The Twins Need to Shake Things Up with Two Obvious Changes

[Trov]

I fully agree with the Kepler out move, and agree Popkins can go too, but I rarely blame a hitting coach for vetrans struggling.  Vets have been doing it for years, a young coach should not be the cause of their issues, but it is also the young coach is not able to help them fix the issues. Either because he is younger than some of them, or because he just is not able to identify the issue. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, Fred said:

When they signed Gallo I thought it was as a Kepler replacement, which would actually have been an improvement. Gallo is an improvement over Kepler in everything but BA in addition to playing a decent 1st base. That was fine with me, however, there is no room for both on the roster.

Agreed, but better than Kepler is a very low bar.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, Trov said:

I fully agree with the Kepler out move, and agree Popkins can go too, but I rarely blame a hitting coach for vetrans struggling.  Vets have been doing it for years, a young coach should not be the cause of their issues, but it is also the young coach is not able to help them fix the issues. Either because he is younger than some of them, or because he just is not able to identify the issue. 

Correa lauded Popkins last year on the diagnosis and data/info sharing.

this year the report out of the Strib. was that the players are overwhelmed by data.

I don’t think there’s a misunderstanding of what the issue is

I think the issue is in synthesis (not diagnosis). “What should the players do about it” and effective communication of the PDCA.

From the Rocco Rant the other day, I don’t think he knows either.

I have been in the “why bother with coaching changes , they’re just going to be cloned” camp. I’m now in the “Popkins needs to go, probably Baldelli and the other hitting coaches too.”

[TNtwins85]

Kepler and gallo need to go. Neither one seems to want to get better as they just seem to be mimicking who they truly are. Waller can improve and has it in him to get hot and go streaking. Larnach is the type of player I see as wanting to really keep improving. I think he’s got a bad taste in his mouth after the last demotion and has got to the point where he either improves exponentially or just is who he is. I want to see who he is. Give him the at bats!

[mikelink45]

4 hours ago, Adam Friedman said:

I definitely thought about Gallo. I think with Buxton's health issues, maintaining some level at depth at least for now is important. And I'm not completely convinced it's not possible Gallo can be productive. For this offense, his power potential could be very useful. 

I appreciate your response. I just have absolutely no hope for Gallo and never have. It wouldn't be in baseball. Up to people like me. We hope we hope we hope and he strikes out, strikes out strikes out.

[tony&rodney]

I would send out Gallo before Kepler. At least Kepler can hit into a double play with bases loaded and nobody out, which scores a run. Max is a better defender and base runner as well. Gallo is working hard. You can literally see him straining to do well. I feel bad for him, but he is toast. 

The hitting coach? That is reaching to put the poor at bats on him. Not defending the guy but MLB batters should be better prepared and aware than what we often see from out Twins offense.

[Guest]

I'd cut Gallo loose for Wallner.  We wouldn't see much difference in SO rate, but although Gallo is a gamer he hasn't improved over last year and is just a drag on the lineup.

I expected more from Kepler this year with the rule changes.  He still should be wearing #43.  But he's in his last contract year and we'd get very little for him given this year's performance.

[twinsfansd]

The responsibility for this mess falls on Falvey. Either he owns up to the mistake of Baldelli/Popkins running this team  or he should be the one to go. And I might add that the o ly reason Popkins is still there is because Correa loves him. And look at what he has done to him. And what he let him do to Miranda.

[Dave Borton]

Replace Popkins w/anyone within the Twins MiLB system who has some gray hair. Yesterday.

Have Joe Maddon seen flying into MSP airport, going to the Pohlad office, walking thru the departments, waltzes right past the secretary into St Peter's office, just drops in to the clubhouse to say hello to a couple of the ballplayers he knows. Have him fly back out of town.

Gets Baldelli's attention.

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Correa lauded Popkins last year on the diagnosis and data/info sharing.

this year the report out of the Strib. was that the players are overwhelmed by data.

I don’t think there’s a misunderstanding of what the issue is

I think the issue is in synthesis (not diagnosis). “What should the players do about it” and effective communication of the PDCA.

From the Rocco Rant the other day, I don’t think he knows either.

