Reviewing 2022 Performances by Twins Shortstop Prospects

At this point we can't really call Wander Javier a prospect. I know he was young when we signed him, but he has been with the organization for almost 10 years now, and hasn't surpassed High-A. Yes, he did play some AAA ball, but it was because there was a need for his positioning there. But that could have also been the kick in the keister he needed to get going on development. 

Lewis, Lee, and Martin are definitely looking to be SS of the future or at the very least, a rotating door there. Yes, Martin might find himself in the OF eventually, as well as Lewis if Buck cannot stay healthy. But, in a few years we might actually benefit from a Miranda, Martin, Lewis, and Lee infield group (there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery). Young core of players to have, which will then help the development of our supposed pitching "pipeline". 

It’s basically Lewis. Martin couldn’t even play SS for his college team. He should be rotating between 2nd and cf. let’s give him a chance to be really great at one of those positions. Same thing with Lee. Stretched at SS he can be an elite defender at 3rd. Let’s get him there now as he may be in the bigs faster than any recent prospect.  If Lewis develops we could have great infield defense going forward. 

sheesh Cavaco is really looking like a bad pick. 

37 minutes ago, mac098 said:

At this point we can't really call Wander Javier a prospect. I know he was young when we signed him, but he has been with the organization for almost 10 years now, and hasn't surpassed High-A. Yes, he did play some AAA ball, but it was because there was a need for his positioning there. But that could have also been the kick in the keister he needed to get going on development. 

Lewis, Lee, and Martin are definitely looking to be SS of the future or at the very least, a rotating door there. Yes, Martin might find himself in the OF eventually, as well as Lewis if Buck cannot stay healthy. But, in a few years we might actually benefit from a Miranda, Martin, Lewis, and Lee infield group (there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery). Young core of players to have, which will then help the development of our supposed pitching "pipeline". 

"there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery".

It always amazes me how many people are so skeptical about Kirilloff ever being able to be the player he once was and we hope he can be, but are convinced that Lewis will come back after not one, but two major knee surgeries.  Knees that will always be questionable for years to come.  Not putting down your optimism, just trying to be realistic about how much of a plan A Lewis can be.  And below him, who is a legitimate plan A anytime soon?  

SS is a tough position to fill long term.  A contending organization who has had the answer in their clubhouse all year would be trying to keep him instead of guessing which minor leaguer is going to be his replacement.  

How will the 2023 rules of the game change the needs of ss, 3b, 2b, 1b even pitchers? I assume they will have improve reflexes, speed, athletic ability. The changes will affect all 9 positions on the field.

I think the person who plays the most games at shortstop next year is currently in the Twins system. Lewis is probably the closest. It is highly likely that there is an intermediate signing or trade this winter. The worst intermediate option would be A Gordon/Polanco/Urshela combination for the seasons firsts 2-3 months. That would almost assuredly sink the whole year. I also think the current Twins system provides the player(s) who play the most games at shortstop over the next 10 years.

My pick for long term would be Noah Miller. He has the history from High School through the minors of sticking at shortstop, gaining defensive experience and not being moved around to different positions.  He has provided good defense at the position in his short professional career. At the plate, while needing a lot of work, has demonstrated patience has exhibited by his 76 walks in 469 plate appearances. At 6'1' and 190lbs he appears to be big enough to ultimately provide solid extra base hitting from the position. I think he should be advanced a level at the start of next year or soon there after. I could see him making his first appearance in the majors during the 2024 season at the age of 22.

If Brooks Lee starts the season hot he should be up with the team instantly I don't care if it is SS/3B/1B/DH. There is no reason he needs to be in minors if he proves his bat is for real. Same with Lewis after he is ready to play get him minors and if he is playing well get him up. Guys like Celestino/Gordon(27)/Larnach(26)(if not hitting well)( can be demoted or cut if need be they are more than likely not in the teams plans as everybody players anyway.

