Article: Making Zack Granite Fit

[DocBauer]

I believe Granite has the potential to be a future starter and pest at the top of the order with hitting, OB and speed. At worst, he's the same as a quality 4th OF. I also am a fan of Garver and believe he will stick and be solid, at least.

 

Both deserve a shot. I just don't know that I give up on Vargas yet, despite a recent slump. Hey...guys run hot and cold. Adrianza has been hitting better than expected and is a nice looking player. Does he deserve to go? Barring injury, these are the questions that have to be addressed, and I'm not sure I have the answer.

 

Frankly, it's a nice problem to have.

[DJSim22]

Why in the world do you mess with the MLB line up for a player who likely can not keep up this current pace at AAA?  Do people forget how well Rosario, Buxton, ect batted in the minors?  The conversation is just plain silly to me, no offense. 

[yarnivek1972]

Why in the world do you mess with the MLB line up for a player who likely can not keep up this current pace at AAA? Do people forget how well Rosario, Buxton, ect batted in the minors? The conversation is just plain silly to me, no offense.

I must have missed when Buxton posted a .400 obp in AAA in half a season.

[drjim]

I must have missed when Buxton posted a .400 obp in AAA in half a season.

Buxton was actually pretty close if you combine his time in 15 and 16. A lot more power too.

[kab21]

I don't really see the point of getting rid of Adrianza to make room for Granite. 

 

The moves that could make room for Granite

 

A) Option Vargas - I am a big Vargas supporter and think he could be a .800 OPS 25-30 HR DH/1B but he is not doing well. 

 

Option Buxton - Yes, his defense is awesome but we are halfway into the season and he is OPS'ing .552. That is Drew Butera's career OPS. That is how bad that is. Granite definitely wouldn't be as good defensively but Kepler and Rosario are still plus defenders on the corner. He has been given 3 months and his hot month was a .701 OPS.

 

I don't have high expectations of Granite. He looks like Revere statistically but Revere put up 4 .300BA/.700+OPS seasons. I can live with that as a 4th OF'er or until Buxton takes the role back.

[DJSim22]

 

I must have missed when Buxton posted a .400 obp in AAA in half a season.

 

I guess you did?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The issue. You have to keep Vargas (or eventually Park) because you do need a first baseman, not a fill-in...unless you give Kepler regular reps and thus eliminate that need.

 

Second, bringing Granite in means you now have five outfielders. Is he a better backup than Grossman (I would say yes). Is Grossman a better DH than, say, Park or Vargas? Not sure.

 

You have to eliminate a pitcher. Who do you send down. Busenitz? Boshers? Hildenberger? Plus we will have Haley coming back soon, too. But then that issue is WhY do we have Belisle, Breslow, Haley taking up bullpen space. Is Hughes going to be a plus or a minus (we will soon know). The rotation still has Santiago and Gibson. We have a lot of pitchers keeping other pitchers from pitching. And even if we jettisoned a whole slew of current pitching staffers, we know we have guys like Tonkin and Pressly that are no worse...or better...not to mention Hurley!

 

Can the Twins just go after the best 25 that they can put on the field and forget about salary commitment, long-term contracts, veteran presence, being nice to guys who WON'T BE HERE IN 2018 OR BEYOND! If the pieces aren't pulling their weight THIS YEAR and not expected to be here NEXT YEAR...then why just be a feeding ground for the player to maybe better themselves at the expense of the club.

Mauer is signed thru 2018. It's very possible Brent Rooker takes over 2019. If he or another in house option isn't available/ready, a Mike Napoli type is usually available. I'm not worried about Vargas/Park. Time to get Granite a taste of the bigs. Can never have too much ML talent Edited July 6, 2017 by Sconnie

[jimbo92107]

The Zenn diagram of Twins fielders has a lot of crossover in the corners where the circles connect at their intersections. Technically, Zach Granite does fill some holes in the deficiencies of three out of four outfielders. He's a better contact hitter than either Rosario or Buxton. He's a better outfielder than Grossman. He's faster than all but Buxton, and a better base stealer than all of them, tho Buxton's improved technique could soon make him the best base stealer in Twins history. 

 

About my only hesitation on Granite is, there's another guy that might be a better super utility man, with a lot of the same skills. Niko Goodrum. His skills might better fit the team's needs, but his batting average is...below average. A .247 batter in AAA probably translates to a .200 hitter in the show. 

 

Otherwise, Granite's .365 (.371 last 10 games) suggests that he'd be a very good hitter in the majors, giving the Twins a good bat, excellent base runner and fielder off the bench. If one of the other guys needs a break or is scuffling at the plate...put in Granite. 

Edited July 6, 2017 by jimbo92107

[Mr. Brooks]

Mauer is signed thru 2018. It's very possible Brent Rooker takes over 2019. If he or another in house option isn't available/ready, a Mike Napoli type is usually available. I'm not worried about Vargas/Park. Time to get Granite a taste of the bigs. Can never have too much ML talent

I would say at this point, it's not possible that Rooker takes over in 2019, or ever.

Let's wait and see if he can actually figure out rookie ball pitching before we start peciling him in anywhere else.

[drjim]

Granite on the BA June Prospect Team:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-team-month-june/?amphtml=1

[drjim]

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I would say at this point, it's not possible that Rooker takes over in 2019, or ever.

Let's wait and see if he can actually figure out rookie ball pitching before we start peciling him in anywhere else.

ever? Think that little of the FO already?

 

The point was, there's other options than Vargas and Park.

Edited July 6, 2017 by Sconnie

[kab21]

 

ever? Think that little of the FO already?

The point was, there's other options than Vargas and Park.

The point is that every year people start penciling in draft picks prematurely. The bust rate for late 1st rd picks is quite high and if that happens then it isn't really a black mark for the front office. And 2019 is probably the most optimistic timetable for all but elite level draft picks to stick in the MLB. There are of course exceptions but that is why they are exceptions.

 

Vargas is so frustrating since I have been a big Vargas supporter. I think he can be a .800+ OPS, 25+ HR bat but he has pretty much run out of chances in MN. Especially on a team with Grossman and Mauer playing (and starting most games) the way they are. Vargas doesn't offer anything but hitting and if he isn't hitting then someone else should be up.

[Mr. Brooks]

ever? Think that little of the FO already?

 

The point was, there's other options than Vargas and Park.

Well I'm not going to judge the FO on one pick.

Though I do already think Rooker will absolutely be a bust.

I realize I'll take heat for judging that pick so quickly, but I do, and if i turn out wrong I'll own it.