Are Twins Top Prospects Being Held Back by Loaded MLB Roster?

At this point there isn't any significant issue with guys who deserve an opportunity being unable to make it to the majors. The only players where this might have been an issue were Gordon and Rooker, but they both missed so much time last year with injuries that it's hard to argue they were being held back. I suspect if any of the top end prospects plays at a level where it's obvious they are ready the Twins could make a trade to open up a spot.

We won 101 games last year. Prospects should be held back!

  We've seen enough players get rushed over the past 10 years b/c the talent pool wasn't very deep.  I'll take this any day.

We've had to rush prospects in the past because we didn't have major league players on our roster. Now we have them. Stop thinking about the future and look at the present folks. We have good players NOW. Let's enjoy this.

No.

Although very soon we`ll have a lot, where we`ll have a dilemma relating to our 40 man roster that we`ll need to address very soon. Yes, we have a lot of depth which is great in case of injury. Arraez came up & proved himself.

Excuse me but I think the word "impact player" is thrown around too freely. Yes, Arraez has a lot of potential especially hitting but he still needs improvement on his defense. Impact means a player that can alter the outcome of a season, IMO. Arraez substitution of Scoop IMO did not affect the outcome of the season.

Only being held back if there isn't a 40-man roster spot for them and someone of lesser quality is protected.

The joy is that he TOP prospects do offer depth. If he need arises, they should get regular major league play...like Arraez. To see how they work against major league pitching and for the future of the team.

Right now, the Twins have backup infielder, designated hitter, two outfield positions, and rotation arms on the bubble heading towards 2021. If the outfielders play well, there is little need to argue extensions for Rosario and Buxton, unless they become lights out super stars. It's just the matter of when you trade or part company. Cruz is not a necessity to come back in 2021. And the Twins can always play Gordon and Blank and probably get equal backup play for the infield.

Many would argue that any of the current starting arms with major league experience class in at a #4 starter or better. All will have an opportunity at some point to get a few games this year. The big question is can they show enough to become the end of the rotation arm on a team that is winning 100 games (or 95 or even 90). WInning does stahl prospects. But when the opportunity arrives, you play the Larnach or Kirkiloff instead of the Cave or Wade, you play the Lewis or Gordon instead of Adrianza...at least for x-many games. IF they are a top prospect. Top prospects don't come up to sit on the bench and breathe the air. They play, they pitch.

Yes - of course we are holding them back.  That is not bad when the player that is blocking their way is an outstanding MLB player and that seems to be the case in all our positions except CF where Buxton remains a conundrum and we have no second choice - sorry no real prospects are ready here, although I would go to a lower ranked prospect which I know frustrates some of you.

Rooker has looked good this spring, but where do you put him?  In fact Kiriloff, Larnach, Lewis and especially Gordon have to wait for injuries or retirement.  Will Cruz go another year?  That will open one slot.  If Buxton is not ready do we put Kepler out of position again and give a rookie a shot - Larnach?  I would.  A great team continues to find a way to slip an influx of youth into its lineup like we did with Arraez last year.  The old Yankee dynasty was notorious for finding a way to slip new players in and that helped them maintain a decade of dominance. 

What I really want to see is the development of our young pitchers.  Hopefully Balazovic and Duran will me more than fifth spot competitors next year. 

All they have to do is force the issue and magically a spot will appear.

Offense-wise, Cruz and Gonzalez might be gone next year. Twins could also move/trade/demote guys like Wade, Astudillo, and Cave by the time the season's over. Injuries are an unknown, but Bux has a history. God forbid Donaldson, Sano, Polanco, Rosario, or Kepler go down for a significant period of time but it's always a possibility.

I'd also be hesitant to assume any or all of these top prospects are going to play at an All-Star level as soon as they get a chance in the bigs. Be careful what you wish for.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we have folks on the board who thought Buxton had a grievance when he wasn't brought up in September one season?

a person regarded as likely to succeed or as a potential customer, client, etc.

"clients deemed likely prospects for active party membership"

 

If I want to see that I'll go to a minor league game. I want to see players who are succeeding or fulfilling their potential.

Short answer is absolutely no.

When they are ready, they will push for a spot. This is not a rebuilding team who would probably promote anyone and everyone from AA/AAA and cycle through them and live with struggles and hope something sticks and sticks soon.

