Article: 2017 Minnesota Twins Roster Projections - The Outfielders

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, question about LaMonte Wade... 

You said in the original post he's best suited for LF, but will play a lot of CF this year as well. Is there a particular reason why he's better suited for the corners, such as arm strength or speed? 

 

None of his tools jump out at you. He's got good speed, and he's a good outfielder, so he can play centerfield. But he's not as fast as guys like Buxton, Granite, English, etc. 

[baumannmd]

"Edgar Corcino spent the second half of 2016."

 

On a boat? On drugs? In an RV behind Walmart?

[mickeymental]

 

"Edgar Corcino spent the second half of 2016."

 

On a boat? On drugs? In an RV behind Walmart?

in a van down by the river.

[Vanimal46]

in a van down by the river.

Gettin' back on the right track!

[DocBauer]

I think the thing I liked about Buxton's progress last year: he stopped slamming into the OF walls.  Oh, it was also nice to see his offense in the MLB tick up.

 

I see both Kepler and Rosario rebounding after learning some lessons last year.  Rosario had better:  this could be his last year with the Twins if he doesn't.

I would include Buxton in learning lessons. All three guys are very, very talented with great projections ahead, but I believe all three will run hot and cold at times. But isn't that the nature of baseball and prayers in general? All three of these guys will grow and develop over the season and build for 2018 and beyond.

 

Buxton: I'm still unsure if his best fit will be batting leadoff, supplying power and speed, or second, where he can provide the same, but may see RBI opportunities. I've thought for a time that ultimately, probably a few years down the road, the power may develop more as the speed slows a bit...which would still make him very fast...and he might slide down to a more generous RBI slot.

 

Kepler: I've said for a while now that I really believe he is the Twins future #3 hitter. That future could come as early as this season, and he did hit in the entire spot at times last season. I see him as a slightly poorer version of Mauer as a hitter, but with more power and better speed. It's his potential as an overall performer that really intrigues me. Could he slide to somewhere like the Twins hole to allow Buxton to hit 3rd eventually? Maybe.

 

Rosario: With his tool set, it would be wonderful to see him hit somewhere at the top of the lineup. (Something Molitor also wishes and played with briefly) But his aggressive nature will probably never allow this. But let me point out yet again his rush to the majors and only approximately 780 AB, and the fact that in his milb career, his OB% was usually about 40 points higher than his BA. Stupendous? No. But solid and gives hope that in time, and with additional experience, he will not be quite the wild swinger he has shown at times. I've seen him compared to Puckett-lite as a hitter and I think that's pretty accurate. I've maintained for some time now that once he gets his feet firmly plated at the ML level, he will be a doubles machine and a consistent high teen and very probably low 20's HR producer with SB and taking extra base ability. There is no question he is the most enigmatic of the Twins young OF, but I think he will be a quality producer...given some time...hitting anywhere between the 5-7 spots.

 

Granite or English will probably be the eventual 4th OF with Palka being the 5th, while DH or possibly even becoming the primary 1B post Mauer, with the ability to still cover the OF corners.

[DocBauer]

Yeah I agree with that. Harrison was worse in his second full season at AA. Plus, he hasn't had what I'd consider a good season since 4 seasons ago in Cedar Rapids.

Personally, I've written off Harrison at this point. There have been moments and streaks, but nothing close to consistency or anything approximating fulfilling is initial potential. But I like the idea of advancing him at this point, challenging him, and seeing what happens. Sometimes a guy gets challenged...maybe just isn't comfortable at a level or the ballpark and league he's in...and suddenly starts to find himself. This is his make or break year.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

What about option C - Grossman in LF, Vargas at 1B, Sano at DH, Polanco at 3B, Escobar at SS. Not bad to give Sano some days off in the field.

 

I like it. Both EE and Polanco hit LH pitchers better than RH pitchers, too.

Good idea.

[Seth Stohs]

 

in a van down by the river.

 

 

... in Chattanooga. Ha!

[Seth Stohs]

With the reported (by Jerry Crasnick) signing of Drew Stubbs... I would have him replace Danny Santana (which will likely make a lot of people happy. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

I would include Buxton in learning lessons. All three guys are very, very talented with great projections ahead, but I believe all three will run hot and cold at times. But isn't that the nature of baseball and prayers in general? All three of these guys will grow and develop over the season and build for 2018 and beyond.

Buxton: I'm still unsure if his best fit will be batting leadoff, supplying power and speed, or second, where he can provide the same, but may see RBI opportunities. I've thought for a time that ultimately, probably a few years down the road, the power may develop more as the speed slows a bit...which would still make him very fast...and he might slide down to a more generous RBI slot.

