Article: Twins Minor League Report (6/21): And Then There Were Six

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1936-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(6-21)-And-Then-There-Were-Six

[roger]

I watched much of the Cedar Rapids game again on MiLB. The broadcasters talked about Terry Ryan being there. He told them that he had never seen Buxton play (in a regular season league game) since he was drafted and with the Twins organization. Ryan seeing him play three games this weekend may be the final step before his getting promoted. Or not getting promoted just yet!

 

Looks like our expectations at ETon are coming true, ie, not a lot of runs. At least thru two games. And what a first game for Mr. Minier, eh? To be 17 and have that talent!

 

With the addition of Stewart and Minier the Twins organization has to be threatening to be the top organization in baseball.

[Thrylos]

I watched much of the Cedar Rapids game again on MiLB. The broadcasters talked about Terry Ryan being there. He told them that he had never seen Buxton play (in a regular season league game) since he was drafted and with the Twins organization. .

 

And Buxton has been the Twins number 1 and 2 prospect the last 2 seasons...

Just for this, Ryan should be fired. It is inexcusable for a GM (esp. one who is on the scouting side) to not have a personal view of his prospects, especially his top prospects.

 

Not seeing Buxton in 2 seasons means that he has not seen any E-town or CR games, which means he has not seen anybody in these teams.

If he does not know what he has in the lower leagues of his system, how is doing trades then? Ridiculous.

[howieramone1406390264]

And Buxton has been the Twins number 1 and 2 prospect the last 2 seasons...

Just for this, Ryan should be fired. It is inexcusable for a GM (esp. one who is on the scouting side) to not have a personal view of his prospects, especially his top prospects.

 

Not seeing Buxton in 2 seasons means that he has not seen any E-town or CR games, which means he has not seen anybody in these teams.

If he does not know what he has in the lower leagues of his system, how is doing trades then? Ridiculous.

Much more likely to be named Baseball Executive of the Year.

[Joe]

And Buxton has been the Twins number 1 and 2 prospect the last 2 seasons...

Just for this, Ryan should be fired. It is inexcusable for a GM (esp. one who is on the scouting side) to not have a personal view of his prospects, especially his top prospects.

 

Not seeing Buxton in 2 seasons means that he has not seen any E-town or CR games, which means he has not seen anybody in these teams.

If he does not know what he has in the lower leagues of his system, how is doing trades then? Ridiculous.

 

 

Lighten up Francis.

[mnwildfan78]

I watched much of the Cedar Rapids game again on MiLB. The broadcasters talked about Terry Ryan being there. He told them that he had never seen Buxton play (in a regular season league game) since he was drafted and with the Twins organization. Ryan seeing him play three games this weekend may be the final step before his getting promoted. Or not getting promoted just yet!

 

Looks like our expectations at ETon are coming true, ie, not a lot of runs. At least thru two games. And what a first game for Mr. Minier, eh? To be 17 and have that talent!

 

With the addition of Stewart and Minier the Twins organization has to be threatening to be the top organization in baseball.

 

 

I will defer to the experts of Twins Daily on this...but I find this hard to believe. I'm sure there have been many Terry Ryan sightings in Ceder Rapids...

[roger]

 

Not seeing Buxton in 2 seasons means that he has not seen any E-town or CR games, which means he has not seen anybody in these teams.

If he does not know what he has in the lower leagues of his system, how is doing trades then? Ridiculous.

 

How many games has Buxton played with the organization? Last year he played 27 in the GCL, then 21 in ETon. Is it possible Buxton wasn't on either squad when he made his regular trip to those cities? This year he has been in Cedar Rapids for a bit over two months.

 

So the man many believe is the best in the game should be fired because he hasn't followed their top pick around America? That comment is a joke, at least I hope it was meant to be. And yes, Mr. Ryan has seen him play in spring training...just never in a league game.

[Seth Stohs]

So the man many believe is the best in the game should be fired because he hasn't followed their top pick around America? That comment is a joke, at least I hope it was meant to be. And yes, Mr. Ryan has seen him play in spring training...just never in a league game.

 

Roger, Thrylos is not joking. Any little thing to fire Mr. Ryan or Mr. Gardenhire, or anyone.

[Tibs]

This is the first year I've really followed the farm system passed AAA. I've seen Madison Boer mentioned around here before. What's the story on him?

