2024 Minnesota Twins Spring Training Position Battles: Left Field

[Mike Sixel]

44 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Santana is basically the same as playing Polanco at 1B, which was suggested by several here, but at half the cost.

He's 37 and has 1 good year in the last 4. He's not Polanco at all.....

[Minny505]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I'm expecting Kirilloff to get those DH starts.

Then who's at 1B? Santana? Vs RHP? I'd rather give Larnach the opportunity out of the gate.

Or do you expect Julien at 1B and Lee at 2B?

[DocBauer]

It's Wallner's job barring injury or production catastrophe. And he's probably/hopefully going to do pretty much what he's always done once he settles in at a level. And that's lower his K numbers about 5% and raise his BB about 5%.

I still have hope for Larnach. If they don't add anyone else, he's got a decent chance to back up both corners and do a fair amount of DH ing. But a RH bat could also play in his place, whether they add or choose from internal options.

Eventually, I can see Martin playing daily and hitting at the top of the lineup, but rotating through different spots on the field. But he won't replace Wallner. And I don't believe we'll see him for a couple of months.

[Blyleven2011]

5 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I think it surprising how raw talented Wallner, fast, strong arm & has power has only developed his power these years with the Twins. He's fast but doesn't get good jumps off the ball or run good routes, He has a good arm but is not disciplined if given a different approach his hitting could improve. Wallner has the tools to become a superstar.

Larnach was once a highly sought prospect with the Twins & led the team in RBIs at the beginning of last year. Is now lucky to be on the roster now because Gordon was traded. SOs are the problem of many Twins but Larnach has a big problem with off-speed especially curveballs. Once Martin is ready Larnach is gone.

Castro will have his share of playing time in CF against RHPs & LF against LHPs. Martin will be a much-needed RH-hitting spark plug in the OF. 

Hitting  , hitting and more hitting is what we need and last years rookies sparked the lineup  in the second half along with Polanco  ....

The twins batters were flat the first half and we can't have that again ...

We are going to have to score more runs per games , starting pitching isn't quite the same as last year , they kept us in alot of games , and the bullpen didn't get worn down last year  as previous years ...

Now they have added depth in the bullpen and it appears on paper to finally be the strongest part of the team ...

I think FO finally felt they needed a bullpen of strength  cause they also see the starting pitching not rock solid  ...

[Shaitan]

I know there are some metrics behind the decisions, but the fact that they continually pinch hit for Wallner in the playoffs makes me think he's not a lock for the position.

I also don't think Larnach holds much value as a bench bat right now. He should be playing 4 days+ per week, either in Minneapolis or Saint Paul to see if he can take it to the next level. 

I guess I'm saying I think Larnach has a real chance with a hot spring. But I also think that scenario would end up exactly the same as the last 2 years (back in AAA in May).

Both Wallner and Larnach need almost everyday at bats to learn how to hit MLB pitching consistently. It depends who they favor in the moment and who is hot, as much as anything else.

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

IMO Santana is a waste of money, I'd go with Miranda instead but since they got him, they'll play him there, We need Kiriloff there as soon as possible.

Doc , 

I think Miranda starts in aaa and he has to earn his way back  , that's what I would do , not just hand it back to him after his injured year ...

Santana is good defensively  but who knows if age has caught up to him , switch hitter ( Santana) to replace Polanco ( switch hitter ) , that part makes alittle sense  on paper but well see how it plays out  , can he continue to hit alittle above average ( Santana ) , let's hope so ...

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Minny505 said:

Then who's at 1B? Santana? Vs RHP? I'd rather give Larnach the opportunity out of the gate.

Or do you expect Julien at 1B and Lee at 2B?

I expect to see Santana at 1B nearly every day. He's their best fielder and they didn't sign him to just face lefties.

[DocBauer]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

IMO Santana is a waste of money, I'd go with Miranda instead but since they got him, they'll play him there, We need Kiriloff there as soon as possible.

Not a big fan of the Santana signing. The problem is Miranda not only needs to prove he has his stroke and confidence back, IMO, but his shoulder isn't all the way back yet. Still working on throwing. 

He's who I'd like there, I just don't think he's ready. Santana offers a solution for now, and no more than 2024. Not a bad move as long as he's a RH 1B/PH/DH and not being treated as a full time player. 

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I know there's a legacy player over there now, but shouldn't Wallner, with his plus arm but lack of range be in right field? Right field in Target Field has made similar players, like Michael Cuddyer and even the ancient Torii Hunter look passable.

????…..respectfully, No.

Kepler isn’t going anywhere in ‘24. He catches everything that can be caught. Solid arm. No debate.

Move Wallner to RF and then wonder who will play LF? Sit Kepler?