Kepler: I've said for a while now that I really believe he is the Twins future #3 hitter. That future could come as early as this season, and he did hit in the entire spot at times last season. I see him as a slightly poorer version of Mauer as a hitter, but with more power and better speed. It's his potential as an overall performer that really intrigues me. Could he slide to somewhere like the Twins hole to allow Buxton to hit 3rd eventually? Maybe.

Rosario: With his tool set, it would be wonderful to see him hit somewhere at the top of the lineup. (Something Molitor also wishes and played with briefly) But his aggressive nature will probably never allow this. But let me point out yet again his rush to the majors and only approximately 780 AB, and the fact that in his milb career, his OB% was usually about 40 points higher than his BA. Stupendous? No. But solid and gives hope that in time, and with additional experience, he will not be quite the wild swinger he has shown at times. I've seen him compared to Puckett-lite as a hitter and I think that's pretty accurate. I've maintained for some time now that once he gets his feet firmly plated at the ML level, he will be a doubles machine and a consistent high teen and very probably low 20's HR producer with SB and taking extra base ability. There is no question he is the most enigmatic of the Twins young OF, but I think he will be a quality producer...given some time...hitting anywhere between the 5-7 spots.

Granite or English will probably be the eventual 4th OF with Palka being the 5th, while DH or possibly even becoming the primary 1B post Mauer, with the ability to still cover the OF corners.

My thoughts on lineup placement:  Things have changed.  Example:  Hitters like Cabrera and Ortiz were put in the #3 hole to give them an extra AB or 2 each game.

 

If Buxton is more comfortable batting leadoff, let him.  Let's pack the bottom portion of the lineup with OBP guys and just let Buxton hit.  Towards the end of last year, Buxton started taking some of those outside breaking balls and slapping them to right.  Now, imagine that with a few guys on base.  Of course, you'll need someone a lot faster than Grossman, even if watching Buxton almost running him down would provide great comedy.

 

Kepler:  like his swing, like his demeanor.  Wish he had a Sano-like arm, but he'll do.  What happened to him later in the year was to be expected.  The brick wall he ran into was the learning curve.  Pitchers adapted, Kepler must, too.  I don't see Kepler as a big HR-guy, but could be a good OPS/OBP guy.

 

Rosario:  I'm with you.  I still see the potential.  However, if he doesn't keep his head on straight, this season may be very short for him. 

 

It's year number 2+ of MLB development for Buxton and Rosario.  Could still be a little ugly at times, but I expect better things from all 3 right around the All Star break.

 

Edited February 8, 2017 by HitInAPinch

[Deduno Abides]

Palka will need to get his AAA K rate below Sano's MLB rate to have any kind of MLB career.

 

If Shuck - bad defense and mediocre offense - plays more than seven games for Minny, start thinking about 2018.

 

Don't understand how low Granite is rated. Seems like his defense and contact skills are above average and he could be reliable, with a good floor and possibly better than expected ceiling.

 

It would be great if Rosario eliminates some of his mental Lapland improves his K-BB rate, both of which seem possible in his third year.

[ashbury]

Don't understand how low Granite is rated. Seems like his defense and contact skills are above average and he could be reliable, with a good floor and possibly better than expected ceiling.

You're talking about for 2017? I don't see his bat as being ready for MLB. He'd be doing well to OPS above .600.

[Deduno Abides]

You're talking about for 2017? I don't see his bat as being ready for MLB. He'd be doing well to OPS above .600.

That may be. I may be optimistic in thinking Granite's statistical conversion from AA would be better than typical because of his control of the strike zone and speed.

[Danchat]

The Twins just signed OFs Quintin Berry and Josh Romanski. The outfield in spring training is going to be very crowded...

[ashbury]

The Twins just signed OFs Quintin Berry and Josh Romanski. The outfield in spring training is going to be very crowded...

You mean crowded like when a dozen pitchers shag flies during batting practice? Because, these two signings will have just about the same impact on the parent team. Necessary organizational filler; Romanski could be a fun feel-good story for spring.

[Danchat]

 

You mean crowded like when a dozen pitchers shag flies during batting practice? Because, these two signings will have just about the same impact on the parent team. Necessary organizational filler; Romanski could be a fun feel-good story for spring.

I was commenting more on the fact that several on this thread have suggested that there were too many "old" outfielders in the minors. I know these guys aren't going to crowd out the major league roster.

[Thrylos]

 

You mean crowded like when a dozen pitchers shag flies during batting practice? Because, these two signings will have just about the same impact on the parent team. Necessary organizational filler; Romanski could be a fun feel-good story for spring.

 

Check out the number of OFs in AAA/AA.  Overflowing already

[ashbury]

Check out the number of OFs in AAA/AA.  Overflowing already

Fair enough. They'll use the spring to separate the wheat from the chaff.

 

_{^{/ and then keep the chaff. Ba-dum-tssschhh.}}