Twins Minor League Report (9/2): Minor League Season's Final Day

I'm sorry but but I must point out again that the emperor is currently wearing no cloths.

I voiced concerns about Lewis in May and was told there were no problems. So now that it is September....lets look at AVE, OBP, and SO/BB ratios over time

2018 "A" (last half season): 0.255, 0.726, <2.0

2019 "A" (first half season): 0.238, 0.665, >3.0 (which earned a promotion ?!?!)

2019 "AA" (last half season) 0.231, 0.649, 3.0 exactly (so based on history ready for another promotion?!)

This is not the trajectory of a future superstar. I'm not an expert and do not know what is wrong with his swing/approach, BUT it is clear to anyone without bias that something is wrong.

One Theory:  They are trying to revamp his swing for a better launch angle and it is failing miserably. Earlier this year Buck was quoted as saying that he was going to hit HIS way this year (which makes me wonder if they were trying to revamp his swing as well for HR/launch angle...... ) Retooling for a better launch angle is good for some but not all!

Seth, Tom, Cody, Steve, Ted, and Matt,

Thanks for another great year of minor league coverage at Twins Daily!

I'm sorry but but I must point out again that the emperor is currently wearing no cloths.

 

I voiced concerns about Lewis in May and was told there were no problems. So now that it is September....lets look at AVE, OBP, and SO/BB ratios over time

 

2018 "A" (last half season): 0.255, 0.726, <2.0

2019 "A" (first half season): 0.238, 0.665, >3.0 (which earned a promotion ?!?!)

2019 "AA" (last half season) 0.231, 0.649, 3.0 exactly (so based on history ready for another promotion?!)

 

This is not the trajectory of a future superstar. I'm not an expert and do not know what is wrong with his swing/approach, BUT it is clear to anyone without bias that something is wrong.

 

One Theory:  They are trying to revamp his swing for a better launch angle and it is failing miserably. Earlier this year Buck was quoted as saying that he was going to hit HIS way this year (which makes me wonder if they were trying to revamp his swing as well for HR/launch angle...... ) Retooling for a better launch angle is good for some but not all!

Lewis is still young. Also I think surrounding him with guys who are similar in age and have similar major league trajectories, but are more consistent hitters (Larnach and Kirilloff) will continue to help him. It seems like the front office is promoting those guys in tandem. Wouldn't surprise me to see all three of them starting in Rochester next year, and then possibly all three of them starting for the Twins the year after. 

Happy to see Wander Javier finish his season with a homer, even if he was only 1-5 for the game.  Good games from the three Wahoos in Pensacola as well.  And Bailey Ober...man, hard not to put that kid in the hope basket.

Thank you for the dedicated minor league coverage. Always a joy to read and helps make some future stars household names in Twins Daily land.

Waiting to see who the Twins send to Instructional League.

And who gos and who stays from this massive crop of farmhands!

I'm sorry but but I must point out again that the emperor is currently wearing no cloths.

 

I voiced concerns about Lewis in May and was told there were no problems. So now that it is September....lets look at AVE, OBP, and SO/BB ratios over time

 

2018 "A" (last half season): 0.255, 0.726, <2.0

2019 "A" (first half season): 0.238, 0.665, >3.0 (which earned a promotion ?!?!)

2019 "AA" (last half season) 0.231, 0.649, 3.0 exactly (so based on history ready for another promotion?!)

 

This is not the trajectory of a future superstar. I'm not an expert and do not know what is wrong with his swing/approach, BUT it is clear to anyone without bias that something is wrong.

 

One Theory:  They are trying to revamp his swing for a better launch angle and it is failing miserably. Earlier this year Buck was quoted as saying that he was going to hit HIS way this year (which makes me wonder if they were trying to revamp his swing as well for HR/launch angle...... ) Retooling for a better launch angle is good for some but not all!

He’ll be fine.

Look up Raul Mondesi. He gets a lot of love and his minor league numbers were putrid but he was always young for his level. 

Lewis is barely 20 and playing in Double A. Give him another year. Also keep in mind minor league numbers offensively were down in the minor leagues besides Triple A. 

Thanks for everything!!!!! \m/

Yep.

The minor league coverage at Twins Daily is by far the best in this market.

Thanks for all your hard work and keep up the great work guys.

Have enjoyed the coverage for years!  You guys are good at writing about Baseball!

This is the first stop in the morning.  Thanks to all the writers for the reports.  And hopefully I'll keep reading here of the success of Pensacola and Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks guys, all your work is appreciated.

There is an old farmer saying, "the cream always rises to the top."  As the Kernels begin their playoff run, maybe, just maybe that will apply to Mr. Javier.  After what has to have been a most trying season, wouldn't a fantastic finish be wonderfful for this young man.  So let's go, Wander.  Set that stick on fire and lead the Kernels to the promised land!

