4 Triple-A Hitters Ready to Upgrade the Twins' Offense

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota’s offense scuffled over the last week while struggling to score runs. Are there any options at Triple-A to help bolster the lineup?

Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (photo of Yunior Severino)

The Twins offense has been hit or miss for much of the 2024 campaign. Minnesota got out of the gate slowly while averaging fewer than four runs per game in the season’s early weeks. The team got hot from there and averaged over 6.5 runs per game in a stretch that included the team’s 12-game winning streak. In recent weeks, the team’s offense has returned to its early season form, an even more disappointing proposition since Royce Lewis rejoined the lineup. It's evident the team needs a spark to get the offense back on track, so here are four names for the team to consider. 

Matt Wallner, OF
Wallner was part of the team’s offensive woes to start the season as he went 2-for-25 (.080 BA) with a 51.5 K% in 13 games. Initially, after his demotion, he continued to struggle on the plate. However, he seemed to have rediscovered his stroke over the last month. In 35 games, he has posted a .859 OPS with 17 extra-base hits, including ten home runs. He’s already on the 40-man roster, making it easy for him to replace an underperforming player. 
Replacement Options: Alex Kirilloff, Manuel Margot

Brooks Lee, SS/2B
Twins Daily ranks Lee as the organization’s second-best prospect, and he’s back in Triple-A after starting the year on the injured list. In recent memory, Lee has one of the best hit tools of any prospect to come through the Twins organization. He has slowly been working back into game action, so it probably isn’t an immediate solution for the Twins roster. However, Lee will be an option in the coming weeks, especially if the big-league roster continues to flounder offensively. 
Replacement Options: Kyle Farmer, Carlos Santana

Yunior Severino, INF
Severino lacks the defensive flexibility of other options on this list, but he’s a big bat that can impact the lineup in multiple ways. Last season, he finished tied for the most home runs in the minor leagues, and that’s one of the reasons the Twins added him to the 40-man roster. He’s a switch hitter whose OPS is over 100 points higher from the left side this season. His overall season totals don’t look great because he started slowly with a .556 OPS in his first 23 games. Since the calendar flipped to May, he is starting to hit like the player he was last season with a .790 OPS. 
Replacement Options: Farmer, Santana, Margot

Will Holland, UTL
Holland is 26 years old and is having his best professional season. In 29 games, he has hit .256/.404/.526 (.930) with ten extra-base hits and a career-low 24.2 K%. Defensively, Holland has experience playing in the infield and outfield, with the majority of his innings coming at shortstop this season. Throughout his professional career, he has logged over 1000 innings at two positions, shortstop and centerfield. His jump in power this season is an encouraging sign for a player who might be putting it all together. 
Replacement Options: Margot, Kirilloff, Farmer

DaShawn Keirsey is another name to watch for the Saints since he leads the team in many offensive categories. Unfortunately, he suffered a calf injury at the end of last month and is on the injured list. Keirsey will be an option in the second half because of his strong offensive performance in 2024 and his ability to play all three outfield positions.  

Some tough decisions must be made to get these players on the roster. Kirilloff has underperformed for multiple weeks and has options remaining. However, there is little left for him to prove at Triple-A. Dropping one of the veteran players has other long-term ramifications because it involves the team eating salary and losing roster depth. It might be time for a radical change to get the offense back on track. 

Will the Twins add any of these players in the coming weeks? What players do they replace on the active roster? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

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[terrydactyls]

And still no mention of Michael Helman.

Sorry DocBauer, I beat you to it.  😇

[Cory Engelhardt]

I have a hard time seeing Margot leave any time soon. He has started to produce a bit more.

Lee will be up when he is ready. 

How does Severino improve the roster in any way? I guess I just don't see it.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Wallner has been raking the past week or two, so that makes sense.  None of the other guys are putting up particularly strong stats, save Will Holland who doesn’t have much of a pedigree.  You left off Austin Martin who has put up a ridiculous OBP since being sent back down.  I’m not sure that there is a ton of help there at the moment, but given time, there might be more, especially in Brooks Lee’s case.  

