Brooks Lee, David Festa, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. Headline Twins 2024 Spring Training Invitations

[jorgenswest]

20 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

It seems like DaShawn Keirsey should be a higher ranked prospect in the organization. Based on his minor league stats he hits for a solid batting average, has some pop, and great speed with a 85% stolen base success rate. Additionally he is an excellent outfielder. So aside from above average power, what’s not to like? Why isn’t he more highly thought of?

The high run scoring environment in AA and particularly AAA makes it really hard to evaluate hitters. Traditional stats that normally should excite us were pretty ordinary. The speed and glove are there. I don’t think he has shown that his bat will work in the majors and that is probably why he wasn’t left available for the rule 5.

Last year was only season in his last three where he had a wRC+ over 100 for the season. His 86 wRC+ in 2022 at AA was not close to projecting as a useful major league hitter. He followed it up with a wRC+ of 123 over a long stretch repeating AA last year. He then struggled in AAA with a below league average bat (wRC+ of 93) . He needs sustained success in AAA to show he has a passable bat in the majors. 

[Heiny]

I am very disappointed in Balazovic.  I thought he was going to be a top of the order SP for us as he was a young prospect.  Yes, I guess I could have been over valuing him a bit, but that is where I had him.  Maybe he will be a late bloomer and figure some things out yet.  He's still not old by any means, so I'm happy that we were able to retain him and will continue to root for his development.  I see Kiersy as a Celestino type.  Hope he doesn't flame out, seems to have alot of talent.  Seth, outstaning write-up.  Really looking forward to spring training.

[nicksaviking]

Keirsey doesn't have the offensive upside of most of the other hitters, but with him playing CF, I'd say he has the best shot at making the team. Even it's a long shot.

If Kirilloff and/or Miranda struggle with injuries again, I could see Camargo, Williams or Isola get an early look as they play 1B and would be a bonus emergency C which would provide the team the option of pinch hitting for Vazquez or occasionally DHing Jeffers with less stress.

With Gordon already gone, if anyone else is traded Martin or Prato could get an unexpected shot as they can play all over the diamond.

[Blyleven2011]

15 hours ago, ashbury said:

I'm not Seth and he hasn't asked me to play him on TV 😀  but MLBTR answered this question in the affirmative today (first paragraph):

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/twins-sign-jeff-brigham-brian-okeefe-to-minor-league-deals.html

Thanks , I didn't see that   .. 

I guess I just assumed this was a Seth addition because he is the one that usually does reports on minor leaguers ...

[DocBauer]

20 hours ago, High heat said:

Can Michael Helman be the RH Nick Gordon replacement? Better defender, with more SB success and more versitile defender.

Sir of Fort Myers!?  

 

Is Chris Williams still considered a catcher and a catching option at all even if it’s part time?  Has consistently put up some really good numbers in AAA. 

Just to add, he was a catcher in college and was drafted as one. He had surgery in college...shoulder?...that limited him to DH his last season. I've heard he's really good with pitchers and is very smart. There was one game in particular last season where he got the Saints out of an inning by using the review system. But whether it's movement behind the plate, or his arm, or both, he's just not seen as a catcher any longer, though he still takes turns behind the dish. 

As to Helman being a candidate for Sire of Fort Myers, I've been clamoring for him all offseason. If the Twins do add a FA RH bat, he's probably a long shot to make the club to open the year. But if they don't, he's got a legitimate shot. He was invited to ST last season as well, but had a bad hamstring the entire time. Then, during the season, a concussion and then a bad shoulder. I agree with Seth, and have said myself, he would have appeared with the club in 2023 if he had been healthier. Despite being a late bloomer, he's got a shot to be a super utility player who can do a lot of things, and have a career. So does Prato, for that matter.

[Fatbat]

3 hours ago, Otaknam said:

 

Luxury today but a possible necessity if an IF has a season ending injury.  $6M is a fair price for that insurance.

[Blyleven2011]

6 hours ago, Otaknam said:

It seems like DaShawn Keirsey should be a higher ranked prospect in the organization. Based on his minor league stats he hits for a solid batting average, has some pop, and great speed with a 85% stolen base success rate. Additionally he is an excellent outfielder. So aside from above average power, what’s not to like? Why isn’t he more highly thought of?

Mostly because  he has been injured since signing , his last 2 seasons have been better healthy and he has shown  his ability to produce , his defense is very good ...

If he has another good year healthy and produces  he will definitely  get noticed by hopefully  our club , but another club will definitely pick him up in the rule 5 , unless he's traded or is protected on 40 man roster ...

It's up to our club to take our home grown talent and instruct them into better players  ,,, keirsey has talent  that shouldn't be over looked  ....

[Blyleven2011]

6 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

The high run scoring environment in AA and particularly AAA makes it really hard to evaluate hitters. Traditional stats that normally should excite us were pretty ordinary. The speed and glove are there. I don’t think he has shown that his bat will work in the majors and that is probably why he wasn’t left available for the rule 5.

Last year was only season in his last three where he had a wRC+ over 100 for the season. His 86 wRC+ in 2022 at AA was not close to projecting as a useful major league hitter. He followed it up with a wRC+ of 123 over a long stretch repeating AA last year. He then struggled in AAA with a below league average bat (wRC+ of 93) . He needs sustained success in AAA to show he has a passable bat in the majors. 

Give keirsey a chance , the past 2 seasons he has had his health and 1 more decent  season and he'll get on our 40 man roster or other teams are going to noticed him and they will either get him in the rule five draft or the Twins trade him to a team that likes him better ....

Give him time , he has developed the past 2 seasons while healthy , you can't play good ball when injured ( see buxton for example ) ...

[jorgenswest]

1 minute ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Give keirsey a chance , the past 2 seasons he has had his health and 1 more decent  season and he'll get on our 40 man roster or other teams are going to noticed him and they will either get him in the rule five draft or the Twins trade him to a team that likes him better ....

Give him time , he has developed the past 2 seasons while healthy , you can't play good ball when injured ( see buxton for example ) ...

Isn’t suggesting that he can show his bat over sustained time in AAA giving him time?

[Blyleven2011]

50 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Isn’t suggesting that he can show his bat over sustained time in AAA giving him time?

Take into consideration ,  keirsey was a 4th round pick  in 2018 and he suffered injuries up to the 2022 ...

In 2022 fully healthy he had a fairly good year  , in 2023 he started  showing promise  , you mentioned why he was eligible for the rule five draft  and that his bat won't play in the major  leagues  ...

One more healthy good season  and I like his chances of making the Twins roster if healthy this year , he plays a prime position ...

I want him to earn his promotion  , I don't want it just handed to him ( example celestino if i spelled it right )