Emmanuel Rodriguez is Tearing Up Triple-A, Thanks to Tweaks to His Stance and Approach

[Cory Engelhardt]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Gotta ask, replace Larnach while keeping Outman & Wallner? ……..seems there is probably a specific order on who should be replaced. ……. -.300 WAR ….. -.700WAR ….. .300WAR respectively.

I would replace all of them. Should have worded it better 

[Jeff K]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I've been impressed with Rodriguez, like everyone else, for what he's done so far, and the potential he's shown. I was also really impressed by an interview he gave in ST when he basically stated he knew what he needed to work on still. Paraphrasing him, he basically acknowledged his #1 issue to overcome was recognizing AAA and ML pitchers had better stuff/control, and he understood he couldn't be as patient as he had been before. That sometimes the best pitch he was going to get might be early in the count and he was going to have to learn to be more aggressive early at times, instead of being ultra patient. (Something that has been a concern).

Recognizing something, but actually changing that something, are very different things. And I don't know how much of his new stance, and new approach are regulated to HIM or coaching, or a combination of BOTH. 

BUT, after a good and HEALTHY Winter League, brief, and a good ST, he's off to a hell of a good 2026 at AAA and has one of the best batting AVG he's ever had, while still maintaining a great OB% and not losing power. 

I DON'T like the way the Twins roster is set. For one thing, the quasi platoon of Martin and Larnach has been highly productive, even though Larnach has been shielded and somewhat unused due to the ridiculous number of LHP the Twins have seen to open the season's first month. 

But I'm not sure where Rodriguez FITS at this moment when Larnach is off to his best start, and Bell has been the best overall bat in the lineup. There are complaints about Wallner, but he had a great ST, and he's played almost every day, including facing a plethora of LHP, so it's no wonder his numbers are down currently. Give the Twins, and Wallner, a decent,  normal run against RHP and we might see some sudden improvement in production from Wallner. And MAYBE Larnach continues his solid start to the season and we all have egg on our face for believing he shouldn't have been brought back.

But here's the crux of it. If Rodriguez were a Brewer, Guardian, or Ray, he probably would have opened the season with the parent club. They would have said; "the hell with it, give the kid the road he needs, and we'll live with some ups and downs because he's super talented and part of our future".

Those teams would have already moved Larnach for SOMETHING to free up payroll, bring SOMETHING back, or maybe not even offered him a contract at all.

And for the UPTEENTH time, that doesn't mean Larnach is a bad ballplayer. There's teams, maybe the Astros, that would love to have a cheap, productive, LH DH, part time corner OF like Larnach that is relatively cheap. Instead, while being solid so far in 2026, we're debating the value of Outman and Clemens as viable players for a team that is proving to be at least competitive thus far, and WONDERING how to FIT top prospects in to the lineup.

This is ridiculous!

The rotation SEEMED to withstand the tremendous loss of Lopez with the rise of Bradley and Abel. Sim is struggling a bit lately, but it's early and might be health related. Ober has been surprisingly solid his last few turns because he's so damn smart. HOPEFULLY we can find a decent option to replace Abel on the temporary. 

But why can't we find room on a limited 13 player roster for a TOP prospect who is doing everything we want him to do to at least improve the lineup? For now, and the future.

100%.  I saw a snarky comment that basically said Twins prospects are nothing except possibly Jenkins.  Perhaps that's true, but you don't know until you give these guys extended opportunities.  And the current configuration of the Twins roster is NOT built to be successful; outside of the starting pitching who are being hurt by the terrible fielding.

[Twins_Fan_For_Life]

It should be noted that both Wallner and Outman have both destroyed Triple A pitching in the past

[RpR]

5 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Yes, but he's an average defender by the metric used by fangraphs (outs above average). Guess he's solid in the field... or defensive metrics are utterly worthless at this same size.

Baseball Ref. says he is a poor defender, so it depends on what site one wants believe.

[jkcarew]

The WILLINGNESS to do things different from what made you better than everyone else throughout your entire baseball life is a sign of maturity.

The ABILITY to make those adjustments successfully is what makes a good major league hitter.

Tip of the hat to ERod for step 1. You know it can’t be easy.

[Danchat]

4 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Emma and Roden were both basically below average hitters before getting ahold of Philadelphia's AAA pitching staff this past week. I realize they've had 5 good games now so it's time to start the immediate roster shuffle and all..

Roden is now over 500 PAs in his AAA career and has hit .316 with a .924 OPS. I'm not sure what else he could do to earn a promotion, he's ready for another shot in the majors.

