Twins Minor League Offseason Interviews

[Seth Stohs]

Throughout the offseason, I'll be doing Q&As with many Twins minor leaguers. I'd like to leave an open thread where people can let me know who you would like to learn more about. 

 

Leave a list of 4-6 players you'd like to see interviewed, and feel free to let me know a couple of questions you'd like to know for each, if you want. 

 

I'll see what I can do.

[Thrylos]

Talk to Alex Meyer, Oswaldo Arcia & Jorge Polanco and ask them how do they feel being by-passed for the September call ups.

[ashbury]

Talk to Alex Meyer, Oswaldo Arcia & Jorge Polanco and ask them how do they feel being by-passed for the September call ups.

"Pleased to meet you too, Mr Stohs. Let's plan to never chat again, OK?"

 

[twinsnorth49]

Id love to hear from Arcia, to hear what he thinks contributed to his struggles this year and what he feels he needs to do to make the 25 man next Spring.

[Loosey]

Stephen Gonsalves:

 

Ask him what his realistic expectations are for next season in terms of progressing through the organization?  Does he have any relationship with Berrios and does he plan on going through a workout regimen like he did in order to go from a really good prospect to fantastic?

[BoomBoom]

I would love to hear from Walker and what he is being told from FO about overall game and improvements needed. How he felt about season and what he is hoping to accomplish in AFL? Same for Turner?

 

Also love to hear from Melotakis and Bard about their feelings about past year and upcoming season goals?

 

For my fifth player, I would like to hear from Goodrum and whether he feels like movement to another team is probably in his best interest moving forward?

 

The main question I would like to know is whether the Twins talk to them / players specifically about expectations for upcoming seasons? Do players have system goals set for each player going into Spring? Or is it just go be professional and we will let you know if we like what you're doing?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Lewis Thorpe and recovery from Tommy John as well as his expectations this season.

[sane]

 

Talk to Alex Meyer, Oswaldo Arcia & Jorge Polanco and ask them how do they feel being by-passed for the September call ups.

Please ask NO QUESTIONS that start with "How did you feel when.....?

[sane]

 

"Pleased to meet you too, Mr Stohs. Let's plan to never chat again, OK?"

 

"Go talk to the tree!"

[sane]

 

Id love to hear from Arcia, to hear what he thinks contributed to his struggles this year and what he feels he needs to do to make the 25 man next Spring.

Step #1.....Get a realistic haircut.

[DocBauer]

#1 Kepler and his big season. What was the biggest reason/difference? How does he see his role in 2016? How was his 2 week call up experience? (Hopefully he actually plays)

 

#2 Polanco and his role for next season as he sees it. SS vs 2B in his opinion. The differences for him, what he needs to work on.

 

#3 Meyer. Delicately...why the big drop,off the first half? Injury? Mechanics? His views on relieving and what he sees going forward for himself.

 

#4 and #5 Gonsalves and Thorpe. The two top LHSP in the system. Both very young. One coming off an excellent season at A and A+, (what does he feel he needs to work on to advance, and what did he learn this year), and the other, Thorpe, coming off surgery and rehab. How is it going? What stage is he in? Any projection from the Twins on where he begins the next season?

[Seth Stohs]

 

#1 Kepler and his big season. What was the biggest reason/difference? How does he see his role in 2016? How was his 2 week call up experience? (Hopefully he actually plays)

#2 Polanco and his role for next season as he sees it. SS vs 2B in his opinion. The differences for him, what he needs to work on.

#3 Meyer. Delicately...why the big drop,off the first half? Injury? Mechanics? His views on relieving and what he sees going forward for himself.

#4 and #5 Gonsalves and Thorpe. The two top LHSP in the system. Both very young. One coming off an excellent season at A and A+, (what does he feel he needs to work on to advance, and what did he learn this year), and the other, Thorpe, coming off surgery and rehab. How is it going? What stage is he in? Any projection from the Twins on where he begins the next season?

 

For Kepler, Berrios and Hildenberger, as minor league player of the year choices, we'll do extended stories on them for the Prospect Handbook which hopefully will be available in mid-December again this year.

 

Keep the questions coming. This is good. Also, who are some of your favorite lesser-known or publicized minor leaguers? 

[Loosey]

Alex Wimmers:

 

This is the first season in his pro career where he really was fully healthy and was able to pitch in a full season without being limited by innings.  Was he happy with this season and does he expect to have a full-time role out of the bullpen in the future after being pretty much lights out after August's move to the bullpen?  OR does he still expect to be a starter going forward? 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Stephen Gonsalves:

 

Ask him what his realistic expectations are for next season in terms of progressing through the organization?  Does he have any relationship with Berrios and does he plan on going through a workout regimen like he did in order to go from a really good prospect to fantastic?

I'm not Seth but I talked to Stephen for about 10 minutes on Saturday after his start in Instructionals.  The biggest difference he said this year was feeling more secure in his changeup, he went from throwing it 10% of the time in 2014 to 27% of the time in 2015.  Not much of a relationship with Berrios from what I can gather, Zach Tillery and him seem to be tight.  He misses his downtime surfing in Cali.  He plans on adding muscle with his workout regime but also keeping his flexibility.

[clutterheart]

Do you speak Spanish?

It would be nice to hear from Randy Rosario, Yorman Landa on their recoveries

 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Do you speak Spanish?

It would be nice to hear from Randy Rosario, Yorman Landa on their recoveries

I speak enough to get me around a history and physical examination in my office, plus I know their ESL teacher at the complex so she'd gladly help too.

