Article: Hump Day Happy Notes

[stringer bell]

I fail to see much of a youth movement this year, given that they are one of the older teams in all of MLB (even after the folly of Bartlett and Kubel being over). Here are the minor leaguers under the age of 30 that made their debut this year:

 

Santana

Tonkin (back in AAA)

Polanco (back in A ball)

 

Did I miss one? Not sure how that is a huge infusion of youth this year.

Tonkin actually debuted in 2013.

[Dave T]

I think Polanco's brief call-up will prove to be very useful in his development. Now he knows he can play at the major league level, which should give him a lot of incentive to work on his skills. I really enjoyed his speed and enthusiasm.

[troyhobbs]

I like your thoughts. Yes, a few more years until the Twins prospects change, pun intended, but I maintain we're seeing the transformation begin this season, with the young players already mentioned, and those that should be ready soon.

 

But slightly off topic, and yet still very much on target with the sentiment of this thread, I'm looking not only at the second half of this season, but also to 2015. Here is the situation I think our Twins find themselves: improving, working in talented youngsters, competitive, but not ready for prime time competition yet.

 

There are some that seem to have the belief we should throw caution to the wind, cut and trade, if you can, almost every 30 y.o. veteran, promote every young player in the field at Rochester and New Britain, pitcher and position player, and just run with it, let them learn at the ML level, and be damned.

 

But I think this is naive and self-defeating. Can we really expect Sano, Buxton, May, Meyer, Rosario, Pinto, etc, etc to just be plugged in April 2015 and expect anything more than losing? Some would say we've already done that, and this would be a new approach to losing that will build a team.

 

I would argue the Twins are already getting better, already implementing a youth movement that will only increase the second half of this season, and during the duration of 2015. But I believe the Twins are also doing what they should, trying to win, trying to put the best product on the field they can, (despite a couple major personnel blunders), and promoting a better/winning/competitive team for the fans, the kids coming up to join a solid program, and for the future.

 

Past experience and and logic would dictate the Twins are not going to trade, or simply release, 6-7 players at once. We have potential holes at CF, LF and DH next season, as well as at least 1 potentially key relief positions. Do we sign, or possibly trade for, a couple of decent, solid veterans for a year or two to fill these positions? Or do we really just turn to the kids?

 

And if it's the kids, still with almost a half season to play and see what develops, tell me who you really and truly project to fill these roles? I'd love to hear the thoughts.

 

It's true there isn't much depth but the fact that the young guys coming up will struggle in their 1st few seasons is exactly why it doesn't pay to keep veterans around if they can bring in anything of value. Once the "kids" start reaching their potential those same veterans will be useless. You can always backfill with free agents in the off season.

[Mike Sixel]

Ugh, i didn't mean to post that in this thread.....sorry about that! But now it has been quoted.

 

I'll balance it by more positives than I mentioned before:

Buxton is back

Meyer and May are both good in AAA

Suzuki has been good offensively

they still have one great stadium, love it

the beer and food selection is still very good there

they did make a few hard decisions faster this year

they did DL some players faster recently, and did not leave Gardy short handed

Berrios

Burdi's last two appearances

......

[gil4]

The tip to check out Gordon caused me to notice that the second position player chosen this past June, Max Murphy, is even more killing the ball, batting .424 including 5 HR in 77 PA, for a positively sick 1.350 OPS. Don't talk to me about SSS - move over Byron Buxton, this guy plays CF too.

 

I'm sure you know this, but he is a college guy. It's nice to see, but he is 21 already. For Gordon, hitting at this level (SSS aside) could indicate something special. For Murphy, it just means he will get to continue his trek through the obstacle course that is MiLB. It's still a happy note, just not that happy. He won't be supplanting Buxton as the top prospect anytime soon. Gordon, if he moves up and keeps hitting like he has been, might.