Article: Ryan LaMarre Just Might Make Twins Opening Day Roster

[Seth Stohs]

FORT MYERS - When the Twins signed outfielder Ryan LaMarre in late November, it was a ho-hum minor league signing. A quick look at his Baseball-Reference page shows that he’s a solid outfielder who has had a couple of brief cups of coffee in the big leagues. But he’s one of many similar players who sign minor league contracts each offseason.

 

Yet here we are, less than a week from Opening Day and Ryan LaMarre is still in camp. After going 2-4 on Saturday night in Sarasota, LaMarre is hitting a robust .487 with a 1.307 OPS.The Twins outfield appears set. In reality, it’s been set for about two years. Ryan LaMarre knew that when he signed. But after a conversation with Twins minor league director Jeremy Zoll, he felt that this was the right place for him to sign.

 

“I talked to Jeremy Zoll. He had some great things to say in terms of where he saw me fitting in, what he thought I could bring to the table. Obviously we’ve got Buck (Byron Buxton), Eddie (Rosario) and (Max) Kepler, so that’s pretty much set. Then Robbie (Grossman) and (Zack) Granite behind them, but behind them there wasn’t as much. So it was an opportunity to come in here and show what you can do.” LaMarre continued, “Also as you know, they use a lot of players throughout the year. There’s always going to be that opportunity. But I just really liked what he said about where I fit in, especially coming off of the injury I had last year, so it seemed like a good opportunity.”

 

Ryan LaMarre is not a star. The 29-year-old knows that. He understands that if he were to make the Twins roster, be it for Opening Day or later in the season, it will be as a backup. That’s just fine with him. By definition, Ryan LaMarre is a journeyman. He has played for three MLB clubs (and four organizations) in the last three years. In 2018, he joins his fifth organization, the Twins.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

LaMarre was the second-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 out of the University of Michigan. He worked his way up the ladder. He never hit over .300, but he always showed a good approach at the plate and a little bit of pop. He also plays strong defense. In August of 2015, he finally received the call he’d be waiting for his whole life.

 

The story of his first big league call up is pretty entertaining. LaMarre explains:

 

“I was with Cincinnati. I was in AAA. We were in Gwinnett, the Braves AAA team. I was having a decent year, but they were losing a lot of games. I was hot for about the last three weeks leading up to the series. Billy Hamilton was injured. They ended up calling up someone else on the team.”

 

Lamarre was disappointed, but got a motivational chat from his manager, “I was pretty close to the manager. I had played for him for two or three years. He called me in and said ‘Don’t worry. Just keep playing hard. September’s right around the corner. I know they didn’t call you up right here, but just keep playing.’

 

LaMarre went out onto the field to stretch, and as he tells it, “Within an hour, he (the manager) came running out to the field and said, ‘You’re going up! It’s four o'clock. I don’t have time to explain. You’ve got to pack your bag. You’ve got to go. You have a six o'clock flight out of Atlanta.’”

 

Imagine the excitement of getting that news, but now needing to leave the AAA ballpark, pack up your belonging from the hotel and rush to the airport to catch a flight that is less than two hours away.

 

“It was rush hour. I packed my bag and grabbed a bat boy who drove me to the airport. I didn’t even get there until an hour after it left, So I missed my flight. I remember calling the guy from the Reds and I was like, if this is it, I’ll rent a car. I’ll be there by the 8th or 9th inning somehow. They said ‘No, no, no. Just take it easy. It was so last minute, we understand. We’ll just get you a flight tomorrow morning. If you miss that, don’t even bother showing up.’

 

A positive message, yet also pretty direct. LaMarre heard it, “So I stayed that night at the airport, and then I got on a flight the next day.”

 

It was an exciting time Ryan LaMarre and those close to him. “My family was super excited. My wife was my girlfriend at the time. She was very excited. They were all excited. They came into Cincinnati for the weekend. It was fun.”

 

LaMarre played in 21 games over the season’s final six weeks. He was used primarily as a defensive replacement and got just 25 at-bats.

 

Following the season, he was DFAd and signed a minor league free agent contract with the Boston Red Sox. In late June of 2016, he was called up and got five at-bats (no hits) in five games played. He actually played in one more game, on July 2nd. The Red Sox were losing 21-3 to the Angels, and LaMarre threw a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up two hits, but the final out of the inning came off the bat of Gregorio Petit who also remains on the Twins spring training roster.

