Fangraphs (and other national publications) on the Twins

[Willihammer]

Interview with Kintzler.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/brandon-kintzler-on-injuries-respect-and-a-bowling-ball-sinker/

[Willihammer]

 

On his sinker as multiple pitches: “I think if you can spot your sinker in five different areas, that’s five different pitches. I can go to both sides of the plate — that’s two, and if I want to go up in the zone with it… I mean, everybody thinks, ‘Oh, he’s only got one pitch,’ but I can move it to different coordinates of the strike zone.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/173/576/Wat8.jpg?1315930535

[Mike Sixel]

Great story here, very entertaining

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/sunday-notes-meadows-sox-surprise-mackanin-gems-twins-d-backs-more/

[Mike Sixel]

from mlbtraderumors...

 

Jw
3:10 Aside from Quintana, who are a few other impact SPs that could move?

 

Steve Adams
3:10 Ervin Santana, Jeremy Hellickson, Sonny Gray (if healthy), Jake Odorizzi, Alex Cobb

 

 

 

Brandon
3:55 E. Santana for joe kelly. Who hangs up first?

 

Steve Adams
3:55 No way the Twins move Santana for Joe Kelly

 

 

 

Rbase
3:57 Which players are potential trade chips for the Twins coming July?

 

Steve Adams
3:58 Ervin, Dozier, Kintzler, Belisle, Breslow -- short-term veterans. Hector Santiago makes sense if he's throwing well.

[King]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/byron-buxtons-tough-first-day/

[PseudoSABR]

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/byron-buxtons-tough-first-day/

This feels like overkill to me.  For whatever reason (or for a variety of reasons) Buxton is already divisive.

[Mike Sixel]

This feels like overkill to me. For whatever reason (or for a variety of reasons) Buxton is already divisive.

What is overkill?

[PseudoSABR]

 

What is overkill?

Drummed up proof of nothing.  It's overkill from the analytical perspective--how useful could a pitch-by-pitch break down of a single game ever be?  It just seems like wasted effort in breaking down what is likely to be anecdotal evidence. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

His timing and footwork are all over the place. A couple of good rounds of live BP and he'll be ok.

 

_{fingers crossed}

[Pardon My Dinger]

A game one warning flag is total overkill. Opening week, there should be way better stuff to write about.

[Thrylos]

 

Two Twins' starters are in the bottom five pitchers by contact allowed, not good:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2016-al-contact-management-by-pitch-type/

 

That chart smells, because the guy who is in the bottom of the chart overall was the one who led the AL in K/9 last season...

[Mike Sixel]

Erik
12:09 Who will produce more career WAR: Byron Buxton or Manuel Margot?

 

Dave Cameron
12:10 I'll take Buxton, but without a ton of certainty.

[Mike Sixel]

Not about the Twins, but Fangraphs has added new team pages, pretty cool stuff....

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/introducing-team-pages/

 

[Mike Sixel]

Kyle
12:09 Small sample size, sure, but Buxton hasn't looked great at the plate. Any reason for optimism that he'll make progress on the contact issues?

 

Eno Sarris
12:10 I think he's just going to have blistering months and long poor stretches where it looks like he can't hit anything. I don't like his hitting mechanics. Defense will keep him on the field.

 

Connie Mac N' Cheese
12:12 Are we seeing the dawn of the Sano breakout this season?

 

Eno Sarris
12:13 I love it. I don't know what his strikeout rate will look like, but I've been saying that he has 40+ HR power and just needs to stay healthy and is too young to call injury prone.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Kyle
12:09 Small sample size, sure, but Buxton hasn't looked great at the plate. Any reason for optimism that he'll make progress on the contact issues?

 

Eno Sarris
12:10 I think he's just going to have blistering months and long poor stretches where it looks like he can't hit anything. I don't like his hitting mechanics. Defense will keep him on the field.

 

Connie Mac N' Cheese
12:12 Are we seeing the dawn of the Sano breakout this season?

 

Eno Sarris
12:13 I love it. I don't know what his strikeout rate will look like, but I've been saying that he has 40+ HR power and just needs to stay healthy and is too young to call injury prone.

I think defense can keep him on the field to a point. That is the strength we are all counting on.

 

Question: What is the minimum BA Buck has to maintain to remain an MLB regular? Or minimum OBP? Or whatever hitting stat you pick...

[Vanimal46]

I think defense can keep him on the field to a point. That is the strength we are all counting on.

 

Question: What is the minimum BA Buck has to maintain to remain an MLB regular? Or minimum OBP? Or whatever hitting stat you pick...

As long as Buxton is above the Mendoza line and providing elite defense I would keep him in the lineup.

 

I agree with the Fangraphs author that Buxton will slump for weeks then go on a tear to improve the overall numbers.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

As long as Buxton is above the Mendoza line and providing elite defense I would keep him in the lineup.

I agree with the Fangraphs author that Buxton will slump for weeks then go on a tear to improve the overall numbers.

OK, good. Mendoza line.

Maybe I can be OK with that. Or at least I could if he had a decent walk rate.

