2021 Minor League Thread

[Criznit]

Owen Miller appears to be trending towards a Brock Holt type role. Super duper utility guy who could end up playing all the spots in a pinch, save catcher.

He probably splits time at 3B with Krieger while filling in around the diamond on the days he's not at the hot corner. That is until Arias is playing in AAA and then he becomes the primary 3B guy and failsafe for Gimenez at SS. With Miller ready to step in for any of these folks/roles if it comes to that.

 

[CDAV45]

Owen Miller appears to be trending towards a Brock Holt type role. Super duper utility guy who could end up playing all the spots in a pinch, save catcher.

He probably splits time at 3B with Krieger while filling in around the diamond on the days he's not at the hot corner. That is until Arias is playing in AAA and then he becomes the primary 3B guy and failsafe for Gimenez at SS. With Miller ready to step in for any of these folks/roles if it comes to that.

If Arias continues his progress he's not coming off of SS. Others will have to find another position to play or go to another organization.

 

[CATS44]

I doubt that Arias dictates where the other MIFs go. A much higher probability is Gimenez.

 

[CDAV45]

Arias is the priority at SS for the future. If he doesn't outgrow the position then it's his regardless of Gimenez IMO.

 

[CDAV45]

Owen Miller appears to be trending towards a Brock Holt type role. Super duper utility guy who could end up playing all the spots in a pinch, save catcher.

He probably splits time at 3B with Krieger while filling in around the diamond on the days he's not at the hot corner. That is until Arias is playing in AAA and then he becomes the primary 3B guy and failsafe for Gimenez at SS. With Miller ready to step in for any of these folks/roles if it comes to that.

Miller is a much better hitter with more power than Brock Holt. If Miller ends up in a UIF role, it's only because of the ridiculous depth that Cleveland has and not because he's similar to Holt. Ernie Clement is closer to Brock Holt.

 

[Criznit]

Arias is the priority at SS for the future. If he doesn't outgrow the position then it's his regardless of Gimenez IMO.

But Arias is AA/AAA ready and Gimenez isn't going anywhere unless it is bad news. Perhaps there is another trade in the works but personally feel Arias is the inhouse long-term replacement for JRam. Given his makeup he might need very little time at the hot corner in order to play it well. He does have minimal minor league experience at 3rd in his short career. Whatever happens, we have options and that is a very good thing.

 

[Gson]

Miller is a much better hitter with more power than Brock Holt. If Miller ends up in a UIF role, it's only because of the ridiculous depth that Cleveland has and not because he's similar to Holt. Ernie Clement is closer to Brock Holt.

Brock Holt has spent all or part of 11 seasons as a Major League player..I'd take that..

 

[CDAV45]

Brock Holt has spent all or part of 11 seasons as a Major League player..I'd take that..

I’d take Miller everyday of the week over Holt.

 

[Gson]

I’d take Miller everyday of the week over Holt.

me too.. and I'll even watch & wait the 11 years to see it..

 

[sportscoach]

I’d take Miller everyday of the week over Holt.

And if Clement can be a Brock Holt, that's another good problem to have.

Could we see Jones in LF, Johnson in CF, Valera in RF, with an INF of Arias at 3B, Gimenez at SS, Freeman at 2B, Miller at 1B with Clement as one of the utility guys in a couple seasons?

 

[CDAV45]

And if Clement can be a Brock Holt, that's another good problem to have.

Could we see Jones in LF, Johnson in CF, Valera in RF, with an INF of Arias at 3B, Gimenez at SS, Freeman at 2B, Miller at 1B with Clement as one of the utility guys in a couple seasons?

What are your plans for Naylor, and Miller isn't a 1B IMO. I started to type out how I believe things will shake out positionally and quickly realized that I have no freaking idea. Here are a few things that I'm confident in saying:
1. They view Josh Naylor as the future LF for this team.
2. They like Jones at 1B, but that will be determined by Bradley's performance.
3. They view Arias as the future SS and that his value lies there. They are extremely high on this kid.
4. I think they like Miller as much or more than Freeman.
5. There's too much IF talent for Clement to even be a factor.
6. DJ may have a new home before too long.

 

[CATS44]

We didn't trade Lindor and Cookie for two shortstops we didn't plan on using, at least one of which wasn't viewed as a long time core player.

 

[CDAV45]

I don't even know what that means. We didn't get a SS back in the Bauer deal if he wasn't viewed as a long time core player either.

Arias is as least a year away, and likely 2 and Rosario isn't a SS. At least not for this organization. So they got Gimenez and he's going to be used as a SS until Arias forces him out and there's still a chance that Arias falters. Then again, there's a chance that Gimenez underperforms as well.

 

[sportscoach]

I don't even know what that means. We didn't get a SS back in the Bauer deal if he wasn't viewed as a long time core player either.

Arias is as least a year away, and likely 2 and Rosario isn't a SS. At least not for this organization. So they got Gimenez and he's going to be used as a SS until Arias forces him out and there's still a chance that Arias falters. Then again, there's a chance that Gimenez underperforms as well.

Gimenez is the better overall athlete when comparing him and Arias, but Arias will be bigger hence why I move him over to 3B and keep Gimenez at SS. Freeman and Miller are likely going to end up off of SS, so 2B/3B. Valera is supposed to end up with one of the OF spots. On paper we should have a good problem of too much talent for not enough spots.

 

[Criznit]

Gimenez is the better overall athlete when comparing him and Arias, but Arias will be bigger hence why I move him over to 3B and keep Gimenez at SS. Freeman and Miller are likely going to end up off of SS, so 2B/3B. Valera is supposed to end up with one of the OF spots. On paper we should have a good problem of too much talent for not enough spots.

What makes Arias "stand apart" in this pickle is his arm. On the broadcast the other day Mike Sarbaugh was joking about not letting the pitching coach see his cannon or they may lose him.. Ha Ha.

Arias may start in AA, but that is where he likely would have played in 2020, so it is possible he starts in AAA or smashes his way out of Akron in 50ish games or so. He has looked great so far, but he does have some concerns.. He has tended to strikeout a lot in his young career. I have no issue with slowing his roll and having him spend the bulk of his season in AA. But maybe his bat won't agree and his glove is already ML ready or close to it...

Freeman and to a lesser extent Miller, are not known for possessing plus arms or plus defense in general, so they are not great options for 3rd IMHO. Miller will get a look at 3rd in AAA and maybe he blossoms....Tyler did get his first ever start at 3B the other day, so who knows..

It seems unrealistic Arias's play alone will bump Gimenez off of SS, unless Gimenez is the one facilitating that by sucking. Or begging to play another position, or getting traded or turning into a pumpkin..

Oh and one more thing in case it is forgotten, Arias is already on the 40 man.