I have been in the “why bother with coaching changes , they’re just going to be cloned” camp. I’m now in the “Popkins needs to go, probably Baldelli and the other hitting coaches too.”

I think this is a very important note. A coach can't turn a bad player into an all star generally but they can ruin a star. A bad game plan when the margins are milliseconds is everything. Too much data would play right into that, by the time a hitter gets to the plate he can't be thinking about 13 things. A good coach can simplify the message into actionable steps.

Overthinking at the plate is a recipe for disaster.

[wornsmooth]

9 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Everyone wants to bring up Wallner but Larnach hits just as well and plays a lot better defense.

They both should be up.

Correa and Buxton should not be in the lineup until whatever is affecting their hitting is resolved. If that means 60 day IL, so be it. 

Lewis, Farmer, Donny Barrels, and Kirillof infield.

Waller, Larnach, and either Castro or Taylor OF

DH to lad from Quebec

Jeffers majority of catching duties.

Play full time against right and left handers, unless clearly overmatched.

When Polanco returns, adjust infield and DH accordingly.

For what its worth.

[wornsmooth]

Who provides coaching on baserunning?

Is it assumed by the major leagues a guy already knows how? Is the lack of fundamentals ever addressed?

Such as: Sliding gets you to a base safely rather than walking the last step or two. Or running after hitting the ball, rather than admiring the fly ball as it hits the fence. (Watch it later on the highlights). 

Or do we just have a third base coach who hasn't already thought of when and why he sends a runner home?

Good baserunning scores runs. Bad baserunning gives the opponent an unearned out.

 

 

[rv78]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

I think this is a very important note. A coach can't turn a bad player into an all star generally but they can ruin a star. A bad game plan when the margins are milliseconds is everything. Too much data would play right into that, by the time a hitter gets to the plate he can't be thinking about 13 things. A good coach can simplify the message into actionable steps.

Overthinking at the plate is a recipe for disaster.

I believe it was Ted Williams that said, see the ball, hit the ball. How's that for simple?

[Dave Borton]

Folks, appreciate the time, energy, constructive comments with minimal digs at one another. Good thread.

[SteveLV]

Wallner with 2 dingers tonight in St Paul and OPS is approaching 1.000.

Let's see if he can produce at the Major League level, please.

[twinssporto]

12 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I don’t disagree with the moves, but I’ve got to ask… What do people think is the impact of replacing the hitting coach right now? I highly doubt it’s going to change the direction this team is heading. 

I doubt it will get any worse...

[Brett]

18 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

The Saints have 13 hitters with at least 100 PAs this year. 6 of them have K% of 29.7 or higher. A 7th at 27.9%. If you're hoping to fix the strikeout problem I think the hitting coach in St Paul is not a good place to start. Assuming we're blaming the hitting coach in Minneapolis for the K problems. 

St. Paul does indeed strike out a lot as a team. However, they are 4th overall with an .829 OPS, so their results appear to be better.

[NotAboutWinning]

58 minutes ago, Brett said:

St. Paul does indeed strike out a lot as a team. However, they are 4th overall with an .829 OPS, so their results appear to be better.

And they steal a lot, and they hit a ton of home runs, and they are a lot of fun to watch. 

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, Brett said:

St. Paul does indeed strike out a lot as a team. However, they are 4th overall with an .829 OPS, so their results appear to be better.

For sure, but if we're looking for improving the overall problem of high Ks while hunting slugging at the major league level I don't think that promoting someone else who's going to push the same strategy is truly the answer. The Saints also have a number of major leaguers facing AAA pitching. Kind of expected that they'd perform well down there.

[Otaknam]

We wouldn’t be having this discussion if Correa and Buxton were both hitting .250 instead of below .220. I think Gallo is more likely to be dfa than Kepler. He is a left handed Sano from the plate, piling up strikeouts, with better defense. 

[Hubie29]

You can't have a knack of striking out and be in the Twins line up.

On a serious note,  as long as it's 25% of the time or less, Wallner would be an upgrade.  I think Falvine has a soft spot for the veterans and just keeps riding with them when younger better options are available. ie; Kepler, Gallo, Salano, Pagan, Farmer

[Major League Ready]

12 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Wallner with 2 dingers tonight in St Paul and OPS is approaching 1.000.

