Article: BOS 9, MIN 2: There Go Those Shiny Pitching Stats

[DocBauer]

First, we all should be very happy for the results in the first 2 games of the series. Don't let passion and disappointment for this game ruin how well we did against Boston and the Indians.

 

Second, I am NOT a fan of the Besisle move at all. And that's not intended as an insult. Remember when nobody wanted him last season and be got off to a horrible start and then pitched very well the rest of the season and even performed well as the closer? I understand the signing. I just think it was wrong! Go ahead and keep Magill in his role of you really feel his long/mid relief role is appropriate. (But he still shouldn't go so long between appearances if you really think he can pitch).

 

But for goodness sake, there are some arms in AAA just begging for an opportunity. Just because they aren't arms on 22-23yo fireballers who consistently hit 95mph doesn't mean they aren't viable! Duffey has destroyed at AAA this year. He pitched poorly first time up, pitched excellent the second time up, but was sent down for a fresh arm after a long outing. Same thing happened with Slegers. But Belisle is a better alternative? What about Busentiz, Moya and Curtiss? Or even Bard. Maybe Reed needs to show a little more, but the potential is still there.

 

At this point, does trusting/auditioning some of these arms really bring more losses than over using Reed and Pressly? Or could those guys actually perform better if used better and we might actually find a nice young arm or two for today and tomorrow?

[yarnivek1972]

I have no idea but if I had to guess... This has Molitor's fingerprints all over it... not the front office.

 

Of course the front office has to execute the acquisition but my guess would be at Molitor's behest. But again... I have no idea.

 

Belisle was named the closer after the Kintzler trade, my assumption is that Molitor was the hand that hand picked him for that role and that would indicate a level of trust.

 

 

Pressly and Reed usage has dropped considerably since the arrival of Belisle and I would imagine that Pressly, Reed usage would be a topic of discussion between the front office and the manager.

 

Hence, Paul trusts him and will actually use him which would slow down the use of Pressly and Reed.

 

Bottom Line: He's the hand picked solution to the Pressly, Reed overuse problem.

 

Just a theory.

If the reason the Twins aren’t calling up Busenitz, etc is because Molitor has told Falvine he won’t use them in anything but low leverage, then that responsibility needs to be taken from him.

[Riverbrian]

 

Have we not seen what our best relievers are doing in Rochester?  

 

Paul probably doesn't get to Rochester very much. 

[Riverbrian]

 

If the reason the Twins aren’t calling up Busenitz, etc is because Molitor has told Falvine he won’t use them in anything but low leverage, then that responsibility needs to be taken from him.

 

Just a theory but it kind of adds up. 

 

Belisle has a uniform. 

[USAFChief]

 

He straight out called the HBP very suspicious in the post-game presser.

That'll teach 'em.

 

Way to get in their faces, Molly! 

[ashbury]

Bottom Line: He's the hand picked solution to the Pressly, Reed overuse problem.

Bottom Line: after Molitor's managing days are over, do not make him GM.

[Tomj14]

 

If the reason the Twins aren’t calling up Busenitz, etc is because Molitor has told Falvine he won’t use them in anything but low leverage, then that responsibility needs to be taken from him.

If that is true, what is he doing on the 40 man?

[Number3]

A sweep would have been fun but 2 of 3 ain't bad. Just win the Rangers series and all is well (with this home stand anyway).

 

As far as Molitor and overall team ownership/management are concerned, there is probably a motto on the wall in all of their offices; "Go with the flow". They all have great jobs running a team with no expectations. Why worry?

[ashbury]

As far as Molitor and overall team ownership/management are concerned, there is probably a motto on the wall in all of their offices; "Go with the flow". They all have great jobs running a team with no expectations. Why worry?

You're saying these gentlemen are of deficient character?

[jokin]

 

That'll teach 'em.

 

Way to get in their faces, Molly! 

 

Do you really think this is over?

 

What else should he have done? Besides publicly call them out in ominous fashion? Put out a hit on Mookie? :shoot:

Edited June 22, 2018 by jokin

[jokin]

 

Bottom Line: after Molitor's managing days are over, do not make him GM.

 

No chance (I hope!)

