Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/25): Buxton Leads Wings To Win

[tobi0040]

We'll be waiting for years for a beat writer in this city to write something about what's really going on in this clubhouse. 0% chance that they air any dirty laundry until the person and/or people causing this bad atmosphere are out of the organization.

I don't know if that is true. Saying Sano was at a autograph signing in NYC while the team lies and says he is working in his OF defense seems like dirty laundry.

 

And Aaron Hicks is another where "team officials" bad mouthed his attitude and preparation to beat writers.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Gordon has 14 errors. (Errors are not predictive...but 14 is just bad)

What the heck is going on down there? Every scouting report I have seen raves about his defensive tools. But he has 14 errors. Is this bad coaching? Poor effort? What?

He is getting caught stealing a lot too and not successfully stealing very often. He is turning out to be the opposite of what was advertised (good D and base running and raw with the bat.) Lets hope he finds a happy medium to stick at SS or at least 2B, as I don't want a light-hitting 3B. The bat is encouraging though. Did not see that coming this year.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

At this point, that is what it is.  You can definitely remove some of them at some point, and even yet this year.

I think as the number of prospects/young guys increases to the point to where they can have their own group, instead of having to try to be accepted by the current clubhouse gatekeepers it will be a good thing for their comfort and direction of the team. They can then just hang together and have enough numbers to have their own voice, and not have to impress or fit in with the current 28+ year-olds who think they are face of the team.

[adjacent]

 

We'll be waiting for years for a beat writer in this city to write something about what's really going on in this clubhouse. 0% chance that they air any dirty laundry until the person and/or people causing this bad atmosphere are out of the organization. 

Kevin Slowey might have a different opinion.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Yes, we're hearing more and more speculation about the clubhouse environment, which is to be expected. So far, however, I can't cite a single circumstance where someone with real information and access has talked specifically about this. No beat writer has insinuated that a certain player or players are toxic, or that the team is playing too tight or too loose, etc. The third-party reference here to the Buxton comments is really the first inkling of anything for me, and this is pretty specious evidence of a problem.

 

And yet, I find myself wondering if Molitor, Allen, Brunansky et al aren't struggling with managing the clubhouse, and with getting the best out of the players.

 

The problem with speculation on TD is that the more there is, the more likely that speculation becomes "fact", evidence notwithstanding.

I never really bought into the clubhouse  leader or Hunter being a key to it last year, but I am beginning to wonder now. When you think about it, our 28+ year guys seem to be lead by example, gritty, good ole boys, and old school, and so does Molly. Whereas, Hunter is a free-spirit who loves to be sill and lose. His personality is very fitting to attract younger guys and he seems to like young guys, and has sons that age too.

 

The current leaders don't seem to be anything like Hunter, but probably stood aside with Hunter around. I don't get the feeling that the current clubhouse is the type that will go out of their way to make others feel comfortable, but the type that would make them prove themselves first, where Hunter seems like the type of leader who just makes EVERYONE feel included from day one no matter of age or what they have 'proven.' Just a gut feeling and I could be totally wrong, but the feeling is strong.

Edited May 26, 2016 by ShouldaCouldaWoulda

[Vanimal46]

Kevin Slowey might have a different opinion.

I can't recall what happened to Slowey...

[d-mac]

 

Kevin Slowey might have a different opinion.

 

The Twins have no problem airing dirty laundry of a player outside "the circle of trust." You can include Perkins, Neshek, Danny Valencia, Kyle Lohse, etc. 

[alarp33]

 

I can't recall what happened to Slowey...

 

He was a smart, analytical guy that did not fit the Gardy "bulldog" mentality... Coaches, announcers (Bert especially) took every opportunity to rip him, even when he was still in the organization.. That's just what I remember but someone could correct me

[bird]

 

I think Souhan had a recent hit piece about Hughes and Perkins. And others about Dozier's defiance and Sano's attitude.

Not saying a buy much of it. But it has been out there

 

 

I missed that piece, although I might give it even less credence than I give Reusse's take on Sano frankly.

[jokin]

 

I missed that piece, although I might give it even less credence than I give Reusse's take on Sano frankly.

 

Reusse's take on anything is almost invariably written with the intent to provoke over the intent to inform- facts are a secondary concern.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'd leave Buxton down for a lot longer than a few weeks. That's just me. He needs to reinforce that approach. His K rate is still bad, but it's much improved in May (a good thing). But I think exercising impatience here is a mistake. Let him get some high minors at bats... and a lot of them.

 

I'd probably slot him in as the 2017 guy with some sort of AAAA signing at CF in case he flops again.

That's fine. I don't have an issue letting him get plenty of AAA ab's. But whenever it is that he comes back up he's likely going to struggle at first.

There is no amount of minor league at bats that can prepare a guy for mlb pitching.

At some point he's going to have to come up and be allowed to struggle at the mlb level and not be sent back down, but to be allowed to learn how to hit mlb pitching.

[theJemmer]

My thoughts - When I saw him this spring, he looked 'bigger' than he did a year ago (not as in good of shape). He tops out at like 93, though he sits 89-91 most of the time. I'm very intrigued by his success, especially at AAA because of how much he struggled there last year. I'd like to catch up with him on what the difference has been.

It was my first time seeing him in person so do not have a comparison on physical stature but what I noted (AA) was: big physical presence that to my eye was throwing in the 90's easy, was in control of the game and his emotions (unlike JT who came in late, gave up the tying run and was visibly distraught on the bench), and got into a groove after the 1st inning and was mowing down hitters. So, look at his stats this year: 24 innings for the lookouts; 0.96 WHIP, 38 innings for the Red Wings; 0.96 WHIP. Perhaps the physical size increase was a result of hard work in the offseason. Good for him, good for us.

[Seth Stohs]

 

It was my first time seeing him in person so do not have a comparison on physical stature but what I noted (AA) was: big physical presence that to my eye was throwing in the 90's easy, was in control of the game and his emotions (unlike JT who came in late, gave up the tying run and was visibly distraught on the bench), and got into a groove after the 1st inning and was mowing down hitters. So, look at his stats this year: 24 innings for the lookouts; 0.96 WHIP, 38 innings for the Red Wings; 0.96 WHIP. Perhaps the physical size increase was a result of hard work in the offseason. Good for him, good for us.

 

Very good. It's great to see.

 

He's got the size, has a couple of good pitches and is very smart.