Let's see if he can produce at the Major League level, please.

He has been really hot the last month where he is hitting .333 with an OPS of 1.086 and a wRC+ of 167.  It's time to replace Mr. Gallo with Mr. Wallner.

[Dave Borton]

Haven't seen him play but have followed the downside of his defense thru posts here on TD.

Listened to Wed game on radio and announcer talked about his unorthodox movement to reach flies but makes the play nonetheless. I think we will soon see it.

[John Belinski]

On 6/29/2023 at 9:37 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

I think if you are expecting Wallner to outperform Kepler, you will probably be disappointed. 

I mean, I'm expecting to win the powerball. That'll happen at some point, right?

 

(I'm NOT saying to not ditch Kepler. It's been time for a while now. I just don't see Wallner being this massive upgrade, or even an upgrade.)

Are you smoking something?  Almost anyone would outperform Kepler.  Twins will never win with Kepler being a starting outfielder and batting .200.  Wallner was on base 8 times in a row before being send down. Has Kepler been on base even  2 times in a row? 

[John Belinski]

16 hours ago, wornsmooth said:

They both should be up.

Correa and Buxton should not be in the lineup until whatever is affecting their hitting is resolved. If that means 60 day IL, so be it. 

Lewis, Farmer, Donny Barrels, and Kirillof infield.

Waller, Larnach, and either Castro or Taylor OF

DH to lad from Quebec

Jeffers majority of catching duties.

Play full time against right and left handers, unless clearly overmatched.

When Polanco returns, adjust infield and DH accordingly.

For what its worth.

Larnach had his chance and did not produce so lets give Wallner another chance.  Before being send down he was on base 8 times in a row. Has any other Twin's player been on base even 3 times in  a row.

[Mike Sixel]

Still no move on the roster.....if they don't make a change before today's game (and we have no info that anyone is moving around)....well, the terms of service prevent me from saying what I want to say about the FO at this point.

[John Belinski]

On 6/29/2023 at 10:37 AM, DJL44 said:

Everyone wants to bring up Wallner but Larnach hits just as well and plays a lot better defense.

Are you kidding me? Larnach had his chance and did not produce. Before Wallner was send down he was on base 8 times in a row. I do not think Larnach was on base even twice in a row and maybe no current Twin's player has been on base even 3 times in a row.

[John Belinski]

On 6/29/2023 at 12:13 PM, USAFChief said:

Someone else.

Maybe a past player who was a good hitter.  Hard to understand how someone who has not been a good hitter can help others be a good hitter. It seems like having a person who has never driven a car telling other people how to be a good driver.

[wornsmooth]

15 minutes ago, John Belinski said:

Larnach had his chance and did not produce so lets give Wallner another chance.  Before being send down he was on base 8 times in a row. Has any other Twin's player been on base even 3 times in  a row.

Only agree partially regarding Larnach. He was (compared to the lineup in general) able to produce RBI's. Playing only part time he lead the team for the first few months in driving in runs. No one other than Donny B  seems to be doing that. (Ok....Lewis seems to be able to also)

Agree completely on Wallner. I read criticism on his defense. Tony Oliva wasn't the greatest outfielder (except for an accurate and strong throwing arm) in his early years, but eventually earned a gold glove due to hard work and being a fixture in right field. His first few years he was the best hitter in the AL.

Maybe Wallner could do the same.

[Cory Engelhardt]

46 minutes ago, John Belinski said:

Are you smoking something?  Almost anyone would outperform Kepler.  Twins will never win with Kepler being a starting outfielder and batting .200.  Wallner was on base 8 times in a row before being send down. Has Kepler been on base even  2 times in a row? 

I am not advocating for keeping Kepler. I'm not. I just don't know that I (or anyone) should expect Wallner to be a savior of this offense. That's all I'm getting at.

I am all for sending Kepler on his way (among other moves) but I also wouldn't expect Wallner to be a long term fixture in a corner spot here. That's all I'm getting at