[Cory Engelhardt]

7 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Wallner has been raking the past week or two, so that makes sense.  None of the other guys are putting up particularly strong stats, save Will Holland who doesn’t have much of a pedigree.  You left off Austin Martin who has put up a ridiculous OBP since being sent back down.  I’m not sure that there is a ton of help there at the moment, but given time, there might be more, especially in Brooks Lee’s case.  

Martin was recalled already with Kirilloff being sent down yesterday. I do think his bat will help up here with how he has been doing.

I'd love to be wrong, but I have a hard time projecting Wallner to be a real help. Severino too. The strikeout rates, even with power, is difficult for me to really get behind.

[ashbury]

Do these OPS numbers at AAA suggest the players can play at the major league level?  Possibly; I'm not going to dig into them here to consider them further.  But the players won't likely replicate those numbers with the big club, because the pitching in the minors is so much lesser and the offensive environment is elevated - league-wide the OPS this year in the International League is .771 at last check, with an ERA of 4.92.  Racking up an OPS in the .800s there doesn't really make anyone stand out, since the numbers are being compiled against players who for the most part belong in AAA anyway.

So it's a bit of a stretch to believe they can "upgrade" anything on the Twins' offense, except players like Kirilloff who are absolutely struggling.  These four, even the vaunted Lee at the moment, represent more of a wave of reinforcements than an upgrade.

[mickster]

3 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Do these OPS numbers at AAA suggest the players can play at the major league level?  Possibly; I'm not going to dig into them here to consider them further.  But the players won't likely replicate those numbers with the big club, because the pitching in the minors is so much lesser and the offensive environment is elevated - league-wide the OPS this year in the International League is .771 at last check, with an ERA of 4.92.

So it's a bit of a stretch to believe they can "upgrade" anything on the Twins' offense, except players like Kirilloff who are absolutely struggling.  These four, even the vaunted Lee at the moment, represent more of a wave of reinforcements than an upgrade.

I am hoping we don't see Lee until Sept call ups, or in 2025

[mickster]

6 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Martin was recalled already with Kirilloff being sent down yesterday. I do think his bat will help up here with how he has been doing.

I'd love to be wrong, but I have a hard time projecting Wallner to be a real help. Severino too. The strikeout rates, even with power, is difficult for me to really get behind.

I am hoping Martin is here to improve his trade market and we include him with an OF in a deal for a RH middle of the order hitter

[1985Fan]

Adding these players could be an”addition by subtraction” scenario. Subtracting Farmer or Margot alone might boost the offense. 
I doubt the FO will subtract veterans like Farmer or Margot. Their MO is to stick with guys they sign until the end.

[Karbo]

I would like to see Julian get as many reps at 1st as possible while he's in St. Paul. He has hit at every level so far. Then next year I would like to see an infield with Julian/Miranda at 1st, Lee at 2nd, Correa at SS, and Lewis at 3rd. I believe Lee will be a better than average hitter from both sides and a good fielder. Julian and Miranda platoon at 1st. OF could get a little tricky. I'm not counting on Kepler. That seems to leave Larnach and Buxton and Castro and probably Martin as the 4th?

[Cory Engelhardt]

16 minutes ago, mickster said:

I am hoping Martin is here to improve his trade market and we include him with an OF in a deal for a RH middle of the order hitter

Whatever works. I think he has a place in a major league roster, but if they are attempting to upgrade their outfield I'd make a lot of things work.

[LA Vikes Fan]

57 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Wallner has been raking the past week or two, so that makes sense.  None of the other guys are putting up particularly strong stats, save Will Holland who doesn’t have much of a pedigree.  You left off Austin Martin who has put up a ridiculous OBP since being sent back down.  I’m not sure that there is a ton of help there at the moment, but given time, there might be more, especially in Brooks Lee’s case.  

Agreed, and I think too soon on Wallner. He's hitting now, but it's only been a week or so after 2 months of being pretty putrid. Maybe he's fixed the hole in his swing, maybe the pitching hasn't been good enough to expose that hole over the last week or so.  Wallner needs to hit well for at least the rest of June before he should even be considered. I see him as an after ASB call up at the earliest unless there is an injury. The two main options who might help the Twins now are Martin and Helman. One of them is coming up today now that Kirilloff is being optioned to AAA, probably Martin. One of those two is probably the right call. 

