5 Scenarios That Could Open Up Regular Playing Time for Alex Kirilloff

[Nick Nelson]

We all want to see AK mashing in the big leagues. Right now there is simply no playing time available to him. 

Here are a few developments that could change that.

Image courtesy of Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Kirilloff has completed his minor-league injury rehab after a lengthy recovery from undergoing a second wrist surgery. He is physically ready to return to the majors by decree of the team trainer, and Kirilloff's on-field performance in Triple-A suggests that he's ready in every other way.

We know what the former top draft pick and top prospect is capable of bringing to the lineup, and it's especially desirable in the wake of a mostly flat offensive showing against the White Sox this week. The idea of Kirilloff's impact bat awakening this sleepy bunch is very enticing indeed.

The problem, of course, is that there's not really any space for Kirilloff right now. Finding a spot on the roster isn't so much the problem – optioning Willi Castro would be simple enough – but rather freeing up regular at-bats, particularly against right-handed pitchers. 

The four different positions where Kirilloff could plug in – 1B, LF, RF, DH – are all occupied by regular fixtures at the moment, leaving him to wait in St. Paul until something changes.

Here are five things that could happen to open up an opportunity for Kirilloff in the near term. 

Joey Gallo gets hurt
When the Twins signed Gallo to a one-year deal during the offseason, the move immediately struck me as Kirilloff insurance. He's not exactly similar offensively to the high-contact, liner-spraying AK, but Gallo profiles about the same as an impact hitter who can play both outfield corners as well as first base.

The latter happens to be Kirilloff's best (and likely future) position, and it's one where Gallo has been a mainstay against right-handers, starting there nearly every game. He's also been the team's best hitter, so there is clearly no thought of voluntarily taking him out of the lineup.

The veteran slugger spent brief time on the injured list in April, but has otherwise looked healthy. Gallo getting hurt and opening up first base would be the cleanest fit for Kirilloff, but would obviously be a major hit to the team given how good Gallo has been.

Max Kepler gets hurt
While first base might be the position Kirilloff plays best, right field is where he has by far the most experience. Kepler has been the everyday starter there outside of his own short April IL stint, so if he were to go down again it would create a natural opportunity for Kirilloff to take over as primary right fielder. (Or first baseman, if the Twins prefer an alignment with him there and Gallo in right, which is probable.)

Kepler, like Gallo, looks healthy at the moment but he's made six different trips to the IL since 2020.

Byron Buxton gets hurt
The 29-year-old has managed to start 28 of the Twins' first 32 games thanks to a DH-exclusive arrangement that enables him to play through ongoing knee issues. For now. As we know all too well, Buxton is always one swing, sprint, or slide away from a return to the shelf.

Naturally, Kirilloff would be a fine fit as the regular designated hitter given his offensive prowess. Like Gallo, losing Buxton would be a devastating blow the lineup, but one softened by the availability of Kirilloff and his high-upside bat to step in.

Michael A. Taylor gets hurt (maybe)
I'm not entirely sure a Taylor injury would create a path for Kirilloff, but it's possible. The idea is that Gallo or Kirilloff, or even Buxton, could take over in center – thus opening up 1B, RF, or DH for Kirilloff. The thing is, I'm not sure the Twins would opt to go any of those routes. 

Gallo and Kepler strike me more as emergency options in center field (Gallo hasn't started a game there since 2019, Kepler since 2021), and I don't think they view Buxton as physically equipped for it. Then again, they don't have a ton of other options aside from Nick Gordon, who is batting .161.

I'd be quite curious to see how things would play out in this scenario. Taylor's been as much of a fixture at his position as anyone on this team, starting all but four games in center. 

Trevor Larnach gets hurt, or keeps slumping badly
I saved this one for last because it's the only short-term scenario I can envision creating an opportunity for Kirilloff that doesn't necessarily involve an injury. 

Of course if Larnach, who's started 22 of the team's games in left field but was injured for most of the past two seasons, were to get hurt it would create a seamless transition to Kirilloff (or Gallo, with AK going to first). 

But unlike the four veterans listed above, a minor-league demotion is also on the table for Larnach, and it's increasingly plausible as his performance slides following a hot start. Since the opening road trip to Kansas City and Miami, Larnach is batting .173 with just two home runs, and of late the strikeouts and futile at-bats have been mounting.

There is certainly a case to be made for swapping Kirilloff in for Larnach, should this trend continue. But I do think the Twins will be somewhat hesitant to do so, and should be. The numbers have been bad lately but overall Larnach hasn't been close to one of the team's worst hitters and up until the past week or so had rated as a pretty solid regular. He's also 26 years old.

