Where will E-Rod end season in organization?

[Trov]

I know season has not started, and E-Rod is coming off of missing significant time due to injury.  However, I was thinking about how high I am on him, mainly the combo of eye and power.  Rarely will you see numbers like his at any level. He hit 9 HR in just under 200 plate appearance, but he walked 57 times only striking out 52.  That is crazy for someone of his age.  It was a HR every 15 at bats, or 1 per 22 plate appearances.  His OBP was .492, and this was in a pitcher friendly league.  

If he continues to have an eye like that and contact like he has I could see him move very quickly.  I bet he ends up in AA this year, but if there is a ton of injuries to OF like last year, I do not think it is outside the realm that they give him a shot at the majors.  This is only if he does what he did last year and injuries.  I am not expecting majors, but I think it is in realm of possibilities. He may only be 20, but many superstars have made it to majors at that age. 

[chpettit19]

MLB.com just ran a story showing where the top 100 prospects are all starting the season. They have Rodriguez at High A to start the year. If that's where he's starting I think reaching AA should be a minimum goal for him this year. AAA should be the highest mostly realistic goal. I don't disagree that MLB isn't out of the question if he's truly a star, but there's a lot of guys to jump in front of him for that to happen. But reaching AAA at the age of 20 would be gigantic. My guess is they don't rush him and he tops out at AA, and that's still great. 20 year old in AA means he has a legit chance of being a 21 year old in MLB in 2024, and that's plenty soon enough.

[Major League Ready]

If Miranda can play an average 3B, I envision Lewis and Rodriquez in the corner OF spots by mid 2024.  Envision / dream of ... whatever you want to call it but it could be VERY good.  We end 2024 with this roster.

1B Kirilloff
2B Lee
3B Miranda
SS Correa
RF Lewis
CF Buxton
LF Rodriquez

Bench of Gordon / Julien / Martin / Larnach / Jeffers

Rotation of Nola / Ryan / Ober and 2 of Varland / SWR / Festa / Prielipp / Raya / Canterino

***     Nola is a long shot but I am sticking with it.
 

[vulturepaj]

47 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

If Miranda can play an average 3B, I envision Lewis and Rodriquez in the corner OF spots by mid 2024.  Envision / dream of ... whatever you want to call it but it could be VERY good.  We end 2024 with this roster.

1B Kirilloff
2B Lee
3B Miranda
SS Correa
RF Lewis
CF Buxton
LF Rodriquez

Bench of Gordon / Julien / Martin / Larnach / Jeffers

Rotation of Nola / Ryan / Ober and 2 of Varland / SWR / Festa / Prielipp / Raya / Canterino

***     Nola is a long shot but I am sticking with it.
 

Where's Pablo Lopez?

Zac Gallen could be in the door later this year, but that could cost us Lee.  Might even be worth it.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

If Miranda can play an average 3B, I envision Lewis and Rodriquez in the corner OF spots by mid 2024.  Envision / dream of ... whatever you want to call it but it could be VERY good.  We end 2024 with this roster.

1B Kirilloff
2B Lee
3B Miranda
SS Correa
RF Lewis
CF Buxton
LF Rodriquez

Bench of Gordon / Julien / Martin / Larnach / Jeffers

Rotation of Nola / Ryan / Ober and 2 of Varland / SWR / Festa / Prielipp / Raya / Canterino

***     Nola is a long shot but I am sticking with it.
 

I'm going to guess that Lewis might end up playing more LF than RF; I think E-Rod fits better in RF where he has to cover less ground. but the lineup could be very interesting and fun for quite a while.

(and with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Paddack, Varland, SWR maybe you don't "need" to chase Nola, especially if Festa, Prielipp, and Raya continue to move along well. I love Canterino's talent, but I fear those idiots at Rice ruined his arm and we just can't count on him)

Rodriguez should be a lot of fun to track this season. he did everything you could ask for at Ft. Myers except stay healthy the whole year. the power, patience, contact...that's potentially a complete hitter. I'd be thrilled if he finishes the year crushing it in AA.

[baul0010]

I could see Buxton being shut down for September and E Rod getting called up to finish off the season.  E Rod would need a heck of a minor league season to that point though.

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, vulturepaj said:

Where's Pablo Lopez?

Zac Gallen could be in the door later this year, but that could cost us Lee.  Might even be worth it.

Nah, Skenes is in that slot.  That way we can afford some of the others.

