The Twins Found a Diamond in the Rough

[Ted Schwerzler]

At the end of February the Minnesota Twins were careening towards the start of spring training action and Derek Falvey was hoping to have the roster additions done. Ideally Minnesota would have everyone in camp and the evaluation process would take place immediately. Then they added Donovan Solano.

 

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

When the front office decided that Donovan Solano was a necessary addition for the 2023 Twins, reaction immediately looked at both Jorge Polanco and Alex Kirilloff. Both players were attempting to come back from injuries in 2022, and Solano could be viewed as insurance should either not be ready to go out of the gate.

The Twins remained steadfast through the bulk of spring training suggesting that both Kirilloff and Polanco were tracking toward Opening Day. Having been down in Florida at the end of March, it was apparent neither were going to make that timeline, and both are currently rehabbing in the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels lineup.

Even aside from injuries to Kyle Farmer and Joey Gallo, the addition of Donovan Solano has led to extensive playing time. Though Solano broke in with the Miami Marlins, it was with the San Francisco Giants that Solano broke out. His 113 OPS+ from 2019 through 2021 was above league average, and his 127 OPS+ during 2020 earned him a career-first Silver Slugger award.

At this point, it’s fair to be skeptical of anything that took place during the truncated Covid season, and little value was placed on those numbers by fans coming into the year. Still though, for a guy who was expected to have rotational value at best, Solano has done his fair share of the heavy lifting early.

Across his first 38 at-bats this year, Solano has slashed an impressive .342/.390/.421 (.811) with a trio of doubles and a capable 8/2 K/BB. He has yet to send the ball over the fence this season, but his bat has allowed him opportunity to score runs, and Rocco Baldelli has elevated him to the leadoff position in the lineup on occasion.

Solano has yet to play anything but first base for the Twins, but it’s because of his positional flexibility that he has found his way into the lineup. With Kirilloff starting on the injured list, and Gallo ultimately joining him there, Solano was an ideal fill-in at first base. Polanco being out at second base gave way to Farmer for a period, and while Solano could have taken the reigns, prospect Edouard Julien has since made his debut.

The Twins front office did an exceptional job creating depth and versatility this winter, and Solano’s usage at a singular position is a reflection of that. While he is capable of playing all over the diamond, and got time at three of the four infield positions last year, he has only been needed at first base thus far for the Twins.

One would hope that roster health pushes Solano further down the pecking order in that he will be relied upon less from a production standpoint. That said, his immediate ability to contribute works wonders for the cause of playing time as the year goes on.

Eventually there may be a time when Nick Gordon and Julien push Solano to a state of redundancy, but that will only happen in theory if he continues to put up numbers when called upon. The reality is that the Twins signed a veteran talent late in the offseason and he has done a good job establishing himself early. The longer Solano can keep this up, the better chance he has to stick on the 26-man roster all year long.

Making sure to have fringe players that provide necessary levels of value is a must when filling out a team, and both Falvey and Thad Levine appear to have gotten this one right. We’re probably not going to see a repeat of the Silver Slugger production, but anything that resembles spelling a regular is a win, and we’re far beyond that at this juncture.

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[CharlieDee]

Our F.O. gets 2 thumbs up for this late addition.

[Doctor Gast]

IDK if he qualifies as a diamond in the rough because he been developed in SF, but he has came through with some clutch hits & has taken over sole posession of 1B. I don't believe that Gordon will make Solano obsolete at 2B nor LH hitting Julien. Because a RH platoon could be necessary.

[ashbury]

Hard for me to view a 35-year old 10-year veteran as a diamond in the rough.  Unappreciated gem maybe, but whatever polish he has acquired is about all he's going to ever have by now.

That's nitpicking a headline of course, and I'm glad we have him.  I didn't see much purpose to the signing when it was announced.

[Brandon]

With 200-250 AB for the season he should be able to finish with and above 100 + OPS.  He doesn’t have much power but can hit doubles at a decent rate and with enough walks and a .280-.300 average he gets on base enough to be valuable especially as a bench player.  One thing I like is we had a pretty good bench the last 2 seasons.  