[Danchat]

22 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_For_Life said:

It should be noted that both Wallner and Outman have both destroyed Triple A pitching in the past

They earned their way to the majors, why shouldn't the prospects in AAA be allowed to earn their way to the majors likewise? Destroying AAA pitching isn't an indicator of MLB success, but you'll never find out what you have in prospects if you never promote them and give them a chance at the next level. Outman has had more than enough chances and while I haven't given up on Wallner based on his track record, he is actively harming the team with his play so I get why others are calling for him to be demoted.

[bean5302]

4 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Depends on which metric one choses to think tells the true picture. I don't know enough about these fielding metrics to know which is more indicative of Wallner's fielding value. However my eye test shows Wallner is a slow runner, who is even slower to get started running. 

Super oversimplified:

This is DRS, except there are 100s of lines instead of a few. So many lines that there are zero balls in play which land in areas in like a full season so it's prone to wild overcompensation. Especially if a fielder makes a play in an area well outside expected or misplays balls which should be easy. It's just like UZR except UZR has fewer lines and doesn't have "unlimited" multipliers like DRS. So if a player makes a great play with UZR, it doesn't influence their fielding score as wildly.

 

This is OAA. No matter how bad the positioning of the fielder, it cares about how far away the ball was hit. A fielder who positions themselves well doesn't get credit for the plays they made because they didn't have to move.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

What in he world led you to state that Wallner was the 7th best hitting outfielder in the entire game from 2023-2025.  I'm not doubting your veracity, I just am interested on what statistics you used to form that unique opinion?

I cannot imagine that one could not go to every one of the 30 Teams & find 1, if not 2, OF that one would prefer to have over Matt Wallner. I think the Twins have 4-5 guys that I’d rather have.

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Under 50 PA is absolutely nothing. 100 PA is barely anything. Under 200 PA isn't a decent sample.

First off, Larnach isn't going to continue to hit like this. He won't continue to walk 30% of the time, and a lot of those walks will turn into Ks. He's a league average hitter if he's not protected from lefties and he's a DH in year 2 of arbitration. Like 99% of fans on this site were exacerbated he was tendered a contract last year. Larnach isn't part of the Twins' future. At his absolute peak, he's a 1.5 WAR 65% of the time player.

Wallner could be. There has yet to be a season where Wallner's worst at the plate isn't as good as Larnach's best, even if Wallner isn't shielded from lefties like Larnach usually is. 

Emma and Roden were both basically below average hitters before getting ahold of Philadelphia's AAA pitching staff this past week. I realize they've had 5 good games now so it's time to start the immediate roster shuffle and all..

 

Looks like, to me, with Lewis being activated today ………….(26 guys with only 12 pitchers on Active Roster)…….. when either Funderburk comes back or Prielipp is added later this week, either Outman or Wallner is displaced. Should be Outman.

Do not think they’ll move Kriedler back with his versatility……..ability to play CF. Clemens is a candidate but he’s become part of the Team & the vibe, so while competitive they won’t DFA him first………. and he’s still part of the 1B mix defensively.

[dxpavelka]

13 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

I appreciate the thought of wanting change, but trading Wallner for anything of value is a storyline off Fantasy Island …… Larnach has value to the Twins & would bring value to another contender for “some” return.

I think either one would fetch a RH hitting OF capable of making a couple of starts a week.  Not expecting a closer or even a high leverage reliever.  Just need to find the right team that needs left handing corner outfield help.  Astros (Jake Meyers); Phillies (Adolis Garcia); Pirates (Bryan Reynolds if they wanna open the checkbook) all fit the profile.

 

[JADBP]

On 4/20/2026 at 5:53 PM, DJL44 said:

Max Kepler is still a good comp for Rodriguez 

Geez, I'd take Max over Wallner ANY DAY!  

[JADBP]

On 4/20/2026 at 8:32 PM, bean5302 said:

Rodriguez has really been on a tear over his last 5 games, but I'm not sure how projectable a 35% BB rate is. Honestly, the Twins are out of time with him. It'd be a good value to get Emma some regular plate appearances at the MLB level soon.

While I'm not as down on Wallner as others, he sure hasn't hit well at all through his first 20 games. He's totally outmatched at the plate right now. It's like he's guessing at pitches rather than reading them. Outman should be DFA'd, Wallner's honestly earning a demotion for Emma to be called up to play RF. Can't imagine the Twins are going to show more than about 10 additional games of patience with him.

 

I can't wait for the 10 games to be over and Wallner is swapped with Emma.  

[JADBP]

16 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Under 50 PA is absolutely nothing. 100 PA is barely anything. Under 200 PA isn't a decent sample.

First off, Larnach isn't going to continue to hit like this. He won't continue to walk 30% of the time, and a lot of those walks will turn into Ks. He's a league average hitter if he's not protected from lefties and he's a DH in year 2 of arbitration. Like 99% of fans on this site were exacerbated he was tendered a contract last year. Larnach isn't part of the Twins' future. At his absolute peak, he's a 1.5 WAR 65% of the time player.

