GMinTraining

You definitely consider it - As in call Bonds in for an interview to see if he can follow a managers lead and still do his job effectively. We have too many power hitters on the roster who have yet to reach their potential. How are they trying to pitch to you? Leg Kick - No Leg Kick? How to shorten your swing and get the most out of it? I have to believe that the greatest HR hitter in history would have some idea as to how to hit the ball consistently? Juice or No Juice - He still had to hit the ball. He is worth considering IMO -

Having not thought enough about Walker to call him up in September, do you think the Twins waste a protection slot on the 40 man roster next month? They still have Grossman and Schafer to ponder about. Walker may not be a great defender, but I think he is a solid defender (Better than Grossman) IMO - Not that that's saying much.

I would go with Vargas as well. I know most people want results right now and celebrate any big free agent signing if they think it brings Big results. Be careful what you wish for. Between Park and Mauer, we are spending over $27 Million for a (30+ year old) first base / DH position. We could probably have better production from the $500,000 youngster (Vargas). I say this to say - If we are not signing a sure fire Young STAR - let's ride our young guys to a promising future. Somebody just has to be willing to make the tough decisions and eat some contracts.

We have watched the likes of Mauer; Park; and Vargas play first base this season and have expressed mix reviews on each. Who do we want as our 2017 first baseman and what types of stats would bring you joy as a fan? Consider this: Chris Davis (Orioles) 21 2B 00 3B 38 HR 84 RBI 88 BB .221 BA .333 OBP .794 OPS (23 Million / 2016) Albert Pujols (Angels) 19 2B 00 3B 31 HR 119 RBI 49 BB .268 BA .323 OBP .780 OPS (25 million / 2016) Chris Carter (Brewers / free agent 2017) 27 2B 01 3B 41 HR 94 RBI 76 BB .222 RBI .322 OBP .824 OPS (2.5 million / 2016) Our Twins DH / 1B Trio Combined (Mauer / Park / Vargas) 42 2B 05 3B 33 HR 93 RBI 120 BB Mauer OPS = .752 ($23 million) Park OPS = .684 ($4 million) Vargas = .883 ($500,000) How would you fill your 1st base position for 2017 if you were the GM?

What stats tell you a player is going to be a solid MLB hitter IYO? Longterm stats, etc.? How do you know (in your heart) as a fan? How have you as a fan been successful in predicting MLB success for minor league players in the past? Do you have a track record of success in your predictions? I'm truly curious as to how fans on this site have predicted over the years? Grade yourself - A - B+ - B - B(-) - C+ - C - etc.?

Considering all the stats we look into as we promote prospects and analyze whether they are MLB ready or not - What do stats truly tell you and how does the MiLB truly prepare you for the MLB? Consider this: KEPLER .345 vs Lefties AAA .259 VS Righties AAA .198 vs Lefties MLB .249 vs Righties MLB BUXTON .277 vs Lefties AAA .315 vs Righties AAA .211 vs Lefties MLB .227 vs Righties MLB VARGAS .131 vs Lefties AAA .283 vs Righties AAA .425 vs Lefties MLB .180 vs Righties MLB ROSARIO .294 vs Lefties AAA .330 vs Righties AAA .263 vs Lefties MLB .270 vs Righties MLB POLANCO .293 vs Lefties AAA .271 vs Righties AAA .317 vs Lefties MLB .265 vs Righties MLB PARK .091 vs Lefties AAA .255 vs Righties AAA .170 vs Lefties MLB .198 vs Righties MLB From these stats - it tells me that Polanco is the most consistent of the 6 batters and probably best overall hitter. Rosario probably shows the second most consistency IMO. I can't explain the reverse splits for Vargas and Kepler in terms of AAA vs MLB. What stats do you judge prospects on as they move up to the MLB level? What examples do you have to show minor league success translates to MLB success? What is your explanation for the reverse splits? I'm curious to know how people (fans) speculate future success, based on minor league numbers? Note: I promise not to mention Walker once in this thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNFlW13DOY Skip Bayless speaks on issue with Shannon Sharp

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/about/talent.asp The Key for Baseball Cube Ratings

That can be said for the MiLB website as well. Sano was listed at that weight (190 lbs.) up until last year.

I can see your point. It does include seasons outside of MiLB and MLB as well. Maybe some had injuries prior to pro ball as well. I don't know, but can see your point as well. Not many of those guys were bench players in their career though.

THE BASEBALL CUBE RATINGS (100 = Top Rating) Not their potential, but what they've earned at each level of their lives. MIGUEL SANO RATINGS Speed - 54 Power - 99 Contact - 18 XBH - 95 RBI - 94 Runs - 74 Hitting - 72 Durability - 65 Team Winning % - .535 MAX KEPLER RATINGS Speed - 59 Power - 73 Contact - 73 XBH - 76 RBI - 82 Runs - 64 Hitting - 71 Durability - 69 Team Winning % - .560 KENNYS VARGAS RATINGS Speed - 19 Power - 81 Contact - 35 XBH - 65 RBI - 84 Runs - 44 Hitting - 72 Durability - 53 Team Winning % - .522 EDDIE ROSARIO RATINGS Speed - 70 Power - 73 Contact - 54 XBH - 67 RBI - 71 Runs - 77 Hitting - 64 Durability - 62 Team Winning % - .535 JORGE POLANCO RATINGS Speed - 65 Power - 52 Contact - 81 XBH - 48 RBI - 62 Runs - 56 Hitting - 78 Durability - 62 Team Winning % - .531 BYRON BUXTON RATINGS Speed - 88 Power - 76 Contact - 33 XBH - 70 RBI - 59 Runs - 88 Hitting - 59 Durability - 48 Team Winning % - .556 DANIEL PALKA RATINGS Speed - 62 Power - 97 Contact - 25 XBH - 93 RBI - 93 Runs - 73 Hitting - 74 Durability - 93 Team Winning % - .541 ADAM BRETT WALKER RATINGS Speed - 69 Power - 97 Contact - 17 XBH - 90 RBI - 96 Runs - 85 Hitting - 58 Durability - 96 Team Winning % - .560 BRIAN DOZIER RATINGS - Veteran Speed - 72 Power - 64 Contact - 71 XBH - 65 RBI - 57 Runs - 66 Hitting - 60 Durability - 84 Team Winning % - .535 JOE MAUER RATINGS - Veteran Speed - 45 Power - 52 Contact - 80 XBH - 43 RBI - 67 Runs - 35 Hitting - 87 Durability - 60 Team Winning % - .501 It is interesting to see what each skill set rating actually contributes to that players overall winning percentage throughout the years. It also shows how fragile our players have been over the years of their baseball lives (durability). Despite the lows in their various ratings, many have still contributed at high levels in other rating areas. This is why the Mauer's and Dozier's were able to remain All Stars during their careers. They had a skill set that was visibly better than most at their positions. The question remains - How does the new GM piece this talent together to make a winning product on the field. How does / can it collectively work?

