Three Minnesota Twins Being Overlooked This Season

The increase in walks is an improvement, but a .243 BA with just 6 HRs?   I expected much more than this from Kepler.

4 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Batting averages and slugging are down across baseball.  That doesn't invalidate your point, but does provide context.

Kepler currently has a lifetime BA of .234...the same as Miguel Sano.  More context.

I will not argue with any of their contributions, but I am wondering:  is Arraez one of those players who is so obvious it simply goes without mentioning, or is he another overlooked guy?  I ask because I don't know anyone who has been overlooking Correa, and he is in the trio.  

17 minutes ago, nclahammer said:

Kepler currently has a lifetime BA of .234...the same as Miguel Sano.  More context.

Miguel who?

Kepler is the perfect example of guys you need on your team to have a winning season.  He has quietly had a good year.  His defense is very overlooked.  He is not carrying the team at any point, but he has just been solid overall also not being a black hole.  You can slot him in the second half the line up most games and you never really notice how he is helping.  

When he was lead off we would pay much more attention to him and what he is doing, but when he regularly hitting 5 or 6 and he is doing good but not great we just kind of not pay attention. I hope he keeps it up, and maybe gets on a hot streak where he can carry the team for a few weeks.

Jax has been a huge lift to the pen.  He is not doing the high leverage thing, but he is getting the job done regularly and can go more than 1 inning if needed.  Most people were ready to DFA in off-season.  He looks like he could be a solid pen guy for next few years. 

I get the point of view that Correa is overlooked a little as he has just been going about his work, hitting the ball hard all the time it seems, but not having too many big moments.  Buck has been hitting the big HR both in distance and at times in importance, and Correa has not had one of those type of moments with a walk off or big hit that gets the game winner, but I do not think he has been presented with that chance either.  He is just doing his thing and I am surprised we are not talking more about how he is hitting over .300 now, after his low BA start, mostly due to just hitting ball hard at people.  

Agree on all three especially Jax. After watching him last year this year is a very pleasant outcome. 

If what Correa has done is overlooked given that is what his salary calls for him to do I would begin to wonder if people overlooking are blind, deaf, and dumb with troll tendencies 

Perfect time to use Kepler with some prospects to get a SP that can be added to the rotation to help this year. Between Celestino, Kirilloff and Larnach or even Gordon they can handle the corner OF spots and shouldn't lose much prodcution from what they are getting from Kepler. 

Chris Archer and Gilberto Celestino also get votes!

Quote

It’s hard not to notice what Byron Buxton is doing at the dish this year. Sure, he’s sitting some, but there’s no denying he’s producing at an MVP-like level when out there.

I know it's just a throw-away introductory remark that is not the point of the story, but I'm denying this. He's hitting a lot of homeruns, yes. But MVP?

He's batting .233 with an OBP of .317 hitting at the top of the order. He's striking out 26.6% of the time and walking only 8.5%. He had an 0-for-30 spell where he was the least valuable player in the league for more than a week. Injury-related or not, his famed speed is not providing much to the team as he doesn't beat out infield hits or steal bases anymore.

That record wouldn't get an MVP vote from me unless he hit 100 homeruns and drove in 250 runs. It's more empty slugger much of the time this year than consistently valuable player.

From a previous comment, I’d be ok if they moved Kepler in a package that doesn’t include Kiriloff for an actual upgrade in SP. But though Gordon has done well in the outfield, we all saw with Lewis how putting a player out of position is risky. So trading Kepler because Gordon can play outfield, even on a part time basis, isn’t a great idea IMO.

Yeah right now Jax's numbers look rock solid.  Would be nice if he gave up a few less walks but walks and relievers seem to go hand in hand.  His WHIP is still only 1.14 so the walks are not a huge problem for him but it a few less would be nice.  He has been a much needed stabilizing force in the pen and Rocco has used him as a stopper at times.  If he keeps it up he looks like a nice piece in the pen for years to come.

Nice to see Kepler finally make a much needed approach change. It should serve him well to able to beat the shift when needed and certainly he can go pull side to see if he can hit one out as well.  More balance was the key and I think he is getting there.  Defense has never been a problem and we are probably spoiled to have such good defense in right field.  If Max have a more productive bat he will be staying in right long term.

I agree that Kepler is a B player (+ fielder and AVG hitter) --and that is what your team is made of---not everyone is an A player.  Playoff teams play great Defense---that's pitching and fielding.  Kepler does not go anywhere until you can have another player at least the same + fielding and adding a + bat.  I am encouraged that I have seen Keppler---a pure and constant pull hitter last year---use the whole field and even go Oppo this season.  His BA will improve and he should not slump as much by slowing his swing situationally.  Thank goodness he finally took the advice/coaching given to him--it IS a real surprise.

Oh----and at any point in time, it is relevant to say SANO is not in the lineup, and the team does not miss him at all.

All you Sano apologists out there, listen to the crickets now.  I can name 4 players I would rather have in his slot---1B or DH---any lineup, any day.

Correa is having a very good season, likely will end up with a 6 WAR season,  but that is what $35 million should get you.  He is not being overlooked.  

I will give you Jax and then I will give you 4 more overlooked players going into this season and that I think are being undervalued currently.  

1. Gary Sanchez - average is putrid,  slightly above the mendoza line,  OBP is .275,  however he has delivered in some critical spots.  He is sitting at 28 RBI's on the year,  on track for close to 90 and has played decent defense (something that his been ridiculed).  He has brought some stability to the C position.  I would still like the batting average around .240 and OBP in the .320 to .340 range,  but for a player most were willing to write off at the beginning of the season,  a .4 WAR has been a very welcomed surprise.   

