Not Good? Be Interesting (Twins Hitting)

[Ted Schwerzler]

The reality for the Minnesota Twins is that they’re facing a selloff come the 2021 Major League Baseball trade deadline. That’s because they’ve been a bad team to this point. In an effort to become more interesting down the stretch, who should get some at bats?

Yesterday we looked at how the Minnesota Twins can shuffle their pitching in order to figure out what's left for 2022 and beyond. Today we turn to Rocco Baldelli's lineups and question where at bats can be doled out amongst the organization, and what players should be in line for a look.

On the hitting side, here are some names to consider:

Before doing individual deep dives here, it should be all but guaranteed Brent Rooker is on his way to take over Nelson Cruz’s at-bats when the veteran is ultimately traded. Rooker has to prove it at the big league level, but it’s clear he’s mastered Triple-A. Teammate Jose Miranda should also be heavily considered to be a lock for a big-league promotion at some point down the stretch as the jump to St. Paul has done nothing to slow down his torrid 2021. This is in conjunction with a continued run for players like Nick Gordon and Gilberto Celestino.

Drew Maggi

If there’s an organizational type of guy you want to reward in 2021, then Maggi might define that. He joined the Twins system in 2019 and has played over 1,000 minor league games without a big-league debut. At 32, he’s having a career year with an .806 OPS for the Saints. A true utility man who can play all over the diamond, this would be a hat tip type of move more than anything.

 

Mark Contreras

Selected in the 9th round of the 2017 MLB draft, Contreras is now 27 and at Triple-A. In 36 games for St. Paul, he owns an .852 OPS while playing a solid defensive outfield. There’s not much in the form of on-base skills here, but the bat has plenty of pop, and there’s some modest stolen base ability. Contreras probably isn’t the first choice for a fourth outfield spot, but he could certainly factor into the mix and is worth getting a look at.

Andrew Bechtold

Minnesota took Bechtold in the 5th round of the 2017 draft from Chipola College. His calling card was the bat, and it’s taken some time to get going. At Double-A now as a 25-year-old, Bechtold owns a .781 OPS in 55 games this season. He’s got the first double-digit homer tally of his pro career, and there are some solid walk skills for a power guy. Across his last 34 games since June 1, Bechtold owns a .906 OPS. Bumping him up a level makes sense from a progression and age standpoint. There’s not an immediate reason to make a big-league debut, but finding out what the bat can do may bring enough intrigue.

Jermaine Palacios

A light-hitting infield prospect, Palacios was flipped to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jake Odorizzi. After re-signing with the Twins this offseason, he’s having a breakout season at Double-A to the tune of a career-best .802 OPS. His 10 homers this year account for nearly one-third of his career total across more than 550 pro games. Palacios is just 24, and if this season is to be believed, a late-blooming guy up the middle is never a bad development.

Aaron Whitefield

Playing in three games for the Twins a season ago after spending time at the Alternate Site, Whitefield has spent all of 2021 at Double-A. His .761 OPS is a career-high, and it comes bolstered by average and on-base skills. Capable of playing a good center field, his bat-to-ball skills make him an ideal bench outfielder type. Given how many bodies the Twins have gone through in center alone, it’s somewhat surprising we haven’t seen his name called yet.

Ernie De La Trinidad 
The other piece of the Eduardo Escobar trade, De La Trinidad is having a career year. The 25-year-old is at Double-A, and his .905 OPS will play just fine. In 40 games and 167 plate appearances, De La Trinidad has struck out just 29 times while batting .319. Power isn’t his forte, but this is another guy that could factor into an additional outfielder situation. With what Minnesota has run through this season, there’s little harm in getting him a step closer and seeing what translates.

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[Azviking101]

I’m sorry but I stopped reading after reading Drew Maggi, 32 year old minor leaguer having a career year. 

[Dman]

I was thinking the same thing about Maggi.  Giving him some games at MLB the last month would be a really cool thing to do.  He is an old Twin, Pirana, Punto type player who never quite made it but is having a great year.  I do hope they give him some at bats with the big club.

