Can Royce Lewis help?

[jorgenswest]

I heard on the minor league report this morning that Lewis has been their best hitter at the alternate site. He bats right handed. He plays up the middle. The Twins need him now.

 

Put him on the roster in place of Vargas. Play him in CF or 2B or 3B against left handed pitching.

 

Bring back Donaldson with him and send back Cave or Wade.

 

Find another right handed bat in Astudillo or Rooker or trade for a corner OF if they aren't a solution. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

How meaningful is “best hitter in minor league practice / scrimmages”? He had a 97 wRC+ in high-A last year, followed by an 88 at AA. He’s almost certainly going to struggle in his initial exposure to MLB, especially after such a long layoff from real game action.

 

They should be able to trade for better players than Cave or Vargas, if that is all you want.

[Danchat]

Royce had a .665 OPS at Fort Meyers A+ and .649 OPS at Pensacola AA last year. If called up, he'll likely hit below .200 and strike out a lot. He needs time to mature as a hitter.

 

I could see Larnach or Kiriloff hit well if called up, though it's far from a sure thing that they would be an improvement from what we have now.

[mikelink45]

i really agree with this post - yes - bring in Royce.  Push the envelop.

 

 

[Crackedfungo]

Bring up any of the 3-4 (Kiriloff, Larnach, Rooker, or Lewis) that can offer more than Vargas, Cave and Wade.  Like our pitching, wherein I think we give up on a Bailey return, and bypass Smeltzer, Thorpe, and Romo with a young pitcher (from Colina, Chalmers, and Duran - if you do not see him starting this year, you get him some long relief innings).  I just don't see the point of adding more refuse to our roster via trade or waivers, nor do I see the point in continuing to allow several players to languish in St. Paul that either require an assessment, or require some 'live action' that will only benefit us in the future.  I just don't see a future here for Smeltzer or Thorpe, nor do I see the point in trying to wring much more out of Romo (they simply don't have the eye popping 'stuff' we need postseason).  They should not be pitching in the playoffs - AT ALL.

[jorgenswest]

 

Royce had a .665 OPS at Fort Meyers A+ and .649 OPS at Pensacola AA last year. If called up, he'll likely hit below .200 and strike out a lot. He needs time to mature as a hitter.

 

I could see Larnach or Kiriloff hit well if called up, though it's far from a sure thing that they would be an improvement from what we have now.

Ultimately the staff needs to make a decision on whether any of these prospects can help.

 

Should the staff make a decision based on what they see and measure from the work at the alternate site or make the decision based on 2019 data?

[Danchat]

 

Ultimately the staff needs to make a decision on whether any of these prospects can help.

 

Should the staff make a decision based on what they see and measure from the work at the alternate site or make the decision based on 2019 data?

It should be noted that he hit well in the Fall League, had an OPS of .975 for whatever that's worth.

 

As for actually calling him up, they'd have to add him to the 40 man and start his service time clock, which I don't think is wise for a guy who hasn't figured out AA yet. 

[MABB1959]

i have a love/hate for Buxton's playing/not playing.  I love watching him run and play outfield.  I hate the fact that he is not out helping the team all season long.  Every game is important.  Just how hurt is he?

 

[rv78]

Why is the service time clock so important? Shouldn't your best players be playing on the major league roster despite service time? I've seen enough of Cave, Wade, Adrianza. We aren't going to win with those 3 playing. What better time to take a look at Lewis, Kirillof and Larnach, or Rooker. Is Celestino hurt? Or take a look at Zander Wiel or Lane Adams, geeze anybody has got to be as good or better than the 3 that are playing now and not doing a flippin thing. 

[Greglw3]

 

I heard on the minor league report this morning that Lewis has been their best hitter at the alternate site. He bats right handed. He plays up the middle. The Twins need him now.

 

Put him on the roster in place of Vargas. Play him in CF or 2B or 3B against left handed pitching.