[stringer bell]

Yeah, I’d say “hidden gem” more so than “Diamond in the rough”. Solano has been as advertised, maybe better, with a surprisingly large role. 

[DocBauer]

He's been a really good and really smart addition, even though I didn't understand the fit when the signing first happened.

He's been good at 1B, and I'd like to think he can still slide to 2B and be good there as well, if needed. I don't know how or if he still fits in at 3B or SS...positions he's played before...at this point in his career. It would be nice if he could be an option there with Farmer out for a time. 

But he seems to be a real pro and has definitely earned his nickname. Solid AB, sprays the ball, and has doubles power. He's been a real help so far and while good health elsewhere on the roster might limit his future playing time, he's been a great signing.

[Doctor Gast]

I think Solano has been sold as a RH bat that'll be handy against LHP. But he has been more than that.

[Ricky Vaughn]

I was less than impressed when he was signed but his play has impressed me.

[RpR]

7 hours ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

At the end of February the Minnesota Twins were careening towards the start of spring training action and Derek Falvey was hoping to have the roster additions done. Ideally Minnesota would have everyone in camp and the evaluation process would take place immediately. Then they added Donovan Solano.

 

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Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Eventually there may be a time when Nick Gordon and Julien push Solano to a state of redundancy,

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Is this a reverse jinx?

[wsnydes]

I'd say he was more of a savvy signing than a diamond in the rough.  He's been a pleasant surprise for sure.  I hope he's able to keep it up over the long haul.  He'd make for a nice bench player when Kirilloff comes back.

[joefish]

I like him so far. Good defense and quality at bats.

Good. 

[ANDwon]

So I always thought diamond in the rough meant you found a diamond in an unexpected place, ie, the rough at a golf course. But in fact it means a person who has talent or other good qualities but who is not polite, educated, socially skilled, etc.

In Britain the phrase is rough diamond, which is a little less confusing.

I'm not sure I would qualify as a diamond but until today I certainly needed a little polishing in regards to understanding this phrase. 

[John Belinski]

Gordon has been a big disappointment so far this year as it appears he just cannot hit. I was really surprised when Rocco had him pitch hit this week. That just did not seem to make sense since Gordon was batting about .100 so he had 1 chance in 10 to get a hit. 

[Blyleven2011]

Like his doubles capabilities better than someone trying to hit homeruns and strikes out ...

He has shown he has been a good acquisition so far ,   though I questioned the signing at the time because of our infield prospect depth  ... 

When Lewis gets back or maybe Lee makes his mlb debut  he could be traded for some value ...

Neto made his mlb debut for the angles , he was drafted number 13th in last year's draft ,  , first of the class of 2022  ....

Will Lee be next ...

[JD-TWINS]

19 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I think Solano has been sold as a RH bat that'll be handy against LHP. But he has been more than that.

Agreed - great platoon addition in off-season for LH pitching and a depth guy in case of injury. With Kiriloff & Gallo both out he’s playing every day and producing. Great acquisition - hope he stays at 80% of what  he’s done to date!

[Rosterman]

He, sadly, could still be the odd guy out if the Twins ever return to ful strength, be it adding Kirilloff back primarily as a first baseman, or the return of Royce Lewis in 2023.

[RpR]

Kirilloff and Lewis have to EARN playing time ; right now they are unknown rookies, who Twins front office are not just another version of Rooker or Badoo.

Hot start before flailing away became the norm.

[mickster]

On 4/15/2023 at 12:58 PM, Doctor Gast said:

IDK if he qualifies as a diamond in the rough because he been developed in SF, but he has came through with some clutch hits & has taken over sole posession of 1B. I don't believe that Gordon will make Solano obsolete at 2B nor LH hitting Julien. Because a RH platoon could be necessary.

Gordon needs to go.   We missed on trading him and Kepler in the offseason.   Now, we may not have been offered much so maybe a trade wasn't to be had.   Gordon will be passed over by many and I don't think has much value.   If given the choice not many would pick Gordon to be your 2B over any of Polanco, Julien, Lewis