Notebook: Dobnak Shines Again

Not going to hit 300 bombs with the new ball and the humidors. Going to have to learn how to manufacture a few runs this year.

Not going to hit 300 bombs with the new ball and the humidors. Going to have to learn how to manufacture a few runs this year.

I'm worried about the offense too.  I'm also worried about our manager.  He has no fire.

It's only March 20. No worries here.

I wish the Twin's 'standout hitter' would get at least TWO hits .......one of these days.......

I am starting to believe this tweak has given Dobnak a plus pitch. We have all seen Dobnak’s inability to put guys away hurt him so it’s not hard to imagine this having a dramatic effect on Dobnak’s position in the rotation. If this turns him into a solid 3 or potentially a 2, I am not putting him in the pen so that Shoemaker has a spot. Shoemaker is 1yr $2M dollar guy. We would get plenty use out of him pitching 2-3 innings out of the pen.

Six quality SPs and a handful of good prospects knocking at the door. Is this really the MN Twins?

Couple of interesting observations on this post:

1. A little too early to panic, but Varela has to be put on the hot seat soon.  Our offense was poor last year, especially the playoffs, and putrid this spring, especially the regulars like Kepler, Sano, Buxton, and the two rooks - Larnach and Kirillof.  They have to give some of the guys who are good contact hitters a chance, like Astudillo, Garlick, and make sure Arraez is at top of lineup every day.  Not convinced yet about Rooker's staying power with his K tendencies, but yes, he is certainly in a good position for the 26 man.

2. Can't blame the manager for everything, but Baldelli is too laid back for my taste.  Time to crack the whip!  TK never would have put up with such lackadaisical play!!  There is some fire missing on this team.  Are there any team leaders like Hunter, Puckett, Gaetti?  This was Molitor's big weakness and maybe Baldelli's too.

The rotation seems to be the strength of this team.  The bullpen looks shaky - Thielbar yesterday, Robles many times, and Rogers and Colome have been erratic.  Color me worried about this group, but it won't mean much in the end if the hitters do not hit.

"As with the fifth starter battle, the Twins don’t seem to have any bad options for the left field spot, with Rooker, Garlick, and Alex Kirilloff all presenting a strong case."

What exactly has Kirilloff done to make a strong case?  He's done very little this spring. Let him earn his way up and get the extra year of control.

"I'm worried about offense....I'm worried about defense....I'm worried about Starting Pitching....We don't have 4 lefties in the pen....Who's going to be our #3 Right Fielder.....SIGH...Aaron Rodgers once said something profound "R-E-L-A-X" I know it's our job to be concerned. I know it sucks Kriloff is hitting .100 but this team wasn't thrown together overnight and 4 plus years of FalVine makes me comfortable. Games count as much in April as September, but let's not freak (until May 1)

Atlanta has a great team. Dobnak did a great job, I believe that run was unearned. His line yesterday is over 3.1 innings, 6 ground outs, 5 SOs and 0 fly outs. He does everything that is asked of him.

I'm worried about the offense too.  I'm also worried about our manager.  He has no fire.

Missing the ol' Gardy gettin' thrown out rant and red-ass routine?

I'm worried about the offense too.  I'm also worried about our manager.  He has no fire.

HAHAHA what? Guy has made the playoffs both years as a manager. Projects to do it again for a 3rd straight time. Lets wring our hands about absolutely nothing.

I hate to say it....but it looks like we know a few things.

1. Sano will strike out too much and hit about .260

2. Kepler may be on a short downslide...why is that???

3. Simmons can't hit.

4. Donaldson is not the power guy anymore that we thought he was.

5. Buxton will hit .260 and get hurt.

6. Garver can't hit anymore [like he did in ONE year]....or play catcher.

Our offense is not good.......but with our pitching and defense...it will be plenty good if clutch?? 

I think the only thing you know is some troll named Diddly Squat. 

I, for one, hope Dobnyk makes the club as a sixth starter preferably in a piggy back role with JA Happ to start the season. In 2019 Jake Odorizzi was a solid pitcher but he never seemed to be able to pitch more than six innings.

 

For comparison 2019

 

J A Happ          30 starts 161 innings

Jake Odorizzi   30 starts 159 innings.

 

Seems like a good fit then to piggy back the one lefty starter who rarely goes past six innings with the righty Dobnyk and ask each to go 4 innings or so as we start the season. Then adjust for injuries, etc.

IF Dobnak can put hitters away .... He will goes as deep as any other starter we have. I don't have statistics to support this but it sure seems like he gets into a lot of long battles after getting ahead of a hitter.  Of course, some of those guys get on and a 4 or 5 pitch AB turns into 8-10 pitches plus he has to face an extra hitter. I think a dominant out pitch makes Dobnak a different SP. They could use Shoemaker and Thorpe as long relievers or stack them if one of the other SPs goes down with an injury. Their depth could be a big deal after a 2020 seasons when innings were a fraction of normal.

"As with the fifth starter battle, the Twins don’t seem to have any bad options for the left field spot, with Rooker, Garlick, and Alex Kirilloff all presenting a strong case."

 

What exactly has Kirilloff done to make a strong case?  He's done very little this spring. Let him earn his way up and get the extra year of control.

.317 BA in the minors  with an .863 OPS.   Spring Training rarely is and rarely should be considered tryouts.   Its training and its small sample size.   I'm not saying he should make the team immediately or automatically but you don't earn your spot in ST.    

.317 BA in the minors  with an .863 OPS.   Spring Training rarely is and rarely should be considered tryouts.   Its training and its small sample size.   I'm not saying he should make the team immediately or automatically but you don't earn your spot in ST.    

he OPS'ed .756 at AA. not bad for Florida, but not earth shaking either. Let him prove himself at AA/AAA for a few months.  Frankly, Rooker has earned his shot. Let him run with it or fail....

I'm worried about the offense too.  I'm also worried about our manager.  He has no fire.

The only manager in Twins history to win WS title had no "fire".  He was about as passive as you can be as a manager.  What does "fire" have to do with being a good manager?  Gardy had all kinds of "fire", but I felt he was terrible manager based on his in game decisions.  Sure, some guys may react well to being yelled at all the time a get a rush when their manager goes out and yells and screams making a scene.  Twins right now have different approach, does not mean it is wrong.  

I have no worries about offense.  Spring numbers mean nothing.  We have no clue what guys are working on.  Even more so for guys that know they have a spot on team they may be working on identifying specific pitches, or trying to do certain things.  I have seen many a player crush in spring then be off the team mid april because they strike out half the time and hit below 100.