Will Jose Miranda or Willi Castro Make Room For Kyle Farmer?

[Matthew Taylor]

Let’s look at the cases for each.

Image courtesy of © Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Farmer has only played in 11 games for the Minnesota Twins this season, but he has certainly been missed since going out with a facial injury on April 12. He brings a much needed right handed bat, as well as the positional flexibility to play all over the infield. With the Twins returning home from their road trip on Tuesday, it’s likely that Farmer will join the big league club, but who will be the odd man out on the roster? There are two likely options: Willi Castro and José Miranda.

The first option for a demotion is star prospect José Miranda. Coming into the season, Miranda was thought to be a core member of the team following his breakout season in the Minor Leagues in 2021 and his strong showing as a rookie in 2022. His 2023 season has been a different story, though. In 32 games played thus far, Miranda has just a .589 OPS with just six extra base hits and a tough 21/9 K/BB ratio. His underlying statistics don’t provide much confidence either, with a barrel %, chase rate, BB% and xSLG all below the 25th percentile.

I mean, just look at this Baseball Savant batter profile. This doesn’t look like someone who is demanding playing time at the Big League level, does it?

 

The other reason for sending down Miranda is his defense. First of all, Miranda has been a negative in the field for the Minnesota Twins this year. According to Baseball Savant, Miranda has provided -2 outs above average this season, putting him in the 8th percentile in baseball. When the Twins bring back Kyle Farmer, they will likely slot him in as the new everyday starting third baseman. Farmer provides much better defense than Miranda and with the way Miranda is performing at the plate, he likely will provide better offense as well.

Secondly, José Miranda doesn’t provide much of any defensive flexibility. Miranda could be a right handed platoon at first base for Joey Gallo/Alex Kirilloff, but he showed last year that he’s a bit of a butcher at first base, and keeping Miranda in the bigs as a platoon first baseman doesn’t make a lot of sense either.

Whether it’s his shoulder injury that kept him out of the World Baseball Classic this winter, or simply a sophomore slump, there is a good argument to be made that Miranda should be the player to be sent down to St. Paul where he can regain his confidence and hopefully find the swing that made so many people confident in him heading into the season.

The other option for being sent down to make room for Kyle Farmer is utilityman Willi Castro. Castro was a surprise addition to the Opening Day roster for the Minnesota Twins this season after signing a minor league contract in December.

Castro hasn’t exactly been great for the Minnesota Twins during the first month of the season, posting an OPS of just .643 with three extra base hits over 44 plate appearances. In his four seasons prior to joining the Twins, Castro posted a cumulative OPS of .673 with an average of just six home runs per season, so expecting any offensive run from the utilityman isn’t wise. Castro does not provide the offensive ceiling that Miranda does, though as a switch hitter, Castro does provide the Twins with more lineup flexibility against pitchers of both right and left handedness.

Defensively, Willi Castro provides about league average defense and can play all over the infield as well as the corner outfield. Castro provides more speed than Miranda, though isn’t necessarily a burner on the bases. 

With Nick Gordon on the roster as a right handed bat with plus-speed and a higher offensive ceiling coming off the bench, it’s not exactly clear how often Willi Castro would play if he stuck on the roster after Kyle Farmer gets called up. However, unlike José Miranda, the Twins would be okay with having Willi Castro stick on the bench most days, whereas with José Miranda, if he’s not playing almost everyday the Twins would prefer to have him playing in St. Paul where he can play every day.

The ultimate question that would determine if José Miranda or Willi Castro gets sent down for Kyle Farmer is how often the Twins are comfortable playing Farmer. If Farmer is healthy enough to play everyday, it’s safe to reason that Farmer would take over the role as the everyday third baseman and there would be no at-bats left for Miranda. If the Twins don’t feel comfortable playing Kyle Farmer everyday, then Miranda might stick with club as he still provides upside at third base that Willi Castro simply doesn’t provide. 

Who do you think should get sent down for the Twins to make room for Kyle Farmer? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!
 

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[stringer bell]

With Farmer returning, I don't see a lot of at-bats for Donovan Solano either and Solano is a negative defensively. If Miranda and Farmer are both on the active roster, I can see some type of job sharing at third base, with Miranda moving over to first in the infrequent times the Twins face a left handed pitcher. 