2.  Urshela - someone who was merely holding the spot for Miranda to come take his place has done pretty well.  Some defensive metrics don't like him, but from what I have seen he has brought a lot of stability to the team.  A solid player that brings his lunch box to work.  Nothing to flashy just does the little things that lead to a team winning.  Another player with .5 WAR

3.  Nick Gordon -  The player many have wanted cut,  just keeps producing,  playing whatever position he has asked and being an above average defensive player.  The bat has done enough for being a primarily defensive player.  Showing up with a .4 WAR - that is all you can ask for from a bench player. 

4. Celestino -  A player that was called up to just be a short term filler,  has continued to find playing time.  The bat up to this point has been very effective, with an average above .300 an OBP at .400 and above average defense.  He has put up a .4 WAR as well.  

3 of the 4 players were either expected to be backups/platoons or not even on this team.  They have combined for 1.7 WAR.  For players that there has been minimal expectations,  they have all outperformed those expectations from the beginning of the season and allowed the Twins to get through the myriad of injuries they faced while still getting some wins.  

I cannot agree with the choices - especially Correa who was expected to be the greatest $35 million a year players.

Jax is a nice choice, but Smeltzer is the surprise. 

Kepler is steady, but Celestino has given us Arraez part B. 

Now on the other end of the surprises - Jeffers has been putrid and Sanchez has passed him by and Duffey is the biggest let down in the arms department.

You could write an article on our bench.  Our bench has been light years ahead of what other teams benches are doing.  Compare OPS+ from our bench to others.  

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I cannot agree with the choices - especially Correa who was expected to be the greatest $35 million a year players.

Jax is a nice choice, but Smeltzer is the surprise. 

Kepler is steady, but Celestino has given us Arraez part B. 

Now on the other end of the surprises - Jeffers has been putrid and Sanchez has passed him by and Duffey is the biggest let down in the arms department.

mikelink45 for the win!

Urshella has made some phenomenal plays. Timely his.

Infield defense as a whole has been very good. 

After last season my expectations for Celestino where not very high but he's proven me wrong.

11 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Correa is having a very good season, likely will end up with a 6 WAR season,  but that is what $35 million should get you.  He is not being overlooked.  

I will give you Jax and then I will give you 4 more overlooked players going into this season and that I think are being undervalued currently.  

1. Gary Sanchez - average is putrid,  slightly above the mendoza line,  OBP is .275,  however he has delivered in some critical spots.  He is sitting at 28 RBI's on the year,  on track for close to 90 and has played decent defense (something that his been ridiculed).  He has brought some stability to the C position.  I would still like the batting average around .240 and OBP in the .320 to .340 range,  but for a player most were willing to write off at the beginning of the season,  a .4 WAR has been a very welcomed surprise.   

2.  Urshela - someone who was merely holding the spot for Miranda to come take his place has done pretty well.  Some defensive metrics don't like him, but from what I have seen he has brought a lot of stability to the team.  A solid player that brings his lunch box to work.  Nothing to flashy just does the little things that lead to a team winning.  Another player with .5 WAR

3.  Nick Gordon -  The player many have wanted cut,  just keeps producing,  playing whatever position he has asked and being an above average defensive player.  The bat has done enough for being a primarily defensive player.  Showing up with a .4 WAR - that is all you can ask for from a bench player. 

4. Celestino -  A player that was called up to just be a short term filler,  has continued to find playing time.  The bat up to this point has been very effective, with an average above .300 an OBP at .400 and above average defense.  He has put up a .4 WAR as well.  

 

3 of the 4 players were either expected to be backups/platoons or not even on this team.  They have combined for 1.7 WAR.  For players that there has been minimal expectations,  they have all outperformed those expectations from the beginning of the season and allowed the Twins to get through the myriad of injuries they faced while still getting some wins.  

Couldn't agree more on Urshella.

Agree with most that Correa hasn't been much of a surprise (though FAs don't always perform as paid). Jax has been golden, and Kepler my happiest surprise (love him, but was ready to throw him overboard and move on).

Agree with some/many that Celestino (who was originally roster fodder who might get sent down without playing much or at all) has been a big surprise. The talent was there, and now it has fully adapted to MLB at the plate and in the field.

Smeltzer, though, should be on the original list instead of Correa; he has seriously bailed out a rotation felled by injuries, and has done so to such an extent that he should stay in the rotation until he proves he doesn't belong. (Not only competitive starts, but deep-bullpen-saving starts.)

One sad honorable mention, is the contribution by absence of Miguel Sano. This team is clearly better without him, and I pretty much dread his return. Who knows, maybe the fear of being bypassed has him working hard to recover, and his rehab games will be marked by listening to coaching, and developing a more rounded batting approach (like ones he has temporarily flashed in the past). But I'm not holding my breath.

Griffin Jax
You could make the argument that Jax is Minnesota’s best reliever not named Jhoan Duran. Sure, that may not be saying much for a bullpen group that has struggled so mightily,.........   Is this really a fair statement?    Twins rotation averages less than 5 innings per start and the team out performs its Pythagorean W-L.    Besides Duran and Jax, Smith has a 3.00 ERA, Pagan has a 2.45 ERA   Coulombe, Cotton, Megilln and Moran have combined for 36 appearances and a combined 1.87 ERA.   Stachak did ok also.    When criticizing this bullpen aren't we really just talking about Duffey, Cano and to a lesser extent Thielbar?   Even Thielbar has been really good since a rough April so it probably would be more accurate to say the bullpen has been just fine except for Duffey.