Article: Spring Organizational Depth Chart: The Outfielders

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1429-Spring-Organizational-Depth-Chart-The-Outfielders

[beckmt]

Do not know how Nate Roberts will do, but feel he is undervalued. An onbase machine can work for any ballclub. With the number of prospects the Twins have, it will be difficult for outfielders to advance. Thomas and Boggs may start here or AAA, but they will soon be pushed from the organization to make room for the prospects to get playing time. TR will have his hands full on evaluation as some of these prospects could be used to add to deals to bring pitching talent here.

[Seth Stohs]

I don't really feel that he is undervalued. I just think that each year, he's been hurt and that's cost him development time. But they obviously value him. When Benson couldn't go to the AFL, they believed enough in Roberts to send him there.

 

The veterans at AAA are depth. They're allowing the Twins to be wise with the actual prospects, but they also can play ball still and could be ready in a pinch for part-time duties.

[lightfoot789]

With Roberts out of service for a while - Do you see the Twins promoting one of the Low A guys (Kepler / Walker / Jimenez) and sending them back down (Low A) when Roberts is ready (just for a feel of the level)? They did that with Rory Rhodes last year. He was demoted to Elizabethton from Beloit and started Red hot for E'Town.

[Jim Crikket]

Seth, I'm curious why you think Murphy and Pineda will skip Elizabethton and go to Cedar Rapids. Is it simply their ages (both 22)? They certainly didn't light up the GCL last year (tho at least Pineda did well before his trade). With them, it means 6 OFs starting the year in CR and that seems excessive, especially given that the organization is going to want the other 4 to get as many PAs as possible.

[Seth Stohs]

With Roberts out of service for a while - Do you see the Twins promoting one of the Low A guys (Kepler / Walker / Jimenez) and sending them back down (Low A) when Roberts is ready (just for a feel of the level)? They did that with Rory Rhodes last year. He was demoted to Elizabethton from Beloit and started Red hot for E'Town.

 

It's possible that Roberts won't be out for very long. A meniscus is generally only a 4-5 week rehab, so he may just miss camp. But I would think they'd keep him in Ft. Myers just to keep him by the rehab facilities for awhile.

 

And no, I don't really think they'll push someone just for a temporary fix, though it is possible. It (probably) wasn't the plan to send Rhodes back down to E-Town, but he 'earned' that demotion.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

It's possible that Roberts won't be out for very long. A meniscus is generally only a 4-5 week rehab, so he may just miss camp. But I would think they'd keep him in Ft. Myers just to keep him by the rehab facilities for awhile.

 

And no, I don't really think they'll push someone just for a temporary fix, though it is possible. It (probably) wasn't the plan to send Rhodes back down to E-Town, but he 'earned' that demotion.

 

Roberts has had knee injuries before right? Same knee? Same issues? If meniscus is fixable, it's a longer recovery. If they just clip the cartilage off, it is much quicker.

[ashbury]

Great piece of work, Seth!

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Cedar Rapids' outfield looks the most interesting. 3 big names starting, Romy Jimeniz, and maybe even Pineda are must watch players.

[LewFordLives]

There could be more openings after this year. If the chips don't fall right, both Willingham and Morneau may not be around after the season. Presumably this would force Parmelee to first, leaving the outfield wide open.

[Shane Wahl]

Personally, Jim, I wouldn't mind seeing Pineda up there with the hope that he does very well and becomes a tradeable commodity (regift?) to an organization with oufield holes.

 

Anyway, this looks pretty good. Roberts, Ortiz, and Morales are the second wave of OF prospects and I hope they do well.

 

Also, that Cedar Rapids OF is ridiculous. I want to go to there.

[Ultima Ratio]

Why is Arcia projected to start in both AAA and AA?

[snepp]

Why is Arcia projected to start in both AAA and AA?

 

One level can't possibly handle him on its own.

[Kwak]

Given this write-up of the OF talent in the minor leagues now, does it make any sense to use the #4 selection in the draft on an OF--even if "he is the best player available"?

[Jim Crikket]

Personally, Jim, I wouldn't mind seeing Pineda up there with the hope that he does very well and becomes a tradeable commodity (regift?) to an organization with oufield holes.

 

Anyway, this looks pretty good. Roberts, Ortiz, and Morales are the second wave of OF prospects and I hope they do well.

 

Also, that Cedar Rapids OF is ridiculous. I want to go to there.

 

I keep telling folks down here in CR that they have never seen an OF at this level like they're likely to see on the Kernels this year. I get a lot of chuckles and eyerolls, but I'm obviously anxious to see how it plays out.

 

I'll be interested to read Seth's take on the CR pitching staff, too, because I think it could be almost as good as that OF.

[Seth Stohs]

Seth, I'm curious why you think Murphy and Pineda will skip Elizabethton and go to Cedar Rapids. Is it simply their ages (both 22)? They certainly didn't light up the GCL last year (tho at least Pineda did well before his trade). With them, it means 6 OFs starting the year in CR and that seems excessive, especially given that the organization is going to want the other 4 to get as many PAs as possible.