E Rod will likely end up in AA and I'm hoping he spends most of the year here.  With him and Lee going to the games will be fantastic.  Hope they overlap a bit, selfishly.

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, vulturepaj said:

Where's Pablo Lopez?

Zac Gallen could be in the door later this year, but that could cost us Lee.  Might even be worth it.

I was looking at what the roster would look like at the end of 2024 going forward.  It's a little confusing because Lopez will be part of the last half of 2024 after Rodriquez and Lewis are added but he is a free agent at the end of the year.  I should have added a sentence to explain in the original posts.

[mnfireman]

As I believe he is being compared to these 2, both Acuna and Soto played A, AA, and AAA in one season of MiLB. Both at age 19.

Soto only played 122 MilB games, including 39 games across the 3 levels before being called up. At age 19.

Acuna played 259 MiLB games (not including 6 game injury re-hab last year), including 139 at the 3 levels. At age 19. He also played 23 games in the AFl that off-season and 23 games at AAA the next season to delay his MLB clock. At age 20.

The Twins can take it slow with his promotions because of the full OF at the MLB level, but if he hits like he did last season, I can see him being promoted through A, AA, and AAA this year and probably a trip to the AFL. Injuries could alter this path, but I believe the team keeps him in the minors and would use Garlick, Wallner, LaMarre and/or Contreras before promoting Rodriguez.

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

I'm going to guess that Lewis might end up playing more LF than RF; I think E-Rod fits better in RF where he has to cover less ground. but the lineup could be very interesting and fun for quite a while.

(and with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Paddack, Varland, SWR maybe you don't "need" to chase Nola, especially if Festa, Prielipp, and Raya continue to move along well. I love Canterino's talent, but I fear those idiots at Rice ruined his arm and we just can't count on him)

Rodriguez should be a lot of fun to track this season. he did everything you could ask for at Ft. Myers except stay healthy the whole year. the power, patience, contact...that's potentially a complete hitter. I'd be thrilled if he finishes the year crushing it in AA.

That probably makes more sense.  I have seen very little of Rodriquez but the scouting reports show a plus arm and slightly above average speed.  That would be a really great defensive and offensive outfield.

I would love to see one of or two of Festa, Prielipp, and Raya negate the need to sign Nola.  We can use the money that would have gone to Nola for extensions.  I just thought I was already being a bit optimistic but these guys do have that kind of ceiling.  We could also end up with Skenes at #5.  BTW .... I have the same reservations about Canterino.  He has kind of a max effort delivery.  I would be happy if he could stay healthy out of the BP.

[Mike Sixel]

AAA, possibly MLB if there are enough injuries or things go very badly.

Lewis is your starting CF at some point, with Buxton at DH most of the time and playing 40 or so games in center. Larnach in left and EROD in right eventually. Martin (if he's ever healthy) the backup CF and LF. It is also likely Wallner forces his way into the discussion at first, DH, right field.....That depends a lot on Larnach's health.

[FlyingFinn]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

1B Kirilloff
2B Lee
3B Miranda
SS Correa
RF Lewis
CF Buxton
LF Rodriquez

Vazquez at catcher? 

I like it.

[tony&rodney]

One thing that is becoming clear is that the Twins future fortunes are tied to some talented players who carry questions of their health. Like many teams, the development of key individuals could make a major difference in what the roster looks like in as soon as 2024. Looking forward it is possible to see a lineup similar to what MLR has posted. It is also somewhat stunning to think that the Twins could just move on from guys like Polanco and Kepler. I'm still hoping for a resurgence of the availability of Byron Buxton. The way that Julien managed to control his at bats against some really good pitchers, like Gerrit Cole, does make one wonder where he fits in a lineup. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez just needs to play good baseball for a full season. He has such a sweet swing that he should be able to cut down on his strike outs and still mash. 

2024? It is possible to see these guys starting: Vasquez, Kirilloff, Lewis, Miranda, Correa, Larnach, Buxton, Rodriguez, Julien.

I will be using milb.com to watch a number of players this season, especially E. Rodriguez.

 

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Came here just to add...

I don't know where he will end up at the end of the season. But I do think the Twins have a number of young position player prospects that will look mighty attractive to other teams come July. Lee, Julien, Rodriguez, Miranda, Lewis, Wallner, Salas et al (I'm not saying I want to trade ANY of them, just saying.) I don't THINK they will trade Miranda, but to get a bigger name player, you have to give something.

