Don't Forget About Jose Miranda

Odds are Miranda and Gordon will play some where else in 2024.

The Twins do treat rookies like they are family children, giving them ever break, but time does run out.

I think Miranda will get another opportunity with the Twins, and should if he comes back from the shoulder injury. He should practice reps at 1B and 3B as soon as he's cleared for drills, because he looks like a fine option to spell Kirilloff with his RH bat, or even jump on the job if Kirilloff isn't ready to start the season (possibly platooning with Julien at 1B). Maybe Brooks Lee is ready to be the first infielder up if there's an injury next season, but Miranda has the hit tool to make it a race. Royce missed time even after returning from the 2nd ACL tear, so Miranda should be ready to go, and look for his opportunity.

I think if everyone is mostly healthy to start the season, Miranda starts in AAA, but he will get a chance. If he's hitting in AAA like he did before, then he'll either force his way back up to MLB or be one very nice trade chip.

i haven't forgotten about Jose Miranda and neither has the Twins organization.

I would much rather see the organization hold on to the potential that Miranda brings over Farmer and especially Castro.  

It would be nice if Miranda can be a rh bat in the lineup ...

He will definitely start at AAA  and will have to prove himself all over again  ...

no way is a spring training long enough to evaluate  , if his injury  kept him from hitting  and fielding last year , his mental approach to the game may need encouraging  , did the pitcher's adjust to Miranda and he didn't adjust back  ...

Spring traing to short  , prove himself in AAA and gain confidence ...

If I was FO  I would not be expecting  Miranda to break camp  and head north n 26 man roster  ...

Based on 2023 I think you have to put Miranda behind Severino on the depth chart.

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Odds are Miranda and Gordon will play some where else in 2024.

The Twins do treat rookies like they are family children, giving them ever break, but time does run out.

Same could be said for Larnach, who has been given a starting OF job on a platter for the past 2-3 years but has been unable to keep it. Heck, Gordon went out and grabbed that OF job in 2022 and had a great year until he was hurt in '23. 

Severino had a wRC+ of 100 in AAA in his 153 PAs. Severino’s numbers in AAA look good until you realize it is typical in the run scoring context of the International League. For context, Celestino was 106 last year and no one would be lobbying for him at corner position. I think Severino needs a half season in AAA to show a wRC+ of 130 or better and put up a lower strikeout rate. The Twins had the patience for Wallner to get to that level and lower his strike out rate. They need patience with Severino.

It would help if Julien can play a passable 1B. 

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Odds are Miranda and Gordon will play some where else in 2024.

The Twins do treat rookies like they are family children, giving them ever break, but time does run out.

When should time run out? Some suggest 1500 plate appearances. 

46 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Severino had a wRC+ of 100 in AAA in his 153 PAs. Severino’s numbers in AAA look good until you realize it is typical in the run scoring context of the International League. For context, Celestino was 106 last year and no one would be lobbying for him at corner position. I think Severino needs a half season in AAA to show a wRC+ of 130 or better and put up a lower strikeout rate. The Twins had the patience for Wallner to get to that level and lower his strike out rate. They need patience with Severino.

It would help if Julien can play a passable 1B. 

I agree with all of that, but Severino still performed significantly better than Miranda. Miranda hit .255/.326/.360 in AAA.

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I agree with all of that, but Severino still performed significantly better than Miranda. Miranda hit .255/.326/.360 in AAA.

I have no idea how his spring training shoulder injury impacted his season.

Miranda shown in AAA a 156 (AA was 162) wRC+ in 2021 and a major league wRC+ of 117 in 2022. Neither of those numbers came with a high BABIP or high strikeout rates. 

Severino could get there. He had a wRC+ of 165 in high A in 2022 and his AA was 139 last year. He needs to show that kind of performance in AAA over an extended time period before I would plan for him to take over at 1B.

Miranda has shown he can produce in extended periods at both AAA and the majors. That performance should not be disregarded.

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

A return to form for Miranda would be bigger than just about any free agent addition. His ability to limit strikeouts was sorely missed last year and would be a big help next.

It would make sense to give Miranda a shot if they think Kirilloff is going to back relatively early in the season.  They could also let Miranda and Severino audition for the position in spring training.  Julien could be the back-up plan if they both stink it up. 

Here is another idea.  How about Jeffers working on 1B during the off-season.  He could play 1B part-time.

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Miranda cannot be judged by 2023 as he was playing through an injury.  He should come into camp healthy and ready to impress.

Based on? Shoulder injuries have ended several careers. Shoulder surgery isn't like Tommy John, it's a lot riskier.

3 hours ago, Lasso said:

How about Lewis back to the OF, our better bats now & future are in the infield.

The Twins have specifically stated (recently) that Lewis is playing third base, taking ground balls at shortstop at times for practice. Everyone can forget about Royce Lewis as an outfielder, even if you think it is a good idea.

Jose Miranda lost this year to injury. We cannot know to what extent he was ineffective due to injury. The 2022 Jose Miranda had a solid MLB bat with the ability to drive the ball for extra base hits and carry a decent K rate. A return to full force at the plate brings a fair option back to the Twins roster. Nothing will be known until late March. 

21 hours ago, RpR said:

Odds are Miranda and Gordon will play some where else in 2024.

The Twins do treat rookies like they are family children, giving them ever break, but time does run out.

Miranda has to prove himself at St. Paul next year before he can be considered as an option for any position.  There are guys behind him in the minors that are likely to leap frog over Miranda on the depth chart.  The odds are not in his favor with the Twins.

19 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Miranda cannot be judged by 2023 as he was playing through an injury.  He should come into camp healthy and ready to impress.  If he is good, and Kirilloff's surgery keeps him out until say May, then I'd put Miranda at 1B to start the season.

Is he healthy? Did he need surgery or just rest? He didn't have a great year with the Saints either 

There is no reason to trade Miranda since he has another option. He should be motivated to earn a roster spot next year. If he puts up good numbers but still is behind Lee and others, then try to trade him. 

I would not forget about Miranda, but I would not count on him coming back either. 

12 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

To get more at bats for Vazquez? That wouldn't interest me at all.

I'd only be interested in finding extra spots for Jeffers to play if Camargo or Cossetti are crushing it and ready for a promotion. And from the sounds of it, Camargo would likely be the one playing a secondary position.

I was not suggesting he catch less in order to play 1B.  The idea would be for him to play more games by also playing some 1st base.  The theory being playing 1B is not as strenuous as catching.  Watching Vasquz bat was painful.