Ten Observations after 13 Games

[stringer bell]

After seeing the Twins start 3-6, I thought they would never see .500 this season. A poorly put together roster, a suspect bullpen and not enough proven talent were factors I saw as faults too big to overcome and I still feel that way. The Twins pulled off a four-game sweep over Detroit, the AL Central favorite, so I'll suspend my doubt for a while.

Here are some topics that I think are interesting and would make good Twins conversations and debates:

1) The ABS system. The Twins have aggressively used the challenge system and have benefitted. The catchers have shown they are in the best position to use the challenges and this has helped both Caratini and Jeffers be more effective receivers. 

2) The no-name bullpen doesn't have much firepower, but Shelton has done a good job of putting guys in position to succeed. The group lacks velocity and positive run value pitches, but they've held together better than I expected. If I am going to pick one guy to break through in the bullpen, it is Eric Orze. 

3) Roster construction is a problem. The Twins have too many guys who should be LH hitting DHs and some of them have to play in the field. The 13th position player's role thus far is as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. 

4) In part because of poor roster construction, defense is an issue again this year. Guys who should be DHing are playing in the field and the Twins are lacking a good defender at the crucial shortstop position.

5) The starting rotation still looks like a strength even with Bailey Ober's diminished velocity. Taj Bradley has made up for any disappointment from the other starters. 

6) New guys Josh Bell and Victor Caratini look like good pickups. Bell has hit very well and Caratini has looked decent as a platoon first baseman and backup catcher. 

7) I remain intrigued by Austin Martin's skill set. Someone who doesn't strike out much, gets on base and can provide value on the bases and in the field would compliment the skills of most of the other players on the team. He's got to provide some slug eventually, but OTOH he is getting on base over 40% of the time.

8) Royce Lewis looks to me like he might take the step to established regular. Lewis is running well, hitting the ball hard and getting on base. The batting average is substandard, but the OPS is good. 

9) I don't think I've ever seen a team face so much left handed pitching. Initial results were terrible, but then the Twins turned around and beat two of the very best lefties in MLB.

10) Health. Yes, the Twins lost Pablo in the first workout and David Festa is on the 60-day IL, but they haven't suffered any injuries in two weeks and i doubt there are many clubs that can make that claim. 

 

[Linus]

Good observations-I pretty much agree with all of them. At the beginning of the season I had three areas of concern: bullpen, defense and consistency of hitting. The defense has been bad and is not likely to improve without changing out players. The bullpen, somehow, is getting it done. Does Shelton deserve some credit here?  The hitting is kind of what I expected - here today gone tomorrow. I think Martin is helping here as he’s getting on base a lot and stolen bases are helping too. I was hoping the change in managers would bring some accountability for mental mistakes and poor fundamentals but that hasn’t changed so far. As everyone knows the grind of a mlb season exposes everything so it will be interesting to watch it unfold. I’m taking it one game at a time and enjoying each game. 

[The Great Hambino]

12 minutes ago, Linus said:

The bullpen, somehow, is getting it done. Does Shelton deserve some credit here? 

If Shelton's going to get credit for the bullpen, I think it's in seemingly going after favorable matchups in lieu of starting guys with clean innnings.  There have been several instances where a lefty has finished an inning and been left in just to face another lefty leading off the following inning.  I think that has a) helped sort of work around the three batter rule and b) put guys in the best chance to succeed.  After all, they're relievers - handling an unclean inning is in their job decription.

It still feels like they're getting by with a lot of smoke and mirrors and I'm still not convinced the pen can hold up over time without some reinforcements with firepower, but he's playing the hand he's been dealt as effectively as he can.  I'm not against giving the manager some credit for that.  Not against giving Maki/Hawkins some credit for that either.

[Linus]

15 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

If Shelton's going to get credit for the bullpen, I think it's in seemingly going after favorable matchups in lieu of starting guys with clean innnings.  There have been several instances where a lefty has finished an inning and been left in just to face another lefty leading off the following inning.  I think that has a) helped sort of work around the three batter rule and b) put guys in the best chance to succeed.  After all, they're relievers - handling an unclean inning is in their job decription.

It still feels like they're getting by with a lot of smoke and mirrors and I'm still not convinced the pen can hold up over time without some reinforcements with firepower, but he's playing the hand he's been dealt as effectively as he can.  I'm not against giving the manager some credit for that.  Not against giving Maki/Hawkins some credit for that either.

Completely agree. He has been less rigid than Rocco. Another way it plays out is getting an extra out or two from the starter and then bringing in a reliever in a good matchup instead of insisting on the reliever coming in at the beginning of the inning. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Shelton, thus far, is pushing the right buttons with the bullpen. 

[Brandon]

Also observed the Twins hold or did hold the top wild card spot after yesterday's win.