Seth Stohs

Tremendous point!

I almost assume that Eddie Rosario will replace Byron Buxton in the Fall Stars game. And yeah, it's never been about who is performing for the first four weeks of the AFL.

When I read reports about Levi Michael, I read them and thought that his upside was Nick Punto. I think Nick Punto was vastly underrated as a Twins utility infielder. His defense was terrific at three infield positions and he took a lot of pitches and walked a lot. However, in my opinion, you don't take a future utility infielder in the first round. That said, I didn't have a huge issue with it because the Twins system needed middle infielders. He was the 30th pick, and I recall Keith Law ranked him as something like the 14th best player in the whole draft. He was very young for his draft class, so I thought that would be a good thing. To be fair, he wasn't healthy his first two years. He also probably should have started in Cedar Rapids rather than Ft. Myers. Let's hope that 2014 was a start to something good. He's still just 23. Maybe he can become a utility infielder in the big leagues after all.

I probably should have included him, but the sentence likely would have read something like "Rosario still got into 18 games at second base in 2014, though it appears he will be moving back to the outfield full time."

For years, the Twins had a string of uncertainty in the middle infield. Since the days of Cristian Guzman and Luis Rivas, the Twins have not been able to develop a strong middle infield combination. The Twins appear to have a second baseman to build around and hope that they have found a shortstop for the next several years. How does the rest of the organization look in the middle infield?Let’s take a look. Major Leagues Brian Dozier took another step forward in 2014. He became a 20/20 player, hitting 23 homers and stealing 21 bases. He added 33 doubles while hitting .242/.345/.416 and playing his solid defense up the middle. He may be a candidate for a long-term extension to buy out some arbitration and free agent years this offseason. The season began with Pedro Florimon at shortstop, but he just didn’t hit and was sent down to Rochester. At season’s end, he was Designated for Assignment and claimed by the Washington Nationals. Fortunately, Eduardo Escobar was around, and he was up to the challenge. Still just 25, Escobar has been deemed a utility infielder, but given this opportunity, he really stepped up. In 133 games, he hit .275/.315/.406 (.721) with 35 doubles. He also solidified the position defensively. The Twins acquired Eduardo Nunez from the Yankees early in the season in exchange for Miguel Sulburan. He hit .250/.271/.382 (.654) with 15 extra base hits in 72 games. He played all over the diamond and fit the utility role. What will the new manager and the front office do with Danny Santana? The 23-year-old was a shortstop throughout his minor league career, other than 23 games in centerfield between 2009 and 2012. He was called up to the Twins because of a need at shortstop, but he ended up giving the Twins their centerfielder where he held his own. Offensively, he surprised by hitting .319/.353/.472 (.824) with 27 doubles, seven triples and seven home runs. He also stole 20 bases in 24 attempts. The plan appears to be to move him back to shortstop in 2015. He had 32 errors at the position in New Britain in 2013, but who knows what surprised Santana might have in for us in 2015. Minor Leagues Doug Bernier got into seven games for the Twins in September after a strong season in Rochester. He hit .280/.348/.396 (.744) with 25 doubles and six homers in 124 games with the Red Wings. He played 66 games at shortstop, 44 games at third base, 14 games at second base, five games in right field and seven games in left field. Bernier was removed from the 40 man roster and is now a free agent. James Beresford was the everyday second baseman for the Red Wings, playing 128 games at the position. He certainly can play on the left side of the infield as well. In 131 games, he hit .276/.323/.351 (.674) with 28 doubles. He’s one of the better gloves in the organization. He is again a minor league free agent. Jorge Polanco made the move full-time to shortstop in 2014 after spending more time at second base earlier in his career. He played 123 games at shortstop and just ten at second base. He had a lot of errors, but those numbers decreased as the season went along. Offensively, he hit .288/.353/.395 (.748) with 23 doubles, six triples and seven home runs between Ft. Myers and New Britain. He also had 17 stolen bases. He also came up to the Twins twice during the season just because he was on the 40-man roster. He had a double and a triple (and two walks) in six at bats. Tony Thomas was an Eastern League All Star. The 27-year-old came to the Twins as a free agent before the 2014 season. He played 53 games at second base. He played 33 games at shortstop and 39 games in the outfield. Overall, he hit .241/.302/.411 (.712) with 29 doubles, six triples and 12 homers. He stole 14 bases. He recently resigned with the Twins on another minor league contract for the 2015 season. Levi Michael started to put things together in 2014. He was hitting well in Ft. Myers when he fouled a ball off of his foot. He came back two months later and soon after moved up to New Britain where he hit .340 in 15 games. Overall, he hit .313/.389/.387 (.776) with 14 extra base hits in 65 games. He stole ten bases. He played almost exclusively at second base, though he did play three games at shortstop as well. He would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if he is not added to the 40 man roster in November. Stephen Wickens played 30 games at second base and three games at shortstop for the Rock Cats. He mostly played third base. In 72 overall games, he hit .242/.296/.301 (.598) with ten extra base hits. After playing shortstop through his earlier years, the Twins moved Niko Goodrum to third base. However, he did still play 26 games at shortstop. The 22-year-old hit .249/.337/.336 (.672) with 19 doubles, five triples and three home runs. He also stole 35 bases in 39 attempts. He is a good defensive shortstop with good range and a strong arm. After Levi Michael moved up to AA, Tyler Grimes got the playing time at second base, including in the Miracle playoff run. He played 34 games at second base, caught 19 games, played centerfield 12 games, third base five times, right field five times and left field four times. In 79 games, he hit .232/.313/.335 (.648) with 14 doubles and three home runs. Aderlin Mejia began the season as the starting shortstop in New Britain, but by the end of April, he was back in Ft. Myers. Overall, he played 45 games at second base and 39 games at shortstop. He also played 19 games at third base. In 110 games, he hit .273/.360/.318 (.678) with 15 doubles. He also stole 25 bases. Engelb Vielma spent the first half of the 2014 season as a 19-year-old in the Midwest League. He held his own. Defensively, he is remarkable, with soft hands, good range and a very strong arm. Though he is still wire-thin, he was able to hit .266/.313/.323 (.636) with 13 doubles, four triples and a home run. If he can gain more strength, he could be one to watch. Ryan Walker began the season on the disabled list. When he returned, he played 39 games at second base and 31 games at shortstop. Like Vielma, he is rail thin but quick and plays very good defense. In 76 games, he hit .239/.296/.299 (.595) with eight doubles and four triples. Tanner Vavra was the Twins 30th round pick in 2013. He spent 2014 with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The 24-year-old played in 81 games and hit .258/.345/.326 (.671) with 14 doubles, a triple and a home run. He played 63 games at second base and was the DH in his other games. Logan Wade began the season with the Kernels but a shoulder injury cost him a couple of months. He really struggled offensively in his rehab stint with the GCL Twins but started hitting a bit again when he returned to Cedar Rapids. In 85 games, the 22-year-old hit .221/.263/.356 (.619) with 14 doubles, four triples and seven home runs. The Australian also played for his country in exhibition games against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks when the teams began their season Down Under. Jonatan Hinojosa played mostly third base in 2014. He did play ten games for the Kernels at second base and one at shortstop. He certainly profiles more as a middle infielder, with great speed and quickness, and a strong arm. In 52 games, he hit .291/.332/.390 (.722) with three doubles, six triples and one home run. Nick Gordon was the Twins top pick in 2014 out of his Orlando high school. At 18, he spent the season with Elizabethton where he hit .294/.333/.366 (.699) in 57 games. He added six doubles, four triples and a home run. He played a solid shortstop in 49 games. He has all the tools and should make the jump to Cedar Rapids to start 2014. 12th round pick and Minnesota native Pat Kelly played 39 games at second base for Elizabethton after three years at the University of Nebraska. He hit .242/.290/.313 (.602) with seven doubles and a triple in just 138 plate appearances. Will Hurt was the team’s 16th round pick in 2012 out of high school. After two seasons in the GCL, he moved up to Elizabethton where he played 25 game at second base. He hit .235/.303/.235 (.538). He has great speed and a very good glove. He’s got the arm to play shortstop as well. Blake Schmidt is another Minnesota native. He was the Twins 26th round pick in 2014 out of the University of Maryland. The 22-year-old played in just 22 games (19 at SS, 3 at 3B) and hit .162/.250/.176 (.426) with a double. Joel Ramirez played the most games at shortstop for the GCL Twins in 2014. The 20-year-old played 25 games at the position as well as eight games at second base. He hit .176/.268/.194 (.463) with two doubles. He has good speed and stole ten bases. Manuel Guzman played 23 games at shortstop and another 21 games at second base. The 19-year-old is very fast and has great range. In 47 games in the GCL, he hit .283/.385/.345 (.729) with five doubles and two triples. Nelson Molina was the Twins 11th round pick out of Puerto Rico in 2013. The 19-year-old returned to the GCL and played all over the diamond. He played 18 games at third base and 14 games at shortstop. He played all of the other positions with the exception of catcher and centerfield. In 45 games, he hit .243/.305/.287 (.591) with three triples. Rafael Valera is another guy who played all over the diamond. He played 22 games at second base and 16 games at third base. He also played 14 combined games between all three outfield positions. The 19-year-old was also the guy who moved up to the Ft. Myers Miracle when they had a need. In 50 total games, he hit .245/.360/.333 (.693) with nine doubles and two triples. Down in the Dominican Summer League, 17-year-old Emmanuel Morel played 52 of his 55 games at shortstop. He hit .240/.332/.304 (.636) with two doubles, three triples and a homer. Jorge Andrade played 33 games at second base for the DSL Twins. In 51 total games, the 19-year-old hit .287/.388/.408 (.796) with five doubles and eight triples. He also stole 22 bases. Luis Arraez played 31 games as a 17 year old in the DSL. 25 of those games were at second base, with three games at shortstop. He hit .348/.433/.400 (.833) with six doubles. Gabriel Ynfante played 39 games for the DSL Twins. The 19-year-old played 15 games at second base, ten games at third base and five games at shortstop. He hit .226/.419/.304 (.724) with seven doubles and one triple. SUMMARY The Twins should feel very good about their big league middle infield. Brian Dozier will be second baseman, and either Eduardo Escobar or Danny Santana will be playing at shortstop. Beyond that, there is some talent. Jorge Polanco and Levi Michael took a step forward in 2014. Engelb Vielma certainly put himself on the prospect map. Nick Gordon will be a Top 100 prospect in baseball and, although we’ll need to be patient, he has big potential. Click here to view the article