And Baily Ober for Mayor, or Governor, or President, or something.

Are we to make something, anything, out of Lewis playing different positions recently?

I don't think worrying about Lewis is unfounded. DC Twins isn't saying Royce Lewis won't be a productive major leaguer. He's saying he won't be a superstar (probably) and his chances of being a star are diminished. All of which is very true.

Superstars generally show themselves early and make level jumps easily. Now, there are those who don't, that is true. But the problem with that logic is that virtually everybody doesn't destroy level after level. To think that Royce Lewis has a chance to become one of these rare hitters among all good prospects is to basically have had that hope for him early and just not let it go.

I think we're looking at a guy who will come to be as his best chance a first-division regular, along the lines of Kubel, Cuddyer in terms of production relative to league.

Look up Raul Mondesi. He gets a lot of love and his minor league numbers were putrid but he was always young for his level. 

 

Lewis is barely 20 and playing in Double A. Give him another year. Also keep in mind minor league numbers offensively were down in the minor leagues besides Triple A. 

I agree with the "give him another year"...and that the numbers were influenced by a tough league for hitters.

But if Lewis profiled like Mondesi offensively (still TBD, obviously)...that would make me feel worse, not better. Mondesi is not a good offensive player at the major-league level. (Not at this point, anyway.) Meanwhile, nobody is expecting Lewis to be a plus defender at SS. Lewis needs to hit eventually...better than Mondesi has shown so far.

"Jose Miranda made his Double-A debut and went 3-for-5 with a double."

Of course he did. Just released from batters' jail (aka, the Florida State League)...where you play 7-inning double-headers every 3 days due to rain-outs, and the air is always laced with 97% humidity...and where Miranda's numbers this season were pretty ugly...even 'worse' than Royce Lewis's.

I'm sorry but but I must point out again that the emperor is currently wearing no cloths.

 

I voiced concerns about Lewis in May and was told there were no problems. So now that it is September....lets look at AVE, OBP, and SO/BB ratios over time

 

2018 "A" (last half season): 0.255, 0.726, <2.0

2019 "A" (first half season): 0.238, 0.665, >3.0 (which earned a promotion ?!?!)

2019 "AA" (last half season) 0.231, 0.649, 3.0 exactly (so based on history ready for another promotion?!)

 

This is not the trajectory of a future superstar. I'm not an expert and do not know what is wrong with his swing/approach, BUT it is clear to anyone without bias that something is wrong.

 

One Theory:  They are trying to revamp his swing for a better launch angle and it is failing miserably. Earlier this year Buck was quoted as saying that he was going to hit HIS way this year (which makes me wonder if they were trying to revamp his swing as well for HR/launch angle...... ) Retooling for a better launch angle is good for some but not all!

First, I am not trying to argue that Lewis is set to be top player around, but there is a reason many outlets have him near top prospect around.  Yes, his numbers are not as good as one would hope, but being over 3 years younger than average comp should be considered.  Finally, pure numbers does not tell the whole story, and sure the FO and coaches have much more of an idea of how he is doing.  Remember Kepler numbers last few years and people were talking platooning him, now he is doing great and no need to platoon.  Kepler had some of hardest contact on the team last year, but had very low BABIP compared to average exit velocity.  

I trust in the Falvene two-headed monster, at least so far. 

Lewis is still young. Also I think surrounding him with guys who are similar in age and have similar major league trajectories, but are more consistent hitters (Larnach and Kirilloff) will continue to help him. It seems like the front office is promoting those guys in tandem. Wouldn't surprise me to see all three of them starting in Rochester next year, and then possibly all three of them starting for the Twins the year after. 

Uh?!  At some point results have to dictate reality right? If Lewis starts in Rochester next year, his new nick name can be Delusion of Granduer! Lewis is light years away from Larnach and Kirilloff based on any metric except wishful thinking for a #1 overall pick.

First, I am not trying to argue that Lewis is set to be top player around, but there is a reason many outlets have him near top prospect around.  Yes, his numbers are not as good as one would hope, but being over 3 years younger than average comp should be considered.  Finally, pure numbers does not tell the whole story, and sure the FO and coaches have much more of an idea of how he is doing.  Remember Kepler numbers last few years and people were talking platooning him, now he is doing great and no need to platoon.  Kepler had some of hardest contact on the team last year, but had very low BABIP compared to average exit velocity.  

 

I trust in the Falvene two-headed monster, at least so far. 

He has been dropping in rankings overall. And Law expressed concerns in his last assessment. I think the FO has done a fine job overall but step one is to admit you have a problem

Also Lewis had BETTER numbers last year at "A" than this year and he was EVEN YOUNGER then!

He’ll be fine.

But we drafted him to be sooooooo muuuuch more than fine.....