What is Kyler Fedko’s Job?

[Greggory Masterson]

The Twins selected the contract of 26-year-old outfielder Kyler Fedko, designating veteran infielder Orlando Arcia in the process to make room on both the 40-man and active roster. Now that he’s finally in Minnesota, what will the Twins do with him?

Fedko is a right-handed outfielder who can play all three outfield positions, though scouts suggest that his defense in center field isn’t good enough to be an everyday player out there. He’s also added first base to his bag of tricks, but he’s only got about 300 innings there across three seasons between Double- and Triple-A. He’s also played three games at second base this season, but it’s unlikely that the Twins will need to play that card.

Oftentimes, transactions clearly show what a team’s plan with a player is. If the team cuts a left-handed corner outfielder and promotes a different left-handed corner outfielder to replace him, the old guy’s job is the new guy’s job. Not so with an Arcia-Fedko swap. We can’t just look at Arcia’s playing time and copy and paste it onto Fedko’s ledger.

However, we can start with Arcia’s playing time and work from there, because there’s playing time to go around as a result of that move. Arcia has been playing approximately every other day. He’s been starting at shortstop against lefties, and he’s been filling in at first and second base (though he hasn’t had an appearance at either position since the return of Royce Lewis).

Arcia’s playing time at shortstop actually directly translates to Fedko's playing time, though. During each of Arcia’s recent appearances at shortstop, righty superutility player Ryan Kreidler has started in the outfield. Going forward, those platoon shortstop appearances can easily be transferred over to Kreidler (and Kreidler could potentially take time from the strong side of the platoon, Tristan Gray, but this is a Fedko writeup, so we’ll skip that discussion).

Fedko serving as a platoon outfielder is the most straightforward path toward playing time. In the minors, he’s carried an OPS around .900, good for 35% above league-average for the level, but he’s been especially good against lefties this season, with an OPS of 1.262 (though he’s historically had somewhat neutral platoon splits).

The Twins have gotten below-below average production from their corner outfielders against lefties—20th by OPS and 17th by wRC+. If Fedko can provide some thump against southpaws, he’ll have a place on this roster, joining Austin Martin as the right-handed corner outfielders. Trevor Larnach has been entrenched in left field, but he’s been platooned all season. Kody Clemens has seen more time in right field recently, but the Twins are likely open to playing a full righty lineup against lefty starters.

It’s unclear if Clemens (who has a slightly above-average .714 OPS against lefties this season) would continue to get playing time against lefties in this alignment, because the Twins now have two righty corner outfielders as well as the right-handed Luke Keashcall and Royce Lewis, who can play first and second base against lefties. But, again, that’s a conversation for another day.

Speaking of Clemens, there’s also a center field component to discuss. Fedko is a bit stretched in center, but he’ll likely get some opportunity out there, given that Clemens has been used as their primary backup center fielder in recent weeks. The Twins’ previous fifth outfielder, James Outman, was jettisoned from the roster last week to make room for Royce Lewis after spending most of the season collecting dust at the end of the bench.

The Twins have been hesitant to play Martin in center field, suggesting Fedko could be ahead of him on the depth chart, and Kreidler is a solid center fielder, but the club will be relying on him in the infield more often. If given the choice between playing Clemens or Fedko in center field when Byron Buxton has a day off, it wouldn’t be surprising for Fedko to get the nod—even against righty pitching.

As mentioned, Fedko can also play first base, but it’s difficult to see that happening often, given the presence of Clemens, Lewis, Josh Bell, and even Keaschall on the roster. Could it happen that he ends up over there for an inning or two? Maaaaybe. I could see that, and the fear is there.

Given that about a third of starting pitchers are lefties, you’re looking at about two starts a week for Fedko in a corner. Then, if he gives Buxton a day off in center field, he’ll get another start every week or two, pending Buxton’s health. And of course, he could be used as a pinch hitter. He’s a Minnesota Twin after all.

Two or three starts a week doesn’t sound like much, but it’s certainly more action than Outman was getting. And Fedko isn’t a prospect—he’s a late-blooming 26-year-old. Even if he has a multi-year MLB career, he’s going to be a part-time player. They’re not doing him a disservice to use him in moderation. And in games he doesn’t start, he could be used as a pinch runner. He’s gone 47-for-59 as a basestealer over the past two seasons in the high minors, just under 80%. So the Twins are under no pressure to force him into the lineup.

But he certainly has opportunity. Martin has slowed down in recent weeks and is not set in stone as the Twins’ fourth outfielder. And even if bigger names like Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Alan Roden, or Matt Wallner are called up to the MLB team, they’re all lefties, so the team would be well-served to carry a righty. There’s certainly opportunity.

The door is open for Fedko, who had a 28-homer, 38-stolen-base season last year, to carve out a part-time role going forward. He’s become a fan favorite among fans who get attached to low-ceiling prospects, and it will be fun to see how it shakes out for him this season.