Don't forget... "and SHOULD not"

Some nice performances. Hopefully Buxton has shaken off the rust and can end strong. Rosario continues to impress. Kepler had a nice week. Jake Reed continues to pitch great. Jones had a bout with wildness in one outing, but he's on the right path.

The end of the third week in the Arizona Fall League marks the halfway point of the season, and at this juncture the Salt River Rafters, for whom the Twins prospects play, have clearly been the class of the league. They lead the East Division with a 12-4-1 record and are the only team with double-digit wins.In week 3, Taylor Rogers was again the only Twins representative who didn’t see action. Did Eddie Rosario continue to hit? Did Byron Buxton turn it around? Did Zack Jones and Jake Reed continue to mow down hitters? Read on to find out! Byron Buxton – 4 games, 6-18 (.333), 2B, 3 R’s, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K’s, 3 SB’s (4). Buxton played in four games this week, including another appearance in RF. His big game of the week came on Friday, when he went 3-5 with a double, scored two runs, drove in two more and stole two bases. It was the second game in a row he collected multiple hits, having gone 2-5 the day before. It’s a good sign to see all of his tools back on display, and Buxton is happy to be moving forward after his injury-wrecked 2014 season. Buxton raised his average from .229 to .264 during the week. Eddie Rosario – 4 games, 6-13 (.462), 2 R’s, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 3 SB (9). Rosario continued to bat third in the Rafters lineup this week, and continued to rack up hits. He currently is second in the league in batting average (.429) and total hits (21), fourth in RBI’s (11) and second in stolen bases (9). He had at least one hit in all four games during the week and collected multiple hits twice. In Tuesday’s 5-0 Rafters win, he was 2-2 with two RBI sac flies in four plate appearances. He was 2-4 with three RBI in his next game on Thursday, where he also stole two more bases. Of major note in reference to Rosario, is the fact that he has hit safely in all ten games he has played in the AFL, and seems to like the pace of play created by the 20-second pitch clock. Max Kepler – 3 games, 5-12 (.417), 2 R, 2 2B’s, 3B, RBI, 1 BB’s, 4 K’s, SB (3). Kepler saw action in three games during the week, and made the most of his opportunities as he went 2-4 on Tuesday, 2-5 with a double and triple on Wednesday, and 1-3 with a double, walk, and RBI on Thursday. His triple in Wednesday’s 9-3 victory sparked a four run second inning for the Rafters. He raised his average to .290 in league play, with an on-base percentage of .405. Taylor Rogers – Did not play. Rogers took a line drive to his shoulder in his only start for the Rafters in week 1, and has not pitched since. Jason Adam – 1 game, 1 IP, 0 R’s, 1 H’s, 0 BB, 1 K. 0.00 ERA. Adam finally made his first scoreless appearance in Friday’s 8-1 win, allowing just a single in the sixth inning. The runner moved to second on a passed ball, but he finished the inning with a strikeout and picked up his first hold. Zack Jones – 2 games, 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H’s, 3 BB, 0 K, 2 Holds. 0.00 ERA. Zack Jones made appearances in the wins on Monday and Thursday, picking up a hold in both contests. In Monday’s win, he gave up a double but retired the three other batters he faced. In Friday’s win, he lost his control in the seventh inning, throwing just eight of twenty-one pitches for strikes while walking three to load the bases. He recorded just one out, but still picked up a hold as Kaleb Fleck from the Diamondbacks organization retired the next two batters. Jake Reed – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s, 2 Holds. 0.00 ERA. Reed pitched in the same games as Jones, pitching the inning before him in each contest. He was extremely efficient, throwing twenty of twenty-four pitches for strikes, while allowing just one hit in his two innings. He also recorded two holds. Of note from Jones and Reed: neither hurler recorded an out with a strikeout on the week. Notes -Twins hitters combined to bat .395 with 3 2B’s, 1 3B, 7 R’s, 10 RBI, 4 BBs, 9 K’s, and 7 SB during the week. -Twins pitchers compiled a 0.00 ERA in 4.1 IP, allowing 0 R’s on 3 H’s and 3 BBs, while striking out one on the week. Click here to view the article

The glove/range were really the issues. I'm sure he'll get some time there, but not a ton.

My sense is that he won't be added, but it will depend upon how many roster spots they want to add. My sense is that a team won't take him because he wouldn't be likely to stick. I can't even find a way to get him onto the Opening Day Chattanooga roster right now.

Amaurys Minier moved to Left Field this year after shoulder surgery... though he wasn't going to be a 3B anyway.

I agree with this. I think he'd be a good 2-4 year guy. Maybe Mientkiewicz goes to AA in 2015 and becomes a bench coach in 2016 and takes over as manager in 2017-2018. Might be a nice progression.

It came up a day or two ago in another thread. I don't think any of that would be a disqualifier. His drug usage was 30-35 years ago. his family stuff is personal and seems to be managed. That's not to say that it's not part of Terry Ryan's decision-making, but it shouldn't be a disqualifier.

