blairpaul715

September 1st is almost here. The Twins play Houston twice more and then they can have the luxury of an expanded roster going forward. They are certain to recall some players and a couple guys have earned a look with outstanding seasons. There are service time and 40-man roster considerations as well.
 
This year, the Twins are in the wild card chase, so they won't recall young players just to get a look at them or grant playing time to see what they can do. The goal will be to recall players who will help them win games. Here's my thumbnail on the possible call-ups:
 
Pitchers: The Twins probably need fortification of a overused bullpen, even though they already have eight guys pitching out of the bullpen. There are candidates for recall at Rochester.
 
AJ Achter--He's had a good year in Rochester. He provided some innings when recalled by the Twins, although his numbers were skewed by his first couple of outings in blowouts. He's a near certainty to be recalled.
 
Michael Tonkin--He has bounced between Rochester and the Twins, recording very good numbers in Triple A, but not doing enough to stay around with the major league club. Tonkin is a big hard-thrower who should provide strikeout potential. I'm sure he'll get yet another shot next month, but so far his development has been a disappointment.
 
Alex Meyer--Bust? Maybe, but he has put together a pretty good stretch out of the bullpen for the last three weeks. Since August 1st, he has allowed only two runs in 16 innings, walking seven, while fanning 14. Meyer has a big fastball and potential to develop other plus pitches. If the Twins were out of the race, he probably would get a bunch of innings. As it is, he isn't certain of a recall--his overall numbers aren't very good. I think the Twins will recall him and see if maybe something has clicked for the big right hander.
 
JO Berrios--Without question, his possible recall will be the most discussed on this site. Berrios is young, hard-working and has mastered two levels in 150+ innings of work in the minors. He has been exclusively a starting pitcher, but could be used as a key bullpen piece because of the number of innings his young arm has thrown. Business considerations are also present for Berrios. He isn't on the 40-man roster and adding service time now may cost the Twins money and a prime season from a guy who might become an ace. Finally, and this is my opinion, it would be nice to reward someone who has had a great minor league season, on the verge of dominant. I think the Twins will resist recalling Berrios for business and innings reasons, but if injury or ineffectiveness (I'm looking at you Ervin Santana!) present a clear role for him, they will call up their top pitching prospect.
 
Position Players: The Twins have operated most of the second half with a three-man bench, hardly the optimum number of bench players. Certainly they will add a couple of hitters, looking for someone to provide a long ball or key pinch hit. Playing time on the field could be tough to get, especially with Aaron Hicks due to return from the disabled list on September 3rd.
 
Kennys Vargas--Vargas has had a disappointing year, starting the season as the Twins' DH, but not holding the job. He has been demoted twice, the second time to AA. The numbers aren't dominant, but Vargas has done well since his second demotion. There is clearly a need for a pinch-hitter with power potential and Vargas would be the first candidate for that spot. Kennys would also be a near-lock to be on the 25-man roster if the Twins squeak into the playoffs. I expect Vargas on the bench for the Twins game on Tuesday vs. the White Sox.
 
Oswaldo Arcia--Similar story to Vargas. He didn't set the world on fire or address his weaknesses while starting the season as the Twins' left fielder. Disabled, then demoted, he has failed to thrive. One hot streak has been overwhelmed by terrible offensive numbers. We don't know if the problem is physical or mental, but right now Arcia can't help the contending Twins to win games. I can't see him being recalled.
 
Danny Santana--Yet another young Twins starting position player who disappointed if not outright failed for the major league team. Santana has been demoted twice and is more than holding his own as a Triple A player. He provides the Twins with some versatility (shortstop and center field) and a viable pinch running option. Santana should be back on September 1.
 
Josmil Pinto--The sad story of 2015 just might have a better ending. Pinto was injured in spring training, optioned to Rochester to "get work" and then struggled and was injured. The problem was one or more concussions, which could spell the end of his career as a catcher. In the last month, Pinto has finally gotten on the field as a DH, rehabbed in the low minors and come back to Rochester. He hit a grand slam the other day and if his hitting has recovered, he could be another bench bat. I don't know if the Twins would consider him as a third catcher or not. Regardless, if the offensive part of his game is healthy, Pinto has shown he can be a big-league hitter. I'm guessing he gets recalled, but won't don the "tools of ignorance" unless there is an emergency.
 
