Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/11): Ryan Eades' Best Professional Start

[Steven Buhr]

Eades has been dogged by a lot of people ever since he was drafted. His bad starts get "I told you so" and his good starts are largely ignored.

 

He had more bad starts than good ones in the first half of last season at CR, so even when he put together a few much better starts in the second half, his season numbers weren't impressive. But he DID have a decent 2nd half and was a major reason the Kernels made the postseason.

 

He's done good work in Fort Myers this season, but I'd imagine this might be the first start (or one of very few) where he struck out a batter per inning. If he can start showing that kind of domination on a more consistent basis, maybe he'll get more love from the fan base. I hope so.

[tellis205]

 

Yep. I would have started a "Byron Buxton How Soon Is Now?" thread, except I generally assumed that that was obvious (based on the dissension to that premise in the major league thread... and I guess in this thread, seems I was mistaken).

Here's his slash line over his last 200 PAs (April 27- 45 games):

.309/.375/.537/(.912) wOBA .410

And besides being back to putting up video game-like numbers, he's been fully healthy at the top of the order, playing in all but one game for Chattanooga.

On this one, there's no Trevor Plouffe/Joe Mauer/Torii Hunter blockage questions.... So... What's holding this one up

He's not going anywhere until after the AA all-star game.   After that, the super 2 cutoff date will probably come into play.  My personal feeling is he'll open up in center field on the day that play resumes after the mlb all-star game.  

[tellis205]

 

Yep. I would have started a "Byron Buxton How Soon Is Now?" thread, except I generally assumed that that was obvious (based on the dissension to that premise in the major league thread... and I guess in this thread, seems I was mistaken).

Here's his slash line over his last 200 PAs (April 27- 45 games):

.309/.375/.537/(.912) wOBA .410

And besides being back to putting up video game-like numbers, he's been fully healthy at the top of the order, playing in all but one game for Chattanooga.

On this one, there's no Trevor Plouffe/Joe Mauer/Torii Hunter blockage questions.... So... What's holding this one up

He's not going anywhere until after the AA all-star game.   After that, the super 2 cutoff date will probably come into play.  My personal feeling is he'll open up in center field on the day that play resumes after the mlb all-star game.  

[jokin]

He's not going anywhere until after the AA all-star game.   After that, the super 2 cutoff date will probably come into play.  My personal feeling is he'll open up in center field on the day that play resumes after the mlb all-star game.

The Super 2 date has in all likelihood already passed- probably with 99.99% certainty. Although your post-ASG debut is certainly plausible, the Twins might want to have him debut in Target Field- and there is the Futures Game to consider. First post-ASG home game is not until July 24 vs. the Yankees. They probably have that series sold out already, so perhaps if the Futures Game is not a priority, a pre-ASG debut at Target on July 6 vs. the Orioles, July 9 vs. the Tigers, is a possibility, as well.

 

And it's also possible that he has a cup of coffee in Rochester before a call-up.

[Mike Sixel]

If a minor league all star game is impeding his progress in any way, that is just stupid, and I have no issue typing that word...........so I hope you are wrong, and that's not why he is not in AAA or MLB.

[jokin]

If a minor league all star game is impeding his progress in any way, that is just stupid, and I have no issue typing that word...........so I hope you are wrong, and that's not why he is not in AAA or MLB.

And given last year's string of injuries, it's doubly stupid to have Buxton playing in any in-season exhibition games.

[jimbo92107]

 

Stewart had a really good game, and he apparently wasn't pleased with the umpire's zone. He was mostly throwing 90-92, but FSL radar guns are a bit behind, plus he was throwing a good changeup.

It sounds like Stewart has a lot to learn, but he's made progress in building his repertoire of pitches. The next step, which could take years, is learning command and deception. That's when he'll start getting more whiffs...or not.

[jokin]

And given last year's string of injuries, it's doubly stupid to have Buxton playing in any in-season exhibition games.

And to add to the absurdity:

 

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi 22h22 hours ago

 

USA Baseball wants @Twins top prospect Byron Buxton for Pan-Am Games roster if he's not called up by July, source says; .815 OPS at AA now.

[roger]

 

I said on a radio interview that I will be surprised if it's more than two weeks.

I personally would like to see him stay for at least three weeks so I get a chance to see him.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I said on a radio interview that I will be surprised if it's more than two weeks.

 

How long ago did you say that?13 days I hope......

