Dman

Yep I will give you that, fans myself included, often over react to moves the FO makes only to ultimately see they were good moves or at least solid risks worth taking. At the beginning of this year I had Lewis in AAA at least until after the trade deadline and maybe not at all if he was still struggling with the bat. Prospect evaluators had dropped him out of the top 100 just based on the uncertainty of where his skillset would land. No one knew what to expect of Lewis it was all up in the air since he hadn't played in two years. Some crazy things happened along the way though. He hit right away at AAA with pretty elite numbers. He had highlight real plays in the field at AAA as well. Then he gets the early call up only because of Correa's injury and actually does well. With both the eye test and stats saying he looks like he can handle MLB it changes things. I don't think anyone and I mean anyone expected him to hold his own at the MLB level after 2 years off. I think several were bullish on him having a good to decent year at AAA and getting a callup but not what he did this last week. So yeah I get that the FO isn't sure what to do. There isn't really room without removing someone and maybe they add him to the team again once the pitchers have to go down and a lot of this angst is moot but they could have done things to keep him there and IMO they should have. At any rate sure the FO should always get the benefit of the doubt but they are wrong sometimes too. This is a place to discuss our opinions and I have been proven wrong many times and right many times. Royce going back to AAA isn't going to hurt Royce but it might hurt the Twins if he is the catalyst he looks like he can be.

While Lewis's greatest value might be shortstop he has value every time he is the game no matter the position. You don't think an outfield of Buxton, Celestino, and Lewis wouldn't be nice against left handed pitching? Would you rather have Urshela on first when you need a stolen base or Lewis? Heck out of Larnach, Urshela, Arraez, I would rather have Lewis on 1st base turning a walk into a double. With the skills he possesses he can easily impact games outside of shortstop and he can spell Correa at short since the team seems determined to rest him. If the team just thinks outside the box a little they have a swiss army knife of possibilities. I don't understand how sending Lewis back is best for the team long term or is some great long term plan. We have seen him make the long deep throws at short and look good doing it. We have seen him bare hand the ball and make the quick throw to first. Honestly what more is there? A bit more consistency? Sure he has made errors this year but so has the great platinum glove Correa. Are we going to send Correa down to work on defense because he misses a few throws? Lewis to this point was handling MLB with little to no issues. He is a high character individual with an incredible work ethic and we are predicting failure if he doesn't work on things in AAA? The Angels didn't send Trout back down when they broke him in his rookie year. Washington didn't send Jaun Soto down and I think he was 20 years old when he got the call. Far too unseasoned they should have left him at AAA at least a few more years so that a long term plan could come together? The Twins use players in multiple positions all the time. It is supposed to strengthen the team and Royce Lewis would strengthen this team in multiple ways. I think the only reason the FO sent him back is they had no plan. At least no plan to keep him on the team once Correa came back. I think their collective lack of vision didn't allow them to see he would be ready for MLB this soon. And the FO could be right. They could bring him back and maybe he scuffles like Kirilloff and Larnach at the plate but if that is your great fear and you hold him back then he can't possibly help the team in the many ways he can because you will have stomped on that possibility. You are not even going to try and to be honest that is just a sad position to take IMO.

And they have won without Buxton and Correa and Polanco and Arraez. This isn't about whether you can win a game without a player it is about putting your best players on the field. Why not send Correa to AAA to learn how not to get in the hands by pitches or Buxton to learn not to have hip injuries? You don't take a player who is better than half the team and hide him at AAA. Who does that? What great FO would do that? Would you have taken Cruz out to learn how to play left field when he was the top bat on your team? No you play your best players. You find places to play your best players. I don't see how that doesn't make sense to people. I mean fine send all the players we have that are hitting 300 to AAA that should make the Twins better? Personally, I don't see how it is defensible.

Yeah I think you have the crux of the decision right there. Just like Baldelli said about Buxton that once a decision was made they were not going to change it. The plan was for Lewis to cover for Correa because they didn't really have anyone who was capable of doing it and once his time was up he was going back to St Paul. There was no plan for if he did well, he was just there to cover SS for week or so. I don't call the FO out on much simply because I don't have all the information they have. However, this decision seems like such a baseball 101 move. You don't send one of your best athletes and best hitters down to AAA when they have a hot hand. You find ways to keep them up. I think it will take an injury or the trade deadline before we see him again because obviously the FO see's value in the players they are protecting.

Nicely laid out, well thought out article. Thanks! Despite all the stats I just like watching him do what he does which is impact games. He is so fun to watch he is worth the price of admission.