Earlier this week, we looked at the organization depth at first base for the Twins. Today, we make the jump across the diamond to the hot corner and see all the third basemen in the Twins organization.Major Leagues Trevor Plouffe put together the best season of his big league career. At the plate, he hit .258/.328/.423 (.751) with 40 doubles, 14 home runs and 80 RBI. As important, he made some huge improvements defensively. He is arbitration-eligible for the second year (of four). Eduardo Nunez and Eduardo Escobar both got time at third base when Plouffe was out of the lineup. Escobar is perceived by many as a utility infielder, though in 2014 he played most every day at shortstop. He played a lot of third base in previous seasons. In 465 plate appearances, the 25-year-old hit .275/.315/.406 with 35 doubles and six home runs. Nunez played in 72 games with the Twins after being acquired from the New York Yankees. He hit .250/.271/.382 (.654) with seven doubles, four triples and four homers. He is arbitration-eligible and may be a non-tender candidate. Minor Leagues Doug Bernier played in 124 games in Rochester before his September call-up. He played all over the diamond including in the outfield. He played 44 games at third base. He was removed from the 40-man roster and became a free agent. 28-year-old Deibinson Romero had a very strong showing with his bat in big league spring training. He spent the season in AAA where he hit .265/.364/.406 (.770) with 31 doubles and eight home runs. He can become a minor league free agent again this year. Miguel Sano is the big prospect. A year ago, he was a Top 10 prospect in all of baseball, but Tommy John surgery cost him the entire 2014 season. He’ll need to be brought along slowly and cautiously in 2015, but that doesn’t take away from his best tool, his power. He hit 65 home runs total in the last two years at three levels. He will turn 22 years old in May. Hopefully he can come back healthy and force the Twins to make some decisions on him and Plouffe. Brandon Waring tied for the team lead in home runs in spring training. OK, he hit two, but the 28-year-old was sent back to AA. In 106 games, he hit .212/.311/.406 with 28 doubles and 13 home runs. He came to the Twins as a minor league free agent and will be the same following the World Series. Nate Hanson split his season between New Britain and Rochester again in 2014. The 27-year-old who graduated from Eden Prairie High School and then went to the University of Minnesota and was the Twins 28th round pick in 2008. In 2014, he combined to hit .256/.327/.369 (.696) with 33 doubles and six home runs. He can become a six-year minor league free agent following the World Series. Stephen Wickens hurt his shoulder in spring training and missed a large chunk of the beginning of the season. The 25-year old rehabbed with the Miracle and then spent time playing various positions for the Rock Cats. In 72 games, he hit .242/.296/.301 (.598) with eight doubles. He played mainly 3B and 2B, but also got time in the outfield. Niko Goodrum was the Twins 2nd round pick in 2009 out of high school. He had been a good fielding shortstop until 2013 when he was moved to third base. Offensively, he hit .249/.337/.336 (.672) with 19 doubles, five triples and three home runs. He has very good speed and stole 35 bases in 39 attempts. Defensively he was a work in progress, adjusting to the hot corner where instincts are as important as range. He would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter if not added to the 40 man roster. Bryan Haar split the season between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers. He was the 34th round pick in 2012 out of the University of San Diego. In 108 games with the Kernels, he hit .267/.319/.446 (.765) with 20 doubles, five triples and 14 homers. He moved up to the Miracle and played in just 10 games. He played the majority of his games at third base but also got into 19 games at first base. Logan Wade is a 22 year old Australian who spent most of the season in Cedar Rapids playing second base and third. He missed extended time due to injury and struggled mightily in his return. In 75 games with the Kernels, he hit .233/.272/.380 (.652) with 12 doubles, four triples and seven home runs. At 5-11 and just 155 pounds, Jonatan Hinojosa is certainly not your typical third baseman. He is more of a middle infielder, but in 2014 he played a lot of third base in Elizabethton and at Cedar Rapids when he returned there late in the season. He didn’t hit in E-Town, but when he got to Cedar Rapids, he hit .341/.378/.494 with seven extra base hits in 20 games. He missed 50 games this year due to a PED suspension. Tyler Mautner was the Twins 14th round pick in 2014 out of the University of Buffalo. At 21, he hit .210/.306/.383 with 13 doubles and five home runs in his 45 game professional debut in Elizabethton. TJ White was the Twins 18th round pick in 2014 out of UNLV. He signed quite late and played in just eight games in the GCL before finishing with five games at Elizabethton. Ruar Verkerk signed as a 16-year-old in 2013 out of the Netherlands. The 6-3, 180 pound third baseman played in 25 games with the GCL Twins. He hit just .147/.216/.147 (.363) with no extra base hits in 68 at bats. As you would expect, he is quite raw and has much to learn about the game. Nelson Molina was the Twins 11th round pick in 2013 out of high school in Puerto Rico. The smooth-fielding shortstop actually played a little more at third base in 2014 (18 games). He hit .243/.305/.287 (.591) in 45 games. He added three triples and was 12-14 in stolen base attempts. Rafael Valera is a 19-year-old who made his US debut with the GCL Twins in 2014 after spending two seasons toiling in the Dominican Summer League. In 47 GCL games, he hit .254/.370/.341 (.710) with eight doubles and two triples. He was also 13 of 15 in stolen base attempts. He also played in three games for the Miracle when they had a need for a body. Roni Tapia signed as a 16-year-old in 2013 out of the Dominican Republic for $550,000. He made his professional debut in 2014 in the Dominican Summer League. In 50 games, he hit .269/.306/.386 (.692) with 15 doubles and four triples. In 25 games at third base, he committed 20 errors. Jermaine Palacios also played as a 17-year-old in the DSL. In 49 games, he hit .270/.404/.399 (.802) with 11 doubles and six triples. In 40 games at third base, he committed 10 errors. SUMMARY Trevor Plouffe took a step forward in his offensive and defensive games in 2014. He certainly goes into 2015 with the third base job. Like one year ago, his hold on the job is still somewhat slippery due to the presence of Miguel Sano. Sano is the big prospect, one of the best (and literally biggest) in the game. He has elite power potential. The team, and Sano, need to be patient in his return from Tommy John surgery. There are some other prospects worth watching at the position who will need to develop. Also, Travis Harrison played 15 games at third base at Ft. Myers in 2014, though it appears his move away from the position may be permanent. Click here to view the article

