Twins in Arizona

Buxton surprises me.  To have the most valuable prospect play in a league that is not directly under the parents control.... especially in the post concussion period ...... it surprises me.  Here I am, thinking Buxton is too fragile to play baseball, and is just going to get hurt.  I guess it will take at least a full year where he can stay on the field to have that change now.

Sweet, I wish Sano would have been added too, but not so sure he is eligible being from Dominican and such. Is Sano even playing winter ball? Thought i saw something saying he was waiting until Spring training to participate? Any clarity on that?

I recently saw a video of him hitting in the cage.  He looked to be free swinging.

I recently saw a video of him hitting in the cage.  He looked to be free swinging.

Here're two videos just released:  

 Pretty impressive looking at this stage of his rehab.

Not sure why Nick Burdi isn't resting.....

Well, he pitched in college this year, then went straight here, so I would guess this is a lot of innings for him. but maybe not. If he won't be in MN next year, not sure why you'd send him to the AFL, so hopefully this means a serious fast track.

It is, and not surprising.

 

Perkins and Fien are the only guarantees going into next year. He has a legit shot to break camp with the Twins.

Yes, I called for it earlier.  Combined with his Louisville college numbers, he's only thrown 53 innings this year.  And his numbers and stuff indicate he's as close to a finished product as a relief pitcher coming out of college as is humanly possible.

Isn't the 7th AFL guy kind of a swing roster player, anyway...?... ie., just there to fill in when someone else isn't available.  I doubt whatever few innings he throws would be deleterious to his pitching health, and on the positive side, it might give him a chance to match up with some of the best prospect hitters who are knocking at the major league door.

Looks like Adam already pitched a game for NB... I don't remember seeing his name announced as the PTBNL for the Willingham trade.

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 9m 

Response minutes ago from @MLBazFallLeague spokesman Paul Jensen on Nick Burdi: "Speculation. The Twins still owe us one pitcher."

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 7m 

Person with direct knowledge tells me #mntwins "changed their mind" on Nick Burdi as final AFL pick. Hence the online confusion.

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino  · 4m 

And before everyone jumps to the wrong conclusion, I'm told Nick Burdi is completely healthy.

5 scoreless outings since jump to Ft. Myers

And ensuing confusion reigns for all Twins fans offline. Seems like this could have been handled a little better.

I think they're all pretty good choices. As long as he is physically up to it, I think Buxton is an obvious choice. What little time he got this season wasn't enough to really "develop", but probably just enough to keep the status quo and not get Rusty. He obviously needs the AB's to get ready for New Britain.

Glad to see Kepler finally coming to life and getting the extra development time in the AFL. I really thought this was the year Kepler was going to make a big leap. He's obviously very raw, still young, has a lot to learn but seems to ooze athleticism and talent from all reports. Not sure what's held him back this season. But again, nice to see him on a roll and finishing the season strong.

I'm still impressed with Rosario's potential. I can forgive a young man being stupid and doing what he did, pot right? But my concern is continuing infractions. Did we ever hear what he did recently to be suspended for a few games? Was it a form of cautionary moment to make sure his head stayed screwed on straight, or do we have an attitude problem to worry about? I hope it's the former as I see a quality LF who can fill in at CF, maybe 2B, and be a hit machine with a lot of doubles and consistent double digit HR power. Can he develop 20 HR power eventually? I think as he settles in and develops more physically it's possible.

This should be a nice springboard for Melotakis to hit the ground running at AA to begin 2015. I'm OK with keeping Burdi out, though his innings totals are not high. But then again, he is a RP and not a SP. He would have had fall ball before college ST and a full season in college before about a half season of pro ball. A little time off might be a good thing.

Wasn't it Correia who got swapped for as yet unknown returns?

You are correct, sir.  

Phil Miller updated the situation on the AFL picks today, in a summation that took more page space than the game summary of the Twins walk-off loss to KC.  Mike Radcliff was the source for some in-depth commentary on the big announcement and the Burdi snafu:

 

 

The Twins will also send four pitchers, though only three have been settled on so far: righthander Jason Adam and lefthanders Mason Melotakis and Taylor Rogers, all at New Britain.

 

A fourth pitcher, Nick Burdi, was incorrectly listed on the Rafters’ roster, but Radcliff said he was only one of “a few candidates” for the remaining spot.                                                                                                                                                  

All three pitchers are serious candidates to be in Minneapolis soon, perhaps even next season, Radcliff said

This explanation invites more questions than it answers.  Such as....

1) How did the Salt River team know to post Burdi to their roster?

2) Dustin Morse made the official announcement online, sans Burdi.  Exactly when was he officially removed from the remaining spot?... and more importantly, why?

3) If the three pitchers that did make the cut are "serious candidates to be in Mpls. soon", where does that leave "only one of several candidates", Nick Burdi?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/272818871.html