The Baseball Cube is a site that rates players and gives stats for all their professional and non professional seasons. The ratings gauge how a player performed based on each league played in and not his overall ability. I found it fun to look up our Twins players and analyze which player rated better in which areas. Some had major highs and some had major lows and some were steady as they come. Based on the Cube - I had a better idea of what type of players I would keep to finalize my 25 / 40 man rosters for 2017. Team winning percentage was an important rating for me, because I want to restore a winning attitude moving forward. Find out which ratings are most important for you (individually and collectively). http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=miguel-sano Type in players name in search engine. Once player page pops up - Look for ACTIVE TALENT RATINGS below players name. For what it's worth - A team full of Kepler's would be real nice, but not realistic. So how do you surround those Kepler's and Polanco's you might be able to find?

Well said

What's to not believe - That he won't rank Top 3 in his respective league in HRs / RBI / XBH / and Total Bases for the 6th straight year next season. We know Walker will be in the Top 3 in strikeouts, but assuming "he is what he is" - Is that all bad for the Twins? Averaged 28 HRs and 96 RBI each year over the last 4 seasons. How is that drinking Kool-Aid (awinter)?

Great List

Have you seen him play? Nothing wrong with his glove and you won't find much on that subject from any of his past managers. He had an arm issue last year, but fixed that problem this year according to his AAA manager. Lead outfielders in assist. Not to mention he was a second team All American at 1B in college (excellent glove around bag). No position on the Twins maybe - No position in baseball? Leave him off your 40 man if you want. Top 20 in AAA IL in: HRs (2nd) / RBI (3rd) / TB (3rd) / XBH (2nd) / SO (1st) / SLG% (6th) / Runs (9th) / OPS (18th) / BB (20th) Why would anyone with these numbers feel snubbed? Ridiculous? Oh yeah - not to mention Walker won the AAA team MVP in Rochester and was only player on 40 man in AAA not to be called up all season. Snubbed? ridiculous?

Not sure, but not many people have the identical numbers at every level and produce at the same rate. Your theory is based on average occurrences of most MLB players. My theory is based on a guy who repeats regardless to the level. I'm just curious to see if he can do the same at the MLB level. HRs - RBI - SO - Runs Scored - XBH's - ISO - wOBA - wRC+ - TB's - etc. etc. I'm curious and refused to profess to just know. I'm all gut based on what I've seen over the last 4 years. Among the best in every league.in several categories offensively.

2 homers and 2 doubles and a single in 17 spring training AB's (5 for 17) with 4 strikeouts. Both HRs and both doubles were against MLB pitchers. Small sample size, but wouldn't have had that without Opportunity!

"Noted"

Hard to say since Walker has the same OBP at every level practically. As I said - Dozier had a .284 OBP in AAA. But he's a power infielder and not a power outfielder, so that's OK based on baseball protocol. I get that thinking. Don't agree, but get it. That means Dozier's OBP in AAA excited you as a AAA infielder? You would have called him up as the Twins did in 2012 and back again to start 2013?

Anomaly - His numbers have almost been identical every seaosn w/OBA - ISO - wRC+ - ETC. Which is truly rare considering his K issues. Every season we expect him to struggle at the next level yet he does the same thing. Struggle and produce at the same rate.

He can play defense and his speed is better than average. We are just talking call up. A feel for the MLB, not taking major playing time from anyone. "Beresford like" He earned that call up IMO - Would not have hurt anyone. Anyone.

At least Dozier got a call up his first and only unsuccessful year in AAA. That makes making the team a lot easier. Hard to argue that point....

And his best was 20% with 109 RBI and 27 homers. Let's work towards those numbers, although Chris Davis has a career 30% K rate which was even higher this year and last year. Your right about Shafer becoming Dozier (possible), but I would rather bank my money on a guy who at least produced in AAA. Dozier was promoted on gut not anything special he did in AAA. Just saying. If we can promote on gut, then we can promote on production averages. Non better over the last 4 seasons.

Yet started 2013 at the MLB level after hitting .171 as you put it in his return to AAA the previous year. "Opportunity" Some players earn it for whatever reasons. And some players don't. I just can't explain it when it comes to the Twins. They gave up their Twins Way approach without having a new approach. Now everything is lost in translation. No one understands anything they do. It's probably that way in ranks too. What is your justification for these types of moves? Opportunity for some and not others? Is it that simple - "Strikeouts"? Mike Trout led baseball in strikeouts and won an MVP award the same season. Opportunity!