http://www.startribune.com/zack-granite-s-skill-set-is-rock-solid-for-twins/416083044/

 

Phil Miller wrote a really nice article on Zack Granite last night after the game. In our post game scrum with manager Paul Molitor, he really sang the praises of Granite and what he's seen from him. 

 

Here are some more phrases that I transcribed from the manager. 

 

 

 

“Shows no fear.”
“Strike zone knowledge.”
“Defensive awareness.”
“He’s thrown the ball well.”
“He’s gone to get it.”
“There’s a lot of people, but I was looking forward to watching him play.”

 

Molitor is clearly impressed with Granite and sees a place for him on the roster. Granite survived the first cuts today. It's still most likely that he starts the season in Rochester, but he's made a very strong impression with his speed and his baseball acumen and instinct.

He will probably begin in Rochester.  Twins do not need another defensive outfielder.  If Grossman should falter or one of the starters has  bad beginning, he will be up.

I knew that Park and Hague had good Springs and Palka started to pick it up lately, but Granite flew under my radar, so I checked his slash line:

.250/.269/.292

 

That much about strike zone knowledge.   I get the defensive part, but his stick is subbuterean.  Maybe better option than Stubbs and Shuck, but I would have a hard time seeing him make the team over Grossman, let's say.  "Rock" solid?  Are marshmallows rocks?

Edited March 14, 20179 yr by Thrylos

It's Spring Training... Let's not get to concerned about averages right now.

 

I've seen Granite play a few times for Chattanooga, and watched a lot of his game footage.  The short of it, he "knows" how to play baseball.    I would agree that he starts the year at most likely AAA, but the moment someone gets hurt or really struggles, we'll see him up.

 

 

Edited March 14, 20179 yr by MN_ExPat

This is good backup insurance in case (gulp) Buxton or Kepler crash and burn.

I think Granite could be pretty useful, but without any pop he's going to have to get on base. Last year he took a step back, but in 2015 he had a 10% BB rate. If he can get back to that there's room for him.

I want him to make it, but at the same time, I don't want more awful puns. sigh.

On a competitive team, he'd have real value as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.   On this team, he'd just sit on the bench, delaying his development.   Please, don't let him start on the major league roster.   He said himself he's still figuring out when to run.   Let him run, run, run in the minors, not stall out with maybe two chances a week.   He also still needs to learn to hit the best pitching.   Skipping AAA hasn't worked since Joe Mauer, and maybe Jason Kubel.    This kid is nothing like them.   Let him play.

Edited March 14, 20179 yr by by jiminy

 

I think Granite could be pretty useful, but without any pop he's going to have to get on base. Last year he took a step back, but in 2015 he had a 10% BB rate. If he can get back to that there's room for him.

Or he is going to need to sacrifice contact for power. He makes enough contact (K% of just 7.4% last year) that he might be able to rework his swing a little to get more power. If he can get to a .100 or .125 ISO, then he could be a legitimate backup, or maybe even a starter.

I get the defensive part, but his stick is subbuterean. 

That's been my concern with him all along. And I don't think his bat is ready yet.

 

OTOH, he's not a high-ceiling guy - he has a chance to carve out a career in the majors for a few years, maybe even sneak in an all-star invitation one year if things break just so. I'm thinking an outfield Nick Punto, in which case his usefulness could even go on for years. So there's no reason to play service-time games with him, nor endlessly fine-tune his approach to eliminate all exploitable flaws so as to get the most out of his boundless talent.

 

As soon as his bat is marginally ready, bring him up, and start reaping whatever defensive value he brings. This is what other teams manage to do on a regular basis, supplying the major league team with 2- and 3-tool players who fit a present need, even if it's only for a few short seasons. It's a cold business, sometimes, but conversely Granite has a golden opportunity if time and fortune mean he is able to grab it.

I'm worried his on-base skills will be rendered moot by pitchers simply challenging him in every single at bat. Guy has no power, major league pitchers are just going to go right after him. Same thing with Engelb Vielma, but both he and Granite have great baseball skills.

I want him to make it, but at the same time, I don't want more awful puns. sigh.

Then do not read any analysis reports by sabrmetrician Theophilus Punoval.