I have been a big Steer fan since he added power to his game and felt for a long time he was the best hitter they had at AA. However, Isola has been even better. He has quietly crept up to that elite .954 OPS. I knew he had a good bat but last year I got excited about him and he fell off in the later part of the year. He is a catcher and they get dinged up and it can affect them at the plate. He ended last year with a 767 OPS. Not bad but for that level you would like to see mid to high 800's at minimum. If he stays healthy the Twins will have to add him at the end of the year because he won't make it through the Rule V draft. He is one of those diamond in the rough picks at round 29, but he sure looks like he has a good approach at the plate. One that is working at the upper levels of pro ball and just needs to translate that to MLB. I am pretty stoked about this guy even if he is a no name not even on the top 30 list prospect. He just might be the Twins backup catcher next year.

I think this is the largest head scratcher the FO has made IMO. So they are saying the guy that has more raw physical ability on this team than any player not named Byron Buxton. The Guy who is hitting as one of the top bats on the team and that is the guy you decide to send down? That is the guy there is no room for? I guess just throw all reasonable logic out the window then. Might as well send more than half the team down then. So the FO is deciding that Urshela (no options left) who has been elite defensively at third cannot be moved. With Larnach back he is the better option in Left field. They still need Garlick (no options left) to mash Lefties. They can't move Gordon (no options left) even though Lewis is the better version of the two. And they don't want to waste Lewis playing 1st base so they are keeping Miranda up instead? Got it. I get that sending Royce back to St Paul is far from the end of the world and won't harm his development or anything it is just that the main team, the MLB team needs a spark plug. They need a difference maker and he is already becoming that. So count me in the camp against this being a good move for the team. Sending him down after homering for 1 of the teams 2 runs with a 300 BA and almost 900 OPS = Stupidity if you ask me but no one is probably asking me.

I am not saying Royce doesn't need some work at short but he seems to be doing pretty well given some of the highlight plays he has made already. Not sure what you are seeing but I haven't heard anyone saying he looks lost at short at the MLB level. In fact most seem to be surprised at how ready he does look. Certainly a better defensive fit at short than Rooker was for left field or Arraez at third base. Defense is something that can always be worked on but you make it seem like he is making errors like Austin Martin out there. He might not be a gold\platinum glover out there but he is no butcher either. In my statement about his bat I said as long his bat plays at the MLB level I would keep him up. If he falls on his face as you would say (i.e. looks lost at the plate) then sure send him down but why do that now when he has one of the better OPS's on the team, is holding his own at the plate and has as much speed as Buxton on the bases? I guess I don't know what you are getting at there?

We think a like. I was hoping Medina but since he has control problems figured they start him in the GCL. I also like your MacLeod pick and maybe he is injury free now? Just have to believe they think someone is ready down there if they were willing to let Festa move up. I like both of your picks just not sure if either one is ready.. I guess they could stretch the five guys they have out more or do a bullpen game. The draft is a ways a way though so have to think they need one more arm. I hope it is Medina as I would like to see where he is at. Not much info out there on him so if he plays would know more.

For me if he is hitting well there doesn't seem to be much of a reason to send him down. He can probably play any infield or outfield position. Given what he did last night while on base he brings a threat no other player other than maybe Gordon brings to the base paths. He could be a menace to other teams when on base. If he continues to hit at a reasonable level I think he stays with the team even if they have to move him around. His speed on offense and defense is a difference maker the Twins could use.

Yeah your take is pretty much my take. Players have to execute in order to get wins. Bundy and other pitchers have said in the past the scouting reports they received are incredibly detailed and the coaches very helpful in their development. It takes a village to prepare players and win games these days. That being said there have been head scratching moves made so I get the frustration. At the end of the day though the manager has to have faith that a player will perform when called upon. Every player is going to have a bad day at the plate or on the mound. Not all decision are going to work out. I think Rocco performs the main function he needs to and that is giving confidence to his players and not blaming players for poor performance but giving them tools to try and get better. I have never seen so many comments from players about the the good vibes in the club house. He must be doing something right.

Very happy the Twins promoted Festa early. It seems like they typically wait until after the minor league all star games to promote players. Festa has been dominant enough to need a greater challenge and given his new found velocity should be ready for High A. Really happy for him and hope he finds his way to AA at the end of the season. Gotta believe they will bring someone up from the complex to replace Festa. I wonder who that will be? I liked Enlow's start this week. His lower half looks stronger than I remember and I still think he can be a dominant starting pitcher. He just needs to stay healthy and slowly get stronger and then I can get even more excited about his potential. I was just about ready to call Soularie a bust and he goes out and has a big week. I was hard on Wallner as well as he started out with a near 50% K rate and now he is making me look like an idiot. I think if Wallner can keep the K rate down he will make it to the Majors. he can keep that OPS high if he doesn't K too much. AA and High A are loaded with good pitching. It is going to interesting to see who excels once they get moved up.

That was a nice summary. Thanks!