 

Following the 2016 season, LaMarre was let go by the Red Sox and signed a minor league deal with the Angels. In late April, he was traded to Oakland. He was immediately called up to the A’s and played in three games (0-7) before being sent down. He remained in AAA until a mid-June injury cost him the rest of his season.

 

 

The Twins signed LaMarre in late November, 2017. He began to rehab last July and was cleared in October. About that same time, he was getting married to his wife Whitney who is a Minnesota native. Because of his injury and rehab, they spent the majority of their offseason in Florida, but he says he could see himself living in the Twin Cities.

 

He noted with a smile, “That wouldn’t be a bad place to play for awhile.”

It might be even more cool for his wife and her family for LaMarre to make the Twins roster in 2018. “It would be amazing. She obviously represents her family. Her parents are from Minneapolis. Her dad was down here and he got to meet Rod (Carew) and Tony (Oliva), and for him, those were the guys he looked up to as a kid. So it would be special. It’d be a fun time.”

 

LaMarre’s big league track record hasn’t been strong, but it’s also been a very small sample size. Paul Molitor was asked how he takes past history into account with spring success.

 

“You try to know these guys’ history, but you hear about swing changes and other things he’s been doing. He’s had a nice camp. He can play around the outfield. I think he plays the outfield well. He’s been taking good at-bats all spring. He’ll swing and miss some, but he’s got that opposite field power that we’ve seen more than once. He’s got a little bit of that hockey player mentality.”

 

Makes sense since LaMarre played hockey in his younger years. Another reason it makes sense for Ryan LaMarre to make the Twins roster in 2018, is to be part of the State of Hockey. And, with the hopes and expectations of the Twins and their fans for 2018, maybe he can help make it more of a State of Baseball again.

 

For LaMarre, he’s happy to be a part of this year’s Twins organization and sees it as a special place. “It’s been fun. It’s an awesome group of guys. The coaches are amazing. The manager. The hitting coach. Everyone’s pulling in the right direction. This is a good place to be right now.”

 

And on Thursday, Baltimore would be a great place for Ryan LaMarre to be for his first Opening Day. The odds were long six weeks ago (even two weeks ago), but it just might happen.

 

Click here to view the article

[old nurse]

They might want Granite to be playing every day to start the season.

[Rosterman]

If possible, I would want Granite playing everyday.

 

But you still need a 40-man spot. And, in some ways, he seems redundant of Robbie Grossman. One or the other, but not both.

 

And we still need to deal with Kennys Vargas!

 

[Seth Stohs]

Granite may (or may not) wind up on the DL with his shoulder contusion.

 

Vargas may be put right back on waivers in hopes of getting him to Rochester. 

 

Lamarre may still end up in Rochester.

[Danchat]

This situation reminds me of Sean Burroughs in 2012. I remember he was a longshot for the roster but had a good Spring Training and was able to make the team. He then ended up getting 2 hits in 18 PAs and was DFA'd and never showed up in the majors again. LaMarre would likely end up doing something similar... it's not like he's going to be getting many PAs.

[mikelink45]

Does he make us better?  If not forget the nice story.  I would like to be rooting for the underdog, but this is when the Twins build towards a WS.  I would rather have Lamonte Wade if we are going to have an extra outfielder.  But Vargas makes more sense. 

[Vanimal46]

This is probably going to read in a negative way....

 

I'm not interested in cute spring training stories. This organization should be beyond that point.

 

If LaMarre can make an impact better than other players, great! There's nothing in his past history that indicates he'll be better than Grossman or the other bench players.

[Seth Stohs]

 

This situation reminds me of Sean Burroughs in 2012. I remember he was a longshot for the roster but had a good Spring Training and was able to make the team. He then ended up getting 2 hits in 18 PAs and was DFA'd and never showed up in the majors again. LaMarre would likely end up doing something similar... it's not like he's going to be getting many PAs.

 

Well, that's fun... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Does he make us better?  If not forget the nice story.  I would like to be rooting for the underdog, but this is when the Twins build towards a WS.  I would rather have Lamonte Wade if we are going to have an extra outfielder.  But Vargas makes more sense. 

 

Why would they want Lamonte Wade to play once or twice a week. And he's left-handed, so it doesn't work with the platoon. LaMarre bats right handed at least. 

[jkcarew]

Where would the roster spot come from? Grossman has been as good against left-handed pitching in the majors (or better) as LaMarre has been in the minors. Meanwhile, Grossman actually is a year younger than LaMarre. Weaken your bench 5 or 6 days a week so that you can have a better defender in a corner outfield spot one or two days a week?

