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  • Mientkiewicz Draws Key Assignment


    Nick Nelson

    It was easy enough to see coming, but the Twins made it official last week that Doug Mientkiewicz will move up and manage the club's Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga next year.

    The organization clearly thinks highly of Mientkiewicz, as they interviewed him multiple times for the big-league manager opening despite his lack of experience. And while he ultimately didn't come out on top of that race, he ended up with a job that might actually be more important in the short term.

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    While Paul Molitor's slightly revamped Twins team tries to dig its way out of irrelevance and show meaningful improvement for the first time in four years, some of the most integral components to the success of this ongoing rebuilding process will be reporting to Double-A.

    The stakes are high, as four of the best prospects in the system -- all at critical junctures in their careers -- are expected to open the 2015 campaign in Chattanooga.

    Byron Buxton, the consensus No. 1 prospect in all of baseball a year ago, lost some of his luster during an injury-filled 2014 season that was all but lost.

    Miguel Sano underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring and hasn't played competitively since.

    Eddie Rosario missed half of 2014 due to a drug-related suspension and struggled after returning, derailing the considerable momentum he'd built up heading into the season.

    J.O. Berrios isn't stalled out like the other three -- quite the contrary -- but he has plenty to prove as an undersized starter coming off a flat-out spectacular campaign. Can the righty shut down advanced hitters and back up his newly claimed standing as the best pitching prospect in the organization (and maybe one of the best in the game)?

    Any one of these players is a candidate to see action at Target Field sometime next season. In April, they'll likely be joining a Lookouts roster packed with other notable prospects.

    If this team, and specifically a few key individuals, kick it into high gear, it would finally set in motion plans for a youth-fueled turnaround at the big-league level. One can hardly overstate the importance of Buxton, Sano, Rosario and Berrios getting off to fast starts.

    Mientkiewicz worked with all four while managing at Ft. Myers, and oversaw immensely successful seasons for each. It's hard to think of a better man for the task.

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    The move of Mientkiewicz, by itself, is a move that makes more sense than moving him from A-ball to the majors as a bench coach.  He can continue his work with, hopefully, the young players he has already helped.  However, let's not forget that the AA position was made available when Jeff Smith requested a demotion to A to be closer to his home.  To me, that shows a lack of commitment.  If I were in charge, I'm not sure Smith would have a job right now.

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    However, let's not forget that the AA position was made available when Jeff Smith requested a demotion to A to be closer to his home. 

    Who ever actually said this? The way I have always seen the situation portrayed is that the Twins management wanted Mientkiewicz at Chattanooga and Smith's response was 'then can I coach closer to home'? Although it may cause apoplexy in some TD readers, this may actually reflect Smith's desire not to have the Rochester job, and thus the Twins hired Quade.

    Edited by TRex
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    Who ever actually said this? The way I have always seen the situation portrayed is that the Twins management wanted Mientkiewicz at Chattanooga and Smith's response was 'then can I coach closer to home'? Although it may cause apoplexy in some TD readers, this may actually reflect Smith's desire not to have the Rochester job, and thus the Twins hired Quade.

     

    Well getting Quade was quite the coup.  I actually would have been disappointed if Quade was in play but the team chose to give the job to Smith.

     

    Your first point seems pretty logical though.  It's likely that the Twins wanted to move Mientkiewicz up and Smith then let it be known that he'd prefer to be in Ft. Myers.  Whether he truely did prefer the move or whether it was to make it look like a demotion was his idea, who knows.  Really doesn't matter now I guess.

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    Was it a demotion when Jake Mauer went from Ft. Myers to Cedar Rapids? It's an assignment, folks. You move the guys around, if you can. There are always ncie logistics, like Mientkiewicz supposedly liked the Ft. Myers job before because of personal reasons. Did Cliburn like being pitching coach at Rochester than moving to Double-A? It is still all pretty much the same job, although it is nice when you get some continuity of players to work with.

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      However, let's not forget that the AA position was made available when Jeff Smith requested a demotion to A to be closer to his home.  To me, that shows a lack of commitment.  If I were in charge, I'm not sure Smith would have a job right now.

    I would look at this as he took one for the team, who enabled a path for the rising star, Mientkiewicz.

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    Was it a demotion when Jake Mauer went from Ft. Myers to Cedar Rapids? It's an assignment, folks. You move the guys around, if you can. There are always ncie logistics, like Mientkiewicz supposedly liked the Ft. Myers job before because of personal reasons. Did Cliburn like being pitching coach at Rochester than moving to Double-A? It is still all pretty much the same job, although it is nice when you get some continuity of players to work with.

     

    Yeah, demotion is probably not an apt term. 

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    The Chattanooga team might be incredibly fun to watch. Beyond the four Nick wrote about who are some of the biggest keys to the next Twins competitive teams, there are other prospects.

     

    I wrote that a potential lineup with the Lookouts could be:

     

    Projected @ChattLookouts lineup: Buxton CF, Polanco SS, Rosario LF, Sano 3B, D Hicks 1B, Walker DH, Kepler RF, Turner C, Michael 2B.

     

    And, Rosario might start in Rochester, and if so, Travis Harrison takes that spot.

     

    Plus, guys like Berrios, Wheeler, Duffey, Rogers, Baxendale and others will be probably early in the rotation.

     

    And in the bullpen, they could have Zack Jones, Tyler Jones, Nick Burdi, Jake Reed, Van Steensel, etc. 

     

    And they want Doug to be the one helping them.

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    Chattanooga should be loaded this year. In addition to the four players mentioned by Nick we could see Kepler, Harrison, AB Walker, Polanco, Rogers, Wheeler, Duffey, Burdi and Turner all with the Lookouts. In my opinion, they should be odds on favorite to win the North Division of the Southern League, at least the 1st half. 2nd half? Well, that depends on how many of the players advance via promotions.

