 

[ChrisKnutson]

Kepler (L)

Polanco (S)

Cruz ®

Donaldson ®

Sano ®

Rosario (L)

Garver ®

Arraez (L)

Buxton ®

[nicksaviking]

My prediction:

 

Polanco (S)

Donaldson ®

Cruz ®

Kepler (L)

Sano ®

Garver ®

Rosario (L)

Buxton ®

Arraez (L)

 

With three OPS monsters batting ahead of him and two right handed beasts behind him, Max Kepler will never see a pitch thrown outside the zone by a left handed pitcher and he'll end up meeting those Christian Yelich comps winning AL MVP.

 

 

[TwinsFan347]

There will be many variations if last year is any indication, but here you go...

 

Arraez

Donaldson

Cruz

Kepler

Garver

Polanco

Sano

Rosario

Buxton

 

A few notes...

 

Donaldson & Cruz in the top 3 spots - two most dangerous hitters overall - could argue Garver, but these two have proven it over a longer period of time

 

Arraez after Buxton - most patient hitter after Buxton to help him maximize the value of his speed

 

Sano & Eddie 7-8 - these two are still developing IMO and make the bottom of the order scary for opposing pitchers

 

Polanco & Garver - both would be batting higher in a lesser lineup

[stringer bell]

I like Arraez in the leadoff spot against right handers, with Buck hitting ninth. Polanco in the 2 hole works for me and try to go L-R after that.

[Shane Wahl]

I would like it to be:

 

vs. RH:

Polanco

Donaldson

Cruz

Kepler

Sano

Rosario

Arraez

Garver

Buxton

vs. LH:

Garver

Donaldson

Cruz

Sano

Kepler

Buxton

Arraez

Rosario

Polanco

(How performances unfold could obviously change this, esp. with regard to Garver, Arraez, Buxton, and Polanco)

 

 

[h2oface]

Garver led off at University of New Mexico, too. I bet we see him there against lefties to start the game. 

I like the power lead off. I look for Kepler to be even better this year. And Garver. Regression my......

[24fan-MackPlouffeDonaldson]

There really won't be a wrong lineup, assuming the starting 9 are all healthy.

Here are what I expect will be common lineups:

vs. RHP

1 Arraez

2 Polanco

3 Donaldson

4 Cruz

5 Kepler

6 Sano

7 Garver

8 Rosario

9 Buxton

-or-

1 Kepler

2 Donaldson

3 Polanco

4 Cruz

5 Sano

6 Rosario

7 Garver

8 Arraez

9 Buxton

vs. LHP

1 Polanco

2 Donaldson

3 Cruz

4 Sano

5 Garver

6 Kepler

7 Rosario

8 Buxton

9 Arraez

"MarGo/Ehire" lineup

1 Arraez

2 Polanco

3 Donalson

4 Cruz

5 Kepler

6 Garver/Sano

7 Rosario

8 Gonzalez/Adrianza

9 Buxton 

[TopGunn#22]

24fan pretty much has this covered.  I really don't see any way Rocco can screw this up.  He's got tremendous lineup depth and versatility top to bottom.  I like Arraez leading off...great OBP against RH or LH's.  Patient, so Buxton can run more.  I like Kepler hitting cleanup or 5th in any lineup with studs in front and studs behind him.  Kepler could be poised for a GREAT year.

[IndianaTwin]

Here’s my thoughts: 

 

Monday games: Draw from a hat (actually, in the age of analytics, they’ll use a random number generator).

Tuesday games: Alphabetical (last names).

Wednesday games: Fans hold up cards to vote, kinda like Bill Veeck games. (That was him, right?)

Thursday games: Alphabetical (first names).

Friday games: Shortest to tallest.

Saturday games: Birthday order.

Sunday games: Starting pitcher gets to choose.  

 

Any of these can be preempted in the first game of an interleague series, where it’s P-C-1B-2B-3B-SS-LF-CF-RF to help kids learn the position numbers. 

 

And even with this approach, they’ll still average 6+ runs per game. 

[twinssporto]

 

Here’s my thoughts: 

 

Monday games: Draw from a hat (actually, in the age of analytics, they’ll use a random number generator).

Tuesday games: Alphabetical (last names).

Wednesday games: Fans hold up cards to vote, kinda like Bill Veeck games. (That was him, right?)

Thursday games: Alphabetical (first names).

Friday games: Shortest to tallest.

Saturday games: Birthday order.

Sunday games: Starting pitcher gets to choose.  

 

Any of these can be preempted in the first game of an interleague series, where it’s P-C-1B-2B-3B-SS-LF-CF-RF to help kids learn the position numbers. 

 

And even with this approach, they’ll still average 6+ runs per game. 

This lineup is so stacked with talent that the above idea actually has merit. Well done! To think I was getting ready to post a comment about Rocco just pulling names out of a hat each game. Clearly I was not thinking creatively enough.