 

Bring back Donaldson with him and send back Cave or Wade.

 

Find another right handed bat in Astudillo or Rooker or trade for a corner OF if they aren't a solution. 

Well written! I feel like you, like me, are hungry to win and realize that the current roster is not gonna get the job done, especially with 4 lefties in the OF. Donaldson can’t get back quick enough and Rooker would be my choice to replace Cave or Wade. Then, I’d try to trade for Kevin Pillar. Lewis is intriguing, maybe he’s ready! I give you credit for bold thinking. If Falvey and Levine think he can handle it well, then, let’s do that too. Last, they MUST acquire a 5th starter. The lack of one is killing them in a cascading way that has hurt the bullpen a lot.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Why is the service time clock so important? Shouldn't your best players be playing on the major league roster despite service time?

Sure, but with a guy like Lewis, you don't really know if he's one of your best players right now. Even the best talent evaluators are going to have pretty low odds of predicting Lewis's MLB success over the next month. And the cost is:

 

- you have to give him playing time in a pennant race, just to find out if he's ready (less margin for error)

- accelerated service time (1 month this year equals 3 months next year)

- keeping someone else off the 40-man roster now and through this winter (Lewis doesn't have to be added until December 2021)

- likely burning one of Lewis' option years in 2021

 

None of those costs are great enough to keep a good player down, but again, you don't know if Lewis will be a good MLB player over the next month. If he has a 10% chance of that, is that worth the costs above?

 

And unless Lewis has truly flipped the superstar switch right now -- before his MLB debut -- how good do you expect him to be in his first month of MLB action? ~100 OPS+ type, ~0.3 WAR? Is that worth the cost? Isn't that basically Marwin Gonzalez, or what Cave, Adrianza, and Vargas did just last year? Can you realign your defense to keep Marwin in the lineup when Donaldson and Buxton come back? If we really need to add that kind of guy right now, can we find him on the trade market for reasonable cost?

[jorgenswest]

I would prefer playing prospects than trading them. The Twins could wait out service time on these players and keep them down to begin next year also. There seem to plenty of teams going the opposite direction and playing young players this year.

 

Lewis bats right handed and comes with some positional flexibility. The Twins as a team aren’t close to a 100 OPS+ against left handed pitching and could use that versatile right handed bat.

 

I was really swayed by the report on the Sunday pregame show that Lewis was standing out among the prospects at the alternate site.

[ashbury]

i really agree with this post - yes - bring in Royce.  Push the envelop.

What's the plan in the likely event that he finds himself in over his head at the major league level? Unlike a player of the Ildemaro Vargas variety, you can't DFA him to make room for the next candidate. I'm not utterly opposed to trying Lewis, but the internal scouts need to be very convinced, because the move brings roster problems with it. The roster already has hardening of the arteries with out-of-options players like Adrianza on board.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I would prefer playing prospects than trading them. The Twins could wait out service time on these players and keep them down to begin next year also. There seem to plenty of teams going the opposite direction and playing young players this year.

 

Lewis bats right handed and comes with some positional flexibility. The Twins as a team aren’t close to a 100 OPS+ against left handed pitching and could use that versatile right handed bat.

 

I was really swayed by the report on the Sunday pregame show that Lewis was standing out among the prospects at the alternate site.

I think you have to take team reports with a grain of salt, no? Do they ever really say a guy isn't doing well or even just meeting expectations? Especially with a high-profile guy like Lewis, they probably feel compelled to say something encouraging about him.

 

Also, if Lewis is really doing well relative to other prospects at the alternate site, maybe that says more about the other prospects than about Lewis's immediate MLB readiness.

 

I notice you mentioned Donaldson returning, but not Buxton. Are you expecting him to be out for the year? I know it's a little hard to count on Buxton for much, but with Donaldson, Buxton, and Marwin, the need for an average-ish RHB who can play some CF and a little infield seems significantly diminished (or at least much narrow -- maybe you don't need the versatility, and a straight OF or IF will suffice.)

