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Jake Mauer had Adam Brett Walker bat 4th in 2013 and ABW had a strikeout rate of 20%. That is because he had people like Polanco (pure hitter) in front of him and Kepler (pure hitter) behind him in the order. Strikeouts are sometimes relative to how pitchers have to pitch you. Nobody in front or behind you in order, means pitchers can pitch to you any kind of way. Sano needs to be protected to maximize his skill set. Batting Sano third behind Buxton or Dozier guarantees more fastballs or stolen bases. Plouffe or Park batting fourth and Mauer batting fifth (is the perfect lead off or #2 hitter to start the 2nd inning) after a stalled first inning. To the thread - The line up and roster are fine. Arcia is Bruce offensively and cheaper than 12 million. We have enough power in system already and / or adequate defensive replacements.

Kepler has been the MVP in two leagues [Appy & Southern]. How is that overshadowed? He's doing his part and getting deserved recognition. No less and no more than earned at each level. He was so so in Midwest & Florida State. He would probably even tell you that. His future depends on his health. PERIOD

Good to hear. He will rebound big this year given the opportunity. Who else is working out early in FM?

I thought he also checked runner on breaking ball and not on fastball. Might be a reach.

Does triple A or AAAA pitching tell the story of your success in the MLB? You might not get exploited in AAA like so many players and still get exploited at the MLB level. Colabello was a AAAA MVP and still got released. Based on most posting outlooks here - you are not considered a valuable MLB player until you have 3 consecutive successful seasons in the MLB. So don't get too high on any one player (Hicks; Santana; Vargas; Meyer; Buxton; Sano; Arcia; Duffy; Rosario; Colabello;). 70% of them have already left you somewhat disappointed to this point in their career. Plouffe has been as solid as he can be and still has his doubters. All-Star or Bust seems to be the motto.

A win loss record can not be attributed to 1 player in a team sport, but everybody knows if you take away a key player, that season could be lost. [Ex: Take Sano off the 2015 team and the Twins do not have a winning record]. Success is relative to what your history tells.

I understand the importance if OPS as people see it, but there is no recent track record of Twin prospects who have flourished based on their minor league OPS. At least not as I remember. Walker has a long way to go with his hit tool, but no other prospect has driven in runs like him in recent history either. The team with the most runs wins every time. Blog question: Who is the last Twins prospect you predicted was going to be very good and they proved you right? position player

I'll take doubles and triples too

By the time the FL and INT kids get up north every player has weather to deal with. Isn't this entire site about the development curve of prospects and players.

Thorpe top 10 and Gonsalves top 5

I tend to look at the improvements made each year in college. Besides hitting .409 w/ .486 OBP (sophomore year), ABW actually had more games played than strikeouts his draft year. "Major improvement" Why couldn't he improve after several years in the MLB? ABW has never repeated a level to show improvement. Each level is a new experience. Harder to judge improvement IMO 388 PA / vs Top 20 MLB prospects 28% K rate / 8.8% BB rate extra base hit every 9th AB. Same arms he will face at the MLB level in the near future

More BB's than anyone on AAA roster (minus Rodriguez). BB/K rate sucks. Has yet to NOT produce at any level and it seems silly to predict failure that has not been there yet. Unless strikeouts compared to other outs is the definition of failure? Would you take .220 with 35 homers and 110 rbi?

Based on speed, who is better where? Rosario LF / Sano or Kepler RF Rosario RF / Sano or Kepler LF

Hit doubles like Mauer and score from second.

injury call up whenever

I would bet Kepler & Walker are faster than Escobar and maybe as fast as Rosario. Walker beats out several DP opportunities.

Fringe is not my goal. I want continued excellence. Sometimes you have to take 1 step back to take __ steps forward. How many divisional championships did Atlanta win in a row once Smoltz (HOF) and Glavine (HOF) figured it out? 1991 to 2005 Big picture

Twins Plouffe (3B); Walker (1B/OF); Meyer (RP/SP); Murphy ©; Milone (SP); Polanco (2B) for Brewers Lucroy ©; and Smith (LHP) throw in Nolasco if they'd take him Brewers get need and near MLB ready prospects and Twins get immediate need for a couple of years.

Agreed

We have to let prospects fail like Atlanta did with Smoltz and Galvine. Communication is the key. Let kids know what they are up against. Reemphasize the better days ahead if struggles occur.

Nunez and Polanco need chin straps on their helmets. They might run faster.

When are we at risk to lose Escobar to free agency? Should we talk extension with him? Secure position until Gordon is ready?