Zach Granite

[Doomtints]

 

Could compete with Rosario for playing time as Rosario still shows no patience at the plate.


Do you think Granite make sense for this roster?

 

 

Granite and Rosario aren't interchangeable players. Granite profiles to be a speedy guy with a bit of pop, but his success is going to be mostly about his speed. This profiles more like Buxton than Rosario.

 

The team has more Rosario-types on the roster than Buxton-types.  Two speedy defenders in the OF would be pretty elite, providing they can get on base.

 

The point is, I think you would move Rosario for Granite if you wanted to change the profile of the team a bit, and I think this is a good idea to do when Granite is ready. However, you wouldn't simply swap Granite for Rosario because one feels one is better than the other. Making the move would improve speed at the position but Rosario is a more versatile hitter, esp. right now.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

The BABIP is definitely not sustainable, but what about the sudden uptick in doubles? Is that also SSS?

It could go either direction if we're just looking at a stat line. Granite doesn't even have 200 PAs in Rochester yet. We're still in the territory where 3-4 doubles makes quite a difference in isolated power.

 

Granite has looked really good of late but I'm going to need more sustained performance before I'm convinced he has turned a corner, at least to the degree he has performed in the past 4-6 weeks.

[David HK]

 

The way they've been pitching they may not go back to 12

Agreed.  And, posting this while following the White Sox get-away game, I kinda think we may soon be down to a bench that only includes Gimenez:  as a backup catcher- mop up pitcher.

[Dr. Evil]

Well, Buxton is hitting .281/.361/.500 over the last 10 games.

Allow me to add on to this sentence........against major league pitching.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I still do not get push for Granite. I certainly understand the need for a bench bat, but that is the least of this team's problems right now. We need relievers and starters, and Granite cannot help in either of those capacities. If he replaces a pitcher, that just makes that problem worse. If he replaces a hitter, he's likely a downgrade.

[Mike Sixel]

no real surprise here:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-fringe-five-baseballs-most-compelling-fringe-prospects-93/

 

[jorgenswest]

no real surprise here:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-fringe-five-baseballs-most-compelling-fringe-prospects-93/

Ordinarily love reading the list.

 

Turley's performance took a little luster off this list for me. I was sure reading here that he would have an impact and stick. Reinforces that minor league data in partial sason samples are poor indicators of major league readiness.

[Willihammer]

Kepler out with a bum foot. Rosario sick. Gimenez starting in left. Meanwhile Granite hit his SECOND HOME RUN for the Rock Cats.

Time to DL Kepler or Rosario and give Granite a cup of coffee?

[drjim]

Kepler out with a bum foot. Rosario sick. Gimenez starting in left. Meanwhile Granite hit his SECOND HOME RUN for the Rock Cats.

Time to DL Kepler or Rosario and give Granite a cup of coffee?

Or maybe go back down to 12 pitchers.

[Willihammer]

 

Or maybe go back down to 12 pitchers.

Seems like a tall order with the stretch of games we're in, 21 games in 20 days.

[kab21]

 

Seems like a tall order with the stretch of games we're in, 21 games in 20 days.

The bigger problem might be that they don't have 12 effective pitchers and will be overusing all RP's (good or bad).

 

And that doesn't even include Gimenez. I predict that he makes at least 2 appearances in the next 3 weeks.

[Deduno Abides]

Leading the IL in swinging strike rate at 4.0%. Last year, led the Southern League at 3.3%. That's a great skill, not small sample size, especially when paired with speed, which is also a skill. He also hits to all fields, which may help BABIP. Add in his good defense and possibly improving power (leads Rochester in slugging); Whitey Herzog's 1980's St. Louis Cards would be finding a spot for him.

[Willihammer]

 

The bigger problem might be that they don't have 12 effective pitchers and will be overusing all RP's (good or bad).

 

And that doesn't even include Gimenez. I predict that he makes at least 2 appearances in the next 3 weeks.

That's why I wonder if DL-ing Kepler or Rosario isn't the better move. Last I read Rosario's symptoms were getting worse. On the radio Provus asked Gladden if Kepler might be available for a defensive substition, Gladden said he was no where near running shape when he saw him before the game.

Not to mention playing Gimenez in left while Sano is also sick forces Escobar to play third and they have zero backup catchers. Castro almost got himself booted today.