Exciting times :)

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

AAA, possibly MLB if there are enough injuries or things go very badly.

Lewis is your starting CF at some point, with Buxton at DH most of the time and playing 40 or so games in center. Larnach in left and EROD in right eventually. Martin (if he's ever healthy) the backup CF and LF. It is also likely Wallner forces his way into the discussion at first, DH, right field.....That depends a lot on Larnach's health.

This potential roster construction looks great.  Buxton /  Lewis / Rodriquez and Larnach fit together ideally in terms of having a great back-up CF and any one of the four could be DH on off days.   Good point on Martin complementing this group too.  

[Mike Sixel]

23 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Came here just to add...

I don't know where he will end up at the end of the season. But I do think the Twins have a number of young position player prospects that will look mighty attractive to other teams come July. Lee, Julien, Rodriguez, Miranda, Lewis, Wallner, Salas et al (I'm not saying I want to trade ANY of them, just saying.) I don't THINK they will trade Miranda, but to get a bigger name player, you have to give something.

Exciting times :)

Almost zero chance they deal Lee. He's their starting 3B this year or next, imo. Or Lewis. I just don't see what they could get back that would be worth sending them off. 

[tony&rodney]

22 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Came here just to add...

I don't know where he will end up at the end of the season. But I do think the Twins have a number of young position player prospects that will look mighty attractive to other teams come July. Lee, Julien, Rodriguez, Miranda, Lewis, Wallner, Salas et al (I'm not saying I want to trade ANY of them, just saying.) I don't THINK they will trade Miranda, but to get a bigger name player, you have to give something.

Exciting times :)

If i had to block off just two position player names from trades, I'm guessing the Twins will not hear those who ask for Emmanuel Rodriguez or Royce Lewis. I do think a trade is possible in July.

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Almost zero chance they deal Lee. He's their starting 3B this year or next, imo. Or Lewis. I just don't see what they could get back that would be worth sending them off. 

You and I have really been aligned lately but I am not sure Lee unseats Miranda.  Maybe I just hope Miranda is good at 3B but he looked fine at 3b last year (sucked at 1B) and hopefully he improves.  He is just not nearly as valuable as a DH/1B so I don't see them wanting to move him off 3B.  I like Lees ceiling just like everyone else but I need to see some significant success above A ball before I start assuming he replaces Miranda at 3B.  Even if Lee continues to impress, I like Lee at 2B and Lewis OF and back-up  for SS.  Now if Julien improves defensively, we have a high-class problem.  I really hope we have to figure that one out.

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

You and I have really been aligned lately but I am not sure Lee unseats Miranda.  Maybe I just hope Miranda is good a 3B but he looked fine at 3b last year (sucked at 1B) and hopefully he improves.  He is just not nearly as valuable as a DH/1B so I don't see them wanting to move him off 3B.  I like Lees ceiling just like everyone else but I need to see some significant success above A ball before I start assuming he replaces Miranda at 3B.  Even if Lee continues to impress, I like Lee at 2B and Lewis OF and back-up  for SS.  Now if Julien improves defensively, we have a high-class problem.  I really hope we have to figure that one out.

Fair, I just don't think Miranda is as good as Lee (O or D)......but I hope to be wrong. I also think Julien is a potentially great hitter, and feel he can play 2nd, first or DH. 

Frankly, I think Wallner and Julien should have 1B gloves.....

[Nashvilletwin]

E-Rod hits a grand slam in the final regular season game driving in Lee, Lewis, and Julien.

[Major League Ready]

10 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Fair, I just don't think Miranda is as good as Lee (O or D)......but I hope to be wrong. I also think Julien is a potentially great hitter, and feel he can play 2nd, first or DH. 

Frankly, I think Wallner and Julien should have 1B gloves.....

Miranda drove everything this spring and looked great in most of his ABs and he was a beast until he wore down last year.  I just have more confidence with Miranda than Lee right now given Lee has not played above A ball.  This opinion is subject to change at the end of the season if he kills it in AA/AAA this year.  Also, I might be overly optimistic on Miranda because I have been on the Miranda train for a while.  When others advocated keeping Donaldson or trading Miranda last year, I thought be would be as good or better then JD especially given the equation was JD vs Miranda / Urshela and Sanchez and this year Miranda plus $20M.   He has yet to let us down.

