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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 7:57:11 AM

Mr. Ed

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Across 23 Double-A games this season, Kepler is batting .326/.363/.500 with 11 extra-base hits (entering play on 5/19). He hasn't had a slugging percentage of .500 or higher since his second trip through the Appalachian League back in 2012. He's also never hit over .300 at any level.

Besides improving his numbers at the plate, Kepler is also making waves with the other parts of his game. He's already stolen six bases this year after totaling six steals all of last season. His career high in steals is seven so he is well on his way to breaking that mark.

On defense, he's split time between all three outfield positions and first base. He's been perfect fielding in the outfield to go along with an assist from right field, the outfield spot he's played the most. At first base, he's committed two errors but his fielding percentage is still higher than it was last season.

Kepler's improvements this season definitely make him a player to watch. There's a good chance the Twins will see many of the top prospects debut at some point this season and this could mean Kepler shoots up prospect lists next off-season, with the potential to be a top 100 prospect in all of baseball.

There's still a lot of season left but Kepler has shown some early season signs that he's ready to break out in a big way.

Ed, how long do they have control of Kepler since they signed him at 16 and he is 22 now?

He's on the 40-man roster, so that's good. I believe if he wasn't they could lose him.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 8:30:12 AM

djskillz

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I think we'll see him on the Twins in 2016, so he should be fine in terms of options, etc.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 8:52:40 AM

Mr. Ed

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

I think we'll see him on the Twins in 2016, so he should be fine in terms of options, etc.

I'd like to see these guys in September, up with the big club, for seasoning.

Polanco
Kepler
Sano
Buxton(if all is not total crap in the bigs, expect him to stay in the minors)
Jones
Reed

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 9:40:22 AM

djskillz

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Totally with you, Ed. I'm assuming these are in addition to Pinto/Oliveros?

I really believe we'll see Buxton and Sano both up to stay in the bigs around August, but we'll see. How they fair over the next 2 months will determine that more than anything else. Going to be interesting to see how they deal with Sano/Plouffe. At this point I just don't see how you can move Plouffe from 3b. I'd start getting Sano some work in RF and see if he can hack it. That will take moving one of the AA OF'ers to AAA though, or Sano there. Gotta keep getting all of Walker/Harrison/Buxton/Kepler playing time. I'd like to see Kepler get more time in the OF as opposed to 1b.

We HAVE to work a trade soon because we have a crazy OF logjam coming.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 9:44:49 AM

SoMnFan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Totally with you, Ed. I'm assuming these are in addition to Pinto/Oliveros?

I really believe we'll see Buxton and Sano both up to stay in the bigs around August, but we'll see. How they fair over the next 2 months will determine that more than anything else. Going to be interesting to see how they deal with Sano/Plouffe. At this point I just don't see how you can move Plouffe from 3b. I'd start getting Sano some work in RF and see if he can hack it. That will take moving one of the AA OF'ers to AAA though, or Sano there. Gotta keep getting all of Walker/Harrison/Buxton/Kepler playing time. I'd like to see Kepler get more time in the OF as opposed to 1b.

We HAVE to work a trade soon because we have a crazy OF logjam coming.

Oh, NO!

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 9:53:06 AM

djskillz

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It's just crazy to me how close it is. We almost have to package a few of our hitters in a deal for an ace. Have to.

Those guys all need PT and they all have at least some solid value and are close to ready or already ready:

Buxton (untouchable, obviously)
Hicks
Rosario
Arcia
Vargas
Sano/Plouffe (whoever doesn't play 3b; also almost untouchable)
Kepler
Harrison
Walker
Pinto
Polanco/Santana (whoever's not playing SS)

That's 10 guys for 4 spots (3 OF and 1 DH spot). TEN!

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 9:55:34 AM

Mr. Ed

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Vargas
Arcia

Added in for player movement, too

(I'd put Mauer in this group,but we know Joe's staying)

Pinto should be coming up NOW

The bench is really weak. Herrmann is again providing little to no offense. Suzu needs breaks, despite is "toughness"

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 9:57:09 AM

Mr. Ed

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I cannot see Sano at 3rd this year in the bigs.

All the errors this year are proving he has a ton of work to do there. His bat is more valuable.

He should be playing some first. But Joe is there.

He should DH. There are a ton of other guys there.

Log jam forthcoming.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 10:02:50 AM

SoMnFan

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Plouffe has established himself.

Agree 100% on the bench Ed.
Its not dangerous enough right now.
Pintos bat there would help.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 10:06:36 AM

djskillz

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Yep. I could get on board with this bench in a hurry:

C-Pinto or Suzuki
MI-Escobar--potentially either Polanco or Santana eventually
OF-Rosario--eventually one of him/Hicks/Kepler/Harrison, with 1-2 of the others starting
DH/OF/CI-Wheeler--eventually one of Arcia/Vargas/Harrison, etc. (Arcia or Vargas gone and Sano in RF)

< Message edited by djskillz -- 5/21/2015 10:07:39 AM >

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 10:50:26 AM

Mr. Ed

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The elephant in the room continues to wear #7

Look at all the guys Joe is blocking.

