I heard somewhere once that the biggest jump in the minor league system is the one between high-A and Double-A. I don’t know if that’s actually true, but as I get to New Britain Stadium and get settled I find that I can believe it. For the first time I am in a sizable stadium designed for a minor league team (Hammond Field was also sizable, but it was clearly designed with the Twins in mind – Fort Myers is just an occupant in the months between spring training seasons). I also immediately notice ...
Updated 08-12-2012 at 07:32 PM by IdahoPilgrim
Earlier today, I posted the Twins Minor League Leader Board for the hitters. Now comes the leader board among Twins minor league pitchers. Pitchers are more difficult to compare against each other. Comparing starting pitchers with relievers is really difficult. So, what I've done is set two limits for many of these categories. I used a 40 inning limit, and then I used an 80 innings limit. There have been a couple of starters who have pitched well and consistently in the minors this year. There have ...
As we get closer to the end of the minor league seasons, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the leaders in many statistical categories. Throughout the season, Twins Daily has posted daily minor league reports. Within those, some names certainly tend to find their way into the reports more frequently than others. At the same time, there are others who have just been solid throughout the season and may surprise you when you see some of their rankings. There is still another 3-4 weeks, ...
I mentioned when I wrote my Notes from Day 3 in Beloit that due to travel, returning to work and some other things, I may not get to Notes from Day 4 for a bit. I really didn’t want it to take almost a week. However, it has. That said, I still feel compelled to write more about my trip to Beloit because it was such a great time. The Snappers are playing really well. Their lineup is really coming together well. Their starting staff has been terrific, generally providing the team with a Quality Start. ...
Three batters into the game, Nick Blackburn had given up two mammoth home runs and the Twins were down 3-0. He actually settled down nicely after that, giving up just one more run (a second long BJ Upton home run) and working into the 7th inning. The bullpen did a nice job and kept the Rays at four runs. Unfortunately, the Twins offense didn’t do much in this game off of David Price. Justin Morneau and Darin Mastroianni each had two hits. Brian Dozier hit hit sixth home run. The Twins fall to 49-64. ...
Originally posted on The Terrific (Minnesota) Twins blog http://terrificmntwins.blogspot.com/ For most Major League baseball teams the way to evaluate which positions need an upgrade would probably be to look at the nine positions individually, but with the Minnesota Twins grouping a couple positions together will be necessary, due to the versatility of Ryan Doumit, the need to give Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham rest at DH, Joe Mauer's inability to be a full time catcher, ...
Greetings from the East Bay. I realized the night before last that this game was being played in San Francisco (for some reason I thought it was at the dome, probably because they play in the regular season there), so I scrambled to find some tickets online and made the game. Granted it's the first preseason game so you can't gauge much, but dammit I'll try. Before I get to the game, I have to describe this weather. As a Minnesotan by birth, it is in my DNA to discuss weather in depth ...
This was originally posed at Knuckleballsblog.com. I’m not sure any sport has spawned more clichés than baseball. Right now, though, even clichés that are applicable to multiple sports seem to make me think of the Twins. As I’ve been following the the team lately, I keep hearing various clichés in my mind (“look the ball in to your glove, Nishi.” “Make sure of one, Nishi.”). ...
The Twins lost 12-6 to the Tampa Bay Rays. It was not a pretty game. Sure, Joe Mauer had three hits, and Ryan Doumit had a home run, but that was not a pretty game. Down 8-1 after an inning and a half makes for a long game. At least we have plenty of positives throughout the Twins farm system, so let’s just jump right into that! Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from the Friday games in the minor leagues. ROCHESTER 3, PAWTUCKET 9 ...
Trevor Plouffe is going on a rehab assignment and will be back with the Twins on Monday if all goes well. He was quoted today saying only direct pressure applied to the nerve bothers him, and they have figured out a way to avoid this happening. On one hand, I'm worried for the people along the 1st base line in Rochester tomorrow, and on the other I will be smashing F5 to see if he hits a HR. It has almost been an entire month since he has been out of the line-up, so I want to retouch his break-out ...
I pull into the parking lot of the motel just north of Baltimore and get a room for the night. I lay back on the bed for a minute and I realize one thing – I am tired! So tired that I decide to throw dietary cautions to the wind and call the local Pizza Hut for a delivery. As I knew it would be, it has been a long haul these past couple of days, heading out from Fort Myers on Thursday morning, stopping for the night in Somewhere, South Carolina, and then continuing on today through North Carolina, ...
Updated 08-10-2012 at 07:21 PM by IdahoPilgrim
Originally posted on The Terrific (Minnesota) Twins blog, http://terrificmntwins.blogspot.com/ The Twins have used eleven starting pitchers this year. The starting pitching has been the downfall for this team. Here is a look at how the Twins got each of their starters, why they are starting, and why they are no longer starting if they are not anymore. Nick Blackburn(17 games started) Nick Blackburn was drafted by the Minnesota Twins ...
So who is going to be in the starting rotation for 2013? Seems like this question has been beat to death, but I honestlly haven't read many concrete suggestions. What I see after Diamond is a pile of hot Chicago garbage. DeVries has been a revelation and if he continues to pitch well he should get a shot next year, but I still don't trust him with his high home run rate. Blackburn should be cut, Deduno is not a long term starter, but has been fun to watch at times. Duensing belongs in ...