I like your Contraras pick as well.  It wasn't that long ago his numbers were not that much different than Rookers and Contraras is a gold glove player at his position.  Was wondering if he was going to pass Rooker and then recently Roooker stepped on the gas and had like 5 HR's in three or four games and his OPS is 100 point higher now.  Seth is gonna tell me I am crazy but I could see someone grabbing Mark in the Rule V.  Especially if he keeps hitting HR's

If the Twins get rid of Simmons I really think they should add Palacios to the 40 man.  They likely will need to protect him anyway and it would let them see how close or far away he is.  If he looks ready tat short that could change their plans for the offseason.

Whitefield I never thought he would hit enough but he has hung in there this year.  Honestly I like his bat better than Celestino right now.  His speed is probably better as well.  Again I hope this FO can self evaluate their players because he could be another good rule V pickup if not added.

Same with one of my favorite players De La Trinidad.  He has been a real tough out this year and while he is small he has hit for power this year.  I think he was injured recently and he slowed down since the injury but he looks like a nice 4th outfielder type.  I really like how he plays the game,  He was the other player that came over in the Escobar trade.

It is a good list.  I think the Twins do need to decide who to add and again I think they are going to lose some guys to rule V.  Hoping that they keep the right guys this time though.

 

[mike8791]

Thanks Ted for summary of "hitting prospects".  It goes to reinforce belief that Twins 2022 offense depends greatly on keeping the current offense intact.  The only promising  position player who should be called up this season is Miranda.   The other guys mentioned are at best AAAA players.  If this is the Twins' future, look out below, especially if Rooker "replaces" Cruz.  He has shown absolutely nothing at the ML level that indicates he can fill Cruz's jock, no less his shoes.

We'd better hang on to guys like Donaldson, Garver, Sano, Kepler if we hope to rebound in 2022; otherwise, even if this FO succeeds in a successful rebuild of the pitching staff, the offense would take a big step backwards.  The attention has been all on pitching, but looks like the Wonder Boys have also whiffed on offense as well, if these are our best near-term prospects.

[D.C Twins]

The "Be Interesting" headline juxtaposed with Rocco's picture made me laugh out loud!!!

Thank you Ted!

 

 

[mikelink45]

Based on this report we have no shortage of 4th 5th 6th 7th outfielders. If only we had the Stars ahead of them

[twinfan]

I'm staying on the bandwagon to re-sign Cruz and keep Simmons. Unless we can get major league or major league ready pitchers for both of them (and that probably won't happen), I would re-sign them both for next year. You can always trade them if next year fails (though you could also convince them to re-sign after the season). I'd rather trade Sano and Kepler than Simmons and Cruz. But that's why I am not the GM.

[Danchat]

Yeah... this is a pretty mediocre list. Contreras, Whitefield, and De La Trinidad all profile as bench OF bats, and I don't think we need to see any of them in 2021. Palacios interests me, as from what I've read it sounds like he's a quality fielder at SS, so perhaps he could be our Adrianza replacement at some point. He will probably never hit well enough to be a starter, but I would entertain putting him on the 40 man to protect him, which means calling him up in late 2021 is a viable option.

Rooker should be up in August, and Miranda also might be soon. That's all of whom I'd really like to see for the second half of 2021 when it comes to hitters who are in the minors.

[Whitey333]

Excellent article.  Thanks for all the information about "prospect" I had forgotten about.  Twins have sure fallen hard and fast.

[Richard Swerdlick]

If the Twins give Maggi a look then he may become this year's version of Niko Goodrum. So after he is DFA'ed again the Tigers will maybe sign him?

[roger]

I really like Whitefield and must admit I didn't know a lot about Contreras.  If his defense is as good as you indicate, does he have a future with the Twins?

Was surprised that you mention that Bechtold's "calling card was his bat."  I always that that he was thought to be a top defender at third and that was the strongest part of his game?

Looking at the clock above this article ticking down to the trade deadline, there may be lots of openings in a bit over 12 days...at least I hope there will.