[Shaitan]

 

i have a love/hate for Buxton's playing/not playing.  I love watching him run and play outfield.  I hate the fact that he is not out helping the team all season long.  Every game is important.  Just how hurt is he?

 

He's essentially recovering from surgery. He should be back soon.

[twins_89]

I'm doubtful that Lewis or Larnach get added to the 40 man roster since neither of them are rule 5 eligible this off-season. Kirilloff and Rooker are the guys that I'd like to see get a chance since they can't be worse than Cave/Wade have been (and they have to be added to the 40 man after the season anyway).

[big dog]

Can we please add somebody who can play the infield decently and outhit Adrianza/Vargas? Please???

[mikelink45]

 

Why is the service time clock so important? Shouldn't your best players be playing on the major league roster despite service time? I've seen enough of Cave, Wade, Adrianza. We aren't going to win with those 3 playing. What better time to take a look at Lewis, Kirillof and Larnach, or Rooker. Is Celestino hurt? Or take a look at Zander Wiel or Lane Adams, geeze anybody has got to be as good or better than the 3 that are playing now and not doing a flippin thing. 

i agree - this service time issue has to go away.  Use your best players.

[mikelink45]

 

I'm doubtful that Lewis or Larnach get added to the 40 man roster since neither of them are rule 5 eligible this off-season. Kirilloff and Rooker are the guys that I'd like to see get a chance since they can't be worse than Cave/Wade have been (and they have to be added to the 40 man after the season anyway).

Clear out the 40 man and put on the players who can and will make a difference.

 

[mikelink45]

 

He's essentially recovering from surgery. He should be back soon.

And then gone and then back and then gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

 

[Battle ur tail off]

 

i have a love/hate for Buxton's playing/not playing.  I love watching him run and play outfield.  I hate the fact that he is not out helping the team all season long.  Every game is important.  Just how hurt is he?

 

He's a china doll flat out. Everyone knows it. Injury prone as can be. Probably the most injury prone player in Twins history and maybe even in the history of MLB.

 

He is making decisions on his future real easy. He won't be traded any longer IMO and probably won't event be asked for as his value is not much. That or if ever traded he wouldn't bring much back.

 

He also has ZERO leverage with the Twins going forward. His career looks to be a journeyman type that can run and play defense for a 1/3 of a season before he gets hurt each year. Too bad, his talent is undeniable. If it were me, I would just go to arbitration with him going forward and look to sign him for cheap when team control is over. If not, move on. Trying to sign him to a long term deal though after all we know, is IMO super duper risky.

[Battle ur tail off]

 

I heard on the minor league report this morning that Lewis has been their best hitter at the alternate site. He bats right handed. He plays up the middle. The Twins need him now.

 

Put him on the roster in place of Vargas. Play him in CF or 2B or 3B against left handed pitching.

 

Bring back Donaldson with him and send back Cave or Wade.

 

Find another right handed bat in Astudillo or Rooker or trade for a corner OF if they aren't a solution. 

 

I'm not sure it is worth burning service time on him yet. He may or may not help. I would guess more than likely though, he is gonna take quite awhile to adjust. Probably not worth it at this point IMO.

[Doctor Gast]

The Twins are being slaughtered by LHP, we need RH hitters that can make a difference.   We have Booker, Astudillo & Lewis, why haven`t they been called up, when Donaldson, Buxton & Garver went down? We also need a middle fielder, Lewis fits the bill (another thing I don`t understand is they haven`t been giving Lewis time in CF). Could Lewis disappoint if he`d be called up? Yeah, maybe but he could take off too, like Arrais & at the same time Lewis is a much better fielder. Lewis raised up to the call at AFL, I believe he could do it here in the Majors. Yeah this service time deal is a bummer, I`m sure that`s what holding him back. I was surprised when they activated Jeffers .

