Twins Daily 2023 Top Prospects: #1 Brooks Lee, SS

[Crackedfungo]

7 hours ago, rv78 said:

For 2024 and beyond? = Lee, Lewis, Julien, Salas, Martin, Correa, Polanco, Miranda, all tied to 3 infield positions. Let's face it, that's too many players to get quality at bats for on a regular basis. I see Martin moving to the outfield if he continues to develop. Still leaves 7 players for 3 infield spots. My guess is Polanco will be traded at the deadline in 2023 unless he is raking it and the Twins are leading the division. If they aren't in contention they'll get a better haul for him if he is raking it. Otherwise I don't see the Twins picking up his option for 2024 and 2025. Salas would be a stretch for making it to the show in 2024 so he can probably be scratched from the list but needs to be figured long term. If Kirilloff and Larnach become legit players which is a high probablility that I, and a lot of others are hoping for, then 1B and a CO spot are tied up as well. If Buxton can stay healthy that only leaves 1 OF spot to fill. Wouldn't it be great if Wallner, Lewis or Martin can fill it? Then again Emmanuel Rodriguez may only be a couple years away as well. Who's the odd man out? Salas? Julien? Miranda? What about Gordon? Still too many players for positions available. Good problem to have but eventually it means someone or two or more will probably be traded. 

What this means (if serious injuries are avoided) is some trades and a NEED to focus on one of the Top 2 pitchers in the Draft this year, and going forward.  This wish for signing an ACE is NOT going to happen.  We are not a destination, and the best WILL NOT come here.  We need to grow our own by any means necessary.

[IndianaTwin]

13 hours ago, arby58 said:

If both Lewis and Lee 'make it' while Correa is slotted at SS, Polanco at 2B, and Miranda is at 3B, there's a bit of a log jam there. My guess is if this transpires, Miranda becomes primarily a DH. If Lewis' mobility is reduced but he can still rake, he could also become an option at 1B. Of course, if they both make it, it's a good problem to have (and makes a player like Farmer expendable).

Yeah, let’s have Lewis learn 1b. Even Billy Beane knows it ain’t that hard!

 

[JD-TWINS]

4 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Not going to disagree with your basic setup there, but looks like you missed Julien. He's absolutely got to be in the mix at DH and a handful of other spots.

I think Larnach becomes a full time OF, and Rodriguez is probably a couple years away just based on youth and depth. Hoping Martin becomes part of the equation as well.

But Lee and Lewis seem to set a lot of things in to motion don't they?

Julien is our organization’s #15 prospect - only plays 2B now.

Can’t have rookie 3B - 2B (Lewis & Lee) and have their back-up be a rookie. This is why I stick with the lower risk veteran, Farmer, in ‘24.

Larnach/Kirilof at DH &1B vs. RH pitching. I don’t see Larnach playing in OF more than half time.

[miracleb]

Posted 16 hours ago

  17 hours ago, miracleb said:

  19 hours ago, miracleb said:

Lee being forced to play 3rd with CC at short? How about the older guy with the bad wheel moving to 3rd to make room for the younger, healthier Lee?

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If Correa moves to third in the next couple of years, we WAY OVER paid for him!

We can't move Correa to 3rd because he makes too much to play there? Did I infer incorrectly?

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Yes, you infer correctly.  His value is as a shortstop.   His stats as a shortstop are awesome!!  His stats don't translate nearly as well as a 3rd baseman(middle of the pack?)

FYI, Correa would've been 11th in HRs, 5th in BA, 3rd in OBP, 7th in SLG, and tied for 5th in wRC+ amongst qualified 3Bs last year. He was tied with Devers for wRC+. Devers just got 10 years, 313.5 million. Correa would certainly be a better fielder. Machado got 10, 300 that he's going to opt out of cuz he's going to get even more. Arenado got 8/260. Correa would be a top 5 3B, and they all get the same kind of money as he did.

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Again, his higher value is as a shortstop.  The Twins were not signing him that contract to be a 3rd baseman.  3rd base is a much easier spot to come up with a comparable bat.  Now go look at his stats compared to shortstops........

[Major League Ready]

On 2/17/2023 at 11:55 AM, Mike Sixel said:

So much speed with Lewis...I have no idea why people want him at 2B.

I could see him being used in a Chris Taylor mold.  As often as they rest players these days, he could play as much as a regular starter while playing SS/3B/CF/LF/RF/DH.  I would not use him at 2B.  Then again, he could be the RF and CF when Buxton is out.   IDK, I just hope he is he remains healthy.  One way or another these guys about to burst on to the scene should make it an interesting time to be a Twins fan.

[Melissa]

On 2/17/2023 at 6:54 PM, Beast said:

He’s either got knees that can handle a semi-athletic (baseball) sport or he doesn’t.  There’s only so much bubble wrap and off days until he’s just not a that useful anymore.

I don't know ... when I watch MLB caliber baseball players they are far from being semi-athletic.  Things like golf, bowling, or god help us pickleball fit that dismissal ... but baseball? It's not beer-league slow-pitch softball out there, right?

[Nine of twelve]

24 minutes ago, Melissa said:

I don't know ... when I watch MLB caliber baseball players they are far from being semi-athletic.  Things like golf, bowling, or god help us pickleball fit that dismissal ... but baseball? It's not beer-league slow-pitch softball out there, right?

Off topic, but I have to chime in with the best thing Jim Souhan ever said. He once described Matthew LeCroy as a baseball player trapped inside the body of a softball player.