First Pitch (CT): 8:40 PM
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App
Know Yo’ Foe: Athletics Nation
Today in my weekly game thread pontification, let’s look at the Twins’ two top prospects in St. Paul who are banging down the door to get a shot: Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
Rodriguez had his best game as a pro with a two homer effort on Saturday. Aidan dove deep on him last week so I won’t spend too much time there. Jenkins is coming off his second multi-homer game in the past
week and third this month. He is hitting .415/.493/.800 in August with 7 homers, 6 stolen bases, and an insane 225 wRC+, meaning he is hitting 125% better than league average. The only real remaining question for the 21 year old was his in-game power and fair to say that has arrived. Jenkins is beyond ready.
The common argument against Jenkins or Rodriguez getting the call is, “where would we play them?” Well, that was a valid argument a month ago, not so much these days. For one or both of these outfielders to get time it will come at expense of one of the following players: Keaschall, Clemens, Lewis, Lee, Larnach, Bell, or Buxton. The outfielders are the most straightforward solution, but any of the infielders could be moved around with Bell getting more time at first base (ie: Lee to the bench, Lewis to 3B, Bell to 1B, DH opens up for one of the outfielders).
Since July 1, here are the relevant batting figures for each of that group.
- Keaschall: .953 OPS, 169 wRC+, 1.5 fWAR
- Bell: .806 OPS, 127 wRC+, 0.7 fWAR
- Lewis: .755 OPS, 109 wRC+, 0.8 fWAR
- Clemens: .733 OPS, 99 wRC+, 0.5 fWAR
- Lee: .712 OPS, 97 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR
- Larnach: .674 OPS, 88 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR
- Buxton: .471 OPS, 35 wRC+, -0.4 fWAR
Larnach has already had his role diminished. After leading off for most of the past three months, he has hit sixth, seventh, and then was benched yesterday for Roden, who deserves an extended look of his own. But honestly, I would be totally comfortable benching anyone below Lewis on the list above.
Unfortunately, the best answer right now is that Buxton needs to, at a minimum, play less often and potentially head back to the IL. He has been very clearly hurt for the past two months and while he deserves praise for fighting his way back and playing through pain, he’s hurting the team. They have two top prospects banging down the door in St. Paul who play Buxton’s position and it’s past time to give them a shot.
Even if Buxton doesn’t go on the IL, they’re wasting a roster spot on Alex Jackson who hasn’t sniffed the field since being re-added to the roster last week. Use that spot on Buxton who can still play 2-3 times per week and be used as a lefty pinch hitter late in games the rest of the way. The whole point of a manager is building relationships to have these tough conversations with your players. It’s time for Derek Shelton to earn his keep.
The Twins are slated to face lefties in their next two games, so maybe it doesn’t make sense to add either Rodriguez or Jenkins to the roster today. But if we don’t see one of them by this weekend, I would be very surprised at this point.
For now, let’s win this series against the worst team in baseball who is missing nearly their entire starting lineup and pitching numbers that even the Rockies scoff at. Nothing like some late night, late summer baseball in the beautiful city of Las Oakramento, Calivada!
