The OF movement coming soon (it should)

[Shane Wahl]

Max Kepler is back soon. He should be developed appropriately. And this sets the chain off Kepler to CR, Buxton to FTM, Morales to NBR by the beginning of May.

[snepp]

I was hoping to see Buxton before he moved up, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Wow! That would be pretty fast for Buxton.

Well, if he's ready I can't see any reason why not.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Buxton is doing well, but I'm skeptical they promote him that quick. I'd guess he's more likely to get bumped June/July timeframe. Keep in mind that Sano got off to a really hot start last year only to go through a really long slump mid year. While I don't think Buxton will be that extreme, it would be wise to give him some additional PT in CR to make sure this isn't one massive SSS fluke.

[twinscowboysbulls]

Buxton is doing well, but I'm skeptical they promote him that quick. I'd guess he's more likely to get bumped June/July timeframe. Keep in mind that Sano got off to a really hot start last year only to go through a really long slump mid year. While I don't think Buxton will be that extreme, it would be wise to give him some additional PT in CR to make sure this isn't one massive SSS fluke.

 

I just have a hard time seeing a big slump from Buxton. He has so far shown a decent eye at the plate and he is so darn fast that outs, become hits thus preventing slump-like numbers. May 1, move him up if Kepler is healthy. Kepler is a CF, it's pointless to move him to a corner now. It's also time to let Morales sink or swim in AA.

[Larsbars08]

I'm pretty sure Kepler is viewed as a corner outfielder long term. I don't think there's any reason why Kepler and Buxton can't play together at Cedar Rapids. I'd also like to see what Buxton's power profile is right now in the Midwest league before moving him up to Fort Myers. I'd say give him at least till June, and if he's still crushing the ball, then I could see him being moved up.

[maxisagod]

Im leaning towards promoting JaDamion M. Williams. He's also a CF, His Avg. is low, but his walk to SO ratio is good, fair number of SB, and it's his second time in the league. I say give him a 2 month trail in high A, if it doesn't work promote Buxton if he's still dominating.

[nicksaviking]

I know New Britain doesn't have the most impressive group of OF, but I'd expect an outright release for Morales over a promotion to AA. I don't think there is anything more to see here.

[Steven Buhr]

If Fort Myers needs an outfielder already, I think it's much more likely the Twins would send up Williams or Leachman, both of which are in their second season in the MWL, than rush Buxton up.

[DutchFarmer]

Max Kepler is back soon. He should be developed appropriately. And this sets the chain off Kepler to CR, Buxton to FTM, Morales to NBR by the beginning of May.

 

This is an inevitable event (at least Buxton being moved) as I just made plans to be CR to watch him....er...I mean them, in mid May.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Mauer was promoted about as aggressively as any Twins prospect of late, and he spent his entire first full season at low-A. And the next year, he spent the first half at high-A before moving up to AA for the second half.

 

I strongly suspect Buxton won't be promoted until midseason, but I'd love for him to keep hitting .400 with power and force the issue earlier!

[nowheresville]

I would be shocked if Buxton is promoted before June, and I would be pretty surprised if he was promoted at all this year.

 

Oswaldo Arcia is the only top position player prospect I can think of who was sent from the MWL to Fort Myers very early in the season in recent years. Everyone else - Plouffe, Benson, Parmelee, Revere, Hicks, Sano, and Rosario all spent at least full year in Beloit, with Benson and Parmelee actually spending two full years there.

 

Typically, there seems to be a batch of callups in mid-June, right around the MWL All-Star Break, but those tend to more often be the guys who are already spending their second year in low-A. If Buxton gets a call, I'd think it would be then, but if I were placing a bet, I'd say he's in CR all year long.

[Otto von Ballpark]

To be fair, most of those guys you mention did not perform that well in low-A, missed some time to injury those seasons, or in the case of Sano, slumped and had some obvious holes in his game (strikeouts and defense). I think the hypothetical here assumes that Buxton continues his all-around domination at Cedar Rapids, in which case, I could see a promotion at mid-season.

 

That said, the only example of a guy getting promoted out quickly (Arcia) was probably influenced by his ~3 seasons in rookie league ball, thus the need/desire to promote him aggressively.

[lightfoot789]

If Fort Myers needs an outfielder already, I think it's much more likely the Twins would send up Williams or Leachman, both of which are in their second season in the MWL, than rush Buxton up.

 

I agree to move JD Williams 1st - I like the idea of keeping Kepler (LF) - Buxton (CF) - Walker (RF) - Jimenez (OF) together for the next few years. They have played well together and there is something to be said about building a winning attitude at the lower levels. I would move Bux quickly from High A to AA next year as opposed to his first full season. You also have Nate Roberts coming off DL soon and he might start in High A before moving to AA. We also don't know what the daft might bring us as it relates to OF movement post MLB Draft? Let's see them (Kep & Bux) DOMINATE for a full season before rushing things - (ala Mauer)

[cmb0252]

No rush to move Buxton now but if he keeps putting up good numbers by the all star break you have to move the kid up. Buxton is a gamer, you need to challenge him.

[ashbury]

It's Buxton's first year to learn the difficulties of the long season pro ball represents. I'd go slow this year.