The Twins are set to promote top infield prospect Jorge Polanco to the Majors, a source tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link). It appears that third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who left yesterday’s game with an intercostal strain, is likely heading to the disabled list, thus necessitating the move. Polanco is one of the more highly regarded infield prospects in baseball, ranking 66th on Keith Law’s preseason Top 100 list at ESPN, 95th on MLB.com’s Top 100 and 99th on Baseball America’s Top 100. Polanco has played shortstop in the minors but is said to be best suited for second or third base. The switch-hitting Polanco draws praise for above-average speed, very good contact skills and modest pop, with Law writing that he could hit 12-15 homers and be a defensive asset at second or third. The promotion is likely to be temporary, as Plouffe, Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier line up at third base, shortstop and second base respectively. The Twins have Eduardo Nunez and Danny Santana (who is currently on the DL himself and, notably, is out of minor league options) as utility options.
A few more notes on the Twins…
- Injured closer Glen Perkins tells 1500 ESPN’s Phil Mackey that a second opinion confirmed that he won’t require surgery to repair his ailing shoulder, but he’s still “at least” a few weeks away from pitching (Twitter link). Considering the fact that Perkins would need a rehab assignment after a lengthy layoff, that would seem to suggest that he could be out until early May at the earliest, and a lengthier absence sounds possible based on that timeline as well. Right-hander Kevin Jepsen is filling in for Perkins in the ninth inning, as I mentioned earlier today when looking at some bullpen shakeups that could have an impact on some players’ salaries in arbitration and free agency.
- Outfielder David Murphy can opt out of his contract with the Twins on May 1st, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports on Twitter. The veteran came to the organization on a minor league deal with hopes of a quick call-up, and it seems that the contract’s out clause was designed to give him some leverage in that regard. Murphy has said he has little interest in a lengthy minor league stint, and he could seek another opportunity elsewhere if he’s not on the MLB roster in two weeks’ time.
Brian Dozier is a liability now. Sit him down
It has been 12 games, relax.
Using that logical Bryant and Trout are having a horrendous Year!
The Twins are a ridiculously deep young team. If they were the Cubs or Red Sox, the national media would be writing and talking about them constantly.
Oswaldo Arcia has learned to lay off sucker pitches and is now banging the ball all over the field. He is the spitting image of Kendrys Morales hitting left-handed – the same swing, the same way the ball jumps off his bat, the same power no matter where he hits it. Park is assimilating to MLB, just hit his 3rd HR. The Twins are so deep in position players, there is no way all of them can possibly get enough playing time. They need another starter (Duffy?), a closer as Perkins gets hurt too much, and one more set-up pitcher. They have excess talent to trade, but they may well be able to fill those roles from within. The only problem with the team is consistency – which is to be expected with any young team. But they are extremely well-coached, and appear to be as comfortable with one another as the Royals players are. The terrible start may well be a blessing in disguise. The players followed Molitor’s lead, kept their poise and worked through it, listening to their coaches. There is something very special going on with the Twins. Fans nationally will wonder why they heard nothing about the team when they see the Twins in the playoffs – which should be by 2017, and possibly this year.
The Twins don’t have the upside in the rotation to be a playoff contender. The Jays have a better rotation and their rotation makes them a fringe playoff team despite the best crop of position players in the AL. Wishful thinking, but they are moving in a good direction.
Your rotation and lineup get you into the playoffs, but once you’re good enough to get there… It’s your bullpen and defense that will get you through the playoffs.
Been watching the twins the last couple days and have to agree that Arcia looks very good at the plate right now, we will see if that is something that is short lived but he has given himself a starting spot. With Eddie Rosario and Buxton seeming to take a platoon in CF. Nunez also is locked in and Escobar is a good SS. The twins have to rely on there starting pitching to get them back into the race.
Dozier doesn’t even run on a groundout. Bad throw. He would have been safe and a run scored