Now next year, depending on who stays and who goes, and how the 40 man sets up, perhaps you'd have an arguement for someone being held back. But that's also called depth.

Yes... and that's a good thing...

 

I'd add that by yes I imply that a prospect needs to force his way on to the roster, which is the way it should be on a winning team. Larnach and Lewis need time. They aren't even on the 40 man yet, so there's no reason to rush them given the situation on the MLB roster... but guys like Poppen, Dobnak, Arraez, and Smeltzer all got chances. Each one of them earned those chances. 

 

We lost a lot of service time rushing guys (Buxton in particular comes to mind). If this team wants to have sustainable success, we need to get beyond that. 

We did not rush Buxton.  He just fell apart when he got here. 

2020 is a Win-Now year. That means the roster must be filled with guys that are at or near their very best, NOW. In order to have a chance of beating teams like the Astros, Nats, Dodgers, etc, you best bring your top-level game. Twins can't be a team trying to baby-sit the superstars of two years from now.

Much as I like Lewis, Larnach, Rooker, Kirilloff, etc, these guys are all a couple to three years from nearing their peak level of performance. Meanwhile, the outfield of today is composed of guys that each have some years of experience. Rosy, Buck and Kep each have seen enough pitchers that nothing really surprises them. They know how to play balls off the Green Monster and all the other odd quirks of various stadiums. Crowd noise no longer bothers them. They now ignore catcalls and slurs. The Yankees are just another team full of tough bastards. So are the Twins, at this point. 

It's no knock on Royce Lewis to say he's not ready to play at Buxton's level. Same with the rest of the prospects. The Show is a tough place to exist, and the guys there now have earned their places. You want to force your way onto this squad? Bat .400 for half a season in AA or AAA. Dominate hitters with amazing pitching. Otherwise, the guy there now is still probably better than you. 

Best advice to the top prospects: Dominate. Your fielding routes better be efficient. Your throws best be right on target. Your at-bats better look professional. When you pounce on a pitching mistake, you better make that pitcher pay. If you see the defense let down just a bit, you better take that extra base. The Minnesota Twins have turned a corner, they're one of the best teams in baseball now. If your game isn't quite sharp, stay where you are and improve. 

Last year, Luis Arraez forced his way onto the roster with great at-bats and solid fielding. Dobnak forced his way into the rotation with fearless command. That's what it takes. Your can't just play okay at the major league level. Your play has to lift the team a little higher than it is now. Otherwise, no reason to make a change.

I don't buy it either. If one of our prospects was ready, the front office would have put them in the plans for this year. It is up to the prospects to force the front office's hand, just like Arraez did last year. Maybe Adrianza gets hurt and Gordon seizes that opportunity. For Kirrilloff or Lanarch to make big contributions this year with the big club, we will need them to have a great season and a big injury with the big club.

I am kind of confused, who is being blocked?

Most of them haven't done anything yet to force the hands of the FO. Look at their 2019 results...most of the position players had issues with performance, injuries, or both. A guy like Rooker had 270 PA last year...and though the results were very good...they weren't as good as you'd think given the warped numbers that came out of Rochester last year. Larnach? Ask me in July. The vast majority of time, the guys with needle-moving talent don't get 'blocked' for long. They eventually hit a level that can't be ignored, and/or someone at the major-league level falters or has health issues...or the prospect is moved. It's unlikely to be any different with this group.

This day in age, I do not think any prospect gets blocked.  They may be slowed to debut, but outright blocked no.  Sure, Kirloff was in a different organization would there be more of a push to have him make the club, at least based on his early spring numbers and prospect status, most likely.  But, we have three decent hitting outfielders and two top fielding at their respective spots.  However, if he keeps raking early in season, he will get his chance because he will force it.  The only reason he won't is if everyone is healthy and all crushing.  There will always be a spot to be found if you can help the team win.  No team will ever sit player simply because they have a MLB player at their position, they will find a spot.  Now, if the prospect is not forcing the hand, then should they come up, no so then they are not getting blocked either.  

I have never seen this much optimism for a twins season. Its freakin awesome.

RB, the difference is being in a full rebuild vs. a win now mode. Hicks and Buxton were handled okay.