I guess for me I want what is best for Byron Buxton. I am not a doctor and don't know how best to treat his knee injury but it seems like extended rest to heal it would make the most sense. Still I get there are incentives to try and reach and maybe complete rest does little more than lighter activity with longer periods of rest when possible. I don't know. I just hope that Buxton and the Twins do what is best for his long term health. I don't know if I have watched a more exciting Twins player than Buck. Maybe Pucket in his hey day as a centerfielder? I just love what he brings to this team. I am not much of a risk taker and I would want to make sure that knee is in better shape before putting him out there. While Celestino doesn't have Buck's power he has been pretty solid at the plate and in the field. Certainly not the drop off we have had in years past. We could rely on him for while if needed. I just don't love the idea of having him out there and not 100% especially with a knee issue. I am sure it has been discussed and all parties are fine with the plan that is in place. I just hope it is the best plan for long term health not for monetary incentives or the win lose column.

Agreed with shifting speed isn't as large a liability as some other positions. When watching Miller during spring training he looked like a regular out there on the field as a 19 year old. He gobbled up ground balls and made good throws. I don't think he is making many error's this year, although I haven't checked into that. While I am no scout with what little I have seen it seems to me his defense is essentially MLB ready right now. I have to say I have been surprised at how well he looks on both sides of the ball. Obviously be needs more experience against advanced pitching and needs to grow into more power but he looks rock solid for his first year in pro ball.

I think those concerns from Scouts etc. are mainly based on speed. As we all know Buxton is one of the fastest players in baseball and this helps make his defense elite because he can get to balls that other center fielders cannot. Rodriguez has 55 speed and generally guys that are going to stick in center are a bit faster than that. Also as players move from teenager to more physically developed they tend to get slower not faster so starting out as 55 runner is fine for now but if he gets slower which is more likely than not he becomes a greater defensive liability in center. You can play him there but what are you willing to give up defensively to do it? Same goes for Miller who is a 50 runner. Usually guys that make it at that position start as 60 runners. Now Miller has really good actions at short. Sets his feet well gets good speed on his throws and has good instincts but will that be enough in the end? I know Correa isn't the fastest shortstop and with the way they shift the infield maybe speed isn't as large of an issue at short anymore but having a guy with Lewis's speed in that spot is pretty nice. He should be able to cover more ground and get to balls that Miller just won't be able to catch up to. I know Fangraphs and others had Celestino as a borderline center fielder early in his career and he is doing just fine in center and MLB.com has him as a 55 runner. I think the projections don't mean that Rodriguez and Millers can't stay up the middle it is just that the odds are not in their favor to do so given the speed generally required to be above average to elite at those positions.

Just wanted to point out that Cody Lawyeryson had an 11.12 ERA and a WHIP of 1.94 on April 22nd. After not a allowing a run his last 12 innings his ERA is back down to 3.57 and WHIP is at .91. He has been pitching really well since that early season blip. His longest outing this year has been 4 innings and I wonder if they feel they can get more out of him as a pen arm? At any rate just another really good under the radar arm at High A that makes that team special. Stankiewicz struggled a bit giving up 7 hits and 1 walk in just 5 innings so not a great outing. Still he managed to only give up 2 runs. Looks like it might take some time for him to adjust to the new level. The Kernals faced a tough pitcher and it showed as they only managed 3 hits. Hopefully with the off day they can regroup and get the bats going again. Raya was back to his dominant ways pitching 4 no hit innings in 44 pitches. Only two K's but an incredibly efficient outing. Twins are keeping his pitch count low for now but he could be a special arm moving forward. Nowlin equally as good giving up just 1 hit and striking out 4 in three innings. Rucker has gotten his groove back and working toward getting that OPS to 800. Still a ways to go but nice to see some hits falling in. Miller and Rodriquez are the stars of that team though. As they are both doing well as 19 year old's. Rodriguez leads the team with his 900 OPS and he has nearly as many walks as K's so a balanced approach. Miller lacks power so his OPS is lower but has a balanced approach as well. The extra beauty of Miller is that he is a switch hitter. So far both are good defenders at up the middle positions although both have question marks about whether they can stay in those up the middle spots. I was low on Miller but so far it looks like I am going to be more wrong than right about him which is a good thing.

Mikey Perez has had his share of struggles but the bat has been coming around recently. I worry a little bit about the stats as Palm Beach doesn't seem to have the greatest pitching. Still hits are hits and it nice to see Mikey have a very good night. Still loving what Miller is doing his first season in MiLB. He took three more walks. Having a good eye at the plate is so key to success and even though his power is limited right now he still has an 800 OPS. Rodriguez is still the star of that lineup though with 3 more hits and a 900 OPS he is a dangerous hitter. I was a tough night for Baez who is trying to replace Fedko as he went 0 for 5 with 2 K's and left 5 men on. Only player to leave more guys on base was you guessed it Keoni Cavaco who left 7 men on base but he did manage a hit at least. Gipson long keeps humming a long and he has been a favorite of mine for a while now. However, it seems like Headrick might be even better. Still nice to see SGL keeping that ERA down and the K's up. Will be interesting to see how he handles AA.

