Antoan Richardson

[greengoblinrulz]

Very little was made of this 29 yr old journeyman centerfielder when the Twins signed him this offseason.A 35th round pick in 2005 out of Vanderbilt, the slight 5'8 165 pounder was released in 09 after topping out in AA. He played 457gms w/SF getting 1447ABs posting a respectable .274/BAve w/.354slgg (43doubles 21 triples 10Hr). He took 231 bb's w/44hbp for a very nice .390OBP. He swiped 188 bases in 225 attempts (83.5%) to go w/323Ks.

After playing independant ball for parts of 09/10, he signed w/ATL for next 2 yrs (10/11) playing 165 of 174gms in AA again posting a AA line of 544ABs for .281/.407/.322 17 doubles 1triple 1hr 41rbi w/41/49sb's (101bb's 23hbp 114K's). He was promoted to Braves for 9gms getting 4ABs & got 2hits w/sb.

He signed w/Balt in 11 but had to play 90 of his 99gms in AA again getting 290 AA ABs w/.279/.415/.331 4doubles 4 triples Hr 15rbi 26/31sb's 61bb 60KsSo far in New Brit this year, Richardson is 4th in BAve (.336) 2nd in OBP (.456) & leads the Eastern Lg w/14SBs in 199att, 4th in runs scored w/26 but he cant get a sniff of AAA.

When Clete Thomas/Evan Bigley got hurt, they recalled a C to move Chris Hermann to the OF rather than promote Richardson. Think this guy is getting a raw deal. He is an OBase machine with great speed

[70charger]

Think it's a physical thing? At 5'8" and 165, I doubt he looks the part.

 

Anyway, I'm no expert on him, but that jumped out at me. Fair or otherwise, it may very well be the major factor here.

[jokin]

Would be another great "story" player for Rochester. The guy's a character, a native Bahamian drafted 4 different times since 2001. Sadly, at his small size, and with multiple guys vying for CF time in Rochester, he seems destined to being not a AAAA player, but a AAAAA one.

[Pius Jefferson]

It might be that I never noticed, but looking at some of the Rock Cat box scores there seems to be more veteran minor leaguers in class AA.

[jokin]

Antoan Richardson starting for Rochester in CF and leading off tonight. Missed the announcement?

[cmathewson]

Antoan Richardson starting for Rochester in CF and leading off tonight. Missed the announcement?

 

He could be a poor man's Revere. Similar range. Similar OBP (less contact, more walks). Similar power.

[Seth Stohs]

Sorry ya'll... tweeted it earlier this morning when I saw it... others did as well.

 

He's a speed guy. He's an old version of Ben Revere... but obviously not quite that level. But a nice signing nonetheless.

[jokin]

Sorry ya'll... tweeted it earlier this morning when I saw it... others did as well.

 

He's a speed guy. He's an old version of Ben Revere... but obviously not quite that level. But a nice signing nonetheless.

 

Missed the Twitter tonight, Seth. Any idea of the implications for Rochester and New Britain? Is this a one-day thing with the Rock Cats idle? Is Thomas still hurting? Are they contemplating a major league roster move? So many questions, maybe it's just a meritorious promotion?

[greengoblinrulz]

Great timing for my rant on him.....just didnt think many (including myself) knew much about him & he's put up some solid AA numbers

[greengoblinrulz]

Pretty solid first week in AAA .385/.515/.577

7gms 10-26 w/3doubles triple 6runs 4rbi 7bb 4k 2/2sb

Wonder if MN would consider him as the replacement to Hicks??

[jokin]

Pretty solid first week in AAA .385/.515/.577

7gms 10-26 w/3doubles triple 6runs 4rbi 7bb 4k 2/2sb

Wonder if MN would consider him as the replacement to Hicks??

 

Richardson is intriguing, the Twins FO obviously hasn't gotten over trading away Revere, as he appears to be a clone, although I admittedly haven't seen Antoan smile yet!

 

Tough to see it happening, though, as it would be admitting some level of incompetence and a self-inflicted wound if the guy they:

 

drafted in the first round,

spent 5 years patiently grooming,

traded away 2 centerfielders and-

their only legitimate options as leadoff hitters,

and further insisted, by not having an alternative option at the CF/Leadoff position----

was more than ready to jump 2 levels-and into the opening day lineup---

 

for a 29 year old journeyman they literally pulled off the street and only saw fit to start the year in AA.

[greengoblinrulz]

'Toan' is becoming the Anthony Slama of the everyday players in ROC. No matter the numbers he puts up, he's got no shot at playing in the majors with this organization.

Now hitting .296/.445/.407 thru 30 AAA games. Walked 28 times vs 22 Ks with 10/12 SB. Also scored 22 runs.

The switch hitter has got a .373/.526/.492 line in 59ABs vs RHP.

Luckily, MN doesnt need a good leadoff hitter right now or more speed in the lineup.

[stringer bell]

'Toan' is becoming the Anthony Slama of the everyday players in ROC. No matter the numbers he puts up, he's got no shot at playing in the majors with this organization.

Now hitting .296/.445/.407 thru 30 AAA games. Walked 28 times vs 22 Ks with 10/12 SB. Also scored 22 runs.

The switch hitter has got a .373/.526/.492 line in 59ABs vs RHP.

Luckily, MN doesnt need a good leadoff hitter right now or more speed in the lineup.

He is exactly what the Twins need. He can play center field, bat leadoff and get on base. He can steal a base. He is demonstrating the abilities I mentioned at Rochester--can/could he display them in Minnesota? I'd say, try it now! The team doesn't have a center fielder and don't have a leadoff hitter. Antoan can do those things!

[killebrew]

Guys like Richardson see a lot more strikes in the bigs. His walk rate would get cut in half.

[jokin]

He is exactly what the Twins need. He can play center field, bat leadoff and get on base. He can steal a base. He is demonstrating the abilities I mentioned at Rochester--can/could he display them in Minnesota? I'd say, try it now! The team doesn't have a center fielder and don't have a leadoff hitter. Antoan can do those things!

 

And whatever would the affiliate do without him? Gotta take care of the Wings...

 

But seriously, they would once again have to go through the 40-man angst to clear the way. They will likely let Clete play this out until Hicks returns. Perhaps they even give Thomas a chance to leadoff. Richardson still has the chance for a Dinkleman-like cup of coffee with the Twins should a roster spot open up via injury, DFA or trade.

 

But sadly, the end results for Richardson with the Twins are odds-on likely to resemble Dinkleman's. There's a reason 4-A guys are 4-A guys.