The other intriguing possibility is Brooks Lee coming up to play 2B. It's probably too soon but it is an interesting possibility.  2B is the position we need to fill so either Martin, Helman or Lee could be a possibility. Call up a 2B, and move Castro to his UTL role. That's the best move.    

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

At this point, and take from this what you will, but Manny Margot is the least of the team's problems right now.

[Guest]

I remain a Wallner fan but while he's been lukewarm, not cold, over the past few weeks he doesn't appear to have changed his mechanics making him vulnerable to the regression we saw at season's beginning.  He may replace Margot, but not now.  Lee replace Santana?  Don't see it as Santana's been a very bright spot the past month.  Severino?  Also prone to regression and lacks plate discipline still.  And 29 AAA games of good won't enable Holland to bump anyone off the major league active roster.

[MN_ExPat]

I'm pretty sure Will Holland isn't 26 and probably isn't eligible to be called up to the MLB roster 😉

[4twinsJA]

Twins have a good AAA roster. Julien, Wallner, Kirilloff, Severino, Camargo all on 40 man so easier to promote. Helman and Kiersay have done well, may get a shot. Lee has most potential but needs time at AAA. Holland has done surprisingly well, Prato has taken a step back this year, Kemp looks like AAA depth and experience. Williams and Isola are long shots, Winkel may still develop as catcher but not ready at this time. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Do these OPS numbers at AAA suggest the players can play at the major league level? 

No, not really.

[Jocko87]

17 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

I'm pretty sure Will Holland isn't 26 and probably isn't eligible to be called up to the MLB roster 😉

Just cause he's not on the 40 man. 

More importantly, how many years team control and options?

Snark aside, team control and options play a factor.  If they aren't certain its a huge upgrade, they aren't going to do it, Lee or Holland.

[ashbury]

2 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

No, not really.

That was kind of the thrust of my post, and yet I'm not quite willing to take it that far.  A lot of players can play in the majors, if fit into clearly defined roles. Some hold such a role for years, and even adapt to a new role.  Jake Cave would be an example.

Major league regular, though?  I will take that stand.

[MN_ExPat]

23 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Just cause he's not on the 40 man. 

More importantly, how many years team control and options?

Snark aside, team control and options play a factor.  If they aren't certain its a huge upgrade, they aren't going to do it, Lee or Holland.

I think our Holland is a good player... just posting a little good natured humor about Holland's player link in the story going to Doc Holliday's cousin 😉.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Holland finding a hit tool, holy crap.   Likely a one off,  but a very good development at this point.  He has the athleticism and defense to be a player at the mlb level.  The question was always if he could hit enough.   

[Doctor Gast]

Right now Martin is up & Keirsey is still on the IL. The rest aren't ready yet. Again to voice my grievance on obtaining Santana & Margot, Even though they are producing now, they are taking up valuable playing time & roster spots of in-house players who are superior offensively. To protect him, Kiriloff should be playing extensively 1B because of his past arm problems.  Kiriloff started out the season as one of our best hitters. The longer he played OF, the worse his hitting got. Although he's not on the IL, IMO his shoulder isn't what it should be to maintain his hitting, I'd really like to know what Martin & Keirsey have on the MLB level. For that they need a lot of playing time & a roster spot. Kiriloff & Miranda need extensive time at 1B & Martin & Keirsey need extensive time in the OF to properly evaluate whether we need to shop a bat or not. Plus the added salary of Santana & Margot hamstrings us from doing so.

Severino has been bit by the same bug as Wallner & Julien, so he's out of the question. When Keirsey, Wallner, Julien & Lee are ready. Farmer, Margot & Santana should be gone.

[MplsFan]

Could Tony Kemp help at all?

[Bodie]

5 hours ago, MN_ExPat said:

I'm pretty sure Will Holland isn't 26 and probably isn't eligible to be called up to the MLB roster 😉

Isn't eligible???

Just because he is 108 years older than me?  Minnesota's discrimination laws might mandate his call-up...

[DocBauer]

Going back to Ashbury's question about OPS in the International League, do we know what average is in 2024? I know it was really high in 2023, but has it regressed as it has at the ML level? Might give us some better insight as to who might and might not help.