[HitInAPinch]

 

Yep. I would have started a "Byron Buxton How Soon Is Now?" thread, except I generally assumed that that was obvious (based on the dissension to that premise in the major league thread... and I guess in this thread, seems I was mistaken).

Here's his slash line over his last 200 PAs (April 27- 45 games):

.309/.375/.537/(.912) wOBA .410

And besides being back to putting up video game-like numbers, he's been fully healthy at the top of the order, playing in all but one game for Chattanooga.

On this one, there's no Trevor Plouffe/Joe Mauer/Torii Hunter blockage questions.... So... What's holding this one up?

What's the rush?  Aaron Hicks is already there in CF.  After all the clamoring for him to get called up, is he no longer in the CF plans?

[jokin]

 

What's the rush?  Aaron Hicks is already there in CF.  After all the clamoring for him to get called up, is he no longer in the CF plans?

 

Since 2013, Hicks has always been a transitional bridge player to Buxton. His future likely lies as a 4th OF, as his hit tool, although improved over 2013-14, is still only around hitting with an OPS+ 72- and this in his third attempt at the big leagues.     Contrast that with Rule 5 pick,   Delino DeShields Jr, who is making the jump from AA to the majors and has an OPS+ of 106.    Buxton is a better prospect than DeShields, and ZiPS projects him to hit OPS+ 95.

Edited June 12, 2015 by jokin

[Seth Stohs]

 

It sounds like Stewart has a lot to learn, but he's made progress in building his repertoire of pitches. The next step, which could take years, is learning command and deception. That's when he'll start getting more whiffs...or not.

 

The key is to not to compare him to Berrios. Berrios was pretty polished. Stewart has more to learn, maybe more upside, but a lower floor. It'll take longer.

[Seth Stohs]

 

How long ago did you say that?13 days I hope......

 

It was last night, so yeah, 13... and Reusse predicted June 15th or something like that, so that's next Monday. Could be interesting

[jokin]

 

It was last night, so yeah, 13... and Reusse predicted June 15th or something like that, so that's next Monday. Could be interesting

 

Reusse rarely gets early scoops, but he's riding that pony for at least the last 13 days.  Let's see if he finally gets one right.

[curt1965]

The key is to not to compare him to Berrios. Berrios was pretty polished. Stewart has more to learn, maybe more upside, but a lower floor. It'll take longer.

Seth- I seem to remember I read that Stewart wasn't either allowed to, or wasn't throwing his slider last year. Anything to that?

[HitInAPinch]

 

Since 2013, Hicks has always been a transitional bridge player to Buxton. His future likely lies as a 4th OF, as his hit tool, although improved over 2013-14, is still only around hitting with an OPS+ 72- and this in his third attempt at the big leagues.     Contrast that with Rule 5 pick,   Delino DeShields Jr, who is making the jump from AA to the majors and has an OPS+ of 106.    Buxton is a better prospect than DeShields, and ZiPS projects him to hit OPS+ 95.

Aaron's failure last night certainly didn't help his case at all

I concede the point.  I've always said that Hicks would not be successful in MLB, although I really hoped he could be.  I think a change in scenery would be best for him. 

I still don't feel a need to bring up Buxton from AA, taking the same path as Hicks.  Surely it would make everyone feel like Twins management is actually trying to win, but I wouldn't want to risk another "Hicks" situation.  Send Buxton to AAA NOW and let's see how he handles advanced pitching!

 

 

[jokin]

 

Aaron's failure last night certainly didn't help his case at all

I concede the point.  I've always said that Hicks would not be successful in MLB, although I really hoped he could be.  I think a change in scenery would be best for him. 

I still don't feel a need to bring up Buxton from AA, taking the same path as Hicks.  Surely it would make everyone feel like Twins management is actually trying to win, but I wouldn't want to risk another "Hicks" situation.  Send Buxton to AAA NOW and let's see how he handles advanced pitching!

 

LOL.  

 

Agree on most of your points.  And Buck definitely needs to move, he's champing at the bit right now- reaching base 3 more times last night-  I'm just more confident that Buxton can handle the jump from AA far better than Hicks.  But certainly, a cup of coffee in AAA wouldn't hurt.

[gbg]

Regarding Stewart (I can't seem to quote on the mobile site ), remember Mat Batts' piece here recently. He said that the minors are more about process than results. Development trumps stats, in other words. Stewart is only a few years out of high school. Let him develop.