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[Riverbrian]

It is certainly possible that they just hard wired 4 platoon combo's into place. 

A possibility of lineup card auto-pilot to follow. 

Possibility that Martin and Fedko are strip mined for parts on the short side. The longer this takes place the chances of a decent sized career will decrease incrementally for both Martin and Fedko. 

Left handers will most likely be taken from Clemens unless Clemens takes AB's from Bell against lefties making Clemens a full time player and Bell a platoon. 

I think Fedko will be in the lineup tonight.

The lineups in the 5 games against right handed starters after that will say a lot. 

 

[DJL44]

There is a blowout loss every week where he can sub into the outfield.

[Jeff K]

I'm happy for Fedko who earned the promotion.  I am a bit surprised that Arcia was released as I think Gray was a better candidate to be released.  I previously commented that Kreidler should be released but his defense at SS is quite solid and I like that the Twins defense should be improving as they slowly get players in the correct positions.  

[thelanges5]

Kreidler over Gray at SS would help the infield defense. I’d like to see Fedko play and not get the McCusker treatment. 

[Whitey333]

Following the Twins can not only be frustrating but confusing.  So you bring up a good full time outfielder with good credentials.  So why would he only be part time?  Although the writer of this article doesn't work for the Twins he's decided how it all works out.  Maybe he's right.  If he is it surely adds to the confusing part.  Twins frequently take full time players and platoon and they play 2-4 times per week.  Then when they don't perform to their expectations they demote them or ship them out.  Maybe they are positioning themselves for the trade deadline.  I hope he does well.  Im pulling for him.  I just don't think they will keep him long no matter how well he does.

[Fatbat]

Given the Twins track record of languishing with under productive veterans, I am shocked that this move actually happened!  The FO is finally wasting little time in auditioning prospects to see who will stick long term. Fedko has a great opportunity and it would be awesome if he seizes the all important utility OF position. At 26 years old, he still has plenty of years that could be very important to the organization. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

It is certainly possible that they just hard wired 4 platoon combo's into place. 

A possibility of lineup card auto-pilot to follow. 

Possibility that Martin and Fedko are strip mined for parts on the short side. The longer this takes place the chances of a decent sized career will decrease incrementally for both Martin and Fedko. 

Left handers will most likely be taken from Clemens unless Clemens takes AB's from Bell against lefties making Clemens a full time player and Bell a platoon. 

I think Fedko will be in the lineup tonight.

The lineups in the 5 games against right handed starters after that will say a lot. 

Fedko is hitting .250 vs RHP and .379 vs LHP in AAA. I am sure he is thrilled to come up and play in a platoon role. It gives him his best chance at success. Debuting at 26 means he already has a slim chance at a “decent sized” career.

[DJL44]

Fedko’s playing time will be determined somewhat by his defense. If he can catch the ball he will get more opportunities. They already have a full time DH.

[Patzky]

2 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Fedko’s playing time will be determined somewhat by his defense. If he can catch the ball he will get more opportunities. They already have a full time DH.

I hope for more opportunity than McCusker but I don't want him forced into places and situations either. I think Shelton has a good feeling for the team and will give him every opportunity for success.

[Patzky]

9 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Fedko is hitting .250 vs RHP and .379 vs LHP in AAA. I am sure he is thrilled to come up and play in a platoon role. It gives him his best chance at success. Debuting at 26 means he already has a slim chance at a “decent sized” career.

We're up against Mackenzie Gore tonight. (LH)  He's not a piece of cake but he's not Tarik Skubal either. Maybe he starts..

[bean5302]

Fedko is probably here to try and supplant the role the Twins wanted Austin Martin to be able to play. 4th outfielder who gets 50-80 starts a year or so depending on Buxton's health. Fedko's getting a "just in case" chance with the Twins. Gives them a chance to do a double-check before they write a player off.

Maybe Fedko has something which translates well to MLB. We'll have to see!

 

[Riverbrian]

9 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Fedko is hitting .250 vs RHP and .379 vs LHP in AAA. I am sure he is thrilled to come up and play in a platoon role. It gives him his best chance at success. Debuting at 26 means he already has a slim chance at a “decent sized” career.

Yep... I agree... that it's a "Slim" chance.

Made extremely slimmer with a short side role. 

That's 72 AB's against left handers for an OPS of 1.262 OPS. That is also 167 PA's against right handers for a respectable .823 OPS. There would have been a good chance that is his numbers would have come down as the LH sample increased but who knows. You only find out by putting his name in the lineup card. 

10 out of 15 home runs vs right handers. One home run every 16 PA's against RH and one home run every 14 PA's against Lefties. There is a distance between the splits but all the numbers say that he can hit at the AAA level.