Predicting the Twins Top Three Stars of the Second Half

Miranda

I have nothing against Bailey Ober whatsoever, but it seems as if his perceived value has increased in his absence. To me, he's been like a Michael Pineda in his time with the Twins; steady but hardly a stopper.

I think a healthy Polanco would be a great asset in the second half. Miranda, Kirilloff, Correa, Sanchez, Kepler, et al. The more, the merrier. We shall see.

On a side note, noticed Ryan is starting tomorrow against the Tigers, and Duran (!) on Sunday. as an opener? followed by Gray? The plot thickens.

Correa, Sanchez, Miranda, Polanco for hitters

Ryan, Duran, Duffy, Traded for relievers for pitchers

I am with @nicksaviking I see a big second half from Polanco. I also like AK to improve and really start his ascent to one the better players in the American League (fingers crossed).

As for Ober I don't see it, I don't think he will even be allowed to be the Ober of old until mid to late August and that Ober is no star, just a 4-5 inning pitcher. I can't imagine he can, will have the time or be allowed to even put up Chris Archer's first half stats and I don't see anybody call Archer a Twins first half star.

My opinion only:

Studs second half - Arraez, Kirilloff, Urshela, Polanco, Miranda

Duds second half - Starting staff except Ryan, Relief staff except Dhuran

Would like to see traded for pitching: Kepler, Sano, Jeffers

Wishful thinking: Correa staying, Professor Baldelli gone

Twins geezer.... out!

36 minutes ago, chinmusic said:

On a side note, noticed Ryan is starting tomorrow against the Tigers, and Duran (!) on Sunday. as an opener? followed by Gray? The plot thickens.

Interesting, So Duran goes two and Gray 7, imagine if Gray only goes 5, how f'd the bullpen will be after that game?

11 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Interesting, So Duran goes two and Gray 7, imagine if Gray only goes 5, how f'd the bullpen will be after that game?

Worth mentioning that ESPN had Duran on Sunday, with MLB.COM "undecided".

Who knows, maybe the bullpen will be reinforced by then. I suppose you can factor in Monday being an off day, as well.

3 hours ago, chinmusic said:

I have nothing against Bailey Ober whatsoever, but it seems as if his perceived value has increased in his absence. To me, he's been like a Michael Pineda in his time with the Twins; steady but hardly a stopper.

I think a healthy Polanco would be a great asset in the second half. Miranda, Kirilloff, Correa, Sanchez, Kepler, et al. The more, the merrier. We shall see.

On a side note, noticed Ryan is starting tomorrow against the Tigers, and Duran (!) on Sunday. as an opener? followed by Gray? The plot thickens.

Yes Duran as an opener is a head scratcher. He must be really wanting to get back into starting and followed by Gray. It doesn't make any sense.

I agree that Polanco, Correa, Kiriloff, Miranda and normally Sano takes off the 2nd half. Buxton, Arraez and Duran should remain steady. If long relief is incorperated the rotation will return to greatness. And Archer will continue to improve w/ each start.

Jake Cave!

I'm sure I'm in the minority but I would like to see the Twins move on from Correa.  He has been good but definitely not great.  He's supposed to be a superstar.  He definitely has not performed that way for a guy making $35 million or about 40% of the payroll.  He is probably going to walk after the season so maybe trade him for a good major league player and prospects if you can find someone with something to offer.  The pitching staff has been a mess most of the year.  The bullpen mostly disgraceful.  The starters only going 4-5 innings is destroying an overworked bullpen.  I'm not sure at this juncture what we have benefited by having Correa on the team.  What was/ is the FO strategy in having the highest paid infielder in baseball if you have basically a minor league pitching staff?

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

I'm sure I'm in the minority but I would like to see the Twins move on from Correa.  He has been good but definitely not great.  He's supposed to be a superstar.  He definitely has not performed that way for a guy making $35 million or about 40% of the payroll.  He is probably going to walk after the season so maybe trade him for a good major league player and prospects if you can find someone with something to offer.  The pitching staff has been a mess most of the year.  The bullpen mostly disgraceful.  The starters only going 4-5 innings is destroying an overworked bullpen.  I'm not sure at this juncture what we have benefited by having Correa on the team.  What was/ is the FO strategy in having the highest paid infielder in baseball if you have basically a minor league pitching staff?