[Dantes929]

If you are looking at 2019 why not look at the most recent 2019 where he was MVP of the Arizona Fall League.    I don't know if he is ready but this whole idea of we don't know how he will do is kind of silly.   We didn't know how Dobnak or Arraez or for that matter how May or Duffey would do last year.   We didn't even know how Cruz would do.    He could have been another in what fans around here have called another washed up veteran.   The idea that internal reports won't be honest might be true in what is made public but they are certainly going to be honest in determining if he is ready.   If they think he is ready this seems like a pretty good time to try him out.   

 

[DocBauer]

I am very glad to have Lewis, as well as Kirilloff, Larnach, Rooker, Duran Jeffers and others working out, working with coaches, scrimmaging as best they can vs sitting home and working out on their own. But asking them, or expecting them, to basically skip from AA ball to MLB without actually playing real games during a real season is really panning for fools gold isn't it?

 

The Twins felt Jeffers was the best option to replace Garver. He's been OK so far, which I think to be huge praise. Feeling the other prospects aren't ready to come up and make a difference doesn't demean their value or potential at all. Jts just saying "are they really better than what is on hand, despite some struggles taking place?" I think the answer is "not yet".

 

Now, Rooker, older and with success at AAA, I could make an honest arguement for. He also has to be added next off-season as well. I could also honestly argue that Blankenhorn, already on the 40 man, could be a viable option to look at in the infield. He had a decent ST, IIRC. But again, is be ready for the jump? Maybe jts worth a shot.

 

The guy I feel bad for is Gordon. We probably don't acquire Vargas if Gordon was healthy. He missed a shot last year, and he's missing a shot now,

[Crackedfungo]

My feeling is just DO SOMETHING.  Jettison the Gardy Sunday roster players (need I mention them)?  Bring up Colina (DFA the least viable pitcher), bring up Duran (and write off Bailey, the Bullpen games, and ?), bring up at least Rooker or Kiriloff (whom will likely hit as well against LHP as most of our LH vets are now).  Someone mentioned above the revelations that Arraez, Graterol, and Dobnak were late last year.  Aside from Jeffers - we need to see more of the young players.  No more waiver claims, and I am glad we did not make any trades.

[jimbo92107]

I'd rather see Kirilloff. Great hitter, team needs hits.

[Aerodeliria]

 

He's essentially recovering from surgery. He should be back soon.

Buxton's always on the verge of returning. Sorry, but this is the never-ending story of the MN Twins.

[Heinie Manush]

Cave, Ehrie, Marwin.  The plan to go with them to weather the injury storm was not without merit as each has shown that they can be valuable fill-in players.  Sadly, none has given us even decent production.  Add to this that none of    Kepler, Eddie, Luis or Jorge has stepped it up and we've got real problems.  The opener/bullpen games have taxed our relievers.    Trade deadline has passed.  Starling Marte would have helped at a price that didn't seem very high.  Gotta jump start this thing.  Call up La Tortuga and one of the corner guys.  DFA Ehire or Vargas.  Send Wade down.  Cave becomes a back up.  And use a #5 starter.

[Channing1964]

without reading every single post I just have this to say. I saw what they did to Royce Lewis in the Arizona Fall League ok. Let me tell you that dude can play baseball straight up. I think maybe ( analytic nerds break out your spreadsheets)he played mostly centerfield...more at 3b than ss and...HE WON MVP of the league. the problem seems to be hitting left handed pitching so if you're panicked .. then there's the answer. problem is though... now the service time clock starts, and Buxton is in and out, and umm hello Josh...are you with us at all? you aint bringing Royce Lewis up to sit or platoon. Also i don't know the f**k they are doing with Jeffers when they have Astudillo. I know everyone wants to see Jeffers, Kiriloff, Larnach, Balzobic, and the equipment men from Pensacola but seriously. Astudillo and Avila should be holding down the catching for now. Having Jeffers in there every other day is like a 2016 decision.