Neither of these two players make me shy away from the Correa or Turner.

The article just points to the need for the Twins to sign a shortstop. Will they? This post aligns with the posting that asks why the Twins wouldn't just sign Correa long term. It's Falvey's decision. 

If the Twins want to just go with what they have, Lee would likely be their steadiest option but he has only played a few games at AA. That gamble might work if the starting staff was rebuilt through a trade plus a free agent addition as well as a bullpen piece added.

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

"there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery".

It always amazes me how many people are so skeptical about Kirilloff ever being able to be the player he once was and we hope he can be, but are convinced that Lewis will come back after not one, but two major knee surgeries.  Knees that will always be questionable for years to come.  Not putting down your optimism, just trying to be realistic about how much of a plan A Lewis can be.  And below him, who is a legitimate plan A anytime soon?  

SS is a tough position to fill long term.  A contending organization who has had the answer in their clubhouse all year would be trying to keep him instead of guessing which minor leaguer is going to be his replacement.  

Oh I'm not saying Lewis will stick there as he won't have the same movement laterally that he had previously. But we really haven't been able to draft/sign quality SS for a long time. Personally, I would rather we have awesome defensive ability at SS over a big time bat. In todays game, I think the metrics tend to overlook the help that defense gives, especially in post-season games or later in the season. 

I'm also not saying Kiriloff is bad or won't come back, because I really want him to. I want him and Larnach to succeed but they are just showing that they have not been able to stay healthy, just like Lewis. I just have to look through my non-hometown eyes and start looking from an outside perspective. The Twins' prospects have been repeatedly plagued by major injuries that will and have hampered their development. 

A huge turnaround or feel good story for us fans would be the Nick Gordon story. Finally having the ability to stay off the IL after suffering through repeated injuries/illnesses for years. 

Perhaps my belief is tinged with a dose of hope, but I think Lewis is the guy. I'm not predicting GG defense, but I believe he will be good and be a heck of a hitter.

I'm happy to be proven wrong by Martin sticking at SS! But I think he's a LF/CF who can cover 3B and 2B and I think that's where he ends up.

A SSS right after being drafted is not enough to convince me Lee can't be a SS. He's got the experience, the arm, the hands and the instincts from all reports. I guess the question is does he have that right kind of athleticism to play SS at the ML level. Well, a few other, larger guys who weren't exactly speedy turned out to be very good SS. So let's let him play a little longer before we decide for sure.

But I do find the idea of a left side of the  infield of Lee, Lewis with Miranda at 1B very exciting. 2B is open to a few nice possibilities, including Martin and Julien and some others.

I'd like to re-sign Javier on a milb deal and see if this is finally the year something starts to click. He's talented enough and young enough I think you give him that next year.

Cavaco has been a huge disappointment. I wonder if, despite poor numbers, if he just needs a change of scenery and a re-start by jumping up to A+.

49 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

The article just points to the need for the Twins to sign a shortstop. Will they? This post aligns with the posting that asks why the Twins wouldn't just sign Correa long term. It's Falvey's decision. 

If the Twins want to just go with what they have, Lee would likely be their steadiest option but he has only played a few games at AA. That gamble might work if the starting staff was rebuilt through a trade plus a free agent addition as well as a bullpen piece added.

My only response would be that it is not Falvey's decision, it is Jim Pohlad's decision.  If he wants Correa we stand a chance, but he knows the commitment it would take.  Falvey only does the paperwork, JP signs the checks.  If we do not sign him, it will not be on Falvey, it will be on JP.  

13 hours ago, Mark G said:

"there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery".

It always amazes me how many people are so skeptical about Kirilloff ever being able to be the player he once was and we hope he can be, but are convinced that Lewis will come back after not one, but two major knee surgeries.  Knees that will always be questionable for years to come.  Not putting down your optimism, just trying to be realistic about how much of a plan A Lewis can be.  And below him, who is a legitimate plan A anytime soon?  

