Royce Lewis Opening Options with AFL Flexibility

Lewis was nothing special with the bat this season... I think the idea that the Twins like his bat now is probably a bit far fetched. I suspect this is more flexibility related... People have learned that having a 10th guy that can play multiple positions and hold is own with the bat is extremely valuable. If Lewis can occupy SS, 3B, or CF, he can play just about anywhere else too. 

Either way, I dont' expect to see him in 2020 unless he suddenly destroys high minors pitching. 

IMHO, the Twins should trade Buxton (in a package or not) for a front line pitcher, start 2019 with Kepler at CF, and keep him there until Lewis is ready.    The window for the Twins to compete is wide open right now and if they do not have top of the rotation pitchers to equalize matchups with the Astros, Yankees, and Dodgers they will not go far.   

Maybe that's why Lewis is playing CF (and the fact that the SS position is taken for 5 more seasons in the bigs.)

There's certainly the idea of giving him reps at other positions at play here. There's nothing wrong with exposing him to other spots. He's a great enough athlete that he can fit in several places, depending on need.

 

But the biggest thing for me, and thank you for the mention on this, is how the rosters of the AFL are constructed and utilized. It just so happens there are two other players on the Salt River Rafters roster, Jose Devers and Geraldo Perdomo, who are better shortstops at this point than Lewis. Some might even go so far as to say considerably better.

 

Wouldn't read too much into it besides they have to find ways to get him and the other guys into games, but it's fun to see him in the outfield!

Exactly. This is not the Twins' staff doing this. It happens frequently, to get players into the games in the AFL. Personally, it makes me nervous that opposing team's staff is the ones doing it (Only Luis Ramirez, pitching coach from Fort Myers, and Ben Myers from the traing staff is there, and the team is managed by Keith Johnson from the Marlins' AAA team, the New Orleans Baby Cakes’). I would much rather it be under the watch of the Twins' farm system. This is a real wild card, and a good way to get hurt.... like slamming into the centerfield wall. And I mean slamming. The development is for the at bats he missed by being hurt at the beginning of the year, and against very good competion. After all, he did not really rip it up at the plate this year, and that is being generous. Kirilloff was held out in the end because he had plenty, and was a bit dinged up. I wouldn't read too much into it, either, and I just hope he comes out of the AFL not getting hurt playing the outfield and getting "Buxtoned".

But on the flip side of the coin isn't it interesting that in the AFL players get managed and coached by men who have an objective view. Maybe the manager sees that Lewis is inferior at short to the other guy, but within the Twins system the blinders are on: Lewis, #1 overall pick, will play short! Also, all the players on the roster generally play about the same amount, if I'm not mistaken.

Jose Devers (brother of the Red Sox' Rafeal Devers) is in the Marlins system, and the manager of the team is, too. That doesn't hurt his getting the call at SS. He progressed from the Gulfcoast League to High A this year. Geraldo Perdomo played A and High A and is in the Diamondback's farm, so is a "home teamer" in Arizona. There is also that, when we are considering "objectivity". They are both 19. It must be OK with the Twins' though. I still think playing as much as he can, and getting the at bats against quality pitching is the main goal here, and Lewis is athletic enough to play other positions to accomplish that goal, especially in meaningless exhibition type games where there is no need whatsoever to slam yourself into the outfield wall. 

IMHO, the Twins should trade Buxton (in a package or not) for a front line pitcher, start 2019 with Kepler at CF, and keep him there until Lewis is ready.    The window for the Twins to compete is wide open right now and if they do not have top of the rotation pitchers to equalize matchups with the Astros, Yankees, and Dodgers they will not go far.   

 

Maybe that's why Lewis is playing CF (and the fact that the SS position is taken for 5 more seasons in the bigs.)

Do you think that a team friendly contract will keep Polanco at SS if he continues to have throwing and fielding problems on routine plays, though? I'm not so sure that SS is Polanco's final home on the Twins', necessarily. Especially if someone develops that does better. One injury and an opportunity maximized, and Polanco could be holding down second, long term. He was voted the All-Star SS this year. It could very well be taken.

Do you think that a team friendly contract will keep Polanco at SS if he continues to have throwing and fielding problems on routine plays, though? I'm not so sure that SS is Polanco's final home on the Twins', necessarily. Especially if someone develops that does better. One injury and an opportunity maximized, and Polanco could be holding down second, long term. He was voted the All-Star SS this year. It could very well be taken.

You have to get pitching somehow. Lots of it. Next year. Or it's a lost year.

You have to get pitching somehow. Lots of it. Next year. Or it's a lost year.

I dream about that. I think Bumgarner would have a resurgence to top form, ala Verlander. I like Dallas Keuchel, a lot, too, who can be signed without a draft pick compenstion. And Odo... I can't believe I am saying that, but as a #3, or 4...... I don't see them spending on Cole, and I bet Houston resigns him.

Do you think that a team friendly contract will keep Polanco at SS if he continues to have throwing and fielding problems on routine plays, though? I'm not so sure that SS is Polanco's final home on the Twins', necessarily. Especially if someone develops that does better. One injury and an opportunity maximized, and Polanco could be holding down second, long term. He was voted the All-Star SS this year. It could very well be taken.

a. Polanco is better with the glove (and arm) than Lewis at SS (Wander Javier is better, but likely seems like a 3B guy)

b. No respect for  Arraez?  These 2 will be the Twins middle infield for the next 5 seasons...

a. Polanco is better with the glove (and arm) than Lewis at SS (Wander Javier is better, but likely seems like a 3B guy)

b. No respect for  Arraez?  These 2 will be the Twins middle infield for the next 5 seasons...

