Article: More Power!

[stringer bell]

I have followed the Twins since they moved to Minnesota from Washington. In the early days, the Twins excelled in hitting home runs. They had plenty of power at many positions, led by perennial home run king Harmon Killebrew, who led the league in homers six times. However, since Mr. Nixon said "I am not a crook", and Harmon got old, the Twins have had a severe power shortage.In the forty-plus years since 1973, the Twins have out-homered their opponents in only three seasons and those by narrow margins.

 

The 2014 Twins scored a lot of runs, but would have been an elite offensive club had they hit more long balls. What is exciting is the promise that in the future they will have the players to turn games around with one swing. Oswaldo Arcia hit 20 homers in just 400 plate appearances last season. If his homer rate stays unchanged, he would hit 30 in a full season with 600+ PAs. Kennys Vargas hit nine homers in an extended trial late in the season. Again, with full-time plate appearances, that total should be in the mid-twenties for a full season. Add top prospect Miguel Sano, who homered 35 times in fewer than 500 PAs in his last minor league season (in pitcher-friendly and homer-averse leagues), and the Twins have a prospective middle of the order cluster that could easily hit 90 or more homers. Sano, Arcia and Vargas are all young and figure to increase their power numbers.

 

I haven't mentioned yet the Twins leader in home runs the last two years--Brian Dozier. He brings significantly above average power to a position that the Twins traditionally have filled with slap hitters. His last two seasons both set records for home runs by a Twins second baseman. Beyond that, current Twins backup catcher Josmil Pinto would also profile to hit a lot of homers with full-time plate appearances.

 

When Sano arrives, the Twins figure to have above-average home run production. I expect that the Twins will close the gap in long balls next year and perhaps out-homer their opponents for the first time in more than a decade. An increase in power might cover regression in other areas.

 

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[HitInAPinch]

Sounds like Vargas has been cleaning up his swing.  Got a lot of hope for him.  I can't find any video of Sano AB's post-2013.  What I saw was a guy getting chewed-up by breaking balls.  Arcia has been in MLB for 2 years and is only 23.  I liked what Brunansky did with him last year and could be the Twins right fielder for years to come.  Vargas should get some time at 1st, but should be primary DH.  Can't really say much about Sano.  Probably/should be starting in the minors.

 

I see a bright power future, and probably a crap load of K's, in the Twins future.

[troyhobbs]

Always been a fan of small ball but there are obvious benefits from having a few guys that can alter the course of a game with 1 swing.  Seems like a good mix of speed and power coming up, I like that.

[Back2theTrack]

I can see the K's too - But................   Looking at the 2016 lineup with homerun potential under the age of 30 is scary.

 

CF-Buxton (22); 2B-Dozier (23);  C-Garver  (20); 1B-Vargas (30);  3B-Sano (35); SS-Santana (5);  LF-Arcia (30);  DH-Plouffe (25);  RF-Walker (30);

 

Some guys are a reach, but based on prospect upside and most actually under 25 years old - Wow.................That's 220 homerun potential above.  Imagine if we can pitch too.

[Madre Dos]

Sounds like Vargas has been cleaning up his swing.  Got a lot of hope for him.  I can't find any video of Sano AB's post-2013.  What I saw was a guy getting chewed-up by breaking balls.  Arcia has been in MLB for 2 years and is only 23.  I liked what Brunansky did with him last year and could be the Twins right fielder for years to come.  Vargas should get some time at 1st, but should be primary DH.  Can't really say much about Sano.  Probably/should be starting in the minors.

 

I see a bright power future, and probably a crap load of K's, in the Twins future.

[Madre Dos]

Miguel missed the whole 2014 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Oswaldo, Kennys and Miguel can all produce HR. David Ortiz saw Kennys hit a HR in Fort Myers and said that he never hit one that far. All good guys - welcome back in my home anytime.

[Dantes929]

"The 2014 Twins scored a lot of runs, but would have been an elite offensive club had they hit more long balls."     Kind of meaningless.  They did hit more home runs in 2013 but scored fewer runs.    I'll take OBP but they don't have to be mutually exclusive.  Morneau and Thome were great OBP guys with excellent power.   Am hoping our young guys can combine the two as well. 

[Shane Wahl]

Miguel missed the whole 2014 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Oswaldo, Kennys and Miguel can all produce HR. David Ortiz saw Kennys hit a HR in Fort Myers and said that he never hit one that far. All good guys - welcome back in my home anytime.

 

I really think someone should do a feature on host families.

[GMinTraining]

Whats your over / under on the following players/prospects hitting at least 20 home runs this year?  Regardless to how many levels they may play.   That will tell you what kind of power we have in the organization.  Young Power

           
ARCIA           
BUXTON           
DOZIER           
GARVER           
HARRISON           
KEPLER

MINIER           
PINTO           
PLOUFFE  

SANO         
TURNER           
VARGAS           
WALKER

[ashbury]

Now do one with Lombardozzi, Valdivielso, Mientkiewicz, and Pierzynski.  Stelmaszek and Terwilliger too, while you're at it.  Preferably one loaded with near-misses on spelling.