[slash129]

There is no reason to burn an option and 40-man turn on Lamonte Wade. He has value down the line. This is where a player like Lamarr adds perfect value. I'm not expecting the unearthing of an all-star, but the timing of his hot streak does add current value. If anything, it pushes Grossman. The Vargas situation is an isolated, head-scratching situation otherwise.

[Vanimal46]

There is no reason to burn an option and 40-man turn on Lamonte Wade. He has value down the line. This is where a player like Lamarr adds perfect value. I'm not expecting the unearthing of an all-star, but the timing of his hot streak does add current value. If anything, it pushes Grossman. The Vargas situation is an isolated, head-scratching situation otherwise.

Who's being bumped from the 40 man for LaMarre?

[Homer Hanky]

can't LaMarre take Polanco's spot?

 

[Danchat]

 

can't LaMarre take Polanco's spot?

Once they DFA Vargas again, yes.

[sswen]

Good Iuck Ryan, I hope it works out for ya. I always like a feel good story about someone coming from out of nowhere to win a job!!

 

[3balls2strikes]

LaMarre has worked hard and played extremely well in spring training while Grossman has performed poorly and made strange comments in interviews like he only needs ten at bats in spring training to be ready for the regular season. Grossman has had way more than ten at bats so far and the 0-fers he keeps putting up indicate he's not anywhere near ready for the regular season. I generally like Grossman, but LaMarre has clearly outplayed him. I like players earning their roster spot in fair and open competition. I don't like players farting around in spring training and coasting because they think they have a roster spot secured. I'd like to see the Twins give LaMarre a roster spot and reinforce the message to all players that hard work and production will be rewarded no matter who you are.

[jud6312]

Enough of the touchy feely sunshine and unicorn fart stories.

 

Best 25 players and that's it. If this guy is one of the best 25 they've got, this team is in for a long, disappointing year.

 

I look at his minor league stats and I don't even see a AAAA player - I see a career minor leaguer.

[jud6312]

 

Well, that's fun... 

Reality isn't always fun. And his track record - in MLB and recent stops at AAA don't indicate any different than the Burroughs example.

[3balls2strikes]

 

I look at his minor league stats and I don't even see a AAAA player - I see a career minor leaguer.

Molitor indicates that LaMarre has made swing changes that have lead to his spring training success. That's exactly what JD Martinez and Logan Morrison have done recently. If LaMarre is producing now, it doesn't matter what his historical stats are. What he's doing NOW is what the Twins should look at to make their decision. The guy is batting almost .500 in a healthy number of spring training at bats. That's incredible and not something easily dismissed. Sometimes a tiny adjustment or whatever just makes it click for a player.

 

[twinstalker]

I think it's pretty simple. Team needs a rh OF to go with rh DH/OF Grossman, and we can get rid of Vargas, whom we know a lot about. There's this guy in camp who is mashing it and fills that role. Why wouldn't you go with the hot streak until it proves out otherwise?

 

There is nothing about Granite that is helpful, other than as a backup to Buxton, and the Twins can survive the one game until Granite gets called up to replace an injured Buxton.

 

If Vargas is the argument here, and you don't think there are AAAA guys available all over the place who can do as much or more than him, then I'm not sure what to say. My guess, though, is that if Vargas were with another organization and made available to us, that argument wouldn't exist.

 

The love for Vargas and Granite on here baffles me.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Reality isn't always fun. And his track record - in MLB and recent stops at AAA don't indicate any different than the Burroughs example.

 

It's a nice story, but with this roster and this team, there is no reason to believe that he would make the roster because it's a nice story. Do people really think the manage and the front office would make decisions because of that? If they feel like they can make the roster better if he's on it, then they're going to. If not, he won't be.  I'll trust their judgment. If nothing else, this front office has shown it isn't afraid to "make mistakes." 

[Tk33]

It is a nice story.  And if the team puts him on the 40 man because they think he gives us the best chance, that would be great.

 

What amazes me it that so many comments focus on our goal to win this year and crap on LaMarre because he is just a "story".  Are we that far removed from losing 100 games that we can't see a story like this and smile?  To me, the personal stories like this are what makes baseball fun.  It gets you invested not in just the results, but the players themselves.

 

Good luck to LaMarre.  I hope he finds a place, in MN or elsewhere, to stick and contribute.

[TFRazor]

 

It is a nice story.  And if the team puts him on the 40 man because they think he gives us the best chance, that would be great.

 

What amazes me it that so many comments focus on our goal to win this year and crap on LaMarre because he is just a "story".  Are we that far removed from losing 100 games that we can't see a story like this and smile?  To me, the personal stories like this are what makes baseball fun.  It gets you invested not in just the results, but the players themselves.

