The Twins were just swept by the Marlins. The 27-50, worst team in baseball, Miami Marlins. You’ll understand if I don’t really have anything to say, analyze or add to two terrible games of baseball played by our favorite team. Maybe they were distracted by that horrendous, neon green ballpark. Maybe they’re just not that good. Nah, must be the first one.
Buxton Promoted:
I’ve been saying it for at least two months. Byron Buxton would be playing in Fort Myers before June was over. On June 25th, Buxton made his debut for the Miracle, going 1-4 with an RBI. On June 26th, Buxton again went 1-4 with an RBI. He’ll have to adjust to the higher level of competition, but it was very clear that he was playing above his competition in Cedar Rapids. It will be worth keeping tabs on Buxton as he adjusts to his new league. It’s highly likely that the Twins will let Buxton play out the year in Fort Myers before moving him to AA New Britain in 2014. After that, he could be mere months away from the big league club.
Sano’s Slow Start:
Uber prospect and franchise savior (embellishment or fact? You decide) Miguel Sano earned his promotion to AA a few weeks ago and has taken off at a slower pace than Twins fans are accustomed to seeing. So far, Sano is batting .191/.305/.489 with 3 home runs, two doubles and a triple with the Rock Cats. Sano’s reputation has preceded him in AA, and pitchers have been pitching him very carefully. As a result, Sano is getting very little in the way of quality pitches to hit. Don’t panic about his slow start, Sano just has to learn to wait for the pitch he wants and let all the other garbage go. He’s still posting an impressive OPS of .794, so the hits will come as he adapts to the pitching.
Rosario Impressive at AA:
Brian Dozier may not want to get too comfortable at 2B as his future replacement may be making his way to the big leagues faster than anyone anticipated. Eddie Rosario, who was promoted at the same time as Miguel Sano, has been off to a quick start with New Britain. He’s batting .264/.He’s batting .264/.339/.340 with 3 extra base hits in 14 games. The biggest note of improvement with Rosario has been his defense. Since converting from CF, Rosario has worked hard at mastering 2B and it’s beginning to show. He posted a .985 fielding percentage at Fort Myers prior to his promotion and is currently boasting a .966 fielding percentage with the Rock Cats. Rosario’s bat is developing nicely and if his defense can become major league ready, he’ll be in a Twins uniform by September for a late season call-up.
Kyle Gibson (Finally) Gets The Call:
Twins fans have been waiting patiently for Kyle Gibson to make his debut with the big league club. The Twins front office had said that they wanted to see more consistency from Gibson before he was promoted and that once he was called up, he was likely here to stay. Gibson delivered on his end, posting a 7-5 record with a 3.01 ERA. Mike Pelfrey hit the DL with a back injury, opening the door for Gibson. If he can deliver, it’s likely that PJ Walters, Scott Diamond or Mike Pelfrey could be out of a starting job (I’d wager Walters as the odd man out). Gibson will make his debut Saturday against the Royals.
A Market For Morneau:
Mark Teixeira is likely out for the season with a wrist injury, leaving the New York Yankees devoid of a power bat in their lineup and a warm body to play defense at first base. The Twins are likely looking to move pieces of their team to further supplement the youth movement making its way to Target Field in 2014 and 2015. I’ve long said that Justin Morneau would love playing in Yankee stadium, with its short RF porch and hitter friendly tendencies, Morneau could really rake. With the Yankees now in need of a big bat, the matchup seems all too perfect.
Morneau is a free agent after 2013, so the Twins shouldn’t expect the Yankees’ best prospect out of the deal or even multiple prospects. However, a AAA starting pitching candidate would not be too far of a reach to ask for nor would a AA shortstop candidate. The Yankees have interesting trade targets in Madison Stoneburner, a right handed, pitch to contact guy with decent numbers and quality stuff or Addison Marusuzak, a big league ready short stop who will likely hit in the .260’s with solid defense. The Twins aren’t going to top off an already nicely equipped farm system by trading Morneau, so they might as well focus on AAA caliber guys who are big league ready. Maybe one of the two mentioned players fill a need coming into 2014, maybe they end up as organizational depth – either way the Twins will have turned an expiring asset into something younger and more versatile to the club.
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