Article: Twins Minor League Report (5/6): That Dirty Baxendale

[Jeremy Nygaard]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1676-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(5-6)-That-Dirty-Baxendale

[clutterheart]

I wouldn't mind if Hermsen, Darnell, Dean and/or Blake Martin lost starts to Baxendale.

Darnell & Dean profile best as solid lefties in the bullpen so why not start them in that role now so they can see what Baxendale can do.

For as good as Hermsen was last year, he was basically smoke and mirrors so he could be bumped too.

 

Bummer about Jones.

[Jeff A]

In Toledo, the milb.com recap shows that the run scored when Brandon Douglas scored from first on a single. Did something unusual happen there, or is Douglas just that fast?

 

Also, I note that Miguel Sano came out of the game in Fort Myers. Did something happen to him, or did they just take him out of a blowout to give him a break?

 

Thanks.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I agree about Darnell. I think he should be in the Wings bullpen eventually, capable of starting if needed.

 

Sano was hit by a pitch early and stayed in the game. He came out after the lead increased. There was no word out of FM that he was injured.

 

The Rochester press release simply said "scored on a single", so I'm not aware if anything crazy happened, though scoring from first doesn't sound right.

[Thrylos]

Baxendale actually hit a batter after the Sano incident as well. No warnings issued. Still don't get where Manuel got that scouting report, or whether Baxendale totally changed his approach and found his stuff this off-season (I suspect that the report was pre-spring training 2013) because his stuff is nothing like described, other than the velocity of the fastball, which actually gets a bit higher as well (with the handhelds they are using in the side fields and not with Hammond Stadium radar.) Either a total transformation or bad scouting reports

[Mr. Ed]

I wouldn't mind if Hermsen, Darnell, Dean and/or Blake Martin lost starts to Baxendale.

Darnell & Dean profile best as solid lefties in the bullpen so why not start them in that role now so they can see what Baxendale can do.

For as good as Hermsen was last year, he was basically smoke and mirrors so he could be bumped too.

 

Bummer about Jones.

 

Blake Martin is back in the bullpen at NB, so that's one less in the way.

[Mr. Ed]

Adam Walker's season is very encouraging. Another power prospect? Keep them coming!

[Shane Wahl]

Every night one or more of these teams has some mind-boggling offensive explosion.

 

I like Andrew Albers. I have said that before. Now I don't think I really like him going forward as a starter, but maybe it would be nice to develop another solid lefty who could, I don't know, get an out in the 6th inning and be simply a LOOGY so as to save the other LOOGY, Duensing for later in the game against someone like Stephen Drew . . .

 

If Robertson isn't that guy, then maybe Albers and Dean should be sent to the 'pen with hopes of competing.

[nicksaviking]

I wouldn't mind if Hermsen, Darnell, Dean and/or Blake Martin lost starts to Baxendale.

Darnell & Dean profile best as solid lefties in the bullpen so why not start them in that role now so they can see what Baxendale can do.

For as good as Hermsen was last year, he was basically smoke and mirrors so he could be bumped too.

 

Bummer about Jones.

 

Agreed. Baxendale doesn't have power stuff that profiles to be a dominant pitcher but sometimes the numbers transition up through the various league levels even without much clear reason why.

 

Not to be callus, but Hermsen, Darnell and Dean are all poor strikeout pitchers and allow too many runners to reach. Hermsen has had some steam in the past but I think all three of these guys have gotten to the point where they are oranizational filler.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Baxendale actually hit a batter after the Sano incident as well. No warnings issued. Still don't get where Manuel got that scouting report, or whether Baxendale totally changed his approach and found his stuff this off-season (I suspect that the report was pre-spring training 2013) because his stuff is nothing like described, other than the velocity of the fastball, which actually gets a bit higher as well (with the handhelds they are using in the side fields and not with Hammond Stadium radar.) Either a total transformation or bad scouting reports

 

So what would be your "Spring Training 2013 scouting report"?

[cmathewson]

The scouting report was based on his college pitching. Apart from the elite pitchers in college, it is really hard to scout college pitchers. Among other things, their innings and pitching frequency change the whole dynamic of how hard they throw. They either burn out or they conserve their strength. Baxendale appears to be the latter. Now that he's pitching every fifth day with the regular Twins workout regimen in between, perhaps he is tapping into his natural stuff better. Just a thought.

[ashbury]

The Rochester press release simply said "scored on a single", so I'm not aware if anything crazy happened, though scoring from first doesn't sound right.

 

Depending on where the single was hit to, and the arm of the fielder there, sounds like a run-and-hit that happened to work to perfection.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I guess I'm just not sure what's changed. From the reports I've gotten, his fastball is a little bit faster (but that might be a result of the radar gun) and his curveball is still really good. And he's got great command. He was good enough at college to lead his team to the College World Series, so I'd expect there was plenty of opportunity to scout him. He had a poor spring (last spring) that started his fall. He was a Top 100 prospect before last season.

 

I like Baxendale, but was warned to "wait until he got to AA" before I got too excited. Now, I think he's earned the opportunity to pitch at AA.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Also, I'm pretty sure the scouting report came from instructs, which could help explain a lot of things, specifically arm overuse between seasons and getting off of a normal routine when he switched to the bullpen.

 

Baxendale was filthy out of the Snappers bullpen late last season.

[cmb0252]

As Jeremy stated above Baxendale is an advanced college pitcher who should be expected to dominate "lesser" competition. AA will definitely be the level wHere we can actually start to judge his performance. His relief pitching numbers from instructional league mean nothing.

 

As I say this there is reason to like Baxendale (especially if he has gained a tick on his fastball). He was expected to go a lot higher than the 10th round last year and I believe Law said he was a steal in the 10th round. Also, for those of you who follow Sickels would know he picked Baxendale as one of his sleeper prospects this year.

 

He is a prospect. It just depends what you expect from him. He is a back of the rotation starter at best but that's a steal in the 10th round.

[nicksaviking]

So what would be your "Spring Training 2013 scouting report"?

 

In mine he was rated "Super Duper" and I gave him 8 out of 10 bananas. My rating system is pretty complicated but I'm sure I have it posted around here somewhere ....

[Mave]

Flexor tendon strain/problems-- think golfers elbow, it's the same area. Hopefully nothing more.

[Thrylos]

So what would be your "Spring Training 2013 scouting report"?

 

Here here

[Brad Swanson]

In mine he was rated "Super Duper" and I gave him 8 out of 10 bananas. My rating system is pretty complicated but I'm sure I have it posted around here somewhere ....

 

I had him at 7 bananas and I think you are a fool for going 8. I refuse to listen to any reason on this subject.

 

But on the real, these are great recaps. Thanks Jeremy!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Here here

 

Yes. I had read that after you posted it. New life on the fastball and a change-up. Thanks for posting.

[mickeyg]

Douglas ran through the 3rd base coach stop sign and the throw to home was a little off target.

 

In Toledo, the milb.com recap shows that the run scored when Brandon Douglas scored from first on a single. Did something unusual happen there, or is Douglas just that fast?

 

Also, I note that Miguel Sano came out of the game in Fort Myers. Did something happen to him, or did they just take him out of a blowout to give him a break?

 

Thanks.