I know everyone is excitingly waiting the final arrival of Byron Buxton; Jose Berrios; and others to the MLB Twins, but picture this:

 

The Twins have an opportunity to win 4 minor league championships in the last 4 1/2 years.  The AAA squad could possibly feature a team that could rival the actual MLB club.  This is my prediction for the start of the 2016 season:

 

Rochester

1)  Byron Buxton  (CF)

2)  Jorge Polanco  (SS)

3)  Max Kepler  (RF)

4)  Byung-ho Park  (1B/DH)

5)  Reynaldo Rodiguez / Kennys Vargas  (DH)

6)  Adam Brett Walker II (LF)

7)  Levi Michael  (2B)

8)  Stuart Turner / Carlos Paulino  ©

9)  Niko  Goodrum / Stephen Wickens (3B)

 

Jose Berios

Taylor Rogers

Pat Dean

Jason  Wheeler

Greg Peavy

-----------

Nick Burdi

Jake Reed

JT Chargois

Cole Johnson

Tim Shibuya

David Hurlbut

Stephen Pryor

Dan Runzler

 

 

Twins

1)  Brain Dozier  (2B)

2)  Joe Mauer  (1B)

3)  Miguel Sano  (RF)

4)  Trevor Plouffe  (3B)

5)  Oswaldo  Arcia  (DH)

6)  Eddie Rosario  (LF)

7)  Eduardo Escobar  (SS)

8)  John Ryan Murphy / Kurt Susuki  ©

9)  Danny Santana  (CF)

 

And whatever pitchers........................BOLD PLAYERS WILL BE UP BY MID JUNE or TRADED or OPTIONED

 

What say you?

1)

2)

etc.

Well, first off, you don't take out a $12.85M flier on a guy [which would be on top of his salary, if signed] to have him play in the minors.  The Twins already have a bunch of decent prospects there.  And based on Charlie Walters column from the 14th, I'm not so sure I'd sign Park.  Read the part about what Korean pitchers throw:

 

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29118127/charley-walters-byung-ho-park-has-ton-power

 

Second, with the Twins problems with the bullpen, 2 or 3 of those guys will probably end up in the MLB.

Third, Dozier hitting leadoff?  That lineup seems pretty outta whack to me.  

Where are the pitchers? 

 

 

 

I agree with the OP, if the Twins keep some of those guys in AAA for half the year, that team could win the AAA crown.

I think it's a valid point that the AAA team could be LOADED this year. But the more likely scenario is that the major league club, by July at least, is loaded with a ton of young talent.

Park won't be in Rochester to start.

Whether Park starts in Rochester or up with the big league club depends on his performance in Spring Training.  I suspect he starts in AAA

In theory, yes, AAA Rochester could be loaded. I think they'll be good, but not loaded. Park will be with the Twins. I believe Buxton will be with the Twins from day 1, even if it's hitting at the bottom of the order for now, playing great defense, contributing offensively where he can, and learning on the job.

 

Berrios could break with the Twins, but should be up a month or so in the season...probably. Really, really hoping Kepler will only need a half season before being ready. But then again, we thought the same thing about Rosario last year, and look what he did.

What do they receive for a AAA championship?

Tee-shirts?

IMO - Park will start in AAA until he is fully comfortable with the states and how opponents plan to pitch to him.  Mid May at the earliest.    Most international ball players start in AAA for a few weeks to start a season when signed during off season.  Buxton will also start in AAA and get acclimated with how to hit again (despite ST success).  Kepler could come up early, but it won't be out of ST.  They won't want or need to rush his clock.  Same with the relievers in camp.  Most won't even be on the 40 man, so the chance of them making it out of ST is very slim.  Berrios won't have his clock rushed either and they won't feel the need to do so with what they will have in place by April.  Which is something to hold down the fort until late May?

Edited November 17, 201510 yr by GMinTraining