Can the Twins Lineup Turn it Around?

[DocBauer]

I understand that hope and expectation vs poor early results is very discouraging. Believe me, I'm as disappointed and discouraged as anyone at this point. But despite current production...or rather the lack of it...I don't think it's unreasonable or overly optimistic to fully expect the lineup to turn it around and be at least average, if not above.

While we can debate, and probably all be right to some degree, as to how they should appear in a lineup, I think it's safe to list Arraez, Correa, Polanco, and Buxton as the 4 best overall hitters on the team. And I'm not so sure Buxton shouldn't be the cleanup hitter most days. I think, despite arguements of gaining an additional AB here and there hitting #1, and a supposed loss of SB opportunities, I think it could be argued he'd be more productive in the #4 spot. Again, we can debate the best lineup, but those 4 should generally be our top 4. Does anyone really doubt Polanco and Correa will crank it up?

Losing Kirilloff really hurts and there is no way to sugar coat that.

Larnach's BA is poor right now. But as a recent OP addressed him, there are peripherals showing he's chasing less, hitting the ball hard, and is showing improvement soon in total numbers. I sure hope so. I think he is part of the future despite being rushed somewhat. I sure hope so as we could really use him with AK out.

Sano has been as bad as he's ever been. But with little exception, he's always figured it out after about a month and ends up the year with quality production. Frustration is an understatement, but he's part of 2022 and is more than likely going to be his normal self when all is said and done.

I think Jeffers is a work in progress. He's hit in college, hit in milb, has flashed as a hitter at the ML level, and absolutely has good power. I don't think anyone is expecting him to be the Twins cleanup hitter. He's a quality defensive catcher with power and hit potential as a really good bottom third batter, potentially.

Kepler is just never going to be what we all thought and hoped. And he's coming off a couple bad seasons. But he's still under 30yrs old, athletic and talented and fully healthy again. There is, or should be, hope that he just gets back to previous norms. If he just does that, he will be a mediocre hitter with a decent OB, and 50-60 XB power. Just being his normal, previous self will be just fine.

After a slow start, Miranda is coming around at St Paul. And I think he's the future at 3B. And that future will probably come sometime before July. But I have been impressed by Urshela thus far. He plays a good 3B, takes good AB, and has shown some power the past 3yrs. I like him better as a quality reserve, but he's OK/solid.

All of this to say I can see some very, very good hitting talent on the way in 2022 and the next couple of years. But there is more than enough talent and previous production on hand to just see this offense turn it around and be good. 

I do think the guys on hand are "too much alike" in their approach where it's all about power and launch angle. And that's where some of the young talent coming up, and a healthy AK, might provide a more "level"  and "balanced" approach to the future of the lineup. But for NOW, I just don't know how you can't expect the current offense to return more to the mean and be average at worst, if not downright good. 

 

 

[Whitey333]

What's so frustrating for the offense is that almost all of the lineup is drastically underperforming at the same time.  Sano is such an enigma.  But he's always been that.  This year even more so.  He is hitting well south of .100  he sure seems to be sinking his fate this year with the Twins.  Correa is hitting well below .200.    These people are paid a lot of money to produce.  Between the two of them they are being paid in excess of $45 million this year or about a third of the team payroll.  Isn't it ok to expect more of them?  Jeffers is a decent defensive catcher but can't hit major league pitching.  Buxton got off to a great start his first few games then he too quit hitting before being injured again.  By the way the invested a lot of money in him too.  They need him if this team has a chance.  Sox gave the Twins a win last night as the Twins only managed 5 hits.  They have scored a total of 3 runs in the past three games.  Two of them from white Sox errors.  Today Twins need to finally get the bats going, beat Chicago, and put the division on notice that the Twins are going to be a force.  If the bats don't show some life the will be a farce.  We've already wasted games where we got great starting pitching.

[Whitey333]

Why are the Twins so high on Kyle Garlick?  He certainly isn't a good pinch hitter.  After Baldelli takes him out for guys who were hitting during the game, Larnach had two hits, then another day he pinch hit for someone who has homered.  He usually strikes out or gets light contact.  Does not produce.  Plus he's a liability defensively.  I understand Rocco's computer may tell him to pin h hit Garlick for someone that's is actually hitting.  It's working out great so far, right?

[RpR]

19 hours ago, Linus said:

It’s not hard to figure out why this lineup is not producing. Half the spots are black holes and I have no expectation that Sano Kepler Sanchez or Jeffers will substantially improve. Larnach has hit some balls hard and is still gaining experience so he might produce. I’m really worried about Jeffers - he’s getting worse. 

He is a far better fielder than slow-foot Larnach.