Ready Or Not, Twins Have Turned To Prospects

Niko Goodrum is already 24 years old and there is absolutely no one in AAA good enough to block him. If Dozier, Polanco or Escobar go down to injury I can see Goodrum being the replacement.

 

No offense to Reginatto, Gonzalez, Field or Hague, but I don't see any of them lighting things up at the plate. Niko has a pretty clear path if they need an infielder.

That's a good dark horse pick. Niko's defensive versatility certainly makes him attractive as an insurance option for multiple positions. I would toss Engelb Vielma's name into that infield mix as well. He has the advantage of already being on the 40-man roster.

Rosario was called up because the other possibilities [Arcia, Vargas and Sano] participated in a Home Run contest during Spring Training, instead of standard BP drills.  Molitor doesn't like that kinda stuff...

Seems like we could see a similar leap frogging of Zach Granite over Daniel Palka this season, 

The title of this really confused me, esp looking at the Twins' rotation, but its subject is not really what I thought it was.

 

I'd add Chargois & Rogers to the 2016 list in addition to Kepler

 

As far as 2017 goes, I agree that Goodrum might have a good chance to take Danny Santana's spot during ST.  He can play any IF position as well as CF, which is more versatility than Santana and his glove is an improvement over Santana, as is his stick that made good strides this season.

 

Daniel Palka adds to this team something they do not have:  Left hand power.  He can push Rosario as a fourth OF option with Kepler and Buxton in the other 2 spots.

 

Mitch Garver has a 33.3% chance in making the team as well, in his 3-way fight with JR Murphy and Chris Gimenez for the back up C spot.  On the other hand they might want him to have a full season at AAA, but he is 25 already.

 

Arms:

 

Hard to tell at this point, since I suspect a lot of churn with potential trades and whatnot.  I'd be surprised if Mason Melotakis is not there at some point in the season, Adalberto Mejia (who is IMO the most MLB-ready SP in the organization) as well.  If healthy I just do not see a way that Nick Burdi does not make the Twins by the end of the season.  Other than those, DJ Baxendale, Trevor Hildenberger, Jake Reed, Brandon Peterson even John Curtiss might have a chance to make it depending on performance and injuries.   But I expect still a lot of change, as far as pitching goes, in what the Twins have now and what they will have by opening day

Was more so looking for guys who I feel made their arrival a little earlier than expected. Rogers spent all of 2015 in Triple-A, so I initially didn't really consider him. But now that you mention it, it's a bit surprising he didn't get more seasoning in the minors adjusting to the relief role, so in that sense he certainly fits in.

I think if I suggested Chargois was called up early the first comment on this would've been Seth saying how far off base that opinion is, which would have been fun But to be fair, he did have only 33 IP at Double-A entering the year and started '16 back in 'Nooga, so maybe the shoe fits. 

The Twins have done more than turn to prospects.  They also resumed signing geriatrics, or players past their prime if you want to be kind.

 

It will be fun watching Santana, Hughes, Gibson, Vogelsong, and rotating green guy in 2017.  I guess.

... and Jesse Orosco is gonna be the closer.

Granite needs time in AAA. If he can put up the kind of numbers in AAA he put up in AA he will move ahead of Palka unless Palka can do something to cut down his Ks and up his OBP.

 

I have high hopes for Shaggy. I expect him to be a strong member of the BP.

 

Is Taylor Rogers definitely moved to the BP for good? He started 27 games in AAA in 2015 but then only 2 last year before being called up. Have they decided he cannot be a MLB SP?

 

EDIT: Never mind - I see that Rogers' WHIP dropped significantly and his Ks went way up after moving to the BP. Hope he can keep it up or even improve.

Rogers also had trouble limiting damage to righties in Triple-A. They hit .326/.374/.457 off him in 2015. So I think they want to protect him from facing opposite-side hitters as much as possible. Nothin' wrong with that, he should be a valuable bullpen lefty for awhile.