Should Garrett Jones Get A Shot?
by Jesse on May 9, 2007 12:34 PM EDT
in News
10 comments
There could be an in-house option available to updrade the DH position.
Garrett Jones is a name many Twins fans are familiar with. He's the power-hitting strikeout-prone first baseman-turned-outfielder-sorta that Minnesota has been reluctant to promote to the majors. As player molds go, he isn't a guy who has the tools the organization looks for in role players; his defense isn't flashy, he isn't quick, he generally doesn't hit for average. Generally. In the waning days of June, Jones will turn 26, and will be on his way to completing his third consecutive season in Rochester.
For the first time since 2004, Jones actually is hitting for average. While I don't expect that this is a sudden change in approach, when combined with the Twins lack of offensive depth, could it be a good time for the Twins to get a look at Garrett in Minneapolis?
Looking at the numbers it's easy to see that Jones is anything but a sure bet. With 709 career minor league strikeouts in 2713 at-bats, it'd be nice to think that the patience the organization is showing with the slugger would rub off on his approach at the plate. It certainly hasn't, but knowing that the K stands for Kryptonite, there are things that Jones could offer the Twins that current DH options Jason Tyner, Jason Kubel, Jeff Cirillo and Luis Rodriguez can't.
Power is a deceiving mistress, yet here it is. 76 homers over the last three years, 92 doubles and a .262/.322/.480 average thanks to a fantastic year in New Britain in '04. On top of that, Jones is hitting .290/.339/.470 in Rochester after 26 games this spring, collecting only three homers but totaling 11 extra-base hits.
Year Lvl AB H 2B HR RBI BB SO Avg Obp Slg
2004 A+ 66 16 5 1 6 4 19 .242 .286 .364
2004 AA 450 140 33 30 92 28 98 .311 .356 .593
2005 AAA 488 119 22 24 72 36 109 .244 .297 .445
2006 AAA 525 125 32 21 92 49 121 .238 .302 .430
2007 AAA 100 29 7 3 18 7 22 .290 .339 .470
This is by far Jones' best year in Rochester to date. He's still striking out way too much, but his power and ability to get on base are at highs for his time in AAA.
Frankly, I'm not sure that giving Garrett Jones a shot at being the everyday DH for the Twins could make the offense any more anemic. Jason Tyner (.677 OPS), Josh Rabe (.429), Luis Rodriguez (.529), Jason Kubel (.594) and Jeff Cirillo (.529) are combining to make the Twins DH position one of the most lackluster producers in the American League. All of these players bring experience to the plate, but in the grand scheme of the game aren't producing enough runs.
Terry Ryan doesn't want to go outside of the organization to pick up a hitter. Well, the options within the organization are slim pickings, and Garrett Jones could be the closest thing the Twins have to a major-league ready hitter. Do his deficiencies black out the things he does do well, or is what he does well worth a shot?
0 recs |
10 comments
Email
Print
Comments
When Garrett Jones is the answer...
Yet another season where Ryan's failure to take his team's offensive shortcomings seriously has led us to this.
As to Jones, whatever. He'd be hard pressed to be worse than the Tyners of the world, but I see no reason to believe that he can actually hit.
The difference in his 100 at bats this year from his stagnant 2005-6 campaigns is that a couple of extra singles have fallen in. His isolated power is the same--OK, but not good enough when it's the only thing you do. His walk rate is still abysmal, and his K:BB rate is essentially the same as it has been: a putrid 3:1. He isn't good enough for the major leagues. Of course, that's arguably true of several players who are actually on the Twins 25 man.
by Eric in Madison on May 9, 2007 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess my take is...
Take a flier, he cant be a worse pinch-hit option than Rodriguez...and id rather have a power threat/sac fly able hitter in the DH hole than tyner.
Dont get me wrong, I loves me some jason tyner, but when i see his name or l.rod with the letters "dh," i feel like i have kissed my sister. Ok, so I dont have a sister...but you know what I mean.
by mbennett on May 9, 2007 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd
by AdamOnFirst on May 9, 2007 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
need help from the people that would know best
by gocards80 on May 9, 2007 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It depends on his next starts...
As for Jones, ya, when he's your best option, there's a problem. I don't have much faith in him at all at this point to be a decent MLB'er. I really think the time is now for TR to make a deal.
by djskilbr on May 9, 2007 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wait for Harvey
Jones could help against right handed arms, and Ryan would probably try him before he <gasp!> traded for someone. But he's a bench bat at best. Still, it would be nice to have that bench bat late in games. Now that the bullpen is rounding into form health wise, I could see them going down to 11 pitchers to accommodate a bat like Jones.
BTW, my prediction is Sid gets hammered in his next start and gets a hook in the third inning. Then Perkins comes in and pitches five solid innings, whereupon Sid is sent packing and Perk gets his spot in the rotation. That leaves a spot for Jones.
by cmathewson on May 9, 2007 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I do think...
Either way though, I'll be happy. Sid will finally be gone (knock on wood).
by djskilbr on May 9, 2007 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jones, Harvey, Ponson
Harvey will have to show something and don't leave LeCroy off the list. I think he threw out a runner and hit a home run yesterday. If he is playing every day and his arm is back in shape and he continues to hit he may well make a good bench player for the Twins. Of course those are big ifs, but then Harvey is a big if too.
My guess is that Ponson continues to pitch just well enough to hold his spot in the rotation.
by TT on May 9, 2007 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bench.....
Redmond (and Heintz) as catcher. Given.
Rodriguez as back-up infielder...but we should be taking a strng look at Matt Tolbert, whoc an actually play shortstop. Rodriguez has his ups and downs and works his at-bats. Okay, that's the good......
Jeff Cirillo. Hopefully we won't be shouting Rondell White.
Tyner or Ford. One or the other, but...please...not both. Even if Kubel is the regular left-fielder until Rondell comes back.
Rabe? Same category as Ford or Tyner and third in line. I would gamble on Garrett Jones. He can spell Justin at first (maybe) and play the outfield (in desperation). But he could DH, come off the bench...maybe he won't hit...but watching Kubel strikout twice and knowing that it could've been Josh Rabe instead...well.....
Matt LeCroy. Who knows. Not a back-up catcher. Not a back-up first baseman...third in line all those palces. Can he come off the bench?
I'm just tired to the Twins bench being Rabe, Rodriguez, Heintz (now), and the best being Tyner (if Cirillo is the DH). Nothing to go to when you want a go to. Where's the power. Where's the punch? Where's the fear?
by twintown on May 9, 2007 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
