GMinTraining

I understand that you were talking to Ryan about pitching, but my wonder is about the positional results vs process. How does a player on the 40 man roster get single digit ABs when there are high A and lower prospects receiving double digit ABs during spring training? For example: Walker started two games last year at DH as a minor league (non 40 man) ST call up and this year never earns a start and logs the same number of ABs as last year (8)? What should a player think about his spot in the organization? I understand there should be limited ABs for a player not going to make the opening day roster, but 8 ABs through first 12 games? Wow Kepler is a Top 100 prospect and has hit well based on BA (.333). Should he be more concerned with results or process? Buxton is very similar to Kepler in that he is a Top Prospect. His speed is his defining skill set. How is he diferent from Kepler? Should he be more concerned with results or process? How do the results vs process play out for positional players? Does a player worry about results or process when they don't have an idea of when / how many games you will play in ST? Do they tell positional players what is expected from them while in camp? or is it wait and see as camp evolves?

Thank you - Sorry for the confusion. Experts said entire MLB draft was weak in 2012. I love the Twins 2012 draft class. I actually think the 2012 draft class across the MLB will turn up some great players down the road. [Correa; Buxton; Giolito; Seager; Stroman; Wacha; and that's just the first round]. Shows you what the experts know - Lol Comp round brought you - Berrios; Piscotty; Gallo; McCullers; and Winker. The 2012 future is bright.

Diddo

Just for the record he didn't lead the league in strikeouts in 2013 (was actually 18th). Harrison actually led team that year. More and more people say "all three" (HR, RBI, SO) because it flows easier, but isn't even close to true. Tied in 2014 and unfortunately blew the door down in 2015. I remember when the entire 2012 draft was considered one of the weakest in recent memory by experts. Now we talk about it being one of the best in years. I agree with the greatness potential [buxton; Berrios; Chargois; Duffy; alone] Will be glad when they finally do play as regulars.

I know. That's my point Lol. ABW II might have had more ABs as a non roster guy call up as opposed to being on the 40 man. 6 ABs in 10 games is a wow, but I'm sure Twins have their reasons. Has anyone seen him in BP or any of his 6 ABs? Are there improvements to notice?

This is probably right. The funny part is that Walker had more ABs as a call up during spring training last year. I can only imagine that the minor league players will get called up as they need to rest vets in coming games.

I agree with all of this

The Future May Be Now. People often put stock into veteran leadership and presence on a team. Most of the time they are right. Buuuutttt sometimes they could be wrong. Sometimes a winning leadership is as important as a veteran leadership. Who are the veteran leaders on this team and how do they bring winning to the table? Why else would Hunter and Hawkins be back in town so quickly? Our 25 and under guys know nothing but winning as a professional. Maybe they should be the new leaders on this team. 25 and Older Position Players Mauer - 1st; Dozier - 2nd; Escobar - SS; Plouffe - 3B; Suszuki - C; Park - DH; Nunez; Sweeny; Benson; Mastrionni; Britton; Quentin; Beresford; Pitchers Hughes; Santana; Milone; Nolasco; May; Meyer; Fein; Jepsen; Perkins; Abad; Tonkin; Graham; Strong; Kintzler; Darnell; 25 and Under Position Players Vargas - 1st; Polanco - 2nd; Santana - SS; Sano - 3B; Murphy - C; Arcia - DH; Buxton; Rosario; Kepler; Walker; Tovar; Gordon; Vielma; Turner Pitchers Duffey; Berrios; Jay; Melotakis; Rosario; Thorpe; Landa; Gonsalves; Stewart; Burdi; Chargois; Reed; Rogers; Peterson;

You essentially did the reverse each of the last two years with Colabello and Vargas. Not doing well = demoted! Ask each of them if they were given a plan for a return (promotion). I bet you they weren't. Twins prospects often state that they aren't told anything in regards to expectations from them. Just play. I'm saying that they could handle the ups and downs of seasonal promotions demotions. Talking to prospects and minor leaguers is not always a bad thing. Sometimes knowing what you need to do helps with your development.