[JD-TWINS]

My assumption has been that Castro would go down. His switch hitting capability is still a lower output than Miranda’s, even at the low level of ‘23 to date.

Your point about Miranda sitting many days & Castro being more comfortable or built for that role, is very valid. Castro’s upside is his speed & ability to play OF if needed.

Miranda needs work in the cage & between the ears. May be best for him to go down and get some work for a few weeks & if he turns it around, he can displace Solano in early June.

[roger]

Very interesting question.  Truth is, however, that you may be talking about what will remain a question/concern also in the future.  Where is Royce Lewis going to play come summer?  Ain't gonna be shortstop, unless Correa is injured.  Third is likely the next best option.  With Miranda not likely to be a first baseman, his remaining role is DH.  Does that make sense?

Does anyone know where Lewis is playing now that he is playing with the EST group in Florida?

[LewFordLives]

I generally agree it should be Miranda that goes to St Paul. I always assumed Farmer was brought on board as insurance in case Correa didn't come back and/or Miranda struggled. Keeping Miranda on the bench does him no good. He needs to play every day and I think he needs to keep getting time at 3B. It's too early in his career to throw in the towel and put him at first.

[Alex Wilde]

It has to be Miranda. He needs low leverage at bats every day to get his confidence back and he needs some more reps at third to get more comfortable there. His arm has looked terrible too so hopefully he can work on building up his arm strength a bit at AAA. Castro can ride the pine as often as you need him. He is still a valuable asset because he switch hits, can play any position, and he can pinch run at the end of games.

[jorgenswest]

Farmer isn’t a solution as an everyday player. Castro isn’t a solution as the left handed half of the platoon as he has better career numbers as a right handed batter. The only solution is Miranda. 

Maybe a trip to AAA can help him reset. I would stick with him here though and let him work it out at this level.

[Seth Stohs]

It should be Miranda BECAUSE of the belief that he will be a core part of the Twins future. He's struggling. The strike zone judgment he had shown the lst two years is gone. He's trying to do too much with every swing. The defense was fine early, but now that's even a mess. He can use the time for a reset. 

Farmer has played plenty of third in his time. He'll be just fine there. And Miranda can clear his mind a bit, take a step back and then move forward. 

[Nashvilletwin]

Miranda needs the ABs - he’s still part of the future of this team. The issue is that he is playing the wrong position for his future role. In the future - late ‘23 or certainly by the beginning next season - 3B will be manned likely by Lee.  In ‘24, Lewis or Julien will play 2B with the other playing OF or DH (when Buxton is in CF or having a rest day).  Farmer first, followed by Gordon, will be the Utility IFs thru the end of ‘24 (with Farmer to be replaced by Noah Miller). 

That leaves Miranda’s best bet for playing time to be 1B, where he should get 2/3rds to 3/4ers of the starts with Kiriloff getting the the rest when he’s not playing RF.  Likely Lewis (assuming Julien is at 2B), Kiriloff and Larnach will be our primary OFs with Buxton,  Gordon and Wallner also playing.

So those point is that Miranda should be getting more starts (and the associated ABs) at 1B  and Solano should never start at 1B over Miranda (or Kiriloff, or even Gallo on this ‘23 team, for that matter).  Solano needs to go sooner rather than later if the FO is truly interested in developing their young talent like Miranda.

[FlyingFinn]

I am no longer against a reset for Miranda in St. Paul. He was average defensively in the minors. He is not that high with the Twins. Losing the time in spring training with the shoulder problem may have been costly with him. But I thought those 3 homers would get him going hitting-wise but this past week his SO's seem to have increased and I have increasingly heard our radio announcers saying his swing didn't look good on that pitch or he took a pitch right down the middle. Maybe a reset would help when Farmer returns.

[tony&rodney]

Farmer makes Solano redundant.

[hitterscount]

Miranda has been a major disappointment. We are six weeks into the season and he has shown nothing at the plate. If you are not hitting you better play above average defense....  and that isn't happening either. Farmer at 3rd until either Lee or Lewis are ready to be called up. If and when that happens my vote would be to cut ties with Solano. He is a replica of Miranda, nothing offensively and a liability in the field. With the strong starting pitching we have been getting the least you can do is play solid defense. Miranda and Solano's defense have probably cost the team 2-3 wins so far. 

