Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/19): The Return of May

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/3251-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(7-19)-The-Return-of-May

[diehardtwinsfan]

Can we safely assume that the 3 inning start was planned?

[Tibs]

What do Harrison, Walker, and Kepler have to do to move up to AA next year?

[Seth Stohs]

Can we safely assume that the 3 inning start was planned?

 

I think that would be fair. It had been a month.

[Seth Stohs]

What do Harrison, Walker, and Kepler have to do to move up to AA next year?

 

Harrison - maybe show a bit of power, because it's there.

Walker - continue to improve the contact rate, strike zone judgment,walk rate, etc.

Kepler - needs to play. He's missed a lot of time this year and last. I think he needs to repeat at this point.

[Teddy]

Seth,

 

A suggestion: Could you start posting the farm teams' respective records and their playoff positioning as part of your report? Sure, I can go look them up at milb.com, but I'd rather get all of the pertinent data from Twins Daily.

 

Thanks!

 

Teddy

[benji21]

Wow, where to begin? There seem to be a lot of exciting young men in the lower levels. Berrios and Thorpe may be figuring out their respective levels, Swim, Garver, Christensen,Kanzler, Burdi, Boyd, Murphy! (Just to name a couple). Pretty cool to follow these guys. Hopefully some can pan out.

[Seth Stohs]

Wow, where to begin? There seem to be a lot of exciting young men in the lower levels. Berrios and Thorpe may be figuring out their respective levels, Swim, Garver, Christensen,Kanzler, Burdi, Boyd, Murphy! (Just to name a couple). Pretty cool to follow these guys. Hopefully some can pan out.

 

It definitely is. We have to take a lot of things into consideration in terms of what is deemed a prospect, but the stories are all interesting. The reality is that regardless of prospect status, we don't know who will or won't become a star, a starter, a part timer or get a cup of coffee. It's what makes it fun for me to follow.

[ashbury]

Kepler - needs to play. He's missed a lot of time this year and last. I think he needs to repeat at this point.

 

The problem with repeating is that he's already on the 40-man so the options are a-burnin'. In two more years the Twins will have a decision to make, and I would think results at a higher level will be what they want to base it on. Assessment versus development is thus a dilemma.

[naobermiller]

Can we safely assume that the 3 inning start was planned?

 

The question I have, is why was it planned. May threw 47 pitches. 50 pitches seems like a ridiculously low pitch count, especially for a calf strain.

 

If I'm putting my tin foil hat on and getting creative, could it be possible the Twins saw a poor outing from Pino at AAA, wanted May to go out and test the leg, but then cut him short after three innings, consider this a bull pen session and have him ready to start for the Twins on Tuesday?

 

The optimist in me is begging for this to be the case. I realize it's more likely that May is going to have a few starts at AAA since coming off the injury. 50 pitches just seemed very very low...

[Tibs]

The problem with repeating is that he's already on the 40-man so the options are a-burnin'. In two more years the Twins will have a decision to make, and I would think results at a higher level will be what they want to base it on. Assessment versus development is thus a dilemma.

 

That's what I was thinking with Kepler. He probably should repeat Fort Myers, but going from High A to MLB in 2 years is a lot to expect.

 

At this point I expect Walker and Harrison to move up next year, but I would understand if they didn't start in AA.

[drjim]

The question I have, is why was it planned. May threw 47 pitches. 50 pitches seems like a ridiculously low pitch count, especially for a calf strain.

 

If I'm putting my tin foil hat on and getting creative, could it be possible the Twins saw a poor outing from Pino at AAA, wanted May to go out and test the leg, but then cut him short after three innings, consider this a bull pen session and have him ready to start for the Twins on Tuesday?

 

The optimist in me is begging for this to be the case. I realize it's more likely that May is going to have a few starts at AAA since coming off the injury. 50 pitches just seemed very very low...

 

Tuesday is too quick, but it could be setting up for him to start soon after that.

[Oxtung]

The problem with repeating is that he's already on the 40-man so the options are a-burnin'. In two more years the Twins will have a decision to make, and I would think results at a higher level will be what they want to base it on. Assessment versus development is thus a dilemma.

 

This is why it made no sense to add him to the 40 man last year. Nobody was going to draft a 1B/corner OF coming off an injury at low A ball. I don't know if he'll ever make it to the majors but if he does it won't be with the Twins now.

[Otwins]

No Buxton in Fort Myers box score. Is his wrist OK? Read where he was hit by a pitch but finished the game.

[naobermiller]

Buxton missing his second consecutive game.....

[70charger]

The problem with repeating is that he's already on the 40-man so the options are a-burnin'. In two more years the Twins will have a decision to make, and I would think results at a higher level will be what they want to base it on. Assessment versus development is thus a dilemma.

 

 

Doesn't he get an extra option as a 16-year old international signee who spent multiple seasons in short-season ball? From baseball america, talking about "fourth option" players:

 

Players who spend multiple seasons in short-season leagues, where they don’t accrue 90 days on an active roster because the season doesn’t last that long. This is particularly true for international players who sign at age 16 and require an acclimation period before embarking on a full-season league assignment. For example, an international teen might spend a summer in the Dominican Summer League, one in the Arizona League and one in the Northwest League before he’s ready for full-season ball in Year Four. Only when he completes 90 days in low Class A will he receive credit for a season.

Example: The Giants’ Francisco Peguero did not receive credit for a “professional season” in 2006 or ’07, which he spent in the DSL, or 2009, when he spent fewer than 90 days on an active roster. In his case, only his 2008, ’10, ’11 and ’12 seasons count when determining eligibility for a fourth option. San Francisco has optioned Peguero to the minors three times during his four pro “seasons,” so he’s eligible for a fourth option this season.

 

It gives them some breathing room, but his injury history would be very concerning with three options or four, so we'll just have to hope for health.

[naobermiller]

Aaron Hicks goes 1-5 with three strike outs, but that one hit was a grand slam

[Oxtung]

Doesn't he get an extra option as a 16-year old international signee who spent multiple seasons in short-season ball? From baseball america, talking about "fourth option" players:

 

 

 

It gives them some breathing room, but his injury history would be very concerning with three options or four, so we'll just have to hope for health.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. I had forgotten that from the offseason. That does give more breathing room. I still think it was a poor decision regardless. We will just have to see how it plays out.

[h2oface]

Buxton was hit on "that" wrist and stayed in the 17 inning game, but has not played since. Isn't this a story? Why? Is he OK?

 

edit: found some info here http://www.twinsdaily.com/entry.php/5501-Buxton-Out-for-Second-Straight-Game

 

Nothing even on the miracle site. Weird.

[drjim]

Thanks for pointing that out. I had forgotten that from the offseason. That does give more breathing room. I still think it was a poor decision regardless. We will just have to see how it plays out.

 

I agree that it was unnecessary, but the only "cost" is that he locked up a 40 man roster spot this year. Aside from the nonsensical shenanigans, that really wasn't a big issue - and that had other causes aside from Kepler that could have easily prevented the issue.