Torii Hunter was a Gold Glove CF for years….hope he could play RF at an OK level.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Hitting  , hitting and more hitting is what we need and last years rookies sparked the lineup  in the second half along with Polanco  ....

The twins batters were flat the first half and we can't have that again ...

We are going to have to score more runs per games , starting pitching isn't quite the same as last year , they kept us in alot of games , and the bullpen didn't get worn down last year  as previous years ...

Now they have added depth in the bullpen and it appears on paper to finally be the strongest part of the team ...

I think FO finally felt they needed a bullpen of strength  cause they also see the starting pitching not rock solid  ...

Rookies for offense in ‘23 along with Polanco? Maybe along with Kepler? Kepler one of 5 guys in the game to hit .300 plus BA with 30 or more XBH in the 2nd half of ‘23.

Pen chosen by FanGraphs to be best in AL in ‘24.

[nicksaviking]

6 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

????…..respectfully, No.

Kepler isn’t going anywhere in ‘24. He catches everything that can be caught. Solid arm. No debate.

Move Wallner to RF and then wonder who will play LF? Sit Kepler?

Torii Hunter was a Gold Glove CF for years….hope he could play RF at an OK level.

Why not swap them, other than the reason that Kepler is a vet and has sway over where he plays? LF is much bigger and Kepler has more range.

And Torii Hunter went from the worst RF in the league in Detroit to passable in Minnesota the next year. RF in Minnesota might be the least demanding position in the entire sport outside of playing first baseman.

[JD-TWINS]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

Why not swap them, other than the reason that Kepler is a vet and has sway over where he plays? LF is much bigger and Kepler has more range.

And Torii Hunter went from the worst RF in the league in Detroit to passable in Minnesota the next year. RF in Minnesota might be the least demanding position in the entire sport outside of playing first baseman.

Seriously, you think the space in RF at Target is magic? Don’t know what happened to Hunter in Detroit - he should have been more than capable to play RF anywhere.

Kepler is borderline Gold Glove year after year in RF - what is the point of moving a guy who’s played great RF for most of a decade to another spot? Logic there?

Have you heard anyone else think that Kepler should move to LF?

Wallner is fine in left - he needs to get better at throwing to the right spot, under control & not just throw hard to the infield because it’s cool to throw hard. He’s got good speed and can handle the task at an average level at worst.

Weakening two positions just doesn’t fly in my mind.

RF is 10’ closer in the RF alley and the RF corner than LF. It also has a 23’ tall wall (v. 8’ wall in LF) and there are certainly nuances to playing the ball off that wall and Kepler does it really well. Nobody’s considering moving him IMO.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

Not a big fan of the Santana signing. The problem is Miranda not only needs to prove he has his stroke and confidence back, IMO, but his shoulder isn't all the way back yet. Still working on throwing. 

He's who I'd like there, I just don't think he's ready. Santana offers a solution for now, and no more than 2024. Not a bad move as long as he's a RH 1B/PH/DH and not being treated as a full time player. 

He plays full time only if Kirilloff or maybe Wallner gets hurt & Kirilloff goes to left……pretty doubtful.

Good news is he posts all season essentially since 2014. Good insurance.

[JD-TWINS]

4 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

He's 37 and has 1 good year in the last 4. He's not Polanco at all.....

Polanco played 80 games and 104 games in ‘23 & ‘22. Not exactly a stellar last couple years to point to in regards to availability & productivity.

Polanco didn’t play 1B.

Santana played 146 games in ‘23 & hit 23 HR’s.

Top end defensive first baseman….that’s real.

He hits LH pitching well & fits as a great platoon with Kirilloff. He’ll be available whenever needed.

Do not see a problem with him.

[nicksaviking]

22 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Polanco played 80 games and 104 games in ‘23 & ‘22. Not exactly a stellar last couple years to point to in regards to availability & productivity.

Polanco didn’t play 1B.

Santana played 146 games in ‘23 & hit 23 HR’s.

Top end defensive first baseman….that’s real.

He hits LH pitching well & fits as a great platoon with Kirilloff. He’ll be available whenever needed.

Do not see a problem with him.

I really couldn't care less as the OF defense doesn't bother me. I'm just suggesting if folks think Wallner has a plus arm but less range, RF would seem to be the natural spot for him.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's where he is next year when Kepler is gone.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Polanco played 80 games and 104 games in ‘23 & ‘22. Not exactly a stellar last couple years to point to in regards to availability & productivity.

Polanco didn’t play 1B.

Santana played 146 games in ‘23 & hit 23 HR’s.

Top end defensive first baseman….that’s real.

He hits LH pitching well & fits as a great platoon with Kirilloff. He’ll be available whenever needed.

