Let The Kid Play

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Nine of twelve said:

Hicks is not a good comparison. Think back to what the Twins' situation was in 2013 when he first came up. The Twins had traded Denard Span and Ben Revere not to clear space for Hicks but because they got offers that were widely viewed as overpayments. They knew Hicks probably wasn't ready but they saw the athletic skills and chose to roll the dice with him, partly because they weren't expecting to contend anyway. Sometimes things work out well and sometimes they don't.

Hicks is a bad comparison because Hicks was on the 40 man roster. Lee doesn't need to be added to the 40 man.

Buxton is a better comparison because Buxton didn't need to be added to the 40 man when he was handed the CF reigns without a net much like is being suggested for Lee. 

However... Hicks and Buxton are great examples of what could happen when you just throw a kid out there.

I'm not afraid of youth at the major league level... they often times out perform the vets... but youth can be pretty scary when failure means Clete Thomas has to take over. 😁  

I will say this... Lee has done a lot better in the minors than Hicks ever did in the minors. That says a lot about things being a lot better a decade later. Back in 2013 we had to start a guy who hadn't accomplished anything interesting in the minors. 10 years later... we got a guy playing interesting in the minors and we don't have to roster him.  

[Riverbrian]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I'm not knocking Wallner but the word I would use is decent.

I gotta admit though.

Decent isn't a decent word for a 463 foot Grand Slam home run.  

[SwainZag]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Hicks is a bad comparison because Hicks was on the 40 man roster. Lee doesn't need to be added to the 40 man.

Buxton is a better comparison because Buxton didn't need to be added to the 40 man when he was handed the CF reigns without a net much like is being suggested for Lee. 

However... Hicks and Buxton are great examples of what could happen when you just throw a kid out there.

I'm not afraid of youth at the major league level... they often times out perform the vets... but youth can be pretty scary when failure means Clete Thomas has to take over. 😁  

I will say this... Lee has done a lot better in the minors than Hicks ever did in the minors. That says a lot about things being a lot better a decade later. Back in 2013 we had to start a guy who hadn't accomplished anything interesting in the minors. 10 years later... we got a guy playing interesting in the minors and we don't have to roster him.  

A better comparison to both of them would be trading AJ to make room for Mauer.  An All-Star in 2002, and an even better year at the dish in 2003. Traded as a 26 year old to give the starting position to Joe in 04 as a true rookie.  Mauer was that special talent you compared to Acuna, Franco. in an earlier post.

[wabene]

7 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Royce Lewis is the only position player who gets the "dominates" tag from me. 😎

Yes but can you count on Lewis considering all the injuries? This makes your point too. Depth is good (except Gallo lol). The Twins have 3 rookies playing a big part in their division championship. This hasn't happened before, but yet there is complaining about young players being blocked? Brooks Lee is not ready. He will get a chance next year if he keeps progressing. 

[Riverbrian]

7 hours ago, wabene said:

Yes but can you count on Lewis considering all the injuries? This makes your point too. Depth is good (except Gallo lol). The Twins have 3 rookies playing a big part in their division championship. This hasn't happened before, but yet there is complaining about young players being blocked? Brooks Lee is not ready. He will get a chance next year if he keeps progressing. 

 

9 hours ago, SwainZag said:

A better comparison to both of them would be trading AJ to make room for Mauer.  An All-Star in 2002, and an even better year at the dish in 2003. Traded as a 26 year old to give the starting position to Joe in 04 as a true rookie.  Mauer was that special talent you compared to Acuna, Franco. in an earlier post.

The AJ Trade worked out great for us. Nathan, Liriano and Bonser turned out to be an amazing return. 

No doubt it was a fantastic trade that you make every time,,, however...  to make the story complete.

It is often overlooked that Henry Blanco was our primary catcher in 2004.

Depth is important, depth this year kept us alive. 13 guys who can play is possible. Lewis and Buxton have spent a lot of time injured. Solano was third in AB's this year.

Clearing depth out of the way to promote Lee early is risky and unnecessary. 

 

[Major League Ready]

I don't see any of the comparisons as relevant.  He simply is not ready.  Why would we want to add any player who is performing below average at AAA?  He was not good at first in AA and now AAA.  Why would we expect he would have an impact in the playoffs at the major league level?  

I would bet he will perform very well at some point in AAA next year.  Let's bring him up when he proves he is ready.  Where the playoffs are concerned, let's pray Lewis can play.