So to catch you up a bit.  Most were screaming on here to let the rookie pitchers take over.  Unfortunately those pushing that naritive found out what happens...and it's not great.  But they will scream the same next year again.

7 hours ago, chinmusic said:

I have nothing against Bailey Ober whatsoever, but it seems as if his perceived value has increased in his absence. To me, he's been like a Michael Pineda in his time with the Twins; steady but hardly a stopper.

Backup QB syndrome. What's funny is that his most glaring issue, an inability to stay on the field, doesn't seem to ding that perceived value much. Pitching starved fanbase yada yada, but Pineda looks like an iron man in comparison. 

So making an easy assumption that wasn't stated outright in the OP, we're going to dismiss Buxton, Polanco, Duran, etc, etc, who have performed well. We're looking for 3 MORE to step up, is how I take it.

3] Ober is a great choice. He had a great rookie 2021 and was off to a great 2nd season before his groin injury. The only problem Ober has, in some fans minds, IMO, is not being a top prospect and thus a potential top of the rotation piece. He was magic in the minors, despite missing time with injuries, really good as a rookie brought along slowly to improve, adapt, and monitor IP, and again, was off to a good start in 2022. Except for a couple speed bumps before and after his covid, Bundy has actually been pretty solid. But a healthy Ober is the better pitcher with actual potential. I think k the Twins have really missed him. A couple healthy months could go a long way. 

2] Kirilloff is now healthy and just tapping in to his potential. He's an OK OF and great 1B. He's going NOWHERE unless a trade offer is just too damn good to pass up. He's a big part of today and tomorrow. Eventually, if not now, he's going to push the solid Kepler down in the order and be part of the heart of the Twins order for years to come.

3] You're wrong on Correa. While he hasn't necessarily had a "defining" moment, past his slow start, he's been not only productive and great in the field, he's been a leader as well.

A true #3...as of today and not speculating on a trade addition or 2...would be a tie of Miranda and Gray. The break gives Gray time for a re-set to be his normal self and the guy who began the season. Miranda just needs to keep doing what he's doing. So #3 is a tie.

12 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I will predict another big 2nd half from Polanco, that seems to be his MO. I think Jose Miranda takes off and cements himself as a top offensive player going forward. And this team needs a veteran bulldog on the mound, so I'll say Sonny Gray.

I agree.

Garlick, Celestino, Sano

The Twins should use Ober in a long-relief role. He’s been consistently solid through 2 years but never goes more than 4-5 Innings. Considering how long we throw Archer, Bundy, and even Ryan recently, the Twins should set up someone in this role. Winder works in this role too, if he gets another likely call up.

Bailey Ober. Jovani Moran. Miguel Sano.

On 7/22/2022 at 5:42 AM, Karbo said:

If the Twins can land a frontline starter I'd put Ober in the pen for the rest of the year, if he can get healthy. There is also Larnach coming back. But what we really need is for Rocco to be a bit more flexible with his starters IMO. I know I've been told I'm told "old school" about it but there have been many times that I felt the starter may have been able to deeper into a game and he gets yanked due to the "spread sheet" of our manager. An extra few outs here or there would take that much of a load off an over worked (and IMO under talented) bullpen.

LOUD AND PROUD OLD SCHOOLER HERE!

On 7/22/2022 at 7:46 PM, DocBauer said:

3] Ober is a great choice. He had a great rookie 2021 and was off to a great 2nd season before his groin injury. The only problem Ober has, in some fans minds, IMO, is not being a top prospect and thus a potential top of the rotation piece. He was magic in the minors, despite missing time with injuries, really good as a rookie brought along slowly to improve, adapt, and monitor IP, and again, was off to a good start in 2022. Except for a couple speed bumps before and after his covid, Bundy has actually been pretty solid. But a healthy Ober is the better pitcher with actual potential. I think k the Twins have really missed him. A couple healthy months could go a long way. 

I think people are just being realistic about what Ober is, a back end rotation guy when healthy. That's ok, and you're right, if the Twins find that out of nowhere (not a prospect on the radar) that's a W, but his inability to stay on the field from his time in college to now severely limits that upside. Right now last season's 100 inning mark looks like the exception, or at least the max, and even then it goes unmentioned he was hurt to finish the year too. Ober doesn't get the same benefit of the doubt as uber prospects (think Buxton) because his ceiling isn't something the Twins are incapable of acquiring outside of the organization.