 

Good luck to LaMarre.  I hope he finds a place, in MN or elsewhere, to stick and contribute.

 

Who doesn't love a guy finally making good after years of busting his tail. He's looked legitimately good this spring and honestly it hasn't even been that small of a sample size.

[Cbell67]

Been following LaMarre since his college days. This isn't just a nice story. He has just never been given a real chance when he gets called up. He has the talent to be at the major league level. Defense is way above avg, excellent speed (stole 55 bases one year in minors) and has alot of pop in his bat. Had the Reds not let him go after 2015, he most likely would have gotten his chance there after the kind of outfield they ended up with due to trades and injuries. If the Twins don't sign him to the big league club they are crazy. He has hustle, desire, and plays to win. If you don't sign LaMarre, how do you as a team look players in the eye in the future and tell them they have a chance? WITH the numbers he has produced he has earned a spot

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Who doesn't love a guy finally making good after years of busting his tail. He's looked legitimately good this spring and honestly it hasn't even been that small of a sample size.

its “battle your tail off” - gotta invoke the Gardyisms when writing about a scrappy 4th/5th outfielder ala Lew Ford or utility infielder ala Nick Punto

 

All joking aside, it’s a fun story and I’d like to see Lamarre succeed. What if the change is real and he’s a late bloomer? Granite could use a little seasoning, and depth is great for the trade deadline.

[DocBauer]

Great story. And he may be nothing more than a career milb journeyman with a good ST story. Or, he could be a late bloomer who has indeed changed something in his swing.

 

But your 25 man roster isn't always your best or most talented players. Sometimes you need that 3rd catcher, extra utility guy or additional LOOGY. I'd prefer an extra utility guy with Polanco out. Could still happen. Molitor seems to feel he wants a 5th OF which leaves the final position spot to Granite or LaMarre. Is Granite going to be ready? Should he play every day at AAA, for now at least? Is LaMarre's RH bat more useful for now? It all plays in to the final decision.

[Vanimal46]

It is a nice story. And if the team puts him on the 40 man because they think he gives us the best chance, that would be great.

 

What amazes me it that so many comments focus on our goal to win this year and crap on LaMarre because he is just a "story". Are we that far removed from losing 100 games that we can't see a story like this and smile? To me, the personal stories like this are what makes baseball fun. It gets you invested not in just the results, but the players themselves.

 

Good luck to LaMarre. I hope he finds a place, in MN or elsewhere, to stick and contribute.

How many cute ST stories are sticking on the 25 man for Cleveland, New York, Boston, Seattle, and LA?

 

Obviously I'm not down there every day to see the adjustments he's made, and if it's legit or a fluke.

 

If they found a 5th OF out of no where, more power to them. As a stat geek, there's nothing in his past history that suggests he'll be a successful MLB player IMO.

[ashbury]

Grossman has performed poorly and made strange comments in interviews like he only needs ten at bats in spring training to be ready for the regular season. Grossman has had way more than ten at bats so far and the 0-fers he keeps putting up indicate he's not anywhere near ready for the regular season.

It might have been just Karma following his quote about needing ten AB, but he went a comical 0-10 (or thereabout) to start Spring Training. Taking that away, his stats have shown a much more presentable .310 BA, with enough walks (.394 OBP) and extra-bases (.448 SLG) to suggest he's as ready as other years.

 

All appearances count, but I prefer recent trends where there is a sharp divide.

 

That aside, Spring Training numbers count for very little in the first place, and this much slicing and dicing isn't especially sound.

 

Bottom line, I'm not a big Grossman fan and would be happy if someone else proves to be a better alternative, but I don't think it's necessary to overplay the ineptitude. His Spring numbers aren't a reason by themselves to look for a change.

[ThejacKmp]

I don't get the need for a 5th OF and I really see a need for a middle infielder. I gotta think the Twins are eyeing someone they think another team might cut.

[BJames]

I think Granite's injury send him back to AAA.  So, to me that leaves LaMarre-Vargas. For some reason Granite was in play which to me means Grossman was not going to see the outfield. To me LaMarre, Vargas, Graver, Adrianza is your best Bench. Outfielder, Power Bat, Catcher, Outfielder. I still would drop Enns off the Roster for LaMarre regardless of him making the team.  The Cave pick-up still is a little bit of a head scratcher. We'll see. Any way this is a good team and a better team then last year with lot of talent in the Miniors ready to go.