Time for player advancement in Twins system?

[4twinsJA]

Only a month into MiLB season, should players be advanced to next level or gain more experience at present level? I am sure it was difficult to determine appropriate level to start some prospects given no games last year, I feel there are a few factors to consider; obviously present performance-excelling at present level, player's age-are they above average age of players at present level, and rule 5 status-will player be available in rule 5 draft. At Wichita AA, there are a few players that have stood out performance wise- Miranda, Whitefield, Cano, Winder, Lujan, and Moran. Miranda and Whitefield were eligible last rule 5 draft, Cano is already 27 years old , and Winder has just dominated. I think these 4 should be moved up to AAA early June. Lujan and Moran along with others may make good callups midseason. At high A, Cedar Rapids, performance wise-Snyder, Wallner, Steer, Canterino, Enlow, and Beck are performing at a high level. Snyder is 26 years old and Canterino has dominated- I am sure he was considered to start the season at AA. I would move Snyder and Canterino up to AA in early June. The others may make good midseason callups. What do you think?

[Seth Stohs]

It's a good question and always a good discussion, but it completely depends on the individual. 

At the beginning of the season, there are minor league free agents that they want to keep around for at least some time so as not to lose them. Then some get released. There are obviously going to be injured. In a 'normal' season, this is when you would start seeing some guys called up who started a level lower than they maybe should have due to numbers. That's probably why Trey Cabbage was promoted today. 

Then I'm sure they factor performance into it as well, but not necessarily the stats we see. It's probably more about exit velocity, or reports on the quality of at bats and knowledge of the strike zone. 

A guy like Winder already skipped High-A to start this season at AA. I would think they will give him more than four starts there to move him up. Also, his four starts have come against three teams. They may want to let him face more teams. They might want to see which teams in that league are good hitting teams, so they can better evaluate how good the performances.

Miranda only had a handful of games at AA before this year. He's off to a great start, but there's no rush. I don't think there's a ton of rush to go from AA to AAA unless there is a plan to move him up to the big leagues soon... and with the Twins 3B and 2B and 1B depth right now, there isn't reason. It's also OK to let these guys experience some success for awhile. 

Cano is obviously an exception since he wasn't signed until mid 2019 as a Cuban defector and didn't pitch at all in 2020. he's doing fine... But he's got like 8-10 innings in. Doesn't hurt him any to get a few more under his belt. 

While Snyder is 26, he's made the move up one level since 2019 after no 2020. It's great that he's off to a good start, but let him keep doing that for a little while. 

They're all different, and generally speaking, they know the potential for each player and the rush can be dependent upon that too. 

[4twinsJA]

Thanks for your response Seth. As fans, we tend to rush things.

[Rosterman]

It will be interesting to see advancement as the Elizabethton team no longer exists and you will have some folks ready from that minor league camp going on in Florida to push some of the Might Mussels to a higher level (as well as the experience that brings playing in town ball, so to speak). 

 

The Twins have quite a few minor league free agents to question at St. Paul (many on the injured list). 

 

It's also a year that organizations get a feel of the players a player plays against in their league and how that affects advancement overall. 

 

In the past, the short season league was a chance for many players to experience playing on the road (short trips) and before a crowd as well as playing competitive ball again.

 

Now the Twins have so many players in one location at the Ft. Myers complex, plus it also being the rehab home. Players basically live in a dorm, have access to nutrition and top-notch equipment. Only so many can play on the low-A team, but the Mussels do have the luxury of swapping players in and out as needed.

 

But, yes...the big question is: Who are the players that NEED to get some major league experience in 2021. Who needs a hard look for the 40-man come the fall and COULD contribute in some way in 2022. 

 

And who deserves that extra push!