Matt Wallner Is Finally Finding Himself at Triple-A

[Riverbrian]

Wallner, Kirilloff and Julien have themselves in interesting situations. 

Now that all 3 of them are in the minors. Instead of 3 MLB jobs for 3 guys when the season started... the three of them will now be competing with each other for 1 single solitary MLB job. 

That solitary job opens when an injury occurs to someone because Margot and Farmer are not going to be let go. 

 

[USAFChief]

27 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Wallner, Kirilloff and Julien have themselves in interesting situations. 

Now that all 3 of them are in the minors. Instead of 3 MLB jobs for 3 guys when the season started... the three of them will now be competing with each other for 1 single solitary MLB job. 

That solitary job opens when an injury occurs to someone because Margot and Farmer are not going to be let go. 

 

Wallner and Kirilloff maybe.

Julien needs an infield opening.  Actually, there is one, he just needs to hit.

Kirilloff and Wallner need an OF/DH spot. Because Santana isn't going to be let go. I still believe he's got a good chance to lead the Twins in PAs this year. 

Wallner should be in LF at TF this afternoon. 

[Riverbrian]

8 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Wallner and Kirilloff maybe.

Julien needs an infield opening.  Actually, there is one, he just needs to hit.

Kirilloff and Wallner need an OF/DH spot. Because Santana isn't going to be let go. I still believe he's got a good chance to lead the Twins in PAs this year. 

Wallner should be in LF at TF this afternoon. 

Julien does have the infield advantage over them. Julien can still compete with Wallner and Kirilloff for an OF opening because of Castro. 

If Julien gets the call. Castro vacates the handcuff with Farmer at 2B and Castro can plug any spot that opens. 

If Santana stays healthy. I wouldn't bet against his leading the team in AB's. 

If Wallner leaves immediately after his game today in St. Paul... He should have time to drive over and catch the 2nd game today and sit in the LF bleachers... have a dog and a beer.  

[chpettit19]

11 hours ago, Doc Munson said:

Wallner has ALWAYS been a notoriously horrible first half hitter, this is nothing new.  The only question is if this trend continues (as it historically has) then who does he replace? Barring injury of course. Larnach is not a world beater but he has been solid.  The Twins are not moving Kepler,  Even if Buxton gets re-injured Wallner is not a CF.   HE wont take any DH AB's from any RH hitters like Miranda.  I dont want to trade him, but even if tis does prove to have staying power, what do you do with him?

 

May 2021- 1.005 OPS
July (didn't play in June) 2021- 1.091 OPS

April 2022- .741 OPS
May 2022- .984 OPS
June 2022- 1.214 OPS
July 2022- .766 OPS

April 2023- .889 OPS
May 2023- 1.081 OPS
June 2023- 1.020 OPS
July 2023- .695 OPS

April 2024- .513 OPS in Minneapolis, .499 OPS in St Paul
May 2024- .741 OPS
June 2024- 1.326 OPS

I'm failing to see this "notoriously horrible first half hitter." I have no idea where that narrative comes from, but it isn't accurate. This year is very clearly an outlier.

[JD-TWINS]

15 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I don't think you're wrong. 

I still have questions about Martin as a ML HITTER, as I'm worried there's just not enough POP in the bat for sustainability despite contact and a good eye. I love Wallner, but I think Martin gets at least a couple weeks run to see how ready he is. He was doing great at St Paul. I'm just hoping he gets to PLAY instead of being a PR. Wallner could be a key for the 2nd half, and the future. But I'm just guessing the Twins will stick with Martin through June and then re-examine Wallner and the roster.

Relative to Martin & his hitting……I’d take Arraez type of approach an 40-50 less points with that approach. .270BA is a professional hitter that contributes - not a star but a contributor.

That said Margot (.371 over last 23 games) and Farmer (.192, up from .085 on May 1) are going nowhere unless injured.

Wallner for Martin is logical by July 4th if Wallner maintains real positives at the plate - need the LH balance since 75% of opposing pitching is right handed.

[stringer bell]

Going this long without a position player injury is close to unprecedented for a Rocco club.

Wallner looks to have earned a return trip of late. 

[SwainZag]

481 Foot HR....off of a lefty today.  That distance is insane.