Baldelli: "Royce Is Taking More Reps At Third Base"

51 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

How clear is your crystal ball?

This... Exactly This. 

Set and forget it is following the lemmings off the cliff. Teams need to be prepared to adjust to whatever the season is about to bring them. 

Injuries are going to change the equation. Crappy play is going to change the equation. The front office can't predict injuries and they can't predict crappy play.

If they could... we'd have nothing to complain about. 

6 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

We'd find something.

Find something like... I don't know... moving Royce Lewis to 2B in September? Out of the blue? 😉

As of today, Lewis and Lee appear to be the best fits at 3B, with Lewis probably having a slightly/somewhat stronger arm. (Yes. Castro can play it well also, but he's probably gone next year).

Meanwhile, 2B might also be manned by Julien, or Eeles, or Keaschall in addition to Lee. (Martin can also play decently there it appears). For this reason alone, I'd have Lewis at 3B and roll through the more numerous options at 2B. 

53 minutes ago, RpR said:

As of now the Twins have 2 players who are not Julien style holes in the defense - Marin to Eeles, no one else.

I'm sorry, but what? 

The defense is fine except for Martin and Eeles?  Is that what you are saying?

Martin had a couple good plays at 2B last season, some questionable ones, but mostly played OF where he again made a couple good plays, but was average to very poor in others.

Eeles hasn't even had a ML shot yet, and we have no clue as to how good or average to poor he might be. But there have been reports he has worked very hard to be the best he can be from his MILB coaches. I've offered him up as a possible 2B option among many.

So what exactly are you saying? 

8 hours ago, stringer bell said:

It now appears that the plan is for Lewis to be the Twins primary third baseman to start the season. If there is a scenario where he moves to second, he probably should continue to get work there, as well. The only way I see Lewis moving to second is if there is a first baseman added moving Miranda off to third and then also moving Lewis to second. It would seem that would require a trade or free agent signing.

I don't disagree. But I think it's as simple as Lewis has the ability to be a very good 3B, who just needs to overcome the weird throwing action he developed last season. He seems to have a little better arm than Lee.

Considering he played so much 3B in HS, and then transitioned to SS his senior year, and primarily played SS as a MILB, I'm still a little confused how he developed that "trouble" in his arm angle/throws. I think he'll be just fine. But I see no reason why he shouldn't keep working some at 2B for no other reason than late game moves that MIGHT require/allow him to play there.

Miranda has improved enough at 3B to be ML average there, IMO. So you simply increase your flexibility in the INF.

I think it also makes sense simply because there are more options to play 2B with Lee, Julien, Martin, Eeles, and Keaschall. 

IMO, 2B is reserved for Lee if he can put his rookie season behind him and just be the hitter we/everyone believes he can be. (Opinions vary, but even his floor is expected to be solid). I stubbornly refuse to believe that Eeles isn't a potential ML ballplayer, but he's still in a "prove it again" cycle that I understand. Keaschall could replace Castro as a SUPER UTILITY player, OR take over 2B if Lee falters...I don't think that will happen...OR potentially take over 1B.

I won't dismiss Julien after one bad season. MAYBE he was a flash in the pan hopeful prospect. He hit in college, he hit in MILB, and he hit as a rookie in 2023. He also made great improvements as a defender in 2023. He suddenly lost the ability to hit or play defense in 2024, but I'm betting the long game with him. I'm betting he becomes a 1B/2B/DH rotational/regular lineup player. But he has to turn it around in 2025 or he might be pushed aside. 

I'm just not sure I see Martin as an answer at 2B, but it's probably his best position on the dirt. I see him as an OF who CAN play 2B. I think he's best as a utility player who primary covers the OF, but I'm just not sure the instincts are there. Just too many bad reads when I watched him last season. Unless he makes major improvements with his bat, and defense, I'd rather see him at St Paul to begin 2025. The kid has talent, and I know he was only a rookie in 2024, but he just looked lost to me at times. But I'm also not ready to dismiss him yet either.

55 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I agree with almost all you posted with the exception of Miranda. I don't think he'll ever be ML average at third base. Wherever he plays, he needs to be far above average as a hitter to hold an everyday position. It isn't from lack of hard work, it is his skill set.

What i saw in 2024 was an average 3B. Personal opinion and the number of games I watched. Regardless, if the work he put in to be an average 3B...or less in your opinion...could be put in to 1B, I'd like to think he could be a solid 1B.

There's a lot of subtleties like knowing what to cover and when, but scooping the damn ball is #1. If he can do that and hit like he's shown he can, I'm OK with the rest of his game being a work in progress.

Baseball gods help me, I'm still waiting for the next Morneau at 1B. Maybe the athletic and talented Keaschall? Maybe Keaschall moves Lee or someone else to 1B? Or does Miranda stay healthy, develop his glove and build on the offense we've already seen?