[slash129]

Wow ... Lot's of overreaction (except the Belisle parts) after a loss to a top team after winning two and being down the two hottest players in the lineup for most of the game.

 

For those wanting to dump the catchers, be careful what you wish for.  I know they aren't hitting, but that isn't a bat first position.  They've been handling a staff that has been doing well and putting the team in a position to win games.  I wouldn't be surprised if Astudillo came up and hit more than either Garver or Wilson, but I would venture to guess there is a reason he is being moved around the field at Rochester. My guess would be that he doesn't play any position particularly well, but his bat is desirable.  The Twins don't need to mess up a good thing by throwing a catcher in there that can't handle the staff. 

 

Does anyone have some actual info on the defense, framing, blocking and game-calling abilities of Sawyer or Astudillo?  I think that would be much more useful for forming an opinion on whether they should be given a shot than forming that opinion off batting average.

[ewen21]

 

 

 

Does anyone have some actual info on the defense, framing, blocking and game-calling abilities of Sawyer or Astudillo?  I think that would be much more useful for forming an opinion on whether they should be given a shot than forming that opinion off batting average.

How is Wilson.s blocking, defense, framing and pitch calling?  Is it so good that we need to keep him even though he has proven he cannot hit at the major league level?  He's also 35 years old.  YOu do realize this, don't you?

[h2oface]

"Bat first". Positions that aren't bat first?

 

People like to say that about catcher, short stop, center field.... but I call foul. It is always important to be able to hit, and there are always those that play those positions that hit, and hit well, and settling for someone that doesn't is just lazy, even it there isn't an abundance of good hitters, period.

[jun]

 

Wow ... Lot's of overreaction (except the Belisle parts) after a loss to a top team after winning two and being down the two hottest players in the lineup for most of the game.

 

For those wanting to dump the catchers, be careful what you wish for.  I know they aren't hitting, but that isn't a bat first position.  They've been handling a staff that has been doing well and putting the team in a position to win games.  I wouldn't be surprised if Astudillo came up and hit more than either Garver or Wilson, but I would venture to guess there is a reason he is being moved around the field at Rochester. My guess would be that he doesn't play any position particularly well, but his bat is desirable.  The Twins don't need to mess up a good thing by throwing a catcher in there that can't handle the staff. 

 

Does anyone have some actual info on the defense, framing, blocking and game-calling abilities of Sawyer or Astudillo?  I think that would be much more useful for forming an opinion on whether they should be given a shot than forming that opinion off batting average.

Rupp is there, there are 3 catchers in AAA, they need to let the other two play the game. Astudillo can play lots of positions and they need his bat in the lineup, that's why he is all over the place. They might want him to be versatile enough so that when he's called up, he can also help out elsewhere as well if needed.

Edited June 23, 2018 by jun

[h2oface]

 

Rupp is there, there are 3 catchers in AAA, they need to let the other two play the game. Astudillo can play lots of positions and they need his bat in the lineup, that's why he is all over the place. They might want him to be versatile enough so that when he's called up, he can also help out elsewhere as well if needed.

 

Maybe. It is nice to have someone that can play lots of positions in the field. But not everyone has to. Maybe just one player has to have this versatility. These days, it seems that players can be versatile, but are negatives at every position they play in the field! It might behoove a team to just cultivate a player at the one position, and then play him at the position when called up. Then you have a good fielding (hopefully) player at every position, instead of a bunch of players that are a liability at every position they play, even though the manager thinks they can be plugged in anywhere. I hate it when I watch a game, and just about every player is playing out of position, or not their best position, just to accommodate the lack of the right player for the position.

 

And who the hell is Rupp, anyway? Just another cast off that nobody else wanted. Not the catcher we want, right?

Edited June 23, 2018 by h2oface

[slash129]

Rupp is there, there are 3 catchers in AAA, they need to let the other two play the game. Astudillo can play lots of positions and they need his bat in the lineup, that's why he is all over the place. They might want him to be versatile enough so that when he's called up, he can also help out elsewhere as well if needed.

Rupp is striking out about 50% of the time in AAA. That's worse than Sano who is now in A.

[jun]

 

Rupp is striking out about 50% of the time in AAA. That's worse than Sano who is now in A.

Yep, he needs to be released so that it all returns to normal.