Jorge Polanco--Polanco has had a good year. He has spent the bulk of the season in Chattanooga and shown he can handle AA pitching. He competed well at Triple A and had another cup of coffee with the Twins. Polanco hasn't had a great year defensively. I don't think he profiles as a regular shortstop. As for recall, I don't think it would hurt to have him recalled, but probably only after the Lookouts finish their playoff run.
 
Max Kepler--There is a case for him to be the Minor League Player of the Year for the Twins. He is leading the SL in several categories including the "saber triple crown" of OBP, Slugging and OPS. Kepler is on the 40-man roster and certainly will be looked at as an option in the outfield next year, especially with the implosion of Oswaldo Arcia. I think that he stays put until the Southern League playoffs are over. Depending on what has happened with the Twins in those couple weeks, perhaps he will get a look at the tail end of the season. As with Berrios, he has earned a promotion based on his performance on the field.
 
To summarize, I think the Twins recall Vargas, Santana, Achter and Tonkin for sure. I think Meyer gets another shot and Pinto (if healthy) is added as well. Polanco and Kepler are added after the AA playoffs. Arcia goes home to heal whatever ails him and Berrios is on standby.

Feel free to ask any questions.
 
I have been working on this for awhile, and here is my completed list, but this order should move around for the next two weeks:
 
1. Brendan Rodgers, Lake Mary High School (Florida), SS
2. Dansby Swanson, Vanderbilt, SS
3. Dillon Tate, UC Santa Barbara, RHP
4. Alex Bregman, Louisiana State, SS/2B
5. Tyler Jay, Illinois, LHP
6. Kyle Tucker, Plant High School (Florida), OF
7. Brady Aiken, IGM Academy (Florida), LHP
8. Daz Cameron, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academe (Georgia), OF
9. Carson Fulmer, Vanderbilt, RHP
10. Kolby Allard, San Clemente High School (California), LHP
11. Jon Harris, Missouri State, RHP
12. Walker Buehler, Vanderbilt, RHP
13. Kyle Funkhouser, Louisville, RHP
14. Mike Nikorak, Stroudsburg High School (Pennsylvania), RHP
15. Michael Matuella, Duke, RHP
16. Trenton Clark, Richland High School (Texas), OF
17. Nick Plummer, Brother Rice High School (Michigan), OF
18. Mitch Hansen, Plano High School (Texas), OF
19. James Kaprielian, UCLA, RHP
20. Justin Hooper, De La Salle High School (California), LHP
21. Andrew Benintendi, Arkansas, OF
22. Nathan Kirby, Virginia, LHP
23. Kevin Newman, Arizona, SS
24. Phil Bickford, CC of Southern Nevada, RHP
25. Ashe Russell, Cathedral High School (Indiana), RHP
26. Garrett Whitley, Niskayuna High School (New York), OF
27. Cornelius Randolph, Griffen High School (Georgia), SS
28. Donnie Everett, Clarksville High School (Tennessee), RHP
29. Chris Betts, Wilson High School (California), C
30. Cody Ponce, Cal Poly Pomona, RHP
31. Ian Happ, Cincinnati, OF
32. Jalen Miller, Riverwood International Charter School, OF
33. DJ Stewart, Florida State, OF
34. Richie Martin, Florida, SS
35. Scott Kingery, Arizona, 2B
36. Dakota Chalmers, North Forsyth High School (Georgia), RHP
37. Ke’Bryan Hayes, Concordia Lutheran High School (Texas), 3B
38. Beau Burrows, Weatherford High School (Texas), RHP
39. Kyle Cody, Kentucky, RHP
40. Eric Jenkins, West Columbus High School (North Carolina), OF
41. Riley Ferrell, Texas Christian, RHP
42. Tyler Stephenson, Kennesaw Mountain High School (Georgia), C
43. Alonzo Jones, Columbus High School (Georgia), 2B
44. Donnie Dewees, North Florida, OF
45. Andrew Stevenson, Louisiana State, OF
46. Cole McKay, Spring Branch High School (Texas), RHP
47. Luken Baker, Oak Ridge High School (Texas), 1B/RHP
48. Jacob Nix, IGM Academy (Florida), RHP
49. Juan Hillman, Olympia High School (Florida), LHP
50. Kyle Dean, Rancho Bernardo High School (California), OF