Ask BA: Twins Have Top Tandem

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Jim Callis answers this question for his weekly Ask BA article:

How would you rank these teammate tandems in terms of having the most potential five years down the road: Cardinals (Oscar Taveras, Shelby Miller), Diamondbacks (Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler Skaggs), Mariners (Taijuan Walker, Mike Zunino), Orioles (Dylan Bundy, Manny Machado) and Twins (Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano)?

 

His pick? Here is what he said:

 

"On sheer upside, Buxton and Sano immediately jump to the forefront. Buxton is the best five-tool player in the minors, Sano is the top power-hitting prospect in the game and both are having monster seasons. When they hit their primes, the Twins will get a close approximation of what it would be like to have Mike Trout and Bryce Harper in the same lineup."

 

The article also has several other interesting things like this resp once from one of four executives asked if they would take Appel or Gray at #1:

National League executive: “I’d take Appel because of his pitchabilty. I think he’s a better pitch-maker than Gray. Their stuff is very similar. Appel does it better than Gray does it. I’d take [Kris] Bryant over both of them. You don’t get too many chances at a special bat.”

 

Full article below:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/ask-ba-twins-have-top-prospect-tandem/

[DaveW]

I just filled the cup.

[Seth Stohs]

When they hit their primes, the Twins will get a close approximation of what it would be like to have Mike Trout and Bryce Harper in the same lineup

 

That's kind of fun to read!

[Seth Stohs]

I just filled the cup.

 

HA! Atta boy, Jay! HA! Literally laughed out loud!

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I just filled the cup.

 

Haha, nice!

[gunnarthor]

It's great to read this kind of stuff about our prospects. Now if Gray/Appel could somehow fall to us in the draft ....

[Mike Sixel]

It sure looks that way right now, it will be exciting to see them here someday.

[John Bonnes]

When they hit their primes, the Twins will get a close approximation of what it would be like to have Mike Trout and Bryce Harper in the same lineup."

 

Please, lord, keep these boys healthy. I don't ask for much. But please keep them healthy.

[gunnarthor]

Please, lord, keep these boys healthy. I don't ask for much. But please keep them healthy.*

 

Also, please let me (not John) win the lottery.**

 

 

 

**Not to be read as making fun of religion or others beliefs in any way.

[Seth Stohs]

Please, lord, keep these boys healthy. I don't ask for much. But please keep them healthy.

 

if they're out, it'll only be for a couple of days, I'm sure...

[Mike Sixel]

if they're out, it'll only be for a couple of days, I'm sure...

 

Good thing I was on mute on this confernce call when I read this! Made me LLOL.

[Otto von Ballpark]

"Sheer upside" in the sense they're the youngest tandem in this list, thus have the most time to morph into Barry Bonds if the fates allow, I suppose.

 

Otherwise, realistically, their potential is MLB All-Star which has been very nearly attained already by Miller, Machado, and Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt was a college draftee, but wouldn't we be thrilled if Sano had his career to date (currently leading the league in OPS) by age 25? Or if in 18 months, Buxton was posting a 135 OPS+ in the majors with great defense like Machado is at that age?

 

I think it's better just to say they are the best prospect tandem, now that these other guys have graduated to the majors. That's not a knock on them, I just think it gets very messy to compare minor leaguers, especially low minors guys, to guys who are already performing in the bigs -- it's kind of a silly exercise, really.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Y'all realize Harper is only 7 months old than Sano? Again, not a knock on Sano, but damn, Harper is good.

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"Sheer upside" in the sense they're the youngest tandem in this list, thus have the most time to morph into Barry Bonds if the fates allow, I suppose.

 

Otherwise, realistically, their potential is MLB All-Star which has been very nearly attained already by Miller, Machado, and Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt was a college draftee, but wouldn't we be thrilled if Sano had his career to date (currently leading the league in OPS) by age 25? Or if in 18 months, Buxton was posting a 135 OPS+ in the majors with great defense like Machado is at that age?

 

I think it's better just to say they are the best prospect tandem, now that these other guys have graduated to the majors. That's not a knock on them, I just think it gets very messy to compare minor leaguers, especially low minors guys, to guys who are already performing in the bigs -- it's kind of a silly exercise, really.

 

Why is it silly? Projecting future production is what BA does. Machado, Miller, and everyone else on the list were or are still currently top prospects. Callis is just saying on pure talent/upside they are the best group.