 

Murphy is a college draft pick and he's 22. What he did statistically in 6 weeks in the GCL last year isn't that important. Now, he might be a guy who, like Leachman last year, starts at EST, but I would be surprised and disappointed if he played at Elizabethton. With Pineda, it's really just age. I guess there's no reason to push him too far. He too could go to EST.

 

Also, remember that I'm mentioning all players who are reporting to camp. As we know, a few of them will get released, or hurt and DLd, so we'll see how it plays out.

[Seth Stohs]

Roberts has had knee injuries before right? Same knee? Same issues? If meniscus is fixable, it's a longer recovery. If they just clip the cartilage off, it is much quicker.

 

i'm told there is a chance he won't miss a lot of time, if any.

[Seth Stohs]

Why is Arcia projected to start in both AAA and AA?

 

I originally had him going to Rochester, but I figured with the injury and lost time, it may be best to start him back at New Britain. We can assume that he will do very well and get pushed up quickly.

[Seth Stohs]

Given this write-up of the OF talent in the minor leagues now, does it make any sense to use the #4 selection in the draft on an OF--even if "he is the best player available"?

 

Best Player Available should always be the right thing to draft.

[DR_JPK]

Seth, Do you think the Twins really want Hicks to start in the big leagues on opening day? If he starts in AAA and moves up to the big league club later (not sure of date) then the Twins won't burn one of his years of service time. Seems like they'd be better served to give Benson a shot during the first couple months of the season and get Hicks some AAA time.

[Seth Stohs]

Seth, Do you think the Twins really want Hicks to start in the big leagues on opening day? If he starts in AAA and moves up to the big league club later (not sure of date) then the Twins won't burn one of his years of service time. Seems like they'd be better served to give Benson a shot during the first couple months of the season and get Hicks some AAA time.

 

That's a topic that has gone around on this site throughout the forums several times. it seems that about half of the people are on one side and half are on the other. I would want him to go down to Rochester for a month and come up in early May if he's ready. My honest opinion, however, is that the Twins would love for him to win the job this spring and be their opening day centerfielder.

[lightfoot789]

If everyone performs as expected (maximizes potential), who will be the odd men out in 3 years? There will be no need for 8+ outfielders. Which guys have the max tools to solidify a roster spot in 2016? HIcks / Oswaldo / Mastroianni / Kepler / Buxton / Benson / Walker / Jimenez / Rodriguez / Roberts / JD Williams / Ortiz / Proctor? Which 4 do you keep based on output & production based on maximized tools? Which 4 or 5 do you trade for maximized return?

[Thrylos]

Now, he might be a guy who, like Leachman last year, starts at EST,.

 

Leachman was hurt in ST last year. Saw him play a game (with the Beloit guys) against the (A) Orioles and he could barely swing the bat. Also he DH'd because he could not play the field. So he had to get EST and I think that the E-town assignment was a rehab. Wonder how many of those kids are injured and we just don't know it...

[Thrylos]

If everyone performs as expected (maximizes potential), who will be the odd men out in 3 years? There will be no need for 8+ outfielders. Which guys have the max tools to solidify a roster spot in 2016? HIcks / Oswaldo / Mastroianni / Kepler / Buxton / Benson / Walker / Jimenez / Rodriguez / Roberts / JD Williams / Ortiz / Proctor? Which 4 do you keep based on output & production based on maximized tools? Which 4 or 5 do you trade for maximized return?

 

Kinda of a fun question and a wonderful problem to have

 

Not all of those have the same tools or ceiling and you cannot put all of those in the same bucket. The 3 with the most tools and the highest ceiling are (alphabetically) Benson, Buxton, Hicks. Benson has only one option left and is 3 years away from arbitration, so that plays too... Buxton is 2-3 years behind them so you might not have overlap.

 

Arcia and Kepler are similar and they could be 3.5 tool guys with plus power (no speed, questions in fielding but Kepler is a better fielder.) So corner OFs with a ceiling better than Willingham's last season but pretty close.

 

Mastro is a backup in a good team. Ceiling is Gladden with more speed.

 

I frankly don't think that Jimenez / Rodriguez / Roberts / JD Williams / Ortiz / Proctor would be anything more than potentially average or backup major leaguer OFs unless they get their power and average up or move to second base (we saw that trick before) or shortstop

 

Walker is playing the OF, but he projects as a DH/1B

 

But that is just my opinion.

 

(and you forgot Angel Morales )

[lightfoot789]

I like your assessment as to who the key players are and who might be the odd men out. I see Oswaldo a little different because I see him as the best hitter in the system, which outweights most other tools for me. I think his hits tool is that good. Kepler is similar to Oswaldo potentially, but not quite the hitter to me (So he's out or 3rd OFer). Hicks is Buxton without the power potential (So he's out & a quality trade piece). Walker although not the athlete of Benson; Roberts; Mastro; or even HIcks, has the most power potential desired for a corner outfielder in the system. He like Oswaldo is serviceable in OF too.

 

1 gold glover and plenty of runs and rbi's amongst the three. So many variables to choose from. Hate to be TR in 3 years, but great problem to have. I did forget Morales. I find him as an interesting fit as well. Wow......

[J-Dog Dungan]

So, did you notice that Hicks is currently leading the Twins in HR's? Yup, that's some power for yah! (Even if it is Spring Training)