Minnesota Sports Forum

Not much here, but Kepler might be on the opening day roster.

http://www.startribune.com/twins-kepler-may-be-on-rise/360423221/

bleedspeed177 wrote:Not much here, but Kepler might be on the opening day roster.

http://www.startribune.com/twins-kepler-may-be-on-rise/360423221/

I think Kepler actually has a better chance of making the roster than Buxton. The Twins always liked Kepler, but I sense they are pleasantly surprised that he is playing better than they would have projected...really took a quantum leap last year. But I think both will make it and Buxton will start in center...just too much speed and defense to not put him out there, and the potential is there at the plate. I think Kepler will start the season as a 4th outfielder and regular DH if Park isn't quite ready to face major league pitching. Ryan has said Park will be the DH once he shows he is ready though.

If Kepler really does have the goods, either he or Sano could take over first base with the other taking a corner outfield spot.

I still think he's a good trade chip at this point.

How is this team finding AB's for Park, Mauer, Plouffe, Kepler and Sano at the same time? Sano and Mauer are in the lineup regardless because one is too good to bench and the other too expensive. That's 5 guys for 4 spots and Sano is likely playing a corner infield spot in interleague play when there's 3 spots for 5 guys.

khans2k5 wrote:How is this team finding AB's for Park, Mauer, Plouffe, Kepler and Sano at the same time? Sano and Mauer are in the lineup regardless because one is too good to bench and the other too expensive. That's 5 guys for 4 spots and Sano is likely playing a corner infield spot in interleague play when there's 3 spots for 5 guys.

1B: Mauer
3B: Plouffe
LF: Sano
DH: Park

Rotate in the outfield: Kepler, Buxton

Kepler can also play first base, and we know Mauer's going to need his days off.

Camden wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:How is this team finding AB's for Park, Mauer, Plouffe, Kepler and Sano at the same time? Sano and Mauer are in the lineup regardless because one is too good to bench and the other too expensive. That's 5 guys for 4 spots and Sano is likely playing a corner infield spot in interleague play when there's 3 spots for 5 guys.

1B: Mauer
3B: Plouffe
LF: Sano
DH: Park

Rotate in the outfield: Kepler, Buxton

Kepler can also play first base, and we know Mauer's going to need his days off.

Exactly. And I would include Rosario in the rotation too. Assuming Sano can play a little 3B when Plouffe needs an occasional day off, we have 7 guys for the 3 OF spots, DH, and the corner infield positions. And that's a great situation, having one extra man for the 6 power spots. Injuries and slumps happen, and if neither happens, all the better...one guy gets a day off once a week.

Camden0916 wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:How is this team finding AB's for Park, Mauer, Plouffe, Kepler and Sano at the same time? Sano and Mauer are in the lineup regardless because one is too good to bench and the other too expensive. That's 5 guys for 4 spots and Sano is likely playing a corner infield spot in interleague play when there's 3 spots for 5 guys.

1B: Mauer
3B: Plouffe
LF: Sano
DH: Park

Rotate in the outfield: Kepler, Buxton

Kepler can also play first base, and we know Mauer's going to need his days off.

I don't know. The defensive drop off from Rosario to Sano in left would be a lot bigger than Plouffe to Sano at third in my opinion. I guess that moves Sano to RF, but I just don't see a guy like Sano ever being that good of an outfielder. He's a big dude to cover much ground out there (successful 260lb outfielders don't really exist). Found this on ESPN saying we're gonna do it though.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/66774/twins-say-theyll-play-miguel-sano-in-the-outfield

I don't know, khans, I'm actually optimistic about Sano in the OF. He's huge, but he's actually fast...not Rosario/Buxton fast of course, but faster than guys we've had out there before (Willingham, Cuddyer, etc.). Keep in mind this guy came up as a SS (check out the documentary Ballplayer:pellitaro about Sano as a teenager on Netflix), but has been erratic in the minors at third. I like that the Twins made this decision in the fall rather than spring training, so Miguel as the winter to develop as a LF.

I don't see Sanos in the outfield. How many OF would actually be bigger then him?

I would love him to play 1B or 3B. I am huge a Kepler future and wouldn't trade him.

bleedspeed177 wrote:I don't see Sanos in the outfield. How many OF would actually be bigger then him?

I would love him to play 1B or 3B. I am huge a Kepler future and wouldn't trade him.

Ha, probably no OFers will be bigger than Sano, but I'm sure I could find 20 slower and less athletic than he is. I think you can always teach a SS to play the outfield, and especially at his young age.

I just don't see a better fit for him. The Twins haven't liked his development at 3b, and we already have Mauer and Park at 1b, and maybe even Vargas if he could return to 2014 form. I think Ryan was smart to turn him into an OF...let's see how it works out.