Unless Larnach's current slump really spirals and it becomes clear he needs a mental break, or it's determined that something is physically or mechanically amiss, sending him down to accommodate Kirilloff seems counterproductive. 

Does Larnach have issues at the plate he needs to fix? Absolutely. Is he going to be able to address them meaningfully while walloping Triple-A pitching, just as Kirilloff has? That seems doubtful. 

I would agree with the notion that Larnach is on watch, because Kirilloff's readiness creates some level of pressure, but I don't think the clock is ticking down on him too intensely at the moment. I could be wrong. 

For now, Kirilloff will likely need to wait for one of these five players to get hurt because the Twins are simply too healthy to make room for one of their most talented offensive players. What a world.

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[jkcarew]

Here are my 5 scenarios for playing time opening up for Kirilloff…

1. The wrist is ready.

2. The wrist is ready

3. The wrist is ready

4. The wrist is ready

5. The wrist is ready

[Thegrin]

I've posted this before, but the Twins could make room for Kiriloff if they wanted to.  I think they would rather make sure that his wrist is going to hold up under every day playing conditions. Giving him AK another 3 weeks in St Paul should reassure the Twins that he will be effective.  I doubt that more than 3 weeks will pass before one of the above mentioned players will incur some kind of injury.  :(

[weitz41]

Honestly none of these scenarios are ideal. Larnach is the most likely Imo. Meaning AK has performed so well in AAA that he earns the spot. One last thing he needs to play every game for the Saints for a couple weeks before that should happen.

Castro is probably safe until Farmer is ready to rejoin the team.

[Mike Sixel]

Trade Kepler......or Larnach, either one. Get some young minor leaguers.

But neither will happen.....

[hitterscount]

If he has no issues with the wrist over the next few weeks and continues to be productive, they need to find room. The offense is really bad and could use someone that can make contact.  

There is room between Gallo, Kepler and Larnach, an injury isn't needed. None of those three are brining much to the plate. With Gallo's defensive versatility I would look to move one of the other two.  

[Eris]

The Twins lineup in their 12 inning win against the White Sox today (including substitutions) featured 9 players with a batting average below 0.250.  While I don’t know if Alex Kirilloff will recover from his injuries, I find it hard to believe that a lineup this anemic can not find room for some who was once considered one of the best hitting prospects in Twins minor league system. As mentioned in the article, he can get at bats playing LF, RF, 1B and DH. Rotate until there is a better solution.
 

By comparison, the Rays had 3 players in their lineup today with a batting average less than 0.260.  The White Sox had 5 players with a BA less that 0.250.

 

[Parfigliano]

15 minutes ago, Eris said:

The Twins lineup in their 12 inning win against the White Sox today (including substitutions) featured 9 players with a batting average below 0.250.  While I don’t know if Alex Kirilloff will recover from his injuries, I find it hard to believe that a lineup this anemic can not find room for some who was once considered one of the best hitting prospects in Twins minor league system. As mentioned in the article, he can get at bats playing LF, RF, 1B and DH. Rotate until there is a better solution.
 

By comparison, the Rays had 3 players in their lineup today with a batting average less than 0.260.  The White Sox had 5 players with a BA less that 0.250.

 

If Kirilloff is truely healthy then Laranach needs to swap places with him.

[LA Vikes Fan]

22 minutes ago, Eris said:

The Twins lineup in their 12 inning win against the White Sox today (including substitutions) featured 9 players with a batting average below 0.250.  While I don’t know if Alex Kirilloff will recover from his injuries, I find it hard to believe that a lineup this anemic can not find room for some who was once considered one of the best hitting prospects in Twins minor league system. As mentioned in the article, he can get at bats playing LF, RF, 1B and DH. Rotate until there is a better solution.
 

By comparison, the Rays had 3 players in their lineup today with a batting average less than 0.260.  The White Sox had 5 players with a BA less that 0.250.

 

This. Bring him up when you can and either put Taylor on the Il (back) or DFA Solerno. I like Solerno but he can't play in the field anywhere even close to competently and he has no power. He is unlikely to be claimed, so take the risk and if he gets through and is willing to stay in the org send him to AAA as insurance. If not, he's 35 and isn't going to be on the team next year anyway. Having 6 guys for the 1B, LF, CF, RF, and DH spots is not ideal but is workable.  It's especially workable when you have slump prone players like Gallo (.095/.296/.238 last 7 games) and Larnach (.174/.259/.217 for same 7), injury prone players like Buxton, and a couple of guys who just aren't very good hitters like Taylor and Kepler. I wish one more of these 6 were Rh hitters but some times you just have to live with the pain. 