Wallner could be. There has yet to be a season where Wallner's worst at the plate isn't as good as Larnach's best, even if Wallner isn't shielded from lefties like Larnach usually is. 

Emma and Roden were both basically below average hitters before getting ahold of Philadelphia's AAA pitching staff this past week. I realize they've had 5 good games now so it's time to start the immediate roster shuffle and all..

 

LOL....I am confused to all heck!  I am a fan on this site and for the life of me, I was not exacerbated when Larnach was tendered last fall. But, yeah, he is the one that has some actual trade value.

As for Wallner...did you mean to say that Wallner's best is not as good as Larnach's worst?  Yeah...OK...if we weren't carrying dead weight OUTman, then yeah, Wallner would look stupid being the worst hitter on the team.  But that's not all...because he is also a poor RF'er and not at all fast.  I hope he finds a fine future in MLB, probably as a DH, with SOME OTHER team!  

[JADBP]

13 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

What in he world led you to state that Wallner was the 7th best hitting outfielder in the entire game from 2023-2025.  I'm not doubting your veracity, I just am interested on what statistics you used to form that unique opinion?

Man oh man...I am sorry to say but he was not even close to the 7th best outfielder...maybe the 7th worst!  He was dismal at driving in runs, the ideal goal for a power hitter...with 118 runs over those 3 years.  Top outfielders like Judge and Soto hit drive in nearly that man runs in one season, not 3! Over three years, Judge: 333 RBI!  

Wallner's best year, subjectively, was 2024, where he hit 13 HR, but struck out 95 times.  Ouch.  Not a good year.  OK, how about 2025? 40 RBI, 114K's.  He is a strikeout machine!  Looking at Statmuse, I can't even get down to Wallner's level-his stats are so bad.  They only show the top 25 outfielders in any season.

So, here's a good question...WHAT the heck happened to Wallner?  He looking like he was starting to ascend in 2024 and I know he was injured, but what to his hitting?  Starting some time in late 2024, his batting AVG just went into the tank and his K's went throug the roof!  He is currently hitting at a rate of around 283 K's for the year (the record for most K's in a year is 223!).  He's sitting at #2 right now with 34 (James Wood, who had 221 K's last year, is in first with 36 Ks).  

[jorgenswest]

Roden was just out for a handful of games and struck out three times in his return. I wouldn’t call him up today. I would give him time at 1B. He was a first basemen in college. He was a catcher and shortstop in high school. He is much more likely to have the skills to play 1B than the often suggested Waller or Larnach. I think the Jays played him in the OF because he was a good outfielder and that was his path. Minnesota has an opening at 1B.

For now that opening at 1B can go to Bell opening a regular spot in the line up for Rodriguez in RF.

[bean5302]

@tarheeltwinsfan@JADBP @JD-TWINS

 

Across all outfielder who played MLB and had at least 600 plate appearances from 2023-2025, ranked by wRC+ (offensive runs created), but will also likely align closely with OPS+ in case you like that metric better.

 

[JD-TWINS]

On 4/21/2026 at 11:54 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

I would replace all of them. Should have worded it better 

What’s the motivation or logic to replace a guy with a (small sample - but same 22 games as everyone else on roster) with a .468 OBP so far this season?

[JD-TWINS]

13 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

I think either one would fetch a RH hitting OF capable of making a couple of starts a week.  Not expecting a closer or even a high leverage reliever.  Just need to find the right team that needs left handing corner outfield help.  Astros (Jake Meyers); Phillies (Adolis Garcia); Pirates (Bryan Reynolds if they wanna open the checkbook) all fit the profile.

 

To me, comparing Matt Wallner to Bryan Reynolds is wish-thinking. They are not viewed as the same level player - I would say the same about Garcia - Myers is up & down.

[JD-TWINS]

23 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

@tarheeltwinsfan@JADBP @JD-TWINS

 

Across all outfielder who played MLB and had at least 600 plate appearances from 2023-2025, ranked by wRC+ (offensive runs created), but will also likely align closely with OPS+ in case you like that metric better.

 

Cherry picking “weeks” of the Summer that Wallner was worthy to be on the roster in ‘23 & ‘24 skew his overall from beginning of ‘23 -‘25. If he didn’t have the luxury to be sent to St Paul as he struggled (like most MLB “regulars”) he wouldn’t be anywhere near this position.In ‘23 & ‘24 he was viewed as a developing guy and WAS SENT DOWN to get right, both years. He DID perform well once coming back from his AAA stints, granted. He has been mediocre to terrible since the beginning of ‘25!