[jokin]

 

1) Nick Gordon  Key to his big success at the plate after May 31... goals for next year... influence of his brother/father in his off-season workout plans

 

2) Alex Meyer Retrace his timeline with him... from being the most dominant pitcher in the International League up until early August, 2014, his shoulder problems cropping up in late August of that year, to his rehab program, to struggling badly in spring training and into the regular season, to his banishment to the bullpen followed by an up and down completion to the season, to where he is now with his mechanics and stuff, to what the near future holds for him as a MN Twin...

 

3) Nick Burdi  Retrace a similar timeline to Meyer's... from a top preseason prospect pick to click to inglorious demotion back to A ball, to a mixed bag of part-redemption/part nightmare upon his return to Chattanooga from August 14 to September 20 (1.77 ERA .178 BA 14.16 K/9   but also a horrendous 7.97 BB/9 with a clearly unacceptable 1.52 WHIP)  What do the Twins have him specifically focusing on in the offseason to move beyond the 2015 disappointments?

 

4) Tyler Jay What are the differences between NCAA and HIgh A hitting?  What have the Twins coaches added or subtracted from his pitching repertoire and workout routines?  What are his goals in 2016?  Starting? Relieving? Starting in High A?  Relieving in AA as a fast track route to the majors, instead?

 

 

[Badsmerf]

Felix Jorge is my favorite under the radar guy. What was the difference this season compared to last? What does he need to do in Fort Meyers next year to be successful.?

[sane]

 

I speak enough to get me around a history and physical examination in my office, plus I know their ESL teacher at the complex so she'd gladly help too.

WARNNG!

Do NOT say "Besa me culo" under any circumstances!

[TRex]

I vote for LaMonte Wade. He seemed to contribute a little bit of everything this year (avg, XBH, steals, W), is that what we can expect in the future?

[Loosey]

 

I'm not Seth but I talked to Stephen for about 10 minutes on Saturday after his start in Instructionals.  The biggest difference he said this year was feeling more secure in his changeup, he went from throwing it 10% of the time in 2014 to 27% of the time in 2015.  Not much of a relationship with Berrios from what I can gather, Zach Tillery and him seem to be tight.  He misses his downtime surfing in Cali.  He plans on adding muscle with his workout regime but also keeping his flexibility.

Sweet!  Thanks!

[goulik]

I vote for LaMonte Wade. He seemed to contribute a little bit of everything this year (avg, XBH, steals, W), is that what we can expect in the future?

I was going to ask for LaMonte Wade questions so I'm glad Im not alone. How he feels about his great pro start. Where did he expect/hope to get drafted. Describe The experience of the move up a level for the playoffs and his first professional playoffs. What does he see that he really needs to work on next.

[goulik]

Kohl Stewart: what pitch is he most comfortable with. Does he see a need to increase his K rate and if so, what is he doing to address it.

[goulik]

Brett Doe: would you ever even consider marrying a gal named Jane?

[jokin]

 

I was going to ask for LaMonte Wade questions so I'm glad Im not alone. How he feels about his great pro start. Where did he expect/hope to get drafted. Describe The experience of the move up a level for the playoffs and his first professional playoffs. What does he see that he really needs to work on next.

 

I hope you have time to adopt Wade again next year, I appreciated your updates.

 

Wade is an intriguing under the radar prospect, who appears destined to be blocked at the chance of ever playing with the Twins.  I'd like for Seth to ask what goes through Wade's mind, knowing that Buxton, Hicks, Rosario and Kepler will limit his opportunities for promotion over the next 5-7 years, no matter how well quickly he progresses through the organization.

[TRex]

 

I'd like for Seth to ask what goes through Wade's mind, knowing that Buxton, Hicks, Rosario and Kepler will limit his opportunities for promotion over the next 5-7 years, no matter how well quickly he progresses through the organization.

If he goes on the '1-level-per-year' plan, and starts next year in low-A,  Hicks will be a FA, and Rosario in his second year of arbitration!

 

By analogy, neither Span nor Revere were with the Twins long enough to block Wade (at the pace indicated). 

[ashbury]

WARNNG!

Do NOT say "Besa me culo" under any circumstances!

Such as, in a TD discussion thread?

[zenser]

Trey Vavra...just because

 

[nytwinsfan]

 

1) Nick Gordon  Key to his big success at the plate after May 31... goals for next year... influence of his brother/father in his off-season workout plans

 

2) Alex Meyer Retrace his timeline with him... from being the most dominant pitcher in the International League up until early August, 2014, his shoulder problems cropping up in late August of that year, to his rehab program, to struggling badly in spring training and into the regular season, to his banishment to the bullpen followed by an up and down completion to the season, to where he is now with his mechanics and stuff, to what the near future holds for him as a MN Twin...

 

3) Nick Burdi  Retrace a similar timeline to Meyer's... from a top preseason prospect pick to click to inglorious demotion back to A ball, to a mixed bag of part-redemption/part nightmare upon his return to Chattanooga from August 14 to September 20 (1.77 ERA .178 BA 14.16 K/9   but also a horrendous 7.97 BB/9 with a clearly unacceptable 1.52 WHIP)  What do the Twins have him specifically focusing on in the offseason to move beyond the 2015 disappointments?

 

4) Tyler Jay What are the differences between NCAA and HIgh A hitting?  What have the Twins coaches added or subtracted from his pitching repertoire and workout routines?  What are his goals in 2016?  Starting? Relieving? Starting in High A?  Relieving in AA as a fast track route to the majors, instead?

I agree with these. Good choices and reasons.

[bird]

Ivan Arteaga/Stu Cliburn. Ask about whether they have unique challenges in coaching high velocity pitchers, and in coaching relievers being converted to starters. More specifically, ask them to address the opinion that the Twins don't know how to coach fire-ballers. Have them add some clarity and historical context to the widely-held view that the Twins have operated with a pitch-to-contact philosophy. Ask them if they have any explanation for why the Twins have been so consistently horrible at getting K's. Is this a development issue?