Not bashing on him, but he is going nowhere. And there are guys that willneed the at bats to prove they belong.

Twins will wind up losing 1 or 2 guys that will come back and haunt them out of this jam.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 11:51:47 AM

djskillz

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Probably so, Ed. We really need him to get back to his 2013 self and that .860-ish OPS. Or at least close. If he does that, he's still better than just about all of these guys (save Buxton) for a few years anyway.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 1:22:06 PM

David Levine

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I want a big scary thumper at 1B...

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 1:49:16 PM

djskillz

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That doesn't really matter to me. I could care less about position. Will it matter if Sano is at 1b or RF or DH or 3b? This offense is going to be very dangerous no matter what types of guys we have. And to me an even scarier offense than one with one 40 HR guy, etc. is one with 8-9 guys that can all get you 10-25 HR and provide speed and good contact/OBP skills.

< Message edited by djskillz -- 5/21/2015 1:51:53 PM >

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 1:59:04 PM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz
is one with 8-9 guys that can all get you 10-25 HR.

So 8 guys that can get you 10-25 plus Joe Mauer?

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:01:35 PM

djskillz

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz
is one with 8-9 guys that can all get you 10-25 HR.

So 8 guys that can get you 10-25 plus Joe Mauer?

I think Joe will get double digits this year. Maybe more in future years if he keeps pulling the ball more. We'll see.

I'm more concerned about OBP, for all of them, than HR anyway.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:03:25 PM

SoMnFan

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Oh boy ... the old home runs are overrated thingy again .....

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:04:19 PM

SoMnFan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz
is one with 8-9 guys that can all get you 10-25 HR.

So 8 guys that can get you 10-25 plus Joe Mauer?

I think Joe will get double digits this year. Maybe more in future years if he keeps pulling the ball more. We'll see.

I'm more concerned about OBP, for all of them, than HR anyway.

Triple digits?
Ok, skilz has officially jumped the shark.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:32:12 PM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

Oh boy ... the old home runs are overrated thingy again .....

I love the fear that a masher causes when he steps up to bat.

And as a fan, I'm glued to every AB when a guy like Sano steps to the plate. But I can go make a sandwich while I wait for Mauer to try to coax a walk...

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:50:01 PM

djskillz

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:52:19 PM

Mr. Ed

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Sportswriter (Berardino) playing GM

Too bad #Indians are in AL Central, or I might offer Sano and Rosario for Lindor and 19-yr-old catcher Francisco Mejia. Santana to left.

I'd also be ready to put Santana in the deal instead of Rosario or make it a straight-up offer:

I'd also call the #Braves, who are shedding $$$ and collecting prospects, and offer them 2 of my top 10 plus 1 more for Andrelton Simmons.

If I'm dealing 3 of my top prospects, I'm not looking to add a $20 million/year starter. I want a young shortstop under long-term control.

Just having fun after a follower pointed out #MNTwins upcoming 40-man squeeze.

Right-handed power is in high demand.

Twins already have Plouffe, so I'd sniff around on possible deals.

And he says that even w/Gordon/Polaco, the Twins still need a long term SS solution.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 2:56:57 PM

Stacey King

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boy he wants a defense wizz at short. Simmons and Lindor are probably the 2 best fielding shortstops in baseball.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 3:03:28 PM

Mr. Ed

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Batts to FTM
Hurlbut to Chatt
Duffey to Roch(he was clocked at 96 a few times last summer)
Luke Bard off the DL/Ex ST to CRapids; Landa to the DL(came off DL, pitched 1 inning)

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 3:07:34 PM

Mr. Ed

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Really like Polanco, but the arm is a little short. Fits better at 2nd, but Dozier has that locked down.

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RE: Players and prospects III - 5/21/2015 3:12:25 PM

djskillz

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Polanco certainly profiles more as a 2b, but I still don't think SS is a drastic need right now. WAAAYYYYY lower than an ace for a need.

I'd love Simmons too. He's as good as any SS I've ever seen range and defense-wise. Hell, I'd have little problem playing Sano at 3b if Simmons was our SS. Our infield defense would be stellar with Plouffe/Simmons/Dozier/Mauer. But:

1) I don't think I'd give up Santana and 2 of our good prospects for Simmons.
2) I don't think the Braves will move Simmons. They love him.
3) The Braves already have a good nucleus coming that will be ready to win by 2017 when their new park opens.

< Message edited by djskillz -- 5/21/2015 3:13:29 PM >

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