A little early to have earned that long term respect from me for Arraez. I remember initial half seasons like Valencia and Santana. And even more recently, Astudillo (split at the end of last year and the beginning of this, but I was never on the turtle train). So not that I don't wish for the best, I am not sold, and certainly not on his defense to have a huge upside. But I am open to serving up adoration and respect with time. And right now I have few complaints.... and none at the plate, except a little power. Arraez has been a great addition, so far. So credit given, and reserving respect.

Good problems to have, if any are a problem. I like the depth, and I certainly am not trying to predict the future of a couple of 20 year olds that both haven't even grown into their bodies yet. And I believe that Polanco can continue to get better and more consistant in the field. Javier won't play anywhere in the show if he doesn't start to hit. And Lewis will get all the benefits of all doubts and then some for some time to come. Draft Privilege. It's definitely a thing.

I would rather see Lewis at SS when/if he gets to the MLB. Polanco is a below average SS defensively and Arraez is well below average at 2nd using UZR metrics. Arraez has been decent at 3rd in 123 inning there.

 

Arraez at 3rd or super utility, Lewis at SS, Polanco at 2nd, Sano at 1b/DH (if he is not a FA by the time Lewis debuts).

 

Our infield defense is not very good and our outfield defense is great. Seems like making room for Lewis in the outfield is a waste. Kirilloff, Cave, and Wade should be ahead of Lewis on any outfield depth chart.

Cave and Wade are not ahead of Lewis. If Lewis moves to the outfield, it's not clear anyone but Kepler is in front of him, assuming Buxton is gone in that scenario.

Yeah I would put Kirilloff and Larnach ahead of Lewis in the OF pecking order assuming no Buxton. Basically, you have 2 OF spots, 1B, and 3B to divide between Kirilloff, Larnach, Lewis, Rosario, and Sano.

 

That said, I would not mind Lewis in a Marwin Gonzalez role in that scenario with the ability to play any OF spot and 2B, SS, and 3B.

You develop him at short. Shortstop is the most difficult position from a technical standpoint. For superior athletes like Lewis it’s easy to transition to another position from SS if/when that time comes. Not so, in reverse. That’s the point. And that’s why he’ll stay there until the bat is ready and they have a specific spot open on the big club...at that point, the transition would happen fast, and he’d be here.

I absolutely understand your logic and I don't disagree that players can be moved to different positions quickly. As a matter of fact.. players are moved to different positions quickly all the time. I'm not afraid of that type of abrupt defensive adjustment. 

However, the one thing that I am reasonably sure of it this:

When Royce Lewis makes his MLB Debut... It most likely won't be out of spring training with a static starting job to himself.

It will most likely come after an injury that requires a replacement and you don't know where the injury is going to occur. Lewis may be ready for call up with his bat and playing everyday at SS in Rochester when the MLB 2B gets hurt. 

Welcome to the majors Royce... You are in the lineup tonight at a position you have never played before. 

Again, I'm not afraid of that specific need based move... Just wondering if a little preparation before hand at the minor league level increases options for both the club and player.

If Rocco’s willing to put Arraez in a major league lineup at a position he’s never played in his life, he won’t bat an eye at doing so with Lewis if the situation necessitated it...recognizing that Lewis, by all accounts, is in a completely different class athletically than is Arraez. But yes, I’m sure the Twins don’t really mind seeing him play a handful of games in the AFL at different positions.

As usual, I'm talking in broad strokes. I have no idea what Royce Lewis is defensively. I've read reports but I typically don't take a ton of stock in those reports when I'm not sure who is writing them. However, with him playing other positions in Arizona (which I'm all for) it suggests that there are better defensive shortstops available. 

If that's the case (not saying it is). I only see benefit to both Royce and the organization if he can play multiple positions in Rochester. Develop a super utility player like Marwin, Like Bellinger, Like Bryant. A guy who can play every day and play at whatever position the team needs him to play each day.  

Personally, I believe the Twins will have similar depth next year to what they had this year. We need Marwin, Arraez, Astudillo and Adrianza just to get through the season. 

I agree that Baldelli was fearless when it came to moving Arraez around to get him AB's (he had to) and I love it because I love depth and the required flexibility that comes with depth.

However... despite my happiness for this willingness... I'm wondering why they wouldn't prepare in advance for it at the minor league level... instead of cold at the MLB level, even if I'm not afraid of cold. 

Bellinger is an amazing player and it's hard to lower his value at all... but he is indeed less valuable to the Dodgers if he was limited to only playing 1B because Muncy would have to play less as a result once you lock him into 1B throwing away Bellinger's flexibility.      

When Lewis knocks the door down with his bat... We don't know what position we will need him to play. We don't know who will get hurt to open a roster spot. 

If Lewis was Tatis like defensively at SS... Never mind... let him stay at SS. Then you start prepping Polanco to play other positions because Lewis is going to take his spot at SS. If Lewis is average at SS and he can make catches with the range he showed in the video above. He's is more valuable than Bellinger is defensively.  

I'd start making him a Bellinger at the minor league level and then wait for that bat to finish cooking. 

And I say this... not knowing what Lewis is capable of as a defensive player. I really have no idea. Just a fundamental discussion.  

The way to ensure that Lewis is NOT as defensively flexible as he could be in the majors, would be to waste significant time developing him at 2nd, 3rd, and center field in the minors, to later find out you want/need him to play every-day SS in the majors. SS is by far (other than catcher) the most difficult position to play from a technical standpoint. The Twins will be smart to let that development run it's coarse before moving him around significantly.

Whatever the path it takes I guess. The end result is what I'm mostly interested in. 

If Lewis can play multiple positions... I'd like to see him utilized at multiple positions. If I have to wait until he reaches the majors to actually create that type of player. I'll have to wait until he reaches the majors.