My question was “…..where does he rank from the beginning of ‘25?” ……….that’s 474 PA’s through last weekend. He may not be in the Top 70. He currently leads the A.L. in K’s and his Slug% is near .325 and he’s hitting .183. CANNOT DEFEND those numbers.

He battled & looked competitive in some at bats on Tuesday night - hope he can keep that up!

View YOUR POST (same topic) from 11:32 Monday night …… seem to have made an about face - why???

[JADBP]

5 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Cherry picking “weeks” of the Summer that Wallner was worthy to be on the roster in ‘23 & ‘24 skew his overall from beginning of ‘23 -‘25. If he didn’t have the luxury to be sent to St Paul as he struggled (like most MLB “regulars”) he wouldn’t be anywhere near this position.In ‘23 & ‘24 he was viewed as a developing guy and WAS SENT DOWN to get right, both years. He DID perform well once coming back from his AAA stints, granted. He has been mediocre to terrible since the beginning of ‘25!

My question was “…..where does he rank from the beginning of ‘25?” ……….that’s 474 PA’s through last weekend. He may not be in the Top 70. He currently leads the A.L. in K’s and his Slug% is near .325 and he’s hitting .183. CANNOT DEFEND those numbers.

He battled & looked competitive in some at bats on Tuesday night - hope he can keep that up!

View YOUR POST (same topic) from 11:32 Monday night …… seem to have made an about face - why???

Agreed.  Cherry picking stats. Compare the first few columns of data-Wallner isn’t even close!  Especially look at number of games, RBI.  
 

so if we want to send Wallner to AAA to get his hitting back up to par, then why not bring up Emma to play RF full time—his hitting IS up to par!!!!

[dxpavelka]

6 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

To me, comparing Matt Wallner to Bryan Reynolds is wish-thinking. They are not viewed as the same level player - I would say the same about Garcia - Myers is up & down.

I'm not comparing Wallner to any of those guys.  I'm saying they are right handed hitting corner outfielders who could be on the trading block at some point in the next four months.  And that we should be doing every thing we can to acquire at least one right handed hitting corner outfielder so that at some point, when (ok, IF) Rodriguez and Jenkins get here we don't have to use both of them against some of the tougher left handed pitching.

[jaimedude]

14 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Roden was just out for a handful of games and struck out three times in his return. I wouldn’t call him up today. I would give him time at 1B. He was a first basemen in college. He was a catcher and shortstop in high school. He is much more likely to have the skills to play 1B than the often suggested Waller or Larnach. I think the Jays played him in the OF because he was a good outfielder and that was his path. Minnesota has an opening at 1B.

For now that opening at 1B can go to Bell opening a regular spot in the line up for Rodriguez in RF.

Agreed Saints should be playing Roden at 1st base. First base is the biggest opportunity for playing time with Twins. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

20 hours ago, bean5302 said:

@tarheeltwinsfan@JADBP @JD-TWINS

 

Across all outfielder who played MLB and had at least 600 plate appearances from 2023-2025, ranked by wRC+ (offensive runs created), but will also likely align closely with OPS+ in case you like that metric better.

 

Bean: Mark Twain famously wrote: "There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics". However I do now  understand the basis for your statement about Wallner being the 7th best hitter among outfielders during this time period. Thank you for providing this information. Maybe instead of stating Wallner is the 7th best hitting outfielder, it would be more accurate to state that Wallner has the 7th best wRC+ of all outfielders during this time period. That, by itself is an amazing statistic. What does it really mean about how valuable Matt Wallner is to the Twins? Would you propose that Wallner should be paid commensurate with the other top ranked outfielders in this ranking? Would you submit that Wallner should have been an All Star those seasons?  Frankly this stat does not bear out what my eyes and head and experience have told me about Wallner during this time period. Thus I am going to trust my gut about Wallner and put no faith in this amazing statistic. We will just have to agree to disagree on this issue, Thank you for this interesting statistic. 

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, JADBP said:

Agreed.  Cherry picking stats. Compare the first few columns of data-Wallner isn’t even close!  Especially look at number of games, RBI.  
 

so if we want to send Wallner to AAA to get his hitting back up to par, then why not bring up Emma to play RF full time—his hitting IS up to par!!!!

In Emma’s favor - it’s a low bar to follow. I didn’t look at the stats - assume you are correct. My point is for Wallner to achieve his numbers …… he was sent down in ‘23 & ‘24 to get sharp & it worked. Sending him down essentially “filtered” what his numbers would have been if he had stayed with Big Club.

It’s just a fact. Why are people opposed to trying the same approach in ‘26? ……… his ‘25 was “unfiltered” and didn’t go very well! ‘26 is obviously not going well!