SS is a tough position to fill long term.  A contending organization who has had the answer in their clubhouse all year would be trying to keep him instead of guessing which minor leaguer is going to be his replacement.  

It's not 1992 anymore.  Medical advancement's have come a long way since.  There are NFL running backs who come back from multiple ACL tears and still play very well and have long successful careers.  I think a shortstop in baseball can do it as well.  Kiriloff is different, he had a surgery that basically cut out a section of bone in his arm.  Maybe there have been people who have come back from that but I am not familiar with them or anyone who has had the surgery.  The concern with Lewis is he has basically played a part of 1 season in the last 4 years.  He has the skills and I personally don't think multiple ACL surgeries will be his downfall.  He will either be a Major League shortstop or a major league outfielder.  How great he becomes will not be decided by his injury.  Again back to Kiriloff, his surgery could impact his career.  It might effect his hitting and if Kiriloff can't hit he isn't anything special.  His career is completely dependent on his ability to hit.  A run of the mill ACL surgery isn't going to effect Lewis ability to hit a baseball the same way a bone reduction surgery will effect Kiriloff.

I for one am intrigued by a 3B named Brooks who probably should have been drafted by the Orioles.

2 hours ago, Loosey said:

It's not 1992 anymore.  Medical advancement's have come a long way since.  There are NFL running backs who come back from multiple ACL tears and still play very well and have long successful careers.  I think a shortstop in baseball can do it as well.  Kiriloff is different, he had a surgery that basically cut out a section of bone in his arm.  Maybe there have been people who have come back from that but I am not familiar with them or anyone who has had the surgery.  The concern with Lewis is he has basically played a part of 1 season in the last 4 years.  He has the skills and I personally don't think multiple ACL surgeries will be his downfall.  He will either be a Major League shortstop or a major league outfielder.  How great he becomes will not be decided by his injury.  Again back to Kiriloff, his surgery could impact his career.  It might effect his hitting and if Kiriloff can't hit he isn't anything special.  His career is completely dependent on his ability to hit.  A run of the mill ACL surgery isn't going to effect Lewis ability to hit a baseball the same way a bone reduction surgery will effect Kiriloff.

I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but the primary reason Lewis has only played a part of 1 season in the last 4 years is two major surgeries.  I do not doubt his ability to swing a bat; what I do doubt is his ability to play the field long term without major injuries.  I wonder if both Lewis and Kirilloff are of the Buxton mold; very talented and very fragile.  Until both can prove over a period of time that they can stay on the field, the only place I would pencil in either one of them is the trainer's room.  

My point was that we keep on bringing up Lewis as though he would be plan A, when he hasn't proven he can stay on the field at any position, much less SS.  And if we could somehow muster up the fortitude to keep the best SS in our system - heck, most systems - this whole conversation would be moot and we could get on to the task of putting together a potent outfield, and hopefully Lewis would be a good candidate there.  

As an aside, you are right, this isn't 1992, but it isn't 2052 yet either or we would be able to put all the Humpty Dumpty's back together again.  ACL surgeries may be run of the mill at times, and with some athletes, but 2 in such a short time is still more than a slight concern.  Let's hope you are right all the way down the line.  If so, I will take my crow medium rare.    

12 hours ago, mac098 said:

Oh I'm not saying Lewis will stick there as he won't have the same movement laterally that he had previously. But we really haven't been able to draft/sign quality SS for a long time. Personally, I would rather we have awesome defensive ability at SS over a big time bat. In todays game, I think the metrics tend to overlook the help that defense gives, especially in post-season games or later in the season. 

I'm also not saying Kiriloff is bad or won't come back, because I really want him to. I want him and Larnach to succeed but they are just showing that they have not been able to stay healthy, just like Lewis. I just have to look through my non-hometown eyes and start looking from an outside perspective. The Twins' prospects have been repeatedly plagued by major injuries that will and have hampered their development. 