 

 

[umterp23]

Why do we believe Kirilloff needs to play everyday in St. Paul for a week or 2 weeks straight.  None of the guys currently on team play every day for the same amount of time.  If are following get model guys get rest days , then he doesn't need to prove really anything more what he has now.  If he is ready, you bring him up.  They can make this team work with 2 rest days a week, especially if you have travel days in there as well.  Twins need to pull the bandaid off and do what is best and not hope for injury.  

[Fat Calvin]

Bring him up now.  His wrist is good now.  If his wrist doesn't hold up, put him on the DL, or IL, or whatever they're calling it these days.  Why waste his good wrist in St. Paul?

[D.C Twins]

This offence needs help. Kepler and Larnach are currently the weak links. 

Larnach has options... he goes down to see if Krilloff can be as good as we all think he can be (when healthy)

.... as long as Krilloff is ready to play 5 games a week. 

[MGX]

Kiriloff should be up already. There is playing time for anyone who can produce & he deserves an opportunity. There is no reason that he needs to be playing full time in St. Paul for a few weeks as he likely won't play full time when called up either. We need to have the 26 man roster that gives us the best chance to win. 

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Eris said:

The Twins lineup in their 12 inning win against the White Sox today (including substitutions) featured 9 players with a batting average below 0.250.  While I don’t know if Alex Kirilloff will recover from his injuries, I find it hard to believe that a lineup this anemic can not find room for some who was once considered one of the best hitting prospects in Twins minor league system. As mentioned in the article, he can get at bats playing LF, RF, 1B and DH. Rotate until there is a better solution.
 

By comparison, the Rays had 3 players in their lineup today with a batting average less than 0.260.  The White Sox had 5 players with a BA less that 0.250.

 

250? That's a crazy high average these days. 

[Riverbrian]

24 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

250? That's a crazy high average these days. 

Yeah Maybe but not crazy high enough to keep a hitter down on the farm. 

[Riverbrian]

Scenerio Number 6

The front office runs out of patience waiting for the offense to take flight... says Uncle and figures it out. 

[wornsmooth]

3 hours ago, Thegrin said:

I've posted this before, but the Twins could make room for Kiriloff if they wanted to.  I think they would rather make sure that his wrist is going to hold up under every day playing conditions. Giving him AK another 3 weeks in St Paul should reassure the Twins that he will be effective.  I doubt that more than 3 weeks will pass before one of the above mentioned players will incur some kind of injury.  :(

How is his playing in St. Paul any less stress/risk to his wrist than if he came up and played for the Twins?

If his wrist isn't healed he shouldn't be playing regularly anywhere. If it is healed, he should be with the Twins unless there is some fundamental technique fix that is still needed.

[Squirrel]

2 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Solerno

Solano

[IndianaTwin]

The OP suggests that it’s easy enough to find a spot on the 26-man — option Castro. But that’s not going to happen. The Twins like his defensive versatility and AK isn’t a fit there. Besides, barring other injuries, I’d think Castro’s spot is pretty much reserved for Farmer’s activation on Tuesday or soon thereafter. 

So AK needs someone else’s spot on the roster. Three primary options have been named, either here or in other threads. Option Larnach, DFA Gordon or DFA Solano. (Or yeah, trade Kepler and his 108 OPS+ and great defense, blah, blah, blah.)

There’s another option I haven’t seen and that’s to option Miranda and use Farmer/Solano at 3B for a time. Miranda’s OPS+ is currently at 69, and he seems to be flailing at the plate. I don’t see many games, but was able to watch the Sox games, and he had at least a couple defensive plays that didn’t result in errors, but were shaky or poor decisions. He’d likely be back at the next injury, but it sure seems he could use a reset.

[IndianaTwin]

7 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

This offence needs help. Kepler and Larnach are currently the weak links. 

Larnach has options... he goes down to see if Krilloff can be as good as we all think he can be (when healthy)

.... as long as Krilloff is ready to play 5 games a week. 

You may not think it’s sustainable, but right now Kepler is nowhere near the weak link. The only guys with a higher OPS are Buxton, Gallo, Polanco and the backup catcher.

Personally, I think Kepler’s is very sustainable — it’s exactly at his career average.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, IndianaTwin said:

You may not think it’s sustainable, but right now Kepler is nowhere near the weak link. The only guys with a higher OPS are Buxton, Gallo, Polanco and the backup catcher.

Personally, I think Kepler’s is very sustainable — it’s exactly at his career average.