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    The line up could be crazy - I agree with Seth. 

    1) Buxton CF

    2) Rosario LF  (gives Buxton a lefty batter to help with steals)

    3) Polanco SS (switch hitter and great contact guy)

    4) Sano 3B

    5) Walker RF (needs defensive reps)

    6) Hicks DH (plays 1B as Kepler plays OF)

    7) Kepler 1B (also serves as 4th OFer at LF/CF/RF)

    8) Turner  C

    9)  Michael 2B  (could easily be a lead off guy from 9th hole)

     

    Harrison will be up as soon as Sano or Rosario get promoted.   Mejia will serve as utility infielder as Goodrum gets everyday reps in Ft. Meyer.  Goodrum gets promoted after Polanco or Sano or Michael get promoted.  They could win both halves with these line ups.  Garver up by mid season as well.

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    I have to think that, adjusted for league average, chatty is going to feature the best lineup in baseball, if not the best overall roster. How many other teams in the minors have legitimate big league prospects at every position?

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    As much as everyone wants to see Chattanooga, they appear to be one of two teams not to have their games televised in Southern League. Meaning we will see less than one half of their games next season. That Sucks. Can anyone confirm if this will be the case? Do the Twins have any say so with television rights or does that go thru Lookouts front office?

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     lightfoot789, on 22 Dec 2014 - 11:56 AM, said:

     

    They could win both halves with these line ups.

     

    Interesting... when I read this, I thought, "they don't have split seasons at AA," but in fact the Southern League DOES do split first half/second half seasons, like the Midwest League and Florida State League at Class A levels. The Eastern League, where the Twins' affiliate in New Britain has been playing, does not split their seasons.

     

    I do like the splits because those teams really can and do change significantly from the beginning of the year through to the end. It keeps fans interested and the players are virtually in a "pennant race" right from from Opening Day.

    Edited by Steven BUHR
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    Mientkiewicz is in the perfect spot for him in this organization after not being named manager of the Twins. I have never been a Jeff Smith fan with his seemingly buying into the Bobby Knight school of treatment of players, and would prefer that he is not retained at all. The AA team and players is were the best prospects can jump to The Show from, what with AAA many times being a place to stash replacement players and prospects that aren't necessarily the top prospects in baseball, but can eventually fulfill a roll, or that just need more time and seasoning or they are being blocked on the big league team by someone. Getting Quade for the AAA team is an upgrade over Glynn, in my opinion, and I hope Mientkiewicz to the Twins happens sooner than later, but am satisfied where he is right now. I hope it is Mientkiewicz that takes this team to the next World Series victory, and he rises to the top with the ones he has been coaching through the levels. I wish Molitor much success, but hope he doesn't hang around too long.

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    I hope that Sano, Rosario and Michael start the season at Rochester (at least for the first 2)

     

    As for Sano, probably a little warmer weather early on in Chattanooga than in Rochester. Coming off a bum elbow it's probably best to keep it warm so it doesn't stiffen up. 

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    The weather has nothing to do with it, I woudln't think. It would be more about getting some at bats in a league where he has had some success in an attempt to shake off rust. I mean, honestly I wouldn't be upset if they chose to send him to the Miracle for 3-4 weeks to start the season. 

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    The weather has nothing to do with it, I woudln't think. It would be more about getting some at bats in a league where he has had some success in an attempt to shake off rust. I mean, honestly I wouldn't be upset if they chose to send him to the Miracle for 3-4 weeks to start the season. 

     

    I guess I disagree, Seth. Stiffness in your joints (i.e. Sano's elbow) has to be a concern in colder weather. There is a significant difference in avg temps for mid-April between Chattanooga and Rochester NY, Something like 72 degrees vs 57 degrees. Don't know how many night games the Red Wings play in April but it can routinely drop to around 40, or low 40's.

     

    But, whatever the reason, I expect him to start at Chattanooga and hopefully do well.

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    Do you think players in the minor leagues get protected by teammates based on talent level.  EX:  Does a Sano protect a Rosario by batting behind him?

     

    If so - Is it better for the protected prospect to not get protected as to see the pitches he will probably need to see moving forward.  I thought about this as I made my line up.   Should coaches put the not so good hitters in front of the likes of a Sano as to let them see better pitches?  Or - Should the not as good hitter - hit behind a speedy Buxton as to get more fastballs? 

     

    I say this as it pertains to developing prospects faster and not giving a false sense of security by hitting behind or in front of Dangerous prospects.  Thoughts........

     

    Does stacking a minor league lineup truly benefit prospects moving forward?  for reasons mentioned?

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    Do you think players in the minor leagues get protected by teammates based on talent level.  EX:  Does a Sano protect a Rosario by batting behind him?

     

    If so - Is it better for the protected prospect to not get protected as to see the pitches he will probably need to see moving forward.  I thought about this as I made my line up.   Should coaches put the not so good hitters in front of the likes of a Sano as to let them see better pitches?  Or - Should the not as good hitter - hit behind a speedy Buxton as to get more fastballs? 

     

    I say this as it pertains to developing prospects faster and not giving a false sense of security by hitting behind or in front of Dangerous prospects.  Thoughts........

     

    Does stacking a minor league lineup truly benefit prospects moving forward?  for reasons mentioned?

    I really believe that a serendipitous development timing like the Twins will have with so many highly skilled players in one spot will be very good for their learning to win together. These are young guys who probably have been "the man" in all their earlier years. Now they will develop as a team and learn to drive each other to success. Yes, some could get a false sense of ability but the good far out ways the bad, in my opinion. I, for one, look forward to a group of guys that expect to have a winning culture versus the crud we have seen recently.

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