Article: Overheard at TwinsFest: Stewart's Plan, Baldelli's Preparation, Prospects and More

[Blake]

 

Great article, very interesting. It does however allude to serious lack of support at the developmental levels. Bringing us back to our real problem. Ownership.

Ownership appears to have brought in people to address the issue through the hiring of Falvey and Levine.

[BJames]

I still think Littell will make a solid #4 in a year or so.  Like all of these young pitchers, they are going to get knocked around in the bigs,  The difference is will they or do they have the stones to keep competing and trust their next pitch.  It takes time.  Also, the AAA staff will be one of the best in the minors.

[RatherBeGolfing]

 

I still think Littell will make a solid #4 in a year or so.  Like all of these young pitchers, they are going to get knocked around in the bigs,  The difference is will they or do they have the stones to keep competing and trust their next pitch.  It takes time.  Also, the AAA staff will be one of the best in the minors.

 

Count me out on having to rely on Zach Littell to be a solid #4 for us

[Cris E]

Stewart has had a lot of injury distractions over the years, and I wonder if that's made it easier to avoid hard questions about his approach, work ethic, etc.  If the past year or two is when he was finally healthy for extended periods but still didn't get the results, maybe that's what pushed him to finally listen more and study his craft a little differently. 

[gman]

I look back at the past 30 years of failed player development by the Twins and would be surprised if there weren't many more individuals that the previous system failed. I think Stewart only voiced some things we have all wondered about. We constantly look at players on the current major league roster and ask why they seem to be so poorly prepared for success at the big league level. 

 

I too am hoping that the current ownership team can implement a successful minor league development program and constantly give us well prepared ball players once they reach the bigs.

[Guest]

I'm no expert on pitching mechanics or philosophy, much less the more modern technology being implemented to help these guys. As someone who has watched these guys come through Cedar Rapids for the past 6 years, though, I can say 2 things with certainty:

 

First, the application of said modern technology to minor league pitching and hitting instruction/development has changed/grown dramatically since Stewart was here in 2014. In fact, the changes in just the past 2 years has been incredible. It would not surprise me at all if Stewart saw relatively little of this kind of thing prior to 2017.

 

Second, the Kohl Stewart that made the quoted comments is not the same Kohl Stewart that I had a few opportunities to talk to that season in CR. The level of maturity, focus, professionalism and confidence that comes through now simply was not there before. Not that he was a bad guy or absurdly immature or anything, but like a lot 19 year olds in their first full year of pro ball, he came across as a bit uncertain of his environment and his place within it.

 

I'm not smart enough to know if Stewart has turned a corner and will now realize the potential the Twins saw in him when they drafted him, but I'm encouraged and hopeful. 

[Riverbrian]

 

I'm no expert on pitching mechanics or philosophy, much less the more modern technology being implemented to help these guys. As someone who has watched these guys come through Cedar Rapids for the past 6 years, though, I can say 2 things with certainty:

 

First, the application of said modern technology to minor league pitching and hitting instruction/development has changed/grown dramatically since Stewart was here in 2014. In fact, the changes in just the past 2 years has been incredible. It would not surprise me at all if Stewart saw relatively little of this kind of thing prior to 2017.

 

Second, the Kohl Stewart that made the quoted comments is not the same Kohl Stewart that I had a few opportunities to talk to that season in CR. The level of maturity, focus, professionalism and confidence that comes through now simply was not there before. Not that he was a bad guy or absurdly immature or anything, but like a lot 19 year olds in their first full year of pro ball, he came across as a bit uncertain of his environment and his place within it.

 

I'm not smart enough to know if Stewart has turned a corner and will now realize the potential the Twins saw in him when they drafted him, but I'm encouraged and hopeful. 

 

Fantastic Post

 

Thank You