Twins Getting Greatness from Utility

I remember him crediting Rowson with his turn around. Told him that he could hit homers and shouldn't be afraid to swing out.

And this with a just dreadful start of the season.

From Al Newman to Denny Hocking to Nick Punto and then eventually Eduardo Escobar the Minnesota Twins have always employed a scrappy utility type of player that draws the praise of fans everywhere...

Fixed yer lede. ;-)

Nice article.

To those who said it back in May/June... they got his trade value up! Time to trade him!

I jest, but boy, this team sure has a lot of utility guys. I looked back at our 2018 roster and I gagged when I realized our bench at one point was Bobby Wilson, Ryan LaMarre, Gregorio Petit, and Adrianza.

But Adrianza does deserve credit where it's due - he's turned into a very successful waiver claim, which I think was the very first move by the Falvey/Levine regime. I also think Rowson deserves some credit (the guy doesn't get enough IMO) helping develop Adrianza over the years.

Marwin is the poster boy for a super utility player with a quality bat, and deservedly so. While Adrianza is not quite at his level...though with a little more power he might be...he might be referred to also as a super utility player.

For that matter, while it's still early in his career, Arreaz could be thought of the same way. He's played 4 spots, done just fine, and can obviously swing the bat. While he may end up being a starting 2B in the near future, he fits the description at the moment as well.

And while he can't play SS and there are varrying opinions on his bat and potential, Astudillo could also be claimed as a super utility type.

Have to really like how this roster is constructed!

I'm not going to bother with the research, but I feel like Ehire hits way better when he plays more often. Of course, when he's not hitting they also don't put him in the lineup as often. Utility player is a tough role that requires a certain mindset. I'm glad it's working for him.

I suspect he's mostly just having a career year with a juiced ball, but I'll take it. Hitting is also contagious.

While there's all kinds of questions an issues about the way the FO has constructed the bullpen, there's little doubt about the way they've built the team in the field. No wasted roster spaces, and while I might pine a little for some additional on-base monsters and high average hitters, overall they've done a heck of a job. And one of those areas is in the utility group.

Adrianza is hitting really well, and his ability to defend at multiple positions while continuing to hit this year is a significant asset. And it's not a fluky, high BABIP-induced, small sample size trip: this looks like just legit improvement.

Gonzalez is also hitting well and providing quality defense all over (after a horrid start at the plate). 

It's really helpful to not have massive drop-offs when a starter gets a day off. 

Hi, Dick Bremer! Are you reading Twins Daily tonight? You pretty much gave a shout-out to this article a moment ago without naming names.

I feel like a number of good ideas have spring from this site. Use of options for relievers like extra roster spots and position flexibility were pushed for on this site, and those suggestions actually made there way to the rosters. Whether or not anyone else actually follows along, what a great community of baseball fans!

From Al Newman to Denny Hocking to Nick Punto and then eventually Eduardo Escobar the Minnesota Twins have always employed a scrappy utility type of player that draws the praise of fans everywhere...

 

Fixed yer lede. ;-)

Nice article.

I'd add Tovar to that list. He had a 5-year run in the top 25 in AL MVP voting. In '68, the season he played one inning at each position in a late September game, Tovar put in more than 70 innings in left, center, right, second, short and third. In the Oakland game, he pitched a scoreless 1st, with a K, a walk, and a balk in a 2-1 victory. Quote from Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History: "Cesar Tovar was a Billy Martin kind of player—scrappy, hustling, able to contribute in a variety of ways on the fieId..."

I'm not going to bother with the research, but I feel like Ehire hits way better when he plays more often. Of course, when he's not hitting they also don't put him in the lineup as often. Utility player is a tough role that requires a certain mindset. I'm glad it's working for him.

 

I suspect he's mostly just having a career year with a juiced ball, but I'll take it. Hitting is also contagious.

I think everyone does better when allowed to play on a regular basis. TO was great at that and once made a comment, paraphrasing now, "how can I expect someone to come off the bench to perform or PH if they haven't been playing on a regular basis". I think Gardy and Molitor were pretty good at this philosophy as well. The big difference with Rocco, IMO, is he isn't stagnant with roles for players. And I think this goes back to the FO as well. As weird as it sounds, it's a Little League approach at the ML level. You are a ballplayer. So be one.

That's not to say everyone can pull it off. I think we all still shudder at remembrance of Sano in the OF. Not everyone can pull it off. Marwin was brought in for a very specific reason, and he has been all we could have hoped for. But like Brian has stated before, you can also develop your own super utility players.

There is a power difference, but Adrianza reminds me much of Escobar. A solid milb player, solid numbers, just waiting for opportunity for continued growth and development. A chance. Adrianza was not great the last 2 years, but solid and productive. Be bad a great ST this year and then a horrendous start to the season. But Rocco saw something. And then look what happened.

Arraez has potential, but is a 2B only. Except, he's not just that and is proving that.

Some of us love Astudillo and believe in him, some don't. I get it. Some say his production last season was an illusion as it was late in the season. And they want to point to some bad stretches this year. Except, he hit before be got injured. He didn't look good after brought back. Then be raked at AAA, looked good again, then got hurt again.

It still comes back to the player. But Rocco is very smart and very forward thinking. He seems to understand the limitations of his players, but also sees their potential.

Not everyone can pull it off. Marwin was brought in for a very specific reason, and he has been all we could have hoped for. But like Brian has stated before, you can also develop your own super utility players.

The general perception here seems to be that utility is a Falvine emphasis. I hope so because I love the versatility it gives the roster (even if the league goes to 26 next year).

I'm glad we have Marwin and that he's a great fit both in role and clubhouse fit, but he was also a spring signee, which makes me wonder if it's by design or luck.