[jokin]

How many games has Buxton played with the organization? Last year he played 27 in the GCL, then 21 in ETon. Is it possible Buxton wasn't on either squad when he made his regular trip to those cities? This year he has been in Cedar Rapids for a bit over two months.

 

So the man many believe is the best in the game should be fired because he hasn't followed their top pick around America? That comment is a joke, at least I hope it was meant to be. And yes, Mr. Ryan has seen him play in spring training...just never in a league game.

 

Who are these "many" that supposedly "believe" this? Great claims require greater evidence. Links please.

 

I find it curious that you don't find it odd that such a rare commodity- an actual, real-life, truly game-changing impact-talent phenom, ala Harper, Trout, Machado ( I would wager that all 3 were monitored closely and in-person by their GMs during their developmental phases)- hasn't yet been seen in person by the GM in a regular season game. It does explain a lot about the Twins promotion process and about the uncritical defenders who quickly produce their autonomic defensive responses (Your ally, howie has now invoked "Executive of the Year" twice in 2 days). While Thrylos went a little overboard, as this clearly is not a fireable offense, it does confirm what many professionals have observed, the Twins don't really know what they have in Sano and Buxton or how to most effectively fast-track their careers to best help the franchise sooner rather than later.

[jokin]

Roger, Thrylos is not joking. Any little thing to fire Mr. Ryan or Mr. Gardenhire, or anyone.

 

While I don't agree that TR should be fired over this, if true, this is not any little thing.

[The Wise One]

You hir epeople to scout them before you draft them. You hire people to coach them. You can read the progress reports. What difference does it make in the development of a player who is clearly developing if the GM sees them play in person? If the players are not developing I can see the complaint, but not when progress is going as it should.

[jay]

This is the first year I've really followed the farm system passed AAA. I've seen Madison Boer mentioned around here before. What's the story on him?

 

If you're getting into following the whole farm, I'd highly recommend this great resource:

Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2013 by Seth Stohs (Paperback) - Lulu

[Thrylos]

Roger, Thrylos is not joking. Any little thing to fire Mr. Ryan or Mr. Gardenhire, or anyone.

 

And I guess that some people would go out of their way to excuse anything they do...

 

BTW Mr Gardenhire and Mr Ryan fired Stelly and Jerry (two people who I never thought they will be -or asked to get- fired) blaming the 99 + 96 on them.

 

Excuse that...

[Ncgo4]

Walters has walked in 4 runs. In the meantime let's keep Gibson down on the farm.

[The Wise One]

And I guess that some people would go out of their way to excuse anything they do...

 

BTW Mr Gardenhire and Mr Ryan fired Stelly and Jerry (two people who I never thought they will be -or asked to get- fired) blaming the 99 + 96 on them.

 

Excuse that...

 

And people make mountains out of a grain of sand in an effort to say someone should be fired.

[Ncgo4]

Buxton single, stolen base & run in first inning. Base so easily stole didn't even get a throw.

[Thrylos]

And people make mountains out of a grain of sand in an effort to say someone should be fired.

 

grains of sand add to mountains.

 

The most important stats: 99 + 96 + ? and no rings since 1991. The other is just gravy.

[nicksaviking]

You hir epeople to scout them before you draft them. You hire people to coach them. You can read the progress reports. What difference does it make in the development of a player who is clearly developing if the GM sees them play in person? If the players are not developing I can see the complaint, but not when progress is going as it should.

 

If it is not essential that the GM sees the A-list prospects play, why would he need to bother with a first hand evaluation before these young men can qualify for a promotion?

[Ncgo4]

Buxton 2 out 2 run triple.

[Ncgo4]

Terrific night for Buxton in front of Ryan. Single, walk, stolen base (and run), K and a triple. The triple was in the gap but quickly back into the infield. He slid into third about six feet ahead of the throw. This kid can flat out motor.

[jokin]

Terrific night for Buxton in front of Ryan. Single, walk, stolen base (and run), K and a triple. The triple was in the gap but quickly back into the infield. He slid into third about six feet ahead of the throw. This kid can flat out motor.

 

Did Terry Ryan stick around that late in the game to jot the kid's name down on his note pad?

[Vervehound]

a part of me wants to see buxton stay in cedar rapids all season to see if he can knock in 100 runs from the lead off spot.

