4 More Triple-A Hitters Who Could Upgrade the Twins' Offense

And still no mention of Michael Helman.

Sorry DocBauer, I beat you to it.  😇

I have a hard time seeing Margot leave any time soon. He has started to produce a bit more.

Lee will be up when he is ready. 

How does Severino improve the roster in any way? I guess I just don't see it.

Wallner has been raking the past week or two, so that makes sense.  None of the other guys are putting up particularly strong stats, save Will Holland who doesn’t have much of a pedigree.  You left off Austin Martin who has put up a ridiculous OBP since being sent back down.  I’m not sure that there is a ton of help there at the moment, but given time, there might be more, especially in Brooks Lee’s case.  

7 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Wallner has been raking the past week or two, so that makes sense.  None of the other guys are putting up particularly strong stats, save Will Holland who doesn’t have much of a pedigree.  You left off Austin Martin who has put up a ridiculous OBP since being sent back down.  I’m not sure that there is a ton of help there at the moment, but given time, there might be more, especially in Brooks Lee’s case.  

Martin was recalled already with Kirilloff being sent down yesterday. I do think his bat will help up here with how he has been doing.

I'd love to be wrong, but I have a hard time projecting Wallner to be a real help. Severino too. The strikeout rates, even with power, is difficult for me to really get behind.

Do these OPS numbers at AAA suggest the players can play at the major league level?  Possibly; I'm not going to dig into them here to consider them further.  But the players won't likely replicate those numbers with the big club, because the pitching in the minors is so much lesser and the offensive environment is elevated - league-wide the OPS this year in the International League is .771 at last check, with an ERA of 4.92.  Racking up an OPS in the .800s there doesn't really make anyone stand out, since the numbers are being compiled against players who for the most part belong in AAA anyway.

So it's a bit of a stretch to believe they can "upgrade" anything on the Twins' offense, except players like Kirilloff who are absolutely struggling.  These four, even the vaunted Lee at the moment, represent more of a wave of reinforcements than an upgrade.

I would like to see Julian get as many reps at 1st as possible while he's in St. Paul. He has hit at every level so far. Then next year I would like to see an infield with Julian/Miranda at 1st, Lee at 2nd, Correa at SS, and Lewis at 3rd. I believe Lee will be a better than average hitter from both sides and a good fielder. Julian and Miranda platoon at 1st. OF could get a little tricky. I'm not counting on Kepler. That seems to leave Larnach and Buxton and Castro and probably Martin as the 4th?

16 minutes ago, mickster said:

I am hoping Martin is here to improve his trade market and we include him with an OF in a deal for a RH middle of the order hitter

Whatever works. I think he has a place in a major league roster, but if they are attempting to upgrade their outfield I'd make a lot of things work.

57 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Wallner has been raking the past week or two, so that makes sense.  None of the other guys are putting up particularly strong stats, save Will Holland who doesn’t have much of a pedigree.  You left off Austin Martin who has put up a ridiculous OBP since being sent back down.  I’m not sure that there is a ton of help there at the moment, but given time, there might be more, especially in Brooks Lee’s case.  

Agreed, and I think too soon on Wallner. He's hitting now, but it's only been a week or so after 2 months of being pretty putrid. Maybe he's fixed the hole in his swing, maybe the pitching hasn't been good enough to expose that hole over the last week or so.  Wallner needs to hit well for at least the rest of June before he should even be considered. I see him as an after ASB call up at the earliest unless there is an injury. The two main options who might help the Twins now are Martin and Helman. One of them is coming up today now that Kirilloff is being optioned to AAA, probably Martin. One of those two is probably the right call. 

The other intriguing possibility is Brooks Lee coming up to play 2B. It's probably too soon but it is an interesting possibility.  2B is the position we need to fill so either Martin, Helman or Lee could be a possibility. Call up a 2B, and move Castro to his UTL role. That's the best move.    

Twins have a good AAA roster. Julien, Wallner, Kirilloff, Severino, Camargo all on 40 man so easier to promote. Helman and Kiersay have done well, may get a shot. Lee has most potential but needs time at AAA. Holland has done surprisingly well, Prato has taken a step back this year, Kemp looks like AAA depth and experience. Williams and Isola are long shots, Winkel may still develop as catcher but not ready at this time. 

17 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

I'm pretty sure Will Holland isn't 26 and probably isn't eligible to be called up to the MLB roster 😉

Just cause he's not on the 40 man. 

More importantly, how many years team control and options?

Snark aside, team control and options play a factor.  If they aren't certain its a huge upgrade, they aren't going to do it, Lee or Holland.

2 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

No, not really.

That was kind of the thrust of my post, and yet I'm not quite willing to take it that far.  A lot of players can play in the majors, if fit into clearly defined roles. Some hold such a role for years, and even adapt to a new role.  Jake Cave would be an example.

Major league regular, though?  I will take that stand.