Video: Is the Eric Wagaman Experiment Already Over?

[Sam Caulder]

Eric Wagaman’s versatility could make him a useful piece for the Twins, but his bat hasn’t exactly helped his case this spring. With a ground-ball heavy profile and limited production at the plate, his path to the roster might be getting tougher.

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[stringer bell]

I've not had him as making the club since Spring Training started and as noted, he hasn't done much if anything to move the needle. That said, he has an option remaining, and it is probable he'll get a chance with the Twins at some point, probably as a short-side platoon guy. 

I'd be pulling for Wagaman a lot more if he was a good defender at any of the corner spots, but the numbers say he isn't. 

[Greglw3]

Nobody has said this yet, but I think the Twins are still holding a possible spot for Gio Urshela because of the doubts surrounding Lewis’s health and his likelihood of maturing into the hitter we thought he could be.

Aside from that, I have the same feeling about Wagaman - I liked him a lot but he may be playing himself off the roster with lack of hitting.

I also have the seemingly minority opinion that Tristan Gray should win the backup SS/utility role over Kreidler and Arcia. Someone on TV that was familiar with him, it may have been Red Sox broadcasters, spoke highly of him and said "we know he can help a team". I like the way the ball comes off his bat and he uses the opposite field nicely.

[Fatbat]

Since he has an option, he will be in AAA where he should be. The twins love a bat first profile and thats not him right now. Maybe later this season or next…

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Greglw3 said:

Nobody has said this yet, but I think the Twins are still holding a possible spot for Gio Urshela because of the doubts surrounding Lewis’s health and his likelihood of maturing into the hitter we thought he could be.

Aside from that, I have the same feeling about Wagaman - I liked him a lot but he may be playing himself off the roster with lack of hitting.

I also have the seemingly minority opinion that Tristan Gray should win the backup SS/utility role over Kreidler and Arcia. Someone on TV that was familiar with him, it may have been Red Sox broadcasters, spoke highly of him and said "we know he can help a team". I like the way the ball comes off his bat and he uses the opposite field nicely.

I just can't see Urshela making the team. He is certainly well-regarded, but his offense and defense have diminished quite a bit since his season with the Twins, and he wasn't that good then. If he's willing to go to AAA as a fallback for Lewis he might get a shot, but adding him to the 40-man might be a bit much, especially since the Twins probably will have to make 40-man space for 2-3 pitchers and maybe Orlando Arcia. 

I think the key thing for Gray is whether he is capable of playing shortstop. He looks like a better hitter than Arcia or Kreidler and I don't think being a left handed hitter is much of a detriment

[Greglw3]

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I just can't see Urshela making the team. He is certainly well-regarded, but his offense and defense have diminished quite a bit since his season with the Twins, and he wasn't that good then. If he's willing to go to AAA as a fallback for Lewis he might get a shot, but adding him to the 40-man might be a bit much, especially since the Twins probably will have to make 40-man space for 2-3 pitchers and maybe Orlando Arcia. 

I think the key thing for Gray is whether he is capable of playing shortstop. He looks like a better hitter than Arcia or Kreidler and I don't think being a left handed hitter is much of a detriment

Agree on Gray. I think Urshela was really good a few years ago with the Twins with spectacular defense and a .285 average. From what I’ve seen in camp, he’s still quite good defensively and I think he could still hit some. I thought I heard a report that he had played well on Columbian team.

I think it’s telling that he’s still getting play in games and Lewis is 3 for the whole spring.

 

But I worried about Wallner and he immediately woke up!