A huge turnaround or feel good story for us fans would be the Nick Gordon story. Finally having the ability to stay off the IL after suffering through repeated injuries/illnesses for years. 

Nice to know someone else still feels defense is the most important part of the SS position.  It is super nice if you can get both at the same time, but first priority is the glove.  Ask any pitcher.    

I saw Lewis and Kirilloff playing together in 2019. They just stood out. The hits were louder, the speed they played with and so on. So I'm going to be a bit of a homie, in spite of the injuries, and say Lewis is the guy.

The interesting part to me is in a few years this could and likely is three fifths of the starting infield. Add Jeffers, Miranda, Arraez  and hopefully Kirilloff. Assuming they play to their abilities that should be a pretty good team for a long stretch.

22 hours ago, gman said:

I think the person who plays the most games at shortstop next year is currently in the Twins system. Lewis is probably the closest. It is highly likely that there is an intermediate signing or trade this winter. The worst intermediate option would be A Gordon/Polanco/Urshela combination for the seasons firsts 2-3 months. That would almost assuredly sink the whole year. I also think the current Twins system provides the player(s) who play the most games at shortstop over the next 10 years.

My pick for long term would be Noah Miller. He has the history from High School through the minors of sticking at shortstop, gaining defensive experience and not being moved around to different positions.  He has provided good defense at the position in his short professional career. At the plate, while needing a lot of work, has demonstrated patience has exhibited by his 76 walks in 469 plate appearances. At 6'1' and 190lbs he appears to be big enough to ultimately provide solid extra base hitting from the position. I think he should be advanced a level at the start of next year or soon there after. I could see him making his first appearance in the majors during the 2024 season at the age of 22.

Miller is extremely smooth and impressive at the SS position. Don't underestimate his ability to become a ML hitter. he is already a ML defender at SS.

On 10/20/2022 at 1:24 AM, Mark G said:

Nice to know someone else still feels defense is the most important part of the SS position.  It is super nice if you can get both at the same time, but first priority is the glove.  Ask any pitcher.    

And that is the reason I was actually okay with Andrelton Simmons there. Yes, his defense was a little worse than in the past but he is also older and has never really been much of a weapon with stick. But I know the game is in a state of you only need offense. Then we start seeing the teams that have focused on getting players that can field and do some damage with the bat in the post-season consistently. 

15 minutes ago, mac098 said:

And that is the reason I was actually okay with Andrelton Simmons there. Yes, his defense was a little worse than in the past

In the 18 games he played at SS with the Chicago Cubs, his fielding numbers were second only to the 49 games he played in his first season ever with Atlanta.

His glove is still near the best in either league, if the Twins do not sign Correa, they should make a serious effort to get Simmons again., and hire a GOOD batting coach to help him. (And a LOT of the Twins players.)

On 10/19/2022 at 8:28 AM, mac098 said:

 

Lewis, Lee, and Martin are definitely looking to be SS of the future or at the very least, a rotating door there. Y

A rotating door is the reason the Twins stink so badly.

On 10/19/2022 at 12:49 PM, Mark G said:

My only response would be that it is not Falvey's decision, it is Jim Pohlad's decision.  If he wants Correa we stand a chance, but he knows the commitment it would take.  Falvey only does the paperwork, JP signs the checks.  If we do not sign him, it will not be on Falvey, it will be on JP.  

That's not how it works.  They have X dollars to spend.  In other words, they have a budget based on revenue like every other business or just as any responsible adult has a spending limit based on income.  They will no doubt discuss  Correa and any other player requiring a huge contract.  Pohlad will certainly ask Falvey it is wise to spend 25% of their budget on one player (140/35).  It's one thing to do it for a year.  It's entirely different to commit that percentage to one player for 8-10 years.  It's not a Twins thing and it's not a Pohlad thing.  Teams are very reluctant to spend anywhere near 25% of their budget on one player.