Do not see a problem with him.

a bad, available, player, is much worse than an injured player....you can replace an injured guy.....and Santana was BAD the 3 years before '23. As long as they cut bait if he's bad and Miranda/Severino are crushing AAA, but I have my doubts.

[Major League Ready]

43 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

a bad, available, player, is much worse than an injured player....you can replace an injured guy.....and Santana was BAD the 3 years before '23. As long as they cut bait if he's bad and Miranda/Severino are crushing AAA, but I have my doubts.

I am rather indifferent to this signing.  However, my belief (hope) is that Kirilloff will get most of the starts against RHP.  Santana was not bad the last two years against LHP.  His wRC+ against lefties last year was 118 and it was 133 in 2022.  Hopefully Rocco can utilize him accordingly.  My guess is they wanted a 1 year deal so they didn't have to rely on Miranda or Severino but have the option to insert them if they make a strong case.   That's not a problem unless they refuse to cut bait if Santana looks washed up. 

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

I am rather indifferent to this signing.  However, my belief (hope) is that Kirilloff will get most of the starts against RHP.  Santana was not bad the last two years against LHP.  His wRC+ against lefties last year was 118 and it was 133 in 2022.  Hopefully Rocco can utilize him accordingly.  My guess is they wanted a 1 year deal so they didn't have to rely on Miranda or Severino but have the option to insert them if they make a strong case.   That's not a problem unless they refuse to cut bait if Santana looks washed up. 

How well would severino have to hit to make a case, if Santana is putting up a 90 wrc? I'm guessing nearly infinite wrc?

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I really couldn't care less as the OF defense doesn't bother me. I'm just suggesting if folks think Wallner has a plus arm but less range, RF would seem to be the natural spot for him.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's where he is next year when Kepler is gone.

As soon as Kepler needs a day off - gets hurt or isn’t rostered in ‘25 RF is definitely Wallner’s spot!!

[Minny505]

9 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I expect to see Santana at 1B nearly every day. He's their best fielder and they didn't sign him to just face lefties.

As Valentine from Tremors said, "Yeah well, your half right." 😜

[Doctor Wu]

15 hours ago, Shaitan said:

I also don't think Larnach holds much value as a bench bat right now. He should be playing 4 days+ per week, either in Minneapolis or Saint Paul to see if he can take it to the next level. 

I'll agree with that. If he wants to cut down on the strikeouts, he needs more regular playing time, and maybe --- once again --- the best place for him will be in St. Paul. 

[Doctor Wu]

10 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

I am rather indifferent to this signing.  However, my belief (hope) is that Kirilloff will get most of the starts against RHP.  Santana was not bad the last two years against LHP.  His wRC+ against lefties last year was 118 and it was 133 in 2022.  Hopefully Rocco can utilize him accordingly.  My guess is they wanted a 1 year deal so they didn't have to rely on Miranda or Severino but have the option to insert them if they make a strong case.   That's not a problem unless they refuse to cut bait if Santana looks washed up. 

I'm still sitting on the fence in regards to the Santana signing too. I don't hate it or anything, but if Kiriloff is healthy and ready to play full-time, it seems more like a backup plan. Which is okay, but I'm hoping that Kiriloff is ready by April and can start most of the games. 

[Doctor Wu]

This may be a bit off topic, but while we are talking mostly about left field, or outfielders in general, so I'll throw this one out: Who among our minor league prospects has the best defensive tools? Above average arm, good range, able to leap and take away those potential home runs. I hear all sort of talk about batting skills and strikeout rates, but what about the other intanglibles?

[nicksaviking]

13 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

How well would severino have to hit to make a case, if Santana is putting up a 90 wrc? I'm guessing nearly infinite wrc?

Yeah, we've seen this before. The free agents tend to get an unreasonably long leash.

[jorgenswest]

13 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

How well would severino have to hit to make a case, if Santana is putting up a 90 wrc? I'm guessing nearly infinite wrc?

They should probably give it until June 1 if going by stats. Severino was at 100 wRC+ in AAA so sustained time around 130 with reduced strikeouts at that level should get him here. We saw him make that improvement in AA from 22 (108) to 23 (149). We also saw his strikeout rate drop in AA considerably in the 6 weeks prior to his AAA call up. In July it was under 25% when it was in the upper 30s to start. Really it was the same with Wallner last year. His strikeout rate was in the 30s into June. In the month prior to last call up it was below 25%. I think the most important in season minor league stats to watch and see if there is progress or change are the strike out and walk numbers. They stabilize pretty quickly. The improvements of both Wallner and Severino last year correlated with their move up a level. Now they need to make that same progress at their new level.

I will be joining you in the call to see Miranda or Severino if Santana isn’t hitting after two months. In particular Santana needs to be crushing left handed pitching to really help this roster. League average against lefties won’t be helping this team enough.