You are right. Kepler is indeed 5th on the team in OPS. 

This is why we need Kirilloff up here. 

Kepler's current .744 OPS needs to be 6th or 7th on the team in OPS. 

[Riverbrian]

10th Inning:

Vazquez on 2nd

Gordon: Pops up the bunt

Kepler: Walks

Correa: Hits into Double Play

 

11th Inning

Correa on 2nd

Buxton, Polanco and Larnach all go down swinging

 

Just posting this here while we wait for the call up of Alex Kirilloff or while we debate if the team needs him.  

[Doctor Wu]

I'd opt for sending Larnach down for a spell and bringing up Kiriloff ... until the real next injury makes yet another move necessary. 

[Major League Ready]

Castro goes down for Farmer in the near future.  

Larnach – I would think they would rather keep Larnach at the MLB level because crushing it at AAA will prove nothing at this point.  They need to figure out if he is going to hold down a corner OF spot going forward because they don’t have many good options.  The best thing for the team in the next 2 weeks might be to send him down but the best thing for the next 5+years is to give him a chance to be a core member of this team.

Gordon – 6 weeks ago many people were lobbying for him to be a starter.  A 40AB cold streak and we should DFA him.  The last 20 Abs he has a 195 wRC+.  Gordon is a good 26th man at least until a better option becomes apparent.

Kepler – Slightly above average offense and great defense is not a problem and moving him at this point does not make us a better team.  If they get a good offer, great, but for now he is not the best answer.

Solano is a downgrade defensively at any position we would play him and he is not an impact bat.  He is also not going to be here next year.  This seems like the best solution to me but they are not going to cut an established veteran until they are sure Kirilloff can play in 80-90 percent of games.   The only way to do that is to play him in 25 out of 30 games at AAA.

Miranda.  He has nothing to prove at AAA either but I am really tired of watching his Eddie Rosario impression.  They need to come up with a plan because he is pretty useless at this point.
 

[Cory Engelhardt]

I think barring injury, the correct answer for the moment would be Larnach. He needs a reset of sorts. 
This is of course assuming Kirilloff is fully ready to go

[Doctor Wu]

9 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Miranda.  He has nothing to prove at AAA either but I am really tired of watching his Eddie Rosario impression.  They need to come up with a plan because he is pretty useless at this point.
 

Yeah, Miranda needs to pick it up soon. If not, maybe we make  room for Lee. 

[Riverbrian]

35 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

 

Miranda.  He has nothing to prove at AAA either but I am really tired of watching his Eddie Rosario impression.  They need to come up with a plan because he is pretty useless at this point.
 

I agree with you on Miranda.

I remember feeling the same way last year. 

On May 18th, 2022 - Miranda's had offensively bottomed out at .332 OPS with a .096 BA. 

May 18th was also the date that Correa returned from the disabled list and we sent down Royce Lewis to practice other positions for 12 days before returning to the big club on May 29th.  

On May 29th, it was determined that Royce had learned everything he could about other positions and Royce Lewis was recalled.

It was Miranda who was optioned to make room for Lewis.

Of course due to the Lewis injury... Miranda was called right back to the big club on May 30. That one day in the minors did him well because after one day in the minors he woke up and BOOM... he was suddenly a hitter.  

Perhaps we should try that alarm clock again. 😉

 

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

Just posting this here while we wait for the call up of Alex Kirilloff or while we debate if the team needs him.

Since AK was recently optioned, they can’t recall him for 10 days, unless there is an injury. So, if anyone wants him up right now, the only way that happens is through injury. I’m not wishing for that, but I do hope that on May 10 he is activated, for anyone. There are choices that are not difficult to make. For Larnach makes the most sense, but I also like IT’s suggestion of Miranda, provided Farmer is already up. But I think, barring injury, Farmer returns first.

[Squirrel]

13 hours ago, Nick Nelson said:

The problem, of course, is that there's not really any space

So, you advocate hoping for injury to get AK up here now? I know that’s not exactly what you are saying, but I don’t think finding room is really that difficult, without injury, and shouldn’t be. However, barring injury, he’s not going to be recalled until the 10 days runs out. (May 9, 10?) Given that, I think Farmer will be up first. They need to send Miranda down for a reset. And when AK is ready, they need to send down Larnach. Those are the choices and they are not difficult, imo.

[Eris]

10 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

250? That's a crazy high average these days. 

I used 0.250 because the league average is 0.247. 
A better approach would be to use WRC+ but the point would have been the same  in that there are a lot of Twins hitters who are underperforming league averages.  Some of these by a substantial amount  

 

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