A .220 OBP cannot possibly be tolerated for a whole year though, can it?

Not trying to argue. Just interested in viewpoints. 

[Dantes929]

 

As long as Buxton is above the Mendoza line and providing elite defense I would keep him in the lineup.

I agree with the Fangraphs author that Buxton will slump for weeks then go on a tear to improve the overall numbers.

Sounds like Dozier.   Was hoping he would start on a tear so the sentence would read "Buxton will have hot streaks and then slump for weeks to weaken the overall numbers."

[Vanimal46]

OK, good. Mendoza line.

Maybe I can be OK with that. Or at least I could if he had a decent walk rate.

A .220 OBP cannot possibly be tolerated for a whole year though, can it?

Not trying to argue. Just interested in viewpoints.

Yeah the .220 OBP wouldn't cut it. He'd have to generate more walks if he wasn't hitting great...

 

My minimal OPS line before I get out the pitchfork is .650 ish.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Yeah the .220 OBP wouldn't cut it. He'd have to generate more walks if he wasn't hitting great...

My minimal OPS line before I get out the pitchfork is .650 ish.

OPS might be the right way to look at it. Obviously if he has a .200 BA and hits a home run, double or triple every hit he will be the hottest hitter in the league.

.650 OPS? Yeah, that could work. It would be disappointing, but it could work.

[Mike Sixel]

Zwibi
1:18 If you were to buy shares in the twins bullpen how would it look? I don't see Kintzler holding the job but can't see a clear replacement.

 

Eno Sarris
1:18 I was hoping for Chargois as a dark horse but he's not even on the team. Pressly? Dunno.

[Mike Sixel]

Idealist
1:28 OK - so Buxton's defense will keep him on the field. BUT WHY IS HE BATTING THIRD?!!!

 

Eno Sarris
1:28 To put more pressure on him natch.

[Mike Sixel]

Mikey
1:48 Adelberto Mejia, just a guy or legit #3 potential?

 

Eno Sarris
1:49 Mejia: probably 4/5 but I think a starter and enough intrigue that I'm watching. I'd put him on my Lamb level: $1+ in ALO.

[Mike Sixel]

Erik
9:39 What small sample overreaction to the opening games so far would you get behind?

 

Jeff Sullivan
9:39 New old pitch for Dylan Bundy + great results = whole lot of fun
Meanwhile, Byron Buxton is less fun

[Mike Sixel]

mike sixel
9:53 You got power, Jeff? The Twins walked A LOT already, is this partly the new FO and batting coach, or just KC being bad at pitching?

 

Jeff Sullivan
9:53 KC has bad pitching
9:54 Jason Castro already has six walks in 12 plate appearances. One strikeout. Yikes
9:55 It is amazing to me that Eddie Rosario already has two unintentional walks. Last year he had 10

[Mike Sixel]

BIG BAD SANO
11:06 Has 3 walks to 1 strike out after 3 games, is this the most unlikely thing so far this season?

 

Jeff Sullivan
11:06 Not when you go up against the Royals

[GP830]

 

BIG BAD SANO
11:06 Has 3 walks to 1 strike out after 3 games, is this the most unlikely thing so far this season?

 

Jeff Sullivan
11:06 Not when you go up against the Royals

I feel like in years past, they would have said Twins instead of Royals.

[Mike Sixel]

Borkins
12:11 BYRON. BUXTON. WHAT SAY YOU?!?
Travis Sawchik
12:12 It was a rough week, for sure. 14Ks in 27PAs. Looked lost against breaking stuff
12:13 Again, it's early. But this is a continuation of troubling trends tied to pitch recognition and contact ...
Erik
12:14 The Twins, Reds, and Diamondbacks all lead their divisions. Which of those do you at least sort of believe?
Travis Sawchik
12:15 Diamondbacks. They are the most talented and were something of a sleeper team entering the year. There's talent and pedigree in the pitching staff, the outfield is healthy and the overall D should be better.

[Mike Sixel]

steve malkmus
12:35 miguel sano - time for him to come to life? How real is a 2017 season where he hits 40, 100r/100rbi, bats .265, OPS 1.000, and strikes out <200 times?

 

Travis Sawchik
12:35 Sano was impressive in the first week. Had good at bats and the contact was very loud. He'll always strike out but I think he can post that line. It's like his 85th percentile

[Mike Sixel]

Q-Ball
12:57 Small Sample Size be damned, what players have stood out to you so far, positive or negative?

 

Travis Sawchik
12:59 Sano (good), Buxton (bad), Springer (good), Lindor with power? (Exit velo is up ... very goo), Bundy with a cutter (good)

 

Erik
12:59 Byron Buxton has already cost his team 0.4 wins. (Yet they're somehow 5-1!) How much longer can he keep up these struggles before he gets sent down again? Does he still count as being rushed to the big leagues at this point?

 

Travis Sawchik
12:59 It seems like Buxton has been jerked around a little bit in development. He's also making swing changes. But I'm not sure how much that explains his K issues