Twins Claim Speedy Outfielder Bubba Thompson Off Waivers

Once the Twins settled on their offseason 40 man (35-man at the time), I said I still saw four guys that I thought could still be removed if push came to shove.

So far, three players they have added since, Thompson, Jensen and Staumont, and all would rate well below those players.

Would be awfully surprised if he makes it through spring on the 40-man. Wouldn't be as surprised if he makes it through waivers with the Twins as they'll be sending him through at a more chaotic time for rosters than now, but I'll be very surprised if he makes this team. The Twins rotate players way too much to have a speed only guy on the roster. But he is ideal for getting through waivers and then claiming a playoff roster spot to be a late inning steal guy. Or maybe they carry him on the 40-man hoping they never need him during the regular season. But with Rodriguez already on the 40-man you probably don't want another guy who isn't likely to be a real MLB contributor on the 40-man.

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

He has options remaining. I doubt he makes the club out of ST, but he can maybe find it in St. Paul and if he’s around in September, he could be a real asset as a pinch runner/defensive replacement. 

The team always likes to think they'd be an asset off the bench, but whether it's Billy Hamilton, Darin Mastroiani or Jarvis Brown, it always turns out they weren't.

7 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

The team always likes to think they'd be an asset off the bench, but whether it's Billy Hamilton, Darin Mastroiani or Jarvis Brown, it always turns out they weren't.

Best case scenario is Terrence Gore/Dave Roberts type pinch runner for the playoffs. No real value during the regular season because they're just not worth carrying as the 13th guy when you use bench players as much as the Twins do as regular starters.

11 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Best case scenario is Terrence Gore/Dave Roberts type pinch runner for the playoffs. No real value during the regular season because they're just not worth carrying as the 13th guy when you use bench players as much as the Twins do as regular starters.

I've seen that one before, and I don't like it either.

Down by one, Julien on 1st with one out in the 8th and he's pinch run for by Thompson, which is silly because in 95% of all outcomes, both Julien and Thompson would be standing on the same base no matter what transpires next.

Then they need Julien's bat in the 10th and the options are Thompson or Christian Vazquez.

5 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I've seen that one before, and I don't like it either.

Down by one, Julien on 1st with one out in the 8th and he's pinch run for by Thompson, which is silly because in 95% of all outcomes, both Julien and Thompson would be standing on the same base no matter what transpires next.

Then they need Julien's bat in the 10th and the options are Thompson or Christian Vazquez.

You really think someone like Thompson isn't a better threat to steal a base, thus making the pitcher pay more attention to him, or score on a double from 1st than Julien? And chances are Julien was already pulled, or would be pulled, for a pinch hitter when the other team brings in their lefty anyways. Why isn't Farmer the hitter? Why are we only provided with the 2 worst options on the bench?

I'm not saying this is some sort of great signing, or that he's some key piece to a championship run, but when you're carrying 14 or 15 position players in the playoffs there's room for a guy who can swipe a bag whenever you need it. The '04 Red Sox sure are glad they had Roberts.

5 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

He has played much more left field than center field in the majors. Is that due to his arm or circumstance or maybe both? It makes me wonder about his arm.

His barrel rate of 1.9% and hard hit rate of 21.9% are incredibly low. Unlike slash stats which can take multiple seasons, statcast hard hit rate stabilize pretty quickly. It is possible to be successful in this range. Steven Kwan is an example and maybe the only real example. Kwan does it with a strike out rate at 10% and an in zone contact rate of 95%. Thompson is at 29.9% and 75%. That isn’t going to work with his hard hit rate and that data is pretty stable at his 241 PA sample. I am curious if his hard hit rate or barrel rate was significantly different in the minors.

I was curious about this too so I looked up the Rangers roster and was reminded that Leody Taveras was their CFer and he's quite good so I'm not sure how we should read that when it comes to his defense. If he's a legit CFer it's certainly better than if he's really a LFer. From what I can find quickly he was given 50 arm grades and 55 fielding grades coming up so there's a decent chance he can truly play CF.