[Rosterman]

Is Miranda a part of the Twins future? The pluses: he could play first base or third base, and slot into fullt-time DH when the time comes.

But does he need to work on some things now, similar to issues Trevor Larnach might be facing? Yes. Can he do it at the big league level? Possibly. Do we, as a team, feel more comfortable having Farmer and Castro playing third for the short-term, if Mrianda does go down? Yes. 

The Twins offense is in a bubble right now. Players like Miranda, Larnach, Gordon, Kirilloff, Jeffers ALL have to prove they are worthy of the long-term plans for the team. Like Kepler and Polanco are currently fighting to remain Twins after this season, he aforementioned names have to be looking over their shoulder, wondering who might replace them in the very near future, or next year at best.

All we know is that Correa is at shortstop, and it would be nice to have an occasional sub for the guy. Edouard Julien is on the cusp, but can he push Polanco off second base now or in the future? They seem to playing him there, although there was talk about getting reps in at first base.

The Twins have three guys: Lee, Martin and Lewis. None of the to have an occasional sub for the guy. e three will probably make an imapct this season. Lewis will have to be pencilled in somewhere come the start of 2024 with Martin and Lee right behind. Is Lee the third baseman of the future, with Martin going to an outfield/utility role? Where does Lewis end up in the scheme of things.

Last year Miranda also started rough. He went down and came back strong. But the whole team (and much of the league) seems to be struggling, too. If Farmer can hold down the fort for two weeks or a month, I say...go for it. But right now waiting to see what Kirilloff brings to a sleepy lineup.

[stringer bell]

Miranda started the year as a full-time regular and possible long-term piece for the Twins. A year ago at this time, I was saying that the Twins should trade Miranda in a package to get starting pitching. He promptly took off and made a case that he was a cornerstone of the franchise. I'll wait before I say again that he should be traded, but I don't think his future is at third base with the Twins, which does lessen his value. I've seen very little that makes me believe he'll even be more than passable at third base--the arm and the first step are lacking. He could yet be a middle of the order DH and first baseman, but right now he seems to be pressing and chasing too many pitches outside the zone. 

Willi Castro is a classic utility player. He is a switch hitter, with some speed and pretty even platoon splits. He doesn't hit for much power, but he is very versatile. He seems to be Rocco's choice as the alternate at both third base and shortstop over Nick Gordon. When Farmer returns, the need for Willi's skills will be diminished. Today, I would send Castro to St. Paul in exchange for Farmer. If Miranda continues to struggle on either offense or defense, Willi can help this club as a utility guy while someone else steps in at third base. 

[DJL44]

Quote

With Nick Gordon on the roster as a right handed bat

Nick Gordon bats lefthanded.

I also really doubt we will see Brooks Lee play for the Twins this season. He has been very good at Double-A but nothing that says he's ready to perform in the big leagues. They don't want to start his clock now and watch him scuffle.

I think Castro will go down when Farmer returns - bench player swapped for a bench player. Miranda will keep getting regular at-bats until Royce Lewis is ready to go.

[DocBauer]

1] Small correction, Gordon is a LH bat.

2] Lewis is playing SS and 3B in Ft Myers, and is scheduled to remain at those two spots for at least the short term. If I am correct, these are scrimmages at the moment, the actual season doesn't start until around the draft.

3] I also don't believe Miranda's long term future is at 3B, and have said so for a while now. He should be a very nice, almost daily, dangerous RH bat who plays BOTH INF corners and DH. Lee or Lewis should be the 3B of the future, and relatively soon, and there are different roster construction options that make sense for either/both to be the 3B.

I have a hard time will all the negativity that seems to surround a few of the younger players like Miranda and Larnach. Both have a TOTAL of a little over a full season of games played. And yes, injuries have hurt Larnach, as well as AK, but just because either kid hasn't hit .300 and project to 30 HR their first 500AB/162G there is this sentiment of frustration that neither/no-one is ever going to be good, much less a productive, daily member of the lineup. 

Who says? How SUDDEN do these young players have to perform at an All Star level before we have confidence in them? And more importantly, if they aren't allowed to fail some, and grow, how will they ever get better?