[ashbury]

I'm selling short on this prospect simply because of all the helium generated from his unsustainable stats fueled by the walk rate.  He batted .272 last year while being super selective.  More advanced pitchers will throw him more strikes when it counts, and we'll find out that Emmanuel Rodriguez is mortal.

Put me down for "starts and finishes the year at Cedar Rapids", while remaining a solid prospect in his age-20 season.

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Miranda drove everything this spring and looked great in most of his ABs and he was a beast until he wore down last year.  I just have more confidence with Miranda than Lee right now given Lee has not played above A ball.  This opinion is subject to change at the end of the season if he kills it in AA/AAA this year.  Also, I might be overly optimistic on Miranda because I have been on the Miranda train for a while.  When others advocated keeping Donaldson or trading Miranda last year, I thought be would be as good or better then JD especially given the equation was JD vs Miranda / Urshela and Sanchez and this year Miranda plus $20M.   He has yet to let us down.

And I'm overly so on Lee.....hopefully we are both right.

[jkcarew]

Fun question.

Optimistically, AA. Certainly no reason to move him higher this year.  This puts him in position for a 2024 debut at age 21 pending performance and health, health, health.

[Nashvilletwin]

4 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

If Miranda can play an average 3B, I envision Lewis and Rodriquez in the corner OF spots by mid 2024.  Envision / dream of ... whatever you want to call it but it could be VERY good.  We end 2024 with this roster.

1B Kirilloff
2B Lee
3B Miranda
SS Correa
RF Lewis
CF Buxton
LF Rodriquez

Bench of Gordon / Julien / Martin / Larnach / Jeffers

Rotation of Nola / Ryan / Ober and 2 of Varland / SWR / Festa / Prielipp / Raya / Canterino

***     Nola is a long shot but I am sticking with it.
 

We can only hope (with Vasquez starting at C of course).

My dream is that this is actually the squad with which we break camp in ‘24.  Can you imagine how fun this team would be to watch/support!

Lopez would still be part of the rotation in ‘24, but I’d take one or two of the prospects you mentioned in the 4 and/or 5 spots depending on if we add another starter (we’d have plenty of cash to do it if we wanted).

Wallner, Centerino, and Miller - first three call-ups.

 

[gman]

I think Erod gets promoted to St Paul for the playoffs this year. Maybe sooner if there are injuries/trades from the big league roster.

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

availability of Byron Buxton. The way that Julien managed to control his at bats against some really good pitchers, like Gerrit Cole, does make one wonder where he fits in a lineup.

If Buxton could play CF, wouldn't the lineup look so good with Polanco at 2B and Julien at DH. Is Buxton actually blocking Julien from the Twins lineup?

[tony&rodney]

6 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

f Buxton could play CF,

This is a recurring question/issue. We will need to look up the games and innings played and the at bats somewhere around mid June to get a better answer. For now, Twins fans just need to trust management on when and where Buxton plays. 

But if Buxton could play on the grass, then there is an opening.

Also, we will know much more about Jorge Polanco and Alex Kirilloff soon. Yes, Polanco has had some setbacks with his health but it is actually still possible that we see a full return to health for Polanco, which could even last a couple more years. The 2019 and 2021 Polanco is hard to beat.

The post concerned Rodriguez, however, and he should improve in his overall play. The concern noted about his average is a small item. The times I have watched him hit he puts himself deep in counts because he often takes a very hittable pitch. Julien changed his approach to bully bad pitches early in the count and we could see Emmanuel do the same this year. There is plenty left for the young outfielder to learn and I really liked how he looked this March.

[MMMordabito]

I'll go with AA, and I think that would be a success story.

 

[bowserthedog]

On 3/28/2023 at 9:40 AM, Major League Ready said:

If Miranda can play an average 3B, I envision Lewis and Rodriquez in the corner OF spots by mid 2024.  Envision / dream of ... whatever you want to call it but it could be VERY good.  We end 2024 with this roster.

1B Kirilloff
2B Lee
3B Miranda
SS Correa
RF Lewis
CF Buxton
LF Rodriquez

Bench of Gordon / Julien / Martin / Larnach / Jeffers

Rotation of Nola / Ryan / Ober and 2 of Varland / SWR / Festa / Prielipp / Raya / Canterino

***     Nola is a long shot but I am sticking with it.
 

Im viewing Lewis at 2nd base and spelling Correa at short with Lee at 3rd and some second.