Last I heard Buxton had that "mild" hip strain (about week ago?) and it seems like they are trying to ease him back in as slowly as possible to avoid reaggravating it. I think he was out for a couple of months the last time he had a hip strain so I guess I can understand the "abundance" of caution. Still he is so integral to the Twins success that it is hard not to see him out in the field influencing games. The more they can keep him healthy the more games he can play the better the odds this team finds the Post Season. I would expect that we can continue to expect this will be the new normal for handling Buxton this season. Hopefully Celestino can help bridge the gap when Buxton is out. He has been a tough out so far this season and pretty decent defensively himself. If we have a decent guy backing him up it won't be such a large drop-off in production on both sides of the ball. '

Really happy they decided to move Fedko up a little early. He is slightly old for the level and he has a good K-rate to walk ratio. He is slugging .500 with a .900 OPS. He is ready for the next level no need to wait IMO. Thanks FO or whoever makes these decisions for moving him up. Have to say I rarely say I am excited about a hitter taken in the 12th round but I think Fedko has a real good chance as a 4th outfielder and maybe more if the bat stays elite through the levels. That was a really good pick by the Twins for that range. Also happy about the Smeltzer promotion. He deserves another chance to prove he is healthy now and can contribute. He worries me a little bit at the MLB level but might as well find out what he can do. He likely wouldn't survive Rule V next year if his numbers continued to be as good as they are. I assume this means Paddack in getting TJ surgery or will be out for an extended period of time? Swain is another player they need to move up. He is 24 already and still at Low A with absolutely dominant numbers. I get that maybe there isn't room at High A but it would be nice to move him along and see what he has before he turns 30. Sabato is still scuffling and I don't know why they keep batting him in the 4 spot when Mack would be better there. Soularie has been brutal in pro ball as well and they were our 1st and 2nd round picks in 2020. Still time to turn things around but they need to get going. Tough night for the pitcher's in the system but baseball is a game of up's and downs. Hopefully they are learning what works and what doesn't. Should be another good night tonight.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. He is facing the Yankee's, Tampa and Boston more often now so his numbers might move some. I still think he will be better than his current stats but I am not sure he will look quite as good in Toronto and he did in Minnesota unless he can adapt to the stiffer competition.

The thing I don't understand about Pagan is he keeps throwing the same pitch in basically the same place down in the zone for a ball expecting the batter to swing but they seem to know not to swing at much of anything he throws until he has thrown at least one strike. That brings up another point which is that he seems to rarely be ahead in the count which gives the batter the advantage. He litterly needs to throw more strikes and if he could work up in the zone that might help him as well. When he has been in the zone it seems like hard contact has been made so I can see why he likes to nibble but in the end I don't think that will be a recipe for success. This article gives me hope that maybe he can turn things around but right now I will believe when I see it and I haven't seen dominance so far. For whatever reason it seems like whoever the Twins pick for a pseudo closer they seem to struggle. Even Rogers seemed to struggle in the role last year. Hopefully Pagan builds some confidence and gets back in the zone literally and figuratively.

Houston seemed like the more experienced team and better prepared. Their hitters were ready to battle. I know it was just one series and the Twins aren't exactly at 100% but have to say it kind of reminded me of a playoff series where we look outclassed with no way to win. We have some young guys especially on the pitching side so time\chances to get better but this series was a bit too much de ja vu for me.

I keep worrying about CES and his K rate and lack of walks but his numbers in almost the same number of games are the same as last year, so whatever strategy he employs it seems to be working. I probably don't appreciate the fact that he is hitting nearly 400 enough but it feels like there is room for him to be even better. Prato is finally back to getting hits and Camargo keeps crushing baseballs. Wander with the big night but he hasn't had an OPS over 600 in the last 4 years. Maybe this is the year it all clicks? There are 5 guys at AA with OPS's over 800 and Martin is not one of them. Steer, Jullien, Wallner, Bechtold and Isola are making life tough for opposing pitchers. I can see why they are winning so many games.

Kind of hoping Collier or Holiday fall to the Twins at 8. Would really like a high school bat since we have so many bats ready at the upper levels already. It feels like Jace Jung is going to be the best left at 8 unless a team ahead of us goes pitching. I Really liked Prielipp as an upside pick. Not sure pick number 8 is the right spot but he has an elite change already TJ is out of the way. He could be a fast mover with a chance to be an elite pitcher. He does have a slight frame from what I understand and the Twins seem to do well picking pitchers down the line so probably a long shot in a lot of ways. I do like the arm though.