All that being said, the Twins are in an enviable position right now where they have the luxury of almost interchangeable pieces to allow temporary re-sets. AK comes up, Larnach goes down, re-set with the idea of coming back ASAP. (Wallner also fits here, though not previously mentioned). Miranda started slow last season and the light switch came on around this time. Can it again? If not...and while a strong arguement can be made to keep him at the ML level to work through things...he can go down for a couple of weeks also for a re-set, keep Castro for now as the last man on the bench, and swap them again 2-3 weeks from now when Miranda gets on a role. 

The kids need opportunity to learn, grow  and produce at the ML level. But it's an enviable spot for the Twins to be able to roll through a collection of talented youngsters to grant them these opportunities as well as the luxury of re-sets to get rolling again.

[ashbury]

When Castro came up he was the one on the bubble.  I'm not sure he's done so much to increase his stock, as Miranda's has plummeted.  If it's up to me I send Miranda down for some emergency remedial work on all facets of his game.

[Brandon]

I think it comes down to if the Twins think they can fix Miranda at the major league level.  I think the decision of who goes down is for what’s best for Miranda long term.  There is no reason to cut Solano If Castro has options.  Either way, I suspect if Miranda is demoted, expect him back in a few weeks.  

[Craig Arko]

48 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I think it comes down to if the Twins think they can fix Miranda at the major league level.  I think the decision of who goes down is for what’s best for Miranda long term.  There is no reason to cut Solano If Castro has options.  Either way, I suspect if Miranda is demoted, expect him back in a few weeks.  

Right, both Miranda and Larnach should be expected back. But, they both need to correct some things and get some swagger back.

[USAFChief]

Feels like today Miranda reached the end of the long leash he's gotten.

Simply awful ABs.

[jzhu]

Miranda should be sent down when Farmer is up. Wallner should be up when Gordon is released. Solano should be released when Lewis is ready.

[Chatts]

Miranda's glove work and throwing strength both need work while his offense is struggling mightly. Hopefully some time in St Paul will allow him to work on all of the above. And to think we traded away a very serviceable 3rd baseman in Geo Upshela who is carrying a 283 avg as I write.

[mikelink45]

6 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Farmer makes Solano redundant.

And Farmer is redundant on a team with Castro and Gordon.  This roster needs work. 

[stringer bell]

5 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

And Farmer is redundant on a team with Castro and Gordon.  This roster needs work. 

 

5 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

And Farmer is redundant on a team with Castro and Gordon.  This roster needs work. 

I don't think so. Both Castro and Gordon can play outfield. Farmer's #1 skill is his offense against left handed pitching. His #2 skill is good defense at second, short and third. Gordon is neither of those things, and Castro is a less well-regarded defender in the infield, as well. I don't know if it makes sense to have three utility guys among the 13 position players and that would signal the exit of one of them.

[Shaitan]

Castro's role is backup SS. 

Farmer takes that when he's back.

I'd say it comes down to the coaches. If they think Miranda's struggles can only be overcome at the MLB level, we get to watch him face that challenge. If he just needs a reset, AAA makes sense.

[Reptevia]

Miranda is either in a sophomore slump , or the league has simply identified his weaknesses at bat. He is an absolute butcher in the field. Needs Micky’s glove. 

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

And Farmer is redundant on a team with Castro and Gordon.  This roster needs work. 

Not sure what you see in a comparison between a player like Farmer and either of Castro or Gordon.

[Linus]

Play the best players. The Show isn’t where you learn how to play this game although watching the Twins young players would suggest otherwise. I want to win games so that means Farmer is the starting 3rd baseman until further notice. Miranda can go to St Paul and prove that he should be given another chance or not. People are so worried about prospects that they literally want to adopt strategies that will lose more games to nurture some prospect. Let the prospects play well enough to push the starter out until then they are just suspects. 

[Jocko87]

I actually feel an IL stint with rehab coming on.  The shoulder ain't right.  It would help with the mental aspect also.  Castro has a different role and Farmer slots naturally at third most of the time.

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Not sure what you see in a comparison between a player like Farmer and either of Castro or Gordon.

What I am seeing is that Farmer is not great, but if we have him we do not need Castro (especially) and/or Gordon.