To me it's a pretty simple list:

1} JULIEN in a few weeks or so if he just gets back to his "old" self, the right balance of aggressive vs patience. I'm also in favor of his continuing to work at 1B for future reference. 

2} LEE in a few weeks or so if anyone gets injured, Farmer doesn't crawl out of his current rabbit hole, or Julien takes too long to "get right". I'm hoping we simply don't NEED Lee and he can wait to debut until next season. That means everything is starting to click for everyone else.

3} WALLNER in a few weeks once he's MAINTAINED the approach and good stroke he's got going on now. Kepler getting hot again, and Larnach just keeping doing what he's been doing now means no pressure on Wallner for a fast promotion, no matter how much power he's got. But yeah...I really want Wallner back in the OF and at DH and knocking the snot out of the ball again.

4} MARTIN was just brought up today, but hasn't played yet, so I'm including him here. I like adding some speed and SB ability. I like that he can play LF/CF/2B for a little more roster/lineup flexibility. I like his eye, contact skills, and OB% ability. I don't like his less than stellar AVG or his general lack of power. In 2023, he had a pro career best SLG& of .405. That's not terrific, but it's OK, especially for the type of player he is. But this season, in the same league, he's back down to .355, which is actually 8 points below his MILB career average. I have hopes for Martin...fingers crossed...but I'm at least a little skeptical. To put his MILB SLG in to perspective, he's at .363. Luis Arraez had a MILB SLG% over .420! And Luis has never been known as a slugger, so I offer that comparison just as something to think about.

SEVERINO maybe next season. Really happy that he's started to find himself and improve. I find him intriguing. But he's not ready yet. This is actually the first season that HOLLAND has EVER hit. Seriously, his best season so far has been .235 and a career mark of .215. After 30 games at AAA, he's not going to help in any way unless it's a player emergency due to vast injuries.

Shout out to @terrydactylsfor dropping Helman's name before me, LOL. Yes, he and Keirsey BOTH are options to help. In fact,  were he not hurt right now, and with the Twins hurting for LH help in the batting order, they  might have found room for Keirsey on the 40 man and given him his shot now. Alas, he is dinged up, so not yet. And I'll say the same things I've said before, we don't know if he can hit at the ML level. But we don't know that he can't either. He really should get a shot at some point. The kid really does check every box except for ML experience.

Helman, unfortunately, might have missed his shot last season when he RAKED, but was injured 3 times. With Margot suddenly looking like the decent, solid, ML batter we thought we were getting, and with Martin on the 40 man, there just doesn't seem to be room for Helman to get a shot at this point, barring injuries. He's older than Keirsey, he doesn't rank as a top prospect by any means, but if he can play good defense, run the bases, steal a few bases, flash some power, and can actually HIT a little in a reserve/platoon/part time role, should we even care if he's 28yo? Not everyone is a starting 3B or SS with MVP potential. Some guys are just good ballplayers who help a team win. But again...he's never gotten his shot yet. And maybe he won't with the Twins. But I'd still like to see it. 

 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

9 hours ago, mickster said:

I am hoping Martin is here to improve his trade market and we include him with an OF in a deal for a RH middle of the order hitter

I can’t imagine the Twins would trade him. His only value is utility and team control which is what the Twins prize most.

[old nurse]

Could help. Might help. Hedging so as to not be wrong. Why not just include the roster f the Saints,. Any could help. Maybe just bring Jenkins up. He could help

[mickster]

10 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

I can’t imagine the Twins would trade him. His only value is utility and team control which is what the Twins prize most.

Very true - but we will not keep both him and Castro as we won't have both in 2025 and Martin may have more value as teams may view his upside as higher

[Doctor Wu]

It would seem that Brooks Lee is about ready for a callup, but ... which position does he play on this team? Or do we bring him up and only use him as a DH and/or utility guy?

[JD-TWINS]

I get this forum is to generate discussions but the Will Holland reach seems extreme to me. “He’s hitting for the first time……” 1st time, wow, doesn’t seem like a call-up candidate. He is 5’10” - 181lbs. with a 30% strike out rate and he’s elevated his BA at AAA to .256 in 88 total AB’s……….Eighty-Eight at bats at the AAA level, ever. Can’t imagine he’s in FO top 12 guys to consider calling up.