Twins Minor League Report (5/24): 2018 Top Draftees Shine in Rough Night Across the System

Here's a thought... should we start having Alcala throw as a reliever to see if he might be able to crack the majors by the end of the year? Reading his profiles and seeing his performances, methinks he's going to end up as a reliever anyways, so why not try that out now?

Lamonte Wade may not be getting many hits this year, but boy, he just finds ways to get on base. I wonder when we'll get to see him as a Twin (not that we need to see him soon, just wondering when).

4 strikeout game for Lewis. I know he's young for the level but he is really struggling right now. Maybe that high leg kick hindering him?

At what point is it acceptable to acknowledge Lewis is having a disappointing season? He started slow. And now has hit .175 in his most recent 10 games, while striking out 13 times and walking twice. Has now played in about the same number of games at Fort Myers in 2019 as he did in 2018, and has regressed offensively across the board. Haven’t heard or read much on how the defense at short is coming along.

Small sample size....pitcher's league....Too much talent.....focusing on defense....and...

...when is it OK to express concern about Lewis again? (I was told it was too early last month, so I thought I'd try again)

Lamonte Wade may not be getting many hits this year, but boy, he just finds ways to get on base. I wonder when we'll get to see him as a Twin (not that we need to see him soon, just wondering when).

I agree, his ability to get on base via the walk is a bit uncanny...especially when you consider he is slugging 299. Usually pitchers will do everything but lob the ball underhanded to avoid walking guys that slug 299. That’s slugging 40 points lower in the International League (a league with the juiced ball) than Ehire Adrianza is slugging in the majors this year.

Here's a thought... should we start having Alcala throw as a reliever to see if he might be able to crack the majors by the end of the year? Reading his profiles and seeing his performances, methinks he's going to end up as a reliever anyways, so why not try that out now?

 

Lamonte Wade may not be getting many hits this year, but boy, he just finds ways to get on base. I wonder when we'll get to see him as a Twin (not that we need to see him soon, just wondering when).

I like the Alcala idea.  Poor Wade, I have wanted him to get a chance for two years, but I really believe that when he is in the majors he will be with another team.  I hope he is part of a trade package this year.

Ouch, 0 fer five last ngiht.

When I saw how Thorpe did, my words were almost exactly yours, except I used nice instead of solid.  Good seeing him with a 'solid' outing after being a bit inconsistent.

Can't wait until tomorrow to see how those three starters do tonight.  And who knows, maybe we will see Javier in the Kernel's lineup?

Well, I'm concerned about Lewis.

Even Buxton was not the overall number 1 pick.

It's okay to struggle, that's baseball, but at some point, when you are a stud, you snap out of it.

Hmmm... it is legal to express and even be concerned at this point, if you want.

 

Personally, I won't start worrying about the future of Royce Lewis for a couple of years... 

So, are you saying he's going to be a 1 level a year guy from here on out?

Certainly Wade continues to amaze with the OBP, but he just can't seem to push his BA high enough to get over the last hurdle. This is his third try at AAA (I believe), but it's looking like the other two so far.

I don't really understand why the org has let him continue with that big of a leg kick for this long, but sometimes it does seem like it's good to let a guy fail. Let him figure out the humongous leg kick's gotta go on his own and maybe that adjustment process will be more successful/he'll buy in earlier.

This seems very plausible. And my first reaction to Seth's comments above that he thinks Lewis still may be promoted to AA after the FSL all-star game...was how can they promote him as he's struggling so significantly at the A+ level? But, to your point, if he's still strong mentally/emotionally...it might be good for the overall development that he 'fails as hard/fast as possible', and begins making the necessary adjustments.

Well, I'm concerned about Lewis.

 

Even Buxton was not the overall number 1 pick.

 

It's okay to struggle, that's baseball, but at some point, when you are a stud, you snap out of it.

Concur. When the guy we spent a number 1 overall on is striking out at this rate in A ball, it’s concerning. There can’t really be any other conclusion (certainly not encouraging).

I’m not even sure you can claim small sample size anymore. It’s 200 ABs of sub .650 OPS, .230 BA, 44Ks to 19 walks, 1 home run, 5 CS to 9 SB, and various other alarming statistics. I can’t speak much for his defense, but i’ve gathered he’s not exactly elite there either.

You can make the young argument, I suppose. But, he’s been a pro a couple years now. He’s roughly the same age as guys like Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Tatis Jr., who are showing high-level success in the MLB. I know, different career paths, etc.....but my point is the age isn’t really a factor when you’re touted as a phenom.

I’m not sure the people claiming they aren’t concerned are being totally genuine about that. I’m not saying he’s in trouble yet, but if you’re not raising an eyebrow at the anointed future face of the franchise getting blown away for 200 ABs in A-ball, I don’t know what could possibly concern you.

I have no idea what he'll be... maybe... maybe not. I expect he'll play in the FSL All Star game and then move up to AA. 

Whoa! If he makes the All Star game with his current numbers, he is simply getting a pass as the former number 1 pick.... If he is promoted with his current numbers that is sending a very bad message to the other players in the organization.

I agree that eventually he will figure things out, but I also think that transcendent players (which we all hope he will be) do not generally struggle to this extent and for this long at A.

I personally think (hope) he is nursing an injury, and if so, the organization makes him sit out a few weeks to get healthy.

Will also add that by all accounts he is a GREAT kid.....any my concern is only because I am really rooting for him to succeed for his own sake as well as the team

I have no idea what he'll be... maybe... maybe not. I expect he'll play in the FSL All Star game and then move up to AA. 

Agree.  Look at someone like Travis Blankenhorn....struggled quite a bit after the FSL all-star break last season.  Heads up to AA this year and is absolutely raking. 

Could see Royce getting promoted to AA in a month or two and really take off.

Regarding Alcala's unearned runs...  

Always thought that if a pitcher commits an error that leads to runs they should be earned.  I mean, it's your own fault right?  Wear those earned runs.

As honest and as genuine as I can possibly be, I am zero percent concerned about the future of Royce Lewis. He's not going to get far with his current swing, but I think anybody who's seen him had a good feeling that was going to be the case from Day 1. 

 

He's athletic enough to where you'd imagine he should be able to make adjustments and there doesn't appear to be any major concerns about his pitch recognition. He has a 22.0 K% and 9.5 BB% this year, both of which are better than average in the FSL. 

Again... all good points. But expectations are "far better" than better than average at FSL. And if "anyone who has seen him had a good feeling" the swing was a problem from day 1, it should have probably been addressed starting at or very near to....

Tom and Seth, you guys are great and know way more than me, so we'll just agree to disagree that Lewis's season is of no concern