[Ncgo4]

How about this. Sano tripled in extra innings to knock in 2. Both Sano & Buxton triple on same night. Can hardly wait for this to happen in Target Field.

[The Wise One]

If it is not essential that the GM sees the A-list prospects play, why would he need to bother with a first hand evaluation before these young men can qualify for a promotion?

 

Ryan did not have to see him play to move him from GCL to Elizabethton last year. Where does it say every promotion needs to be eyeballed by the GM?

[Seth Stohs]

If it is not essential that the GM sees the A-list prospects play, why would he need to bother with a first hand evaluation before these young men can qualify for a promotion?

 

The GM is not the person who decides when a player gets promoted. Ryan visits each affiliate at least once a year. He likely spends more time in New Britain and Rochester as that is where player are promoted to the big leagues from. Molitor sees each affiliate at least twice a year. Brad Steil will see each affiliate a couple of times each yet. Radcliff will see them. The minor league pitching and hitting coordinators are there frequently. The coaches and manager of each affiliate write up reports daily that go to everyone up above. But, Mr. Steil is the one that determines when minor leaguers are promoted/demoted, based on the evaluations of all.

 

The idea that Terry Ryan or others in the front office "don't know what they have" in Sano or Buxton or any single player in the farm system is ridiculous.

[jokin]

The GM is not the person who decides when a player gets promoted. Ryan visits each affiliate at least once a year. He likely spends more time in New Britain and Rochester as that is where player are promoted to the big leagues from. Molitor sees each affiliate at least twice a year. Brad Steil will see each affiliate a couple of times each yet. Radcliff will see them. The minor league pitching and hitting coordinators are there frequently. The coaches and manager of each affiliate write up reports daily that go to everyone up above. But, Mr. Steil is the one that determines when minor leaguers are promoted/demoted, based on the evaluations of all.

 

The idea that Terry Ryan or others in the front office "don't know what they have" in Sano or Buxton or any single player in the farm system is ridiculous.

 

So is that why GMs, officials and scouts from other organizations, along with many of the professional independent writers and evaluators are openly questioning how both Sano and Buxton are being handled?

[jokin]

The GM is not the person who decides when a player gets promoted. Ryan visits each affiliate at least once a year. He likely spends more time in New Britain and Rochester as that is where player are promoted to the big leagues from. Molitor sees each affiliate at least twice a year. Brad Steil will see each affiliate a couple of times each yet. Radcliff will see them. The minor league pitching and hitting coordinators are there frequently. The coaches and manager of each affiliate write up reports daily that go to everyone up above. But, Mr. Steil is the one that determines when minor leaguers are promoted/demoted, based on the evaluations of all.

 

The idea that Terry Ryan or others in the front office "don't know what they have" in Sano or Buxton or any single player in the farm system is ridiculous.

 

The public admonitions from the Twins staff about what they see in Buxton is virtually unprecedented for a Twins prospect. Mauer may have had the same published evaluations, but it sure seems that Buxton has been getting even bigger hype from people in the organization (like Tom Kelly and Paul Molitor) who don't even know the meaning of hype. And regarding Sano, Dougie-Fresh probably spoke out of turn, then, when he pronounced that Sano's bat is major league ready?

[maxisagod]

So is that why GMs, officials and scouts from other organizations, along with many of the professional independent writers and evaluators are openly questioning how both Sano and Buxton are being handled?

 

Meh, "openly questioning" is a bit of a leap. I think it's more accurate to say excitement or advocates for promotions. I suspect very few people from the groups you mentioned openly questions the front office judgement about these two players because when a group has successfully done it in the past people in general give them the benefit of the dought they can do it again. Unless either of these players are showing signs of regression from lack of being challenged, how their being handled is not a big issue at this point.

[Seth Stohs]

So is that why GMs, officials and scouts from other organizations, along with many of the professional independent writers and evaluators are openly questioning how both Sano and Buxton are being handled?

 

I guess I don't know these people, and frankly, it's not the Twins job to keep other people happy. They believe in what they're doing, and they should. Sano is 20 years old in AA. If anyone thinks they're being slow with him, then I don't get it. We all seem to think that Buxton should be in Ft. Myers, but there must be some reason.

 

It's not making excuses for the Twins approach. It's just saying that we don't know the whole story, and there could be reasons for Buxton still being in Cedar Rapids. It's certainly not hurting him in any way.