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Fort Myers Likeliest Star


Ted Schwerzler

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We just a couple of months away from the Twins kicking off spring training action and even closer to pitchers and catchers reporting to sunny Fort Myers. For the Twins, much of the roster should already be decided, but there's a few cracks for someone to carve out playing time. It's down in Florida that we generally see those storylines play out.

 

A season ago, it was Eddie Rosario who slugged two homers in 17 spring games that drove the conversation regarding him coming north. In 2014, Aaron Hicks turned 18 spring games into a .327/.364/.462 slash line that had him looking ready to assume the full time centerfield gig for the Twins. Heading into 2016, there's no doubt going to be "that guy" again, but the question is who.

 

While you're beginning to put together some thoughts as to who that may be, let me offer some insight as to what the favorites may look like. Here's who has the best odds of being the talk of the Twins spring down in Fort Myers.

 

Max Kepler 4/1:

 

There's little doubt that Kepler has one of the best shots to impress at Twins camp. At different points this offseason, I've considered his potential to break camp with the big league club and immediately head north. I've addressed him first here as he's the lone member of this list that is not a non-roster invitee. Kepler's .318/.410/.520 slash line from 2015 is already impressive, and his debut at the end of the year suggests the Twins aren't going to hold him back. I expect a strong spring from the German prospect, but still see him starting the season on the farm.

 

Nick Burdi 5/2:

 

Right on Kepler's heels is 2014 Minnesota Twins draft pick Nick Burdi. Expected to be somewhat accelerated through the system, Burdi hit a bit of a speed bump last year. Despite the demotion, it's how he rebounded that has me believing 2016 is going to be a big year for the former Lousiville Cardinal. Burdi owned the Arizona Fall League, posting a 0.00 ERA across 8.0 innings and compiling a 12.4 K/9 while walking just 1.1 BB/9 (command being his biggest downfall thus far). The Twins pen is in need of help, and going up against the likes of Fernando Abad, Buddy Boshers, Brandon Kintzler, and a couple of others for a final pen spot, Burdi could actually push himself to the top of the group.

 

Jake Reed 15/1:

 

Tied to Burdi being from the same draft class, much of Reed's reasoning is similar to the aforementioned Burdi. He's a budding reliever in an organization whose major league pen needs significant help. Reed is not quite the hard thrower Burdi is, and his strikeout rates are lower (8.5 K/9 across two MiLB seasons). That said, Reed also dominated in the Arizona Fall League (1.69 ERA in 10.2 IP) which was nice to see. Coming off less of an injury history than J.T. Chargois (who I expect to debut with the Twins this season as well), Reed has the opportunity to turn some heads this spring.

 

Jose Berrios 25/1:

 

While no doubt a longshot, the odds being stacked against Berrios to break camp with the Twins aren't really any indication of his performance. At this point, and even at the end of last season, Berrios has accomplished all he can on the farm. he owned a 2.87 ERA and a 9.5 K/9 a year ago while walking batters at just a 2.1 BB/9 clip. He was actually better at Triple-A than Double-A, and the Twins could use need him in their rotation. Spring will be about forcing the Twins hand as to how early they promote him, even if that won't be Opening Day. He'll be kept down past the Super 2 deadline, and I'd guess Minnesota will have him up around May. Dominating this spring would be nice, but it's not going to get him the immediate call.

 

Joe Benson 75/1:

 

A familiar face makes his way back onto the scene for the Twins, and it's actually not as crazy of a thought as would seem. Minnesota brought back former top prospect Benson following a stint playing Indy Ball. Now 27 and having not played i nthe big leagues since 2011, Benson is looking at a monumental task to crack the 25 man roster. He hit a mediocre .248/.351/.361 at Double and Triple-A for the Mets and Braves organizations respectively. His time with the Sugar Land Skeeters was brief, and the numbers weren't thrilling there either. Working in Benson's favor is a projected outfield of Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, and Miguel Sano. Benson is a plus defender, and Shane Robinson is no longer with the organization to provide a defensive replacement type. Should Buxton not start with the Twins (he will), the path becomes even more realistic. I wouldn't bet on it, but a torrid spring and toss up roster decision, Benson could end up being the Twins 25th man.

 

For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

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Jorge Polanco, your thoughts? Where does he go from here?

I'm so stuck on Polanco. I left him out of this exercise due to being a 40 man guy. I'm still of the belief that the Twins are best off dealing either Dozier or Polanco. I really have a tough time selling myself on the idea of trading Dozier (even though his value is likely higher). That said, Polanco's bat is big league ready, and he needs to play second base. His development is going to be stunted shortly if he isn't challenged more.

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I'm strongly in the trade Dozier camp.  He's one dimensional (home runs) and his defense is overrated.  I prefer a more rounded second baseman.

 

Dozier is an exploitable hitter, but he's also statistically one of the best at the position. If I had more faith in Polanco being able to come in and not miss a step, I'd feel better about it.

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Polanco will more than likely start the year at AAA Rochester, and probably do well. He more than likely won't be brought up outside of injury to either Dozier or Escobar, or complete domination by Polanco. That said, I would totally be in the trade Dozier camp as well, if a good opportunity arose and Polanco was showing he could hit a little and take a walk.

What would a Dozier trade look like? He is, in a way, the face of the team right now (or one of them) and if the Twins are doing well, that would be tough to trade him away, even if statistically it is the right move.

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It's Oswaldo Arcia and it's not even close.  That dude is on a mission and I can't believe more people aren't talking about it.  Get past his terrible 2015 and get ready for his unbelievable 2016, because he is going to be the LH bat this lineup needs to become elite.  I predicted it last year, a year early as it turns out, but I am right about this.  :)

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It's Oswaldo Arcia and it's not even close.  That dude is on a mission and I can't believe more people aren't talking about it.  Get past his terrible 2015 and get ready for his unbelievable 2016, because he is going to be the LH bat this lineup needs to become elite.  I predicted it last year, a year early as it turns out, but I am right about this.  :)

 

Assuming there's some sarcasm in this, but it's not as though Arcia won't have a nice year. I expect him to figure some things out, he has to or he'll be DFA'd. For the purposes of this piece though, he's not a non roster guy, and he's already got a roster spot unless the wheels absolutely come off.

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But I think 5/2 odds are better than 4/1 odds.   And I don't even gamble that much.

 

Kind of the purpose of mentioning that Kepler isn't a true candidate being on the 40 man already. More of a 1a 1b thing

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