Twins Minor League Report (5/5): Littell Impresses in Triple A Debut

Where has Rooker been? Injured?

All the early season turmoil seems to have really thrown Vargas off. He is really struggling.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Anyone know what is holding Gordon back at this point (honest question)?.  I think it is time to get his MLB party started

Good AAA debut for Littell against the #4 team OPS in the IL. 

 

Perhaps he's got the secret location sauce to keep good hitters mostly guessing wrong. It would be a big plus if can come on into the League as a strong #4-5 man in the rotation with a high K/BB ratio.

 

Even though his 2018 AA numbers don't look great, his K% was nearly 33%, as was his IFFB%.

 

If Littell can somehow break through and continue his magic, this rotation could be almost completely made over (for the better) by mid-2019. 

Yeah, I think Littell can be a #4 starter. Looking at his minor league track record, I'm thinking he's going to need to spend most the season at AAA.

For 2019, we'll have Berrios, Pineda, Gibson (final year of arb.), Odorizzi (final arb.), Romero, Mejia, and possibly Littell and Gonsalves all poised to be able to start. Based on the arbitrary starter 'number' comparisons, I'd say we have:

#1: None

#2: Berrios, Romero

#3: Gonsalves

#4: Odorizzi, Gibson, Littell, Pineda, May (could be higher, but he's been gone for so long)

#5: Mejia, Slegers (maybe AAAA)

I really like the depth, but there's still no clear #1 starter. Oh, and they should be able to DFA Hughes at some point. 

Dobnak was even better than his line. The runs he gave up we're assisted by less then stellar defense. A passed ball, a steal of third where the catcher couldn't get the ball out of his glove and a poor throw from RF by Kirilloff all lead to the runs he gave up.

I agree with the writeup and comments on the pitchers.  I still hope Gonsalves is up this year and early.  But I am still puzzled with the reluctance to give Gordon a try while Polanco is out.  I would also like LaMonte Wade to get some 4th OF time with the Twins, what we currently have is not good. 

Keith Law recently said he sees Romero as a mid rotation starter. Of course, he also saw Berrios' ceiling as a #3, with a higher likelihood being back end or even relief. The Twins really need those two to be at least #2/3 rotation pieces. Maybe just as importantly, they need someone like Graterol or Enlow to be thought of as an almost can't miss front end guy at the culmination of this season.

Maybe Wade is working on his swing to get more power. If that is the case, they really need to give him the time to develop that stroke.

With moderate power, he might project similar to Matt Lawton instead of Robbie Grossman.

Yeah, I think Littell can be a #4 starter. Looking at his minor league track record, I'm thinking he's going to need to spend most the season at AAA.

 

For 2019, we'll have Berrios, Pineda, Gibson (final year of arb.), Odorizzi (final arb.), Romero, Mejia, and possibly Littell and Gonsalves all poised to be able to start. Based on the arbitrary starter 'number' comparisons, I'd say we have:

 

#1: None

#2: Berrios, Romero

#3: Gonsalves

#4: Odorizzi, Gibson, Littell, Pineda, May (could be higher, but he's been gone for so long)

#5: Mejia, Slegers (maybe AAAA)

 

I really like the depth, but there's still no clear #1 starter. Oh, and they should be able to DFA Hughes at some point.

Berrios and Romero as legitimate #2's who pitch like a #1 at times would be really good, IMO. But I haven't given up on Berrios still establishing himself as a true #1. He hasn't looked as good the last couple of times out, but has great stuff, the right make-up, and is still very young and developing. The depth is so very encouraging.

Anyone have the latest on Jorge?

Great seeing Rortvedt have a big game with his bat after a bit of a slump.  This kid can't move up fast enough with the Twins current lack of catching depth at all the higher levels.

Speaking of catchers.  Does anyone know more about Grzelakowski?  Did he play some independent ball out of college before signing with the Twins?  

And lets not assume that either Berrios or Romero don't have what it takes to become a #1 or even a true Ace.  No one knows what their ceilings are, but they sure have a lot of talent. 

Does anyone know what the progress is on Granite making a return from his shoulder injury? I for one really missed his defense as an option while Buxton has been out. I’m guessing the pitching staff did as well. Of course having the genuine article back in center can’t come soon enough, I just hope he can stay on the field more than off of it.