[Willihammer]

 

Leading the IL in swinging strike rate at 4.0%. Last year, led the Southern League at 3.3%. That's a great skill, not small sample size, especially when paired with speed, which is also a skill. He also hits to all fields, which may help BABIP. Add in his good defense and possibly improving power (leads Rochester in slugging); Whitey Herzog's 1980's St. Louis Cards would be finding a spot for him.

Yeah, he's on fire right now too. It would be cool to get a look at him.

[yarnivek1972]

Or maybe go back down to 12 pitchers.

Maybe when more than one starter can complete 5 innings.

[kab21]

 

That's why I wonder if DL-ing Kepler or Rosario isn't the better move. Last I read Rosario's symptoms were getting worse. On the radio Provus asked Gladden if Kepler might be available for a defensive substition, Gladden said he was no where near running shape when he saw him before the game.

Not to mention playing Gimenez in left while Sano is also sick forces Escobar to play third and they have zero backup catchers. Castro almost got himself booted today.

Absolutely. If they are playing with a short bench then they can't have guys missing multiple days with injuries. Gotta DL them.

[drjim]

 

Absolutely. If they are playing with a short bench then they can't have guys missing multiple days with injuries. Gotta DL them.

 

Might not be a terrible idea to give Kepler a little break either, especially if he's not 100%.

[amjgt]

https://mobile.united.com/FlightStatus/FlightDetails?carrierCode=UA&flightNumber=1753&flightDate=6%2F25%2F2017&origin=EWR&destination=CLE

 

Maybe?

[jorgenswest]

It seems wise to wait a day or two before putting anyone on the DL. Hopefully Granite was on above flight if they are unable to go today, but the Twins 11 games in 10 days. I wouldn't want Kepler or Sano to miss that many games unless really necessary.

[Shane Wahl]

After the AS break get down to 12 (I would like to see Curtiss instead of Belisle, Pressly likely back, and Melotakis replacing somebody). Personally, I would not mind some rotating cups of coffee for Garver, Granite, Palka, and Goodrum. Goodrum is the only one of those not on the 40-man. Then Garver (obviously) and 1-2 of them up for September. 

Right now I basically want Buxton, Kepler, Rosario, and Grossman playing all the time.

[Otto von Ballpark]

After the AS break get down to 12 (I would like to see Curtiss instead of Belisle, Pressly likely back, and Melotakis replacing somebody).

Melotakis can't be added back unless he clears waivers.

[Otto von Ballpark]

It seems wise to wait a day or two before putting anyone on the DL. Hopefully Granite was on above flight if they are unable to go today, but the Twins 11 games in 10 days. I wouldn't want Kepler or Sano to miss that many games unless really necessary.

If they are thinking about cutting Breslow soon (and they have to be, right?), now would be a good time. Then they could call up Granite for a few days without DL'ing any position players.

[amjgt]

Leadoff homerun for Granite today

[Deduno Abides]

Leadoff homerun for Granite today

Tied with Park in numbers of doubles and homers. Granite has more triples, in case you didn't guess that.

[mudcat14]

Absolutely raking right now.  Up to .369 in 2nd game of 6/26 twin bill.  Is it time to give him a shot and let Buxton regain his patience, stroke & confidence at Rochester?  I don't see what it could hurt.

[drjim]

Absolutely raking right now. Up to .369 in 2nd game of 6/26 twin bill. Is it time to give him a shot and let Buxton regain his patience, stroke & confidence at Rochester? I don't see what it could hurt.

Don't see a Buxton demotion coming. I wouldn't be against Granite getting a look.

[amjgt]

Can he play short?

 

Can he bunt?

[amjgt]

Out of 26 games played this month, his average has gone up in 21 of them. Which might not sound all that impressive until you actually think about the numbers behind that.

[Otwins]

What pitcher could you get for Rosario? I don't think swapping Granite and Rosario helps that much. But if you could trade Rosario for a decent pitcher I may be interested. 

[kab21]

 

What pitcher could you get for Rosario? I don't think swapping Granite and Rosario helps that much. But if you could trade Rosario for a decent pitcher I may be interested. 

Realistically probably Tyler Chatwood. An average-ish pitcher headed to FA. Probably a similar pitcher with a 2nd year of team control though.

 

The same reason that people want to trade Rosario (or call him a good 4th OF'er) is the same reason that he isn't going to bring back anything great in a trade.

 

I am not suggesting Chatwood specifically is available (Rockies 15 games over .500) or that the Rockies want Rosario but this is the level of pitcher you could get.