Manuel Margot heading to IL could lead to Twins calling up a fan favorite prospect

Just when Minnesota Twins fans thought the injury bug had already chewed the roster up enough, another starter might be headed to the IL.

Outfielder Manuel Margot exited Saturday’s ass whopping at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays with what the team is calling a strained groin. He joing the likes of Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Brooks Lee, and Joe Ryan as players on the injured list as we enter the home stretch of the season.

Margot has been far from perfect this season, but he’s mashed lefty pitching enough to make up for other offensive shortcomings. He’s even become a bit of a liability on defense, but the Twins have stuck by him and will continue to do so for as long as he’s on the team.

How much longer that lasts is officially up in the air after Saturday’s injury.

It’s unclear if a stint on the IL will be needed, although Rocco Baldelli didn’t sound very optimistic after the loss on Saturday. If Margot misses time, though, it could open the door for that aforementioned third prospect to be a fan favorite that Twins Territory has been waiting all year to see.

Manuel Margot injury could lead to DaShawn Keirsey Jr. getting called up

So much has been made this season about guys bubbling to the surface in Triple-A, from Brooks Lee to David Festa and Zebby Matthews. One name has consistently been circled by Twins fans but not the team, and that might finally be about to change if Margot ends up on the IL.

DaShawn Keirsey has been someone that fans have been gassing up over the last year but he hasn’t yet gotten the call from the team. Austin Martin was called up earlier in the year and both Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach have made the leap as well, which helps explain why Keirsey has been overlooked when it comes to promotions.

It’s not for a lack of talent.

Last season he hit .294/.366/.455 between stints in Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul, and so far this year with the Saints he’s hitting .293 with 19 doubles and 14 home runs. Keirsey is also a spee demon and could end up being one of the fastest players in the league if given the chance to prove it.

He’s been teetering on the brink for some time, though. Minnesota notably did not protect him from the Rule 5 Draft last December but he went unpicked when all was said and done. Keirsey might not have the shine that a top prospect like Lee or Festa has, but he’s proven his worth in St. Paul enough to warrant a look if Margot goes down.

The Twins have almost no centerfield depth, as Austin Martin would become the new everyday man at the position with both Buxton and Margot out. Willi Castro can help fill in, but calling up Keirsey to prove if he has what it takes to hang in the big league might be the route to go.

A youth movement saved the season last year, and while Keirsey has ways to go before he’s anywhere near Larnach or Wallner, giving him the opportunity to potentially shine has the sort of upside Minnesota might be wise to check out.