[highlander]

I hope Paul Molitor is a big fan of Earl Weaver minus the ejections. Those 3 run fly balls will win alot of games.

[DocBauer]

I find your facts staggering! Not debatable...I trust you...but our Twins have out-homered the opposition THREE TIMES since 1983? I find that incredulous. Especially when I think about some of the teams in the past that featured guys like Hrbek and Gaetti and Puckett, not to mention Bruno. Wow!

 

I do love power. I do want more power. Doesn't everyone? But power isn't everything, and please forgive me for stating the obvious. But I'd rather have 300 doubles plus from my team with a little speed and some good OB than 200 HR's and little or no speed and lower OB with high K rates....for example.

 

There is some tremendous offensive potential forthcoming for the Twins...potentially. (the UGLY "P" word) Power, speed, and mixtures with the likes of Arcia, Vargas, Santana, Dozier, Buxton, Sano, Polanco, Rosario and others. Do you realize we may actually not have enough room for everyone in the next 2-3 years?

 

Always thought the perfect lineup was 2 guys at the top of the lineup who gave you a nice combo of everything; Avg, OB, pop and speed. You followed that with a mix of LH/RH/SH hitters with variable skills but who could all give you 30 doubles and anywhere from 15-30 HR's, and a #9 hitter who could either surprise with power, or be a nice mixed bag who could help flip the lineup back over again. The Twins are sooooo close to this being a reality. 

 

Can the season start yet?  LOL

[JB_Iowa]

Patrick Reusse ‏@1500ESPN_Reusse  · 2h2 hours ago 
Kennys Vargas went to Puerto Rico to attend a wedding. Twins hope he avoids cake. Weighed 289 (I heard) at TwinsFest; had lost 8 lbs. since.

[nicksaviking]

Patrick Reusse ‏@1500ESPN_Reusse  · 2h2 hours ago 

Kennys Vargas went to Puerto Rico to attend a wedding. Twins hope he avoids cake. Weighed 289 (I heard) at TwinsFest; had lost 8 lbs. since.

 

Oh my, that could be a problem.  You think of big players like David Oritz and Jim Thome and Vargas at 24 is dwarfing them both.

[Shane Wahl]

Vargas has been in FTM for awhile working out though.

[JB_Iowa]

Vargas has been in FTM for awhile working out though.

 

True.  I think Halsey has said that he is putting in a lot of time on Perry's Hill so he should be getting a good workout that translates to

 

MORE POWER!

[twinscowboysbulls]

I can see the K's too - But................   Looking at the 2016 lineup with homerun potential under the age of 30 is scary.

 

CF-Buxton (22); 2B-Dozier (23);  C-Garver  (20); 1B-Vargas (30);  3B-Sano (35); SS-Santana (5);  LF-Arcia (30);  DH-Plouffe (25);  RF-Walker (30);

 

Some guys are a reach, but based on prospect upside and most actually under 25 years old - Wow.................That's 220 homerun potential above.  Imagine if we can pitch too.

 

So I disappear for a few months and suddenly Mauer is dead!? Sorry, but he is going to be in the lineup everyday in 2016.

[Major League Ready]

Patrick Reusse ‏@1500ESPN_Reusse · 2h2 hours ago

Kennys Vargas went to Puerto Rico to attend a wedding. Twins hope he avoids cake. Weighed 289 (I heard) at TwinsFest; had lost 8 lbs. since.

This drives me crazy. It seems very reasonable to expect a professional athlete to stay in shape. The off-season should have been a time to get in even better shape. (ie. Shabazz Muhammad & Anthony Bennett) This is especially true for players like Vargas and Sano who have body types that it is not too hard to pack on 30 extra lbs.

[Shane Wahl]

 

Patrick Reusse ‏@1500ESPN_Reusse  · 2h2 hours ago 

Kennys Vargas went to Puerto Rico to attend a wedding. Twins hope he avoids cake. Weighed 289 (I heard) at TwinsFest; had lost 8 lbs. since.

 

This drives me crazy.  It seems very reasonable to expect a professional athlete to stay in shape.  The off-season should have been a time to get in even better shape.  (ie. Shabazz Muhammad & Anthony Bennett)  This is especially true for players like Vargas and Sano who have body types that it is not too hard to pack on 30 extra lbs.  

 

No independent verification of the weight. I don't trust Reusse at all, about anything. Also, Vargas has been in camp working out from the get-go this spring. Not worried at all. He also played through this winter, casting more doubt on this claim by Reusse.

[stringer bell]

OK, what is the proper "in shape" weight for Vargas? I would guess he could carry at least 260 pounds, if not more, on that huge frame.