There aren't any other manager jobs open. They're not competing against anyone. They have three really good candidates, and now today, the STrib is reporting that Terry Ryan may call a few more people. There's no real rush, though it would certainly be good to have a guy a day or two after the World Series.

Yes, Terry Ryan invented the 100 pitch limit... No other teams in baseball do that. My guess is he'll hear each candidates thoughts on various pitching philosophies and that's just one piece of the hire. Obviously he doesn't want someone who will have guys throw 150 pitches each time out.. Mike Maddux would be great... and he wouldn't be micromanaged.

Pretty sure that has absolutely nothing to do with there not being a manager yet.

No, they should not bat him leadoff (regardless of what my friend Brandon Warne says)... I think #2 is the perfect spot for him.

49 minutes to go... keep the questions coming in for Kyle, but also for Jeremy and I to discuss.

Again, my point was not to at all say that service time as anything to do with promoting them, at least not for relievers. It was just to illustrate where they all are relative to needing to be added to the 40 man roster. Twins need, number of options ahead of them that they need to pass, etc., will have a bigger part in that decision.

I'm pretty sure I never suggested that. I was just pointing out where each was. I fully expect Burdi to be up in 2015. Reed has a chance, but remember he was a 5th round pick. The Twins wouldn't send him to the AFL if they didn't think he could be close. But I'd still put it at less than 50% because he's got a long way to go.

Very good questions. Thank you! Keep them coming!

Any questions for Kyle?