Making Zack Granite Fit

On the year, Granite is batting an insane .371/.423/.510 across 49 games for Triple-A Rochester. Over the month of June he’s turned it on even more, slashing .486/.541/.69 through the 27th. Despite being a speed- and defense- type player, Granite has looked the part of a real threat with his bat, and the results haven’t been cheap infield hits or bunt singles. While the sample size may be small, Granite is coming off a solid 2016 in which he was named the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year, and he’s beginning to force the big club’s hand.

At the major league level, Granite figures to find himself in a rotational role with Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, and Eddie Rosario. The picture may have been clearer just a few weeks ago. As Rosario has continued his free-swinging tendencies, he owned just a .676 OPS through June 11. On one of his patented hot stretches, Rosario has turned in a .432/.479/.818 slash line across his last 14 games to raise his yearly OPS up to .795. What was once a player who looked like a demotion might have been coming, is now a guy who’s distanced himself from that notion.

Buxton and Kepler both have their deficiencies as well. For Byron, the bat continues to lag. However, the defense has been so exceptional, that even while owning an OPS in the low .600’s over the past few months, he remains above replacement level. The Twins center fielder is well on his way to a Gold Glove, and remains a lineup fixture because of it. Kepler has lost time to lefties, but has turned in a solid season thus far. While he has dealt with a bit of a slide lately, he’s not in a position to significantly lose time.

For Granite, that puts the Twins in an odd spot. All three outfield positions are spoken for, but he’s clearly demonstrated he can be an asset as well. Navigating playing time will take some work, but there’s a scenario that seems to make a lot of sense: make Robbie Grossman the every day designated hitter.

On the season, Grossman has been the Twins greatest on-base asset. Sure, he doesn’t hit for the power of a prototypical DH, but he has the ability to drive the gaps, flashes some speed, and can be an extra runner on the basepaths. While this would take away the role of Kennys Vargas, it’s not an incredible loss given the slide he’s taken in 2017. Vargas then becomes your backup first basemen, and a bench bat. Given the switch-hitting ability, albeit a lesser one as he’s struggled mightily against lefties, he profiles as a guy who, from either side ,with one swing, can lose a ball in the seats.

With the shuffle in the lineup, Minnesota would have the opportunity to get Granite no less than three starts per week. Right now, Paul Molitor sits Max Kepler against lefties due to his .440 OPS against them. Granite has compiled a .768 OPS against lefties and can hit pitchers from both sides at an above-average clip. When Buxton needs a day off, it’s Granite who would easily the next best option in center. And Rosario needs rest days as well. Throw in another start for a guy slumping or an attempt to make it two in a row, and the Twins have a pretty clear path for a near every-day spot to hand to Granite.

Making the roster fit, the Twins would need to clear a spot on the 25-man. Keeping Vargas as a bat-first backup first basemen, the club could thank Ehire Adrianza and send him on his way. Despite being applauded for his glove, Adrianza was always going to be a difficult pairing with Eduardo Escobar. The Twins long-time utility man can play more positions (even if at a lesser defensive ability), and he has a solid hit tool as well. Escobar backs up all over the diamond, and the Twins then no longer have a glove-only player on the bench.

Regardless of how the shuffle is made, Minnesota is nearing a decision-making crossroads when it comes to Granite. He’s clearly advanced beyond the constraints of Triple-A, and it appears he can help the big league club. An organization doesn’t want to see a prospect get bored at an unchallenging level, but they also can’t sacrifice the construction at the top just to make the pieces fit. If the Twins get creative, they can absolutely add a solid bat and plus defender to an already improved team. Zack Granite has been putting in work at Triple-A, and it appears he’s ready for his next challenge.