3 Post-Hype Prospects Attempting to Return to the Twins' Long-Term Plans

Kirilloff is the one most likely to have the biggest impact: he's on the 26-man roster from day 1, and if he can stay healthy he's already shown he can be an impact bat. I think he's still in the twins long-term plans, but they're going to keep hedging against him until he shows he can stay healthy.

Alcala will almost certainly get another big chance this year; I think he's already in the Twins short-to-midterm plans as a middle reliever/set-up guy...but I also think they look at most relievers as being somewhat fungible and don't expect to have a reliever as a core piece for more than a few years.

Miranda is the one who has the toughest road. He doesn't have a clear position, he still looks like he's getting past the injury, and he has other players of a similar age that have jumped past him, while also having guys from the minors pushing as well. Hard to see him back at 3B, almost no chance he's in the mix at 2B (which was his preferred position), so he'll need to find his way at 1B, where he could be a fine platoon partner for another guy on this list going forward, but he'll have to hit.

I think Kirilloff and Alcala are in the Twins plans right now, but they're not being counted on as core performers like they were previously thought to be or projected to be. One of the best abilities you can have in sports is availability. All three of these guys have come up short there.

Will join the above with the opinion that AK is the most important to the Twins.  Should the Twins be so fortunate as to have good health from Buxton, Correa, Lewis and Julien, one more big season at the plate from the duo you mention above makes their lineup tough, like real tough.

My vote goes to AK, however, I suspect he is going to spend much of his time on the field out in left field.  I have concerns about both Wallner and Larnach and see Miranda possibly making the opening day roster with both of the other left fielders starting in St. Paul.  I know there are a lot of you out there who are sold on Wallner becomming a star, I am not with you.  AK in left would open up a nice platoon at first for Santana and Miranda, who just might remind us of the batter we saw in 2022.

32 minutes ago, roger said:

Will join the above with the opinion that AK is the most important to the Twins.  Should the Twins be so fortunate as to have good health from Buxton, Correa, Lewis and Julien, one more big season at the plate from the duo you mention above makes their lineup tough, like real tough.

My vote goes to AK, however, I suspect he is going to spend much of his time on the field out in left field.  I have concerns about both Wallner and Larnach and see Miranda possibly making the opening day roster with both of the other left fielders starting in St. Paul.  I know there are a lot of you out there who are sold on Wallner becomming a star, I am not with you.  AK in left would open up a nice platoon at first for Santana and Miranda, who just might remind us of the batter we saw in 2022.

Except that Miranda hits RH and while Santana switch-hits, he's much better against LHP at this point. So it's not really a good platoon fit.

I still like Miranda and hope that he can get past the shoulder troubles and be an impact bat. If he does, he could be a nice platoon partner for Kirilloff at 1B next season when Santana moves on, or even in this season if Santana is cooked/gets hurt. But he's not really a fit to platoon with Santana.

Miranda had the best chance until they signed Santana, although his 3B days should be behind him. But now his only hope is that Santana gets hurt because they'll stick with Santana even when he falters. Kiriloff is a great hitter, we need his bat in the lineup and hope his injuries are behind him. I'm rooting for Alcala. Right now injuries isn't Larnach's biggest problem, it's the curve. Once he figures it out he'll have to wait if Wallner or Kepler falters.

The door is wide open for AK and Alcala. Miranda will need to wait for injuries or big failures…seems to be swinging it nice in ST, though.

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Except that Miranda hits RH and while Santana switch-hits, he's much better against LHP at this point. So it's not really a good platoon fit.

I still like Miranda and hope that he can get past the shoulder troubles and be an impact bat. If he does, he could be a nice platoon partner for Kirilloff at 1B next season when Santana moves on, or even in this season if Santana is cooked/gets hurt. But he's not really a fit to platoon with Santana.

Thanks for reminding me of Santana's strengths, or weakness.  Yes, does make more sense in 2025, when Jenkins or ERod could be ready for prime time.  My hope remains that Miranda has a big spring and forces himself onto the opening day roster.  Then follow that up with a season better than 2022.

I would add SWR to the list.  Although he only had one start at MLB level last year, his poor first half really knocked off the hyped prospect.  I think he still has huge upside but many wrote him off after his first half last year. 

17 hours ago, Trov said:

I would add SWR to the list.  Although he only had one start at MLB level last year, his poor first half really knocked off the hyped prospect.  I think he still has huge upside but many wrote him off after his first half last year. 

I'm still optimistic about Woods-Richardson too,, and even though it's the usual small sample size, he's looked good so far in spring training, and supposedly his fastball is faster this year too. 

Another article with a mysterious, uncredited photo. I assume it's Miranda ... or is it Kiriloff? It certainly ain't Alcala, unless the Twins plan on using him as a pinch-hitter. 

21 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Kirilloff is the one most likely to have the biggest impact: he's on the 26-man roster from day 1, and if he can stay healthy he's already shown he can be an impact bat. I think he's still in the twins long-term plans, but they're going to keep hedging against him until he shows he can stay healthy.

Alcala will almost certainly get another big chance this year; I think he's already in the Twins short-to-midterm plans as a middle reliever/set-up guy...but I also think they look at most relievers as being somewhat fungible and don't expect to have a reliever as a core piece for more than a few years.

Miranda is the one who has the toughest road. He doesn't have a clear position, he still looks like he's getting past the injury, and he has other players of a similar age that have jumped past him, while also having guys from the minors pushing as well. Hard to see him back at 3B, almost no chance he's in the mix at 2B (which was his preferred position), so he'll need to find his way at 1B, where he could be a fine platoon partner for another guy on this list going forward, but he'll have to hit.

I think Kirilloff and Alcala are in the Twins plans right now, but they're not being counted on as core performers like they were previously thought to be or projected to be. One of the best abilities you can have in sports is availability. All three of these guys have come up short there.

 

If Miranda continues to hit and shows well in St. Paul, he could be part of a trade package.  Of course, if Santana or Kirilloff go down with injury then that is a different story.

In the long season that MLB is.. the depth will be needed. will give him time to get his legs again. Hopefully he stays healthy. He had stud written all over him like Alex until the injury bug got him. 

“Each of these players seems destined for a long-term role with the club…”.  I’m not sure ANY of these players are destined to be here long term. 

Depth is good & there is a lot to be optimistic about. But as far as I am concerned the Pressley trade for Alcala & Celestino has been a complete bust!

Pressley immediately set the Major league record for relief appearances without allowing a run, not to mention World Series wins for Houston.

Years later we are still hoping for Alcala to be healthy and learn how to pitch.

That 3 years $30M contract Houston gave Pressley turned out to be one of the best deals of the past decade.

If only........

On 3/12/2024 at 6:45 AM, Doctor Wu said:

Another article with a mysterious, uncredited photo. I assume it's Miranda ... or is it Kiriloff? It certainly ain't Alcala, unless the Twins plan on using him as a pinch-hitter. 

Quoting in hopes someone at Twins Daily actually reads the comments and can address this. Have asked repeatedly since last year.