Twins Minor League Report (9/7): Saints Slug to a Victory

It's becoming increasingly realistic that Martin deserves a shot with the big league club, but the chances of that happening this year remain slim, although any injuries may necessitate a callup. But what happens next year? Martin looks like his best fit is in the outfield, but among the outfielders this year, who does he replace? We've got guys like Larnach and Nick Gordon, maybe Taylor again as a backup, maybe Kepler again too, and don't forget Wallner. or even Castro ... and maybe an overdue Buxton return. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. What do you all see happening next season?

4 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

It's becoming increasingly realistic that Martin deserves a shot with the big league club, but the chances of that happening this year remain slim, although any injuries may necessitate a callup. But what happens next year? Martin looks like his best fit is in the outfield, but among the outfielders this year, who does he replace? We've got guys like Larnach and Nick Gordon, maybe Taylor again as a backup, maybe Kepler again too, and don't forget Wallner. or even Castro ... and maybe an overdue Buxton return. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. What do you all see happening next season?

IMO, one of Gordon and Castro have to go (It would be Gordon for me) and one of Larnach and Wallner have to go. Martin kind of takes both of the spots of the guys that leave. I think Kepler stays and Taylor goes (if they believe Castro and Martin are capable back ups) if the Twins are playing on Buxton DH's like this year then you have to bring in a real CF or keep Taylor.

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

It's becoming increasingly realistic that Martin deserves a shot with the big league club, but the chances of that happening this year remain slim, although any injuries may necessitate a callup. But what happens next year? Martin looks like his best fit is in the outfield, but among the outfielders this year, who does he replace? We've got guys like Larnach and Nick Gordon, maybe Taylor again as a backup, maybe Kepler again too, and don't forget Wallner. or even Castro ... and maybe an overdue Buxton return. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. What do you all see happening next season?

Martin will get a shot as a super utility guy, if not starting CF depending on Buck's health.  Castro will come back most likely to play same roll he did this year, and the FO and Rocco love guys like Castro, a switch hitter that can play just about any position at least decent.  It allows them to pinch hit early in game because he can get moved around.  Being Martin is showing some level of that too, they will want to look at him.  

Gordon will be DFA this year.  The FO and Rocco have never been huge on him, mainly because of his injuries and never taken off huge.  He missed this year due to broken leg and the roster crunch will get him.  I am sure they will look to shop him first, but my guess no team bites and he get DFA.  

I also guess Taylor is not resigned.  They will shop Larnach but he could get DFA too if no deals can be had. Kepler based on what he has done this second half will get his option picked up is my guess. Really, Buck's health will cause a lot of things to get shifted around, but Martin will get his shot some time next year, if he does not break camp. 

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

It's becoming increasingly realistic that Martin deserves a shot with the big league club, but the chances of that happening this year remain slim, although any injuries may necessitate a callup. But what happens next year? Martin looks like his best fit is in the outfield, but among the outfielders this year, who does he replace? We've got guys like Larnach and Nick Gordon, maybe Taylor again as a backup, maybe Kepler again too, and don't forget Wallner. or even Castro ... and maybe an overdue Buxton return. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. What do you all see happening next season?

Martin bats RH and can play any of the three positions in the OF well. I'm finding myself agreeing with Gleeman and assuming that Kepler will be on the team until they actually trade or cut him. Wallner has done enough to be a presumptive starter for next season. If Buxton is expected to be healthy enough to play CF next season, then they'll need 2 more OF to fill out the roster. Martin looks like a great fit to fill the RH option: younger, cheaper, and with more upside at the plate than Taylor (even if he doesn't have Taylor's defensive rep). Castro is a super-utility guy who plays infield and OF, and almost certainly will be on the roster. Realistically there's 2 bench spots left and both might go to primary infielders.

Gallo is gone for sure. Taylor is a real maybe (he's had a good year, but the defense has slipped some and expecting him to repeat one of his best offensive seasons at age 33 might be optimistic) and might be gone in free agency. Gordon's lost season has him on the outside looking in, unfortunately for him. If Polanco isn't moved, he has one of the last two spots for sure. So Gordon, Larnach, Miranda, and Farmer are all fighting for one spot. (Vazquez, Jeffers, Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, Lewis, Kepler, Buxton, Wallner, and Castro all feel like locks right now along with Polanco if he's not dealt, but I feel like he's in the same boat as Kepler: assume he's here until he's actually gone) That's 11 position players, and they'll keep 13. Martin is a good fit IMHO, but the Twins have been willing to make a guy force his way on the roster to maintain depth.

There will be some tough calls coming up, but also a bunch of good talent. It'll be interesting to see if they roll with the young guys or bring in a vet like they did with Solano next season.

SWR has been looking very good since July.  His walks are still high, but my understanding AAA walks are up overall due to the robo umps.  However, in last 90 days, his OPS allowed is just .627, in last 28 days it is .597.  He may be walking guys, but he is striking them out too, but more importantly, he is not giving up hits generally. His batting average against is below .200 since July, after having over .300 for most of first half the season. 

I think he will build off this and will play the Ober/Varland roll next year, filling in when injuries set in, and maybe force his way into rotation like Ober did. 

I think Taylor will get a lot of attention in free agency this offseason. There are very few center fielders available. Bellinger and Bader are the only guys under 30. Of the rest only Kiermaier had a better season than Taylor. I don't think the Twins will be the high bidder.

Looking at today's box scores, Miller getting another 2 walks caught my eye.  See that in 517 PA this year, he has 58 walks.  That's a walk rate of over 11%.  I tend to recall he regularly has a walk or two in the box scores I see.  Is a bit over 11% a good walk rate?  

3 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

It's becoming increasingly realistic that Martin deserves a shot with the big league club, but the chances of that happening this year remain slim, although any injuries may necessitate a callup. But what happens next year? Martin looks like his best fit is in the outfield, but among the outfielders this year, who does he replace? We've got guys like Larnach and Nick Gordon, maybe Taylor again as a backup, maybe Kepler again too, and don't forget Wallner. or even Castro ... and maybe an overdue Buxton return. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. What do you all see happening next season?

If Larnach could stay healthy, he could really give a team a boost. I just don't trust him as a Twin.  This winter should be the time to sell low on him and give him a shot with a rebuilding team. He could hit 30 HR or he could be on the DL the entire season 

13 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I am high on Taylor and the discussion on the teams WAR leaders seems to agree with me. I have seen a lot of criticism of him, but he has been a really valuable option - more than Farmer, Gallo, Luplow.

If the Twins sign Taylor it will need to be at the beginning of free agency because he will not last on the market long. That would answer a lot of questions (negatively) about Buxton's knee.

I think they'll roll with Castro, Gordon and Martin in CF next year with the hope that Martin wins that competition.

7 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I think Lee will beat out Gordon, Larnach, Miranda and possibly Farmer. Lee will play 3B with Lewis moving to 2B and Julien to 1B and DH and Kirilloff to 1B and LF.

Snowballs chance in hell for that.