The Twins need to call up Lamonte Ward to the big leagues.  He is a professional hitter, a solid lead off man who can get on base yet has some pop to his bat, and a reasonable fielding outfielder.  

As a college draft pick, Ward is already 24 years old and the Twins decided he needed to return to Chatanooga where he played full time in 2017 and had an OPS of 805.  This is typical of the Twins, making players who have already successfully played at a level repeat, all while AAA is stocked with old, never has been players and we have a 29 year old backup OF that has not had a major league extra base hit.

I have been saying this for 5 years and two organizational management groups:  Why are the TWins so reluctant to promote their own minor league prospects?

There is zero reason why Wade couldn't play every day on the MLB team, then go back down when Buxton gets back.

Also, Buxton, Kepler and Rosario are all here at least 3 more years. What is his future here, if not 4th outfielder?

Not pretending to be "in the know" here by any means, but I'd offer a point and counter-point here:

Pont: He's coming off a fine season at AA, tearing things up there again, and he should already be at Rochester. His defense has to be better than Grossman, he offers, potentially, as good or better offense, and he could play almost daily until Buxton is back allowing for better roster/lineup flexibility.

Counter-point: He's only 24, about the right age for AA, is only beginning his 3rd full season of milb, seems to be developing more power this season, would require another 40 man roster move, there may be some small issues in regard to defense or beginning and the like the Twins are waiting to show improvement. (I may be mistaken, but wasn't he a little light vs LHP last season?)

Not arguing for or against his being brought up at this time. I'm glad to see Gonsalves and Littrell up at AAA quickly, and hope to see Gordon and Wade both join them very soon. (I think the Twins have been very aggressive with Romero). I just think there are a lot of moving parts and scenarios to be considered other then "promote him and play him as a regular for the short term because he could do better than what's filling in now." Not even sure we'd be having this conversation if not for the unfortunate injury to Granite.

If the Twins have been slow in promotions this season in any way, I'd say it's in regard to the pen. I just don't have long term faith in Magill or Hughes and I think I'd rather rotate through the AAA roster for those final 2 spots until someone takes hold of the job.

Still probably 3-4 weeks out.

 

Seth, I've always had the feeling Jorge was one more refined pitch away from being a legitimate mid to back end rotation starter. But the way things stack up NOW, and the time he's missing this season, would you agree it seems more likely now he projects as a quality RP option?

Correct. That last sentence is the key.

Agreed. I believe he will soon pass Granite as the best and most likely 4th OF on the team, barring any trade options, of course. But I think you'd agree you don't want him as a 4th OF NOW. Maybe as a fill-in, but not a "full time" reserve.

Yeah, I think Littell can be a #4 starter. Looking at his minor league track record, I'm thinking he's going to need to spend most the season at AAA.

 

For 2019, we'll have Berrios, Pineda, Gibson (final year of arb.), Odorizzi (final arb.), Romero, Mejia, and possibly Littell and Gonsalves all poised to be able to start. Based on the arbitrary starter 'number' comparisons, I'd say we have:

 

#1: None

#2: Berrios, Romero

#3: Gonsalves

#4: Odorizzi, Gibson, Littell, Pineda, May (could be higher, but he's been gone for so long)

#5: Mejia, Slegers (maybe AAAA)

 

I really like the depth, but there's still no clear #1 starter. Oh, and they should be able to DFA Hughes at some point. 

If Graterol continues to pitch this well the rest of the year and moves up a few levels, I don't understand why he couldn't be ready sometime next year.

Graterol has 2 starts above rookie ball.
He has no chance of any MLB consideration next year, and a small chance of getting a look in 2020.
Realistically, around this time 2021 is about the time we have a chance to see him debut.

So a guy that throws in the upper 90s and hasn't had an issue with control needs to spend 6-7 years in the minors. He has already had Tommy John and this will be his first full year back if he can get to AA this year there should be no reason he can't pitch in the majors at 20. The reports are he has a plus slider, with that and his fastball he should be able to work on his curve and change in the majors and successful. (I reserve the right to change my mind if he struggles this year getting guys out in the low minors)

The average starter in the majors only pitches a little bit over 5 innings anyway,