Ex-Twin Position Player and Pitcher of the Month

[stringer bell]

With today being the last day of April, it might be time to look back at performance so far this year. First, who is an ex-Twin?  I think only a player that actually performed on the field during an official game for the Twins is an ex-Twin. So Spencer Steer isn't an ex-Twin, while Yennier Canó is an ex-Twin.

Now that the ground rules have been laid, I'll name a winner and a runner-up both from the position player side. I'm hoping to spark some conversation, but not to rehash whether a player should have been traded, released or allowed to be a free agent. 

Pitching--Winner: Jose Berríos. In a word, Berríos has been great. In six starts, Jose is 4-2 with a 1.44 ERA. His only loss was in a rain-shortened start against the Royals. Berríos has 28 Ks in 36 innings and a WHIP of 1.04. Runner-up: Sonny Gray. Sonny has been outstanding, but has fewer opportunities due to his opening the season on the IL. Gray is 3-1 with a microscopic 1.16 ERA and an impressive 0.94 WHIP.

Position Player--Winner: LaMonte Wade Jr. Wade has been a great acquisition for the Giants. This month, he has put together a great month--.328 BA and a .882 OPS. Wade is platooned, but is getting plenty of at-bats. He has been a valuable left handed bat for the Giants since he was traded and his current role seems like the floor for current Twin Alex Kirilloff. Runner-up: Ben Rortvedt. Also, not a full-time player, Ben Rortvedt has had a nice start with a new team. He's hitting .340 with an .831 OPS. As long as he keeps hitting, he will get plenty of at-bats, since he's regarded as a good receiver.

There have been several ex-Twins who have struggled--Eddie Rosario, Joey Gallo, Jorge Polanco and Mitch Garver for example--but most of them will regress to the mean, much as the fast starters will likely not carry their great numbers through the season. Are there any others that should be considered as ex-Twin (Position Player or Pitcher) of the month. Are there any others to be noted?

[Doctor Wu]

6 hours ago, stringer bell said:

There have been several ex-Twins who have struggled--Eddie Rosario, Joey Gallo,

Great idea for a post! Those two have been particularly awful so far. If they don't pick it up, I'd expect Washington will release them or put them on waivers in another month or so. That team is not going anywhere, so they might as will bring up some younger prospects. But yeah, Rortvedt has looked very good for Tampa, plus Littell is doing well as a starting pitcher for the Rays too. Over in Miami, Nick Gordon is struggling but Arreaz is slowing getting his batting average back up. 

[Squirrel]

4 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

Good luck starting a conversation without rehashing whether a player should have been moved.  What's the point?

If people want to post nonsense, think again. I’ll let yours stand in my quote to serve as a warning to others … don’t do it. If you can’t genuinely discuss a topic without snark and negativity, don’t post.

[stringer bell]

To respond to @dxpavelka, some of us follow players because of their story, whether they are a Twins player or not. Some build up affection for a player when they are on your favorite team and you follow them even if they aren’t a Twin any more. Some are just a curiosity like Jaime Garcia—traded for just before the trade deadline and then traded away at the deadline with one start with the Twins. There are lots of reasons to follow ex-Twins (IMHO) over and above roasting the club for letting them go. 

[big dog]

22 hours ago, stringer bell said:

To respond to @dxpavelka, some of us follow players because of their story, whether they are a Twins player or not. Some build up affection for a player when they are on your favorite team and you follow them even if they aren’t a Twin any more. Some are just a curiosity like Jaime Garcia—traded for just before the trade deadline and then traded away at the deadline with one start with the Twins. There are lots of reasons to follow ex-Twins (IMHO) over and above roasting the club for letting them go. 

Agreed, I enjoy hearing about former Twins, or at least I'm interested. There are guys I still cheer for when they play the other teams (Arraez, Garver, Rooker, lots of others), guys I feel sorry for and would like to see succeed (Nick Burdi, a horde of relievers trying to stick somewhere), and occasionally guys whose poor outcomes I celebrate (no need to name any names here, it would only Lance a wound).

[Doctor Wu]

And poor Aaron Hicks was already released by the Angels. He had a great spring training, but couldn't hit his weight in April. 

[wabene]

Looks like La Machina got a tune-up! Good for Jose.

[wabene]

Tip 'o the cap to LaMonte. Impressive, he always seemed limited to me, but he has carved out a nice career.

[stringer bell]

35 minutes ago, wabene said:

Looks like La Machina got a tune-up! Good for Jose.

He lost to the Royals for the second straight time as I was composing this and his numbers for the month aren't exactly correct. He pitched well again in that game, giving up only a two-run homer in six innings.

[stringer bell]

32 minutes ago, wabene said:

Tip 'o the cap to LaMonte. Impressive, he always seemed limited to me, but he has carved out a nice career.

He's a good all-around player who always takes good at-bats. He's never broken through to where he plays a lot against left handers, but has shown his value through the years. 

[Linus]

I’m glad Berrios is doing well. He seemed like a real pro with his maturity and work ethic. His durability has been amazing - something I don’t think got enough weight in the trade discussions. 

[MMMordabito]

Berrios was always one of my favorites as a Twin. I loved the off-season videos of him pushing cars and doing endurance workouts in the sand. He always struck me as someone who has a great work ethic and knows how to take care of his body for baseball activities. It's paid off for him too, because he's been incredibly durable.  I could see him getting another contract after his seven years are up. Hint, hint. 😉

[MMMordabito]

46 minutes ago, Linus said:

I’m glad Berrios is doing well. He seemed like a real pro with his maturity and work ethic. His durability has been amazing - something I don’t think got enough weight in the trade discussions. 

Semi-ninja'd.  Didn't read comments before posting.

[wabene]

10 hours ago, stringer bell said:

He lost to the Royals for the second straight time as I was composing this and his numbers for the month aren't exactly correct. He pitched well again in that game, giving up only a two-run homer in six innings.

The Royals are obviously cheating, just ask Ober.