Hear me out: Thought process..................Whoever we use at the DH position is probably going to be a guy who is young or new to the MLB [Vargas; Park; Arcia; Kepler; Walker; Santana]. The problem we've had with our young players in the past, is that once teams have a book on our young players, their production tends to diminish. It happened to Vargas. It happened to Arcia. It happened to Santana. It hasn't been voiced much, but I guarantee people are worried regression could happen to Sano and Rosario as well. That being said: Let's make teams have to expand their scouting resources as we play various guys at DH from Series to Series. Look at the upcoming rotations against and select a DH that best meets that series need. You could even do it by game if travel permits. *Vs a team with a poor infield or poor catcher - MN might benefit with a Kepler or Santana stroking & running the bases. *Vs a team with strong right handed pitching rotation in that series - MN might benefit with Arcia or Vargas *Vs a team with strong left handed pitching rotation in that series - MN might benefit with Park or Vargas *Vs a team with strong lefty/righty rotation in that series - MN might benefit with Vargas (switch hitter) Or utilize the guy who is hot for a period of time. If Kepler is killing AAA in Rochester in April - Bring him up for a series. If Walker goes on his streaky HR binge in May - Bring him up for a series. Ride whichever guy is riding high for a span and let them all know that "this is what is happening". That will be their motivation and the cream will / should rise to the top. A DH rotation causes more work for opposing teams in regards to extensive scouting for new faces. It gives our guys a chance to be productive and then go back to the minors to "work on whatever went wrong" (assuming they get figured out). Our guys won't have to work on exploited flaws at the MLB level and it provides competition for a spot (DH) that doesn't hurt progress long term (defensively). Santana and Arcia are out of options and would have to be with team throughout, but rotating all those other guys at DH gives them quality MLB experience and allows them to learn on the go. Think of how we generally do things. Colabello wins the AL Player of the Month and gets demoted forever a month later. Same with Vargas and Arcia. Let's give them Weekly Call Ups. Series Call Ups. Game Call Ups and EXPLAIN "The plan". Baptism by Fire on short trial runs. Match ups are what make baseball special. Every team wants to get to the late innings so they can utilize their lefty / righty match ups in securing a game. Why not take advantage in the early innings with a smorgasbord of DH players that you can call up whenever? Not the norm for baseball, but besides Sano, the norm hasn't been the best for us in recent years. Let's try something outside the box? .......................................................

I'm including 35 HR (avg. per 162 game season) guy who is on 40 man roster. I know the 135 rbi per 162 game average is dependent on teammates and the 100 runs scored per 162 game average is dependent on teammates, but damn, those numbers with the 35 home runs per season average really sound good to me. In the thought process of Allen Iverson: We're talking strikeouts? We're talking strikeouts? We're not talking production? We're talking strikeouts? Lol

Failure doesn't have a formula for all prospects. That's why GMs get paid the big bucks. Sabers & Gut feeling. Bass never went to AA. Huge no no

45 stolen bases out of 90 attempts for Hessman in 19 seasons - 36 stolen bases out of 45 for Walker in 3 1/2 seasons. Not quite as dynamic. On another note: I wonder if there is any correlation with Walker's highest w/OBA of .373 and highest ISO of 130 and lowest SO rate of 20% and his hitting in the middle of the order (4th) that season. He has hit 7th primarily over the last 2 seasons and his numbers have suffered accordingly across the board in meaningful statistics (OPS & w/OBA). Although his 106 RBI from the 7th spot and 75 runs scored is still impressive from the back of the order.

Great comparable. Seriously - Too bad they skipped AA with Mr. Bass. He went from A ball to AAA. He did flourish in Japan for quite a few years.

I think the other outfielder in Walkers hitting group is Lamonte Wade (Maryland / 2015 draft. Lefty Baseball America http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/twins-wade-surprise-sensation/ MLB Page http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=664774#/career/R/hitting/2015/ALL This is awesome information Sacamento. Fun to read and view video in same article.

Are they over swinging like so many claim?

What stood out with A B Walker from Plouffe and others? IYO

Just throwing this out there: What if Walker completely out hits Park in ST and/or AAA? Do you promote him as the DH or do you stay with Park because you gave him 3 million+? Both are essentially upper level prospects............................

Agreed - Couldn't have said it better

91-71 We had great rookie performances in each of the last 2 years. I expect some more outstanding rookie performances in 2016 (led by Buxton and a ton of relief help). "Belief is a powerful drug"

A big part of those championships too - 88 2B - 15 3B - 97 HR - 354 RBI in 3 1/2 years is deserving attention. I agree with article too.

2018 Line Up 1) Buxton CF (70+ SB) 2) Polanco 2B (traded Dozier) "Mr. contact" / Vielma (UTL) 3) Kepler RF (20+ HRs) 4) Sano 3B (will have traded Plouffe by 2018) (35+ HRs) 5) Park 1B (Mauer / bench guy by 2018) (35+ HRs) 6) Arcia DH / Palka DH (30+ HRs) 7) Walker LF (traded Rosario in 2017) (30+ HRs) 8) Murphy C / Turner C (35% throw out rate) 9) Gordon SS (30+ SB) Berrios Duffy Jay Gonzalves Gibson +Tons of relief help (flame throwers)

IMO - ABW II has the potential to get there and stay there (MLB). He is 4 for 10 in 5 spring training games over 2 years with 2 home runs and 2 doubles and 2 strikeouts. ST games may not matter much, but they do serve as stepping stones for hitter and pitcher alike. Not a bad start. Good group of hitters to watch in 2016. http://m.mlb.com/video/v59835383/bosmin-walker-hits-a-solo-home-run-to-left-field/?query=Adam+brett+walker

Can't argue that. Not saying it's not possible to get better in AAA, just saying it's not probable either based on Twins recent history with AAA success carry over. IMO only

Kind of my point. You named 2 retired players with Dozier and a probable (Plouffe) over the last 20 years (how long Hunter has been in league). That's not a great track record for systematic success. Do like you did with Sano and Buxton and learn on the fly so you can learn to adjust mentally in the off season. Buxton only went to AAA as a rehab assignment, and despite his success in AAA, it had no showing on his return to MLB at end of season. I suspect his MLB expereince will help him this year however.