Could a Non-Roster Hitter Help the Twins Roster?

No way

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

No way

I don't think it's out of the question that Prato or Helman debut at some point this year.

Prato and Helman sound intriguing. I'm curious how Prato's selectivity would play in the majors. It either works or he doesn't do enough damage to threaten MLB pitchers from throwing in the zone. 

1 hour ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

I don't think it's out of the question that Prato or Helman debut at some point this year.

I'm sorry Ted, I was pretty blunt. Like you said it's pretty full and Twins don't like to break camp with non-roster players, especially non-pitchers. Many times non-roster players tear it up & greatly outshine their roster counterpart only be sent down to AAA. I don't see these guys tearing it up down there.

I don't think the Twins really need these guys but I see the Twins call them up to give them a taste of MLB

2 hours ago, awmonahan said:

Prato and Helman sound intriguing. I'm curious how Prato's selectivity would play in the majors. It either works or he doesn't do enough damage to threaten MLB pitchers from throwing in the zone. 

I think a small handful of players improve as the quality of pitching improves, at least in the OBP statistic.  

Prato's best season as a professional baseball player was last season in AAA.  His 990 OPS was 160 points higher than any season on his way up the minor league ladder.  He was a sub-.750 OPS guy in the lowest minor leagues.  Then jumped when he hit A+ through AAA, essentially improving every year.

But then his career shows other flukes too.  Like his .553 OPS to start the 2023 year in AA after his successful 87 game debut in AA in 2022 were he had a .822 OPS.   

It is pure speculation, but I think that small handful improves because as the pitching quality improves, a ball is a ball and a strike a strike (in most cases), while at the lower levels it there is more error to the calls.

None will make the opening day roster.  Injuries though out  the season occur and an injury to Lewis early (before Lee is ready) one would get the call.  If Castro turns into a pumpkin or gets injured Helman can step in and fill his role.  If Farmer goes down I think Helman would be the easy choice to fill his role. 

Does Goodrum have an opt out?  That could change if he is gone or the Twins feel the need to keep him.

4 hours ago, Karbo said:

I'm thinking, depending on how Julian and Lee do, a trade is the most likely thing to happen.

Why would we trade our best guys away?  We don’t need anything but a #1 pitcher and no one is selling until July and there will be plenty of rentals available…. That our FO sucks at evaluating. 

No. nope, NO.

I think Lee is a better choice than either of these 3 players and will be called up sometimes during this season. Young players are the future for the Twins and it seems they have some young players that will help them win games for many years in the future.

I feel like it's going to take a significant injury to have a non-roster hitter make much of an impact, if any. Guys like Larnach, Martin, Camargo, and Severino are well-positioned to step in for the short-term dings players pick up during the season, and we having even mentioned Brooks Lee who will likely be pushing for a chance. Martin (and Lee) also has a lot of positional flexibility, which limits the opportunities that someone like Helman might normally get a shot at.

For Goodrum, Prato, or Helman to even have a chance to make a significant contribution will likely require not just one substantial injury but a second one at a similar position. The 40-man has tightened up with the season approaching, so without players moving on to the 60-day IL there's just not a lot of room and it seems like a lot of room at the back will be grabbed by pitchers.

Pleased to have this kind of depth in AAA...but honestly I'm hoping not to see these guys at Target Field.

56 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Did Martin get hurt? He’s been 12th - 13th roster spot or next man up from AAA for 4 months.

Nikko Goodrum is such a long shot that I cannot think of a scenario where he’s on the Team.

To me, Martin - Larnach & then this discussion of other depth starts. inclusive of Keirsey.

I don’t think Martin is an option at SS and 3B. When Lee and Martin get called up I think they want them playing everyday.

If you need someone to play the same role as Castro or even Margot that’s where they would fit in on a less then everyday playing time piece.

A year ago I viewed Castro as another Kyle Garlick / Robbie Grossman type.  A guy that you look at after the season and realize that if you go into the following season counting on him you're probably in for another disappointment.  He proved me wrong.  Maybe Goodrum will do the same.

The Twins have decent minor league depth at all positions. And the goodness is that they are pretty much just prospects developed by the Twins. They have signed just north of a dozen minor league free agents, a very small number, this season!

Of course, you still need a 40-man roster spot, and even though I can see 12-14 names THAT MIGHT NOT be on the 40-man come next November, there is only one, at best two, that could be jettisoned, if no one moves to the 60-day.

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

Castro has the defensive chops that Goodrum totally lacks.  Niko would have to suddenly start hitting like a first baseman to have any value at all, and he's got enough of a track record at the plate by now to make that a massive longshot.  I don't see a role for him on a contending team.

Garlick / Grossman

I’m guessing that the photo of the Astros player at the top of the article is Goodrum? 

SO, once again ( and again) I ask the TD leadership to please, please add captions to photos, especially when they’re not the most well known and recognizable players.

does anyone here know how to send in suggestions like this to the TD staff? My repeated requests have never even been acknowledged.