Twins Minor League Report (8/8): Tiempo Para La Maquina!

Look at the Twins season - tell me a real reason for keeping Berrios in the minors?  Some kids are ready at 21 and do not look back - JO looks like one of them. 

No more Duffey, Jepson, Achter... bring this kid up and even if he has to go down again the ride to the top will begin.

Duffey is better than Berrios right now, that's what we were told by the FO..........

Uhh, Mike is correct, actually, they kinda did:

The Twins discussed a few options, including Jose Berrios, but believed Duffey was more prepared.

“We think, where he’s at, he’s a guy we don’t think is going to be intimidated or fearful of challenging a major league lineup,” Molitor said. “ … It’s a little bit of a tough first start, we know that, given their lineup. But hopefully he responds to it.”

 

And from the Pioneer Press:

Others to receive consideration were right-hander Jose Berrios and left-hander Taylor Rogers.

“We looked at our options,” Molitor said. “(Berrios’) name was brought up. The people that we talked to down there  — pitching coach, manager, our scouts that have seen him also — they thought Duffey would be more prepared or qualified to be the guy to get this opportunity.”

 

"More Prepared"... "More Qualified"

These things are pretty easily verified.

yeah, I'm guessing the front office looks at more than just a box score to determine readiness. 

 

 

But Mr. Ryan has to clear a spot or two this winter because Berrios sure looks to be about ready!

I'm really curious what Ryan will do this offseason here.  I think Milone will likely be on the block, but even if he's shipped off and Pelfrey is presumably allowed to walk, you have Hughes, Santana, Nolasco, Gibson, and May in those 5 spots.  Eventually, someone will hit the DL for a time and give them an opportunity to use Rochester, but there's going to be a few deserving arms to choose from.  I think Berrios has the highest ceiling of those arms, but Duffey and Rogers certainly will be making a case as well.

Side note, but I don't believe (could be wrong here) that Berrios is a 40 man decision this offseason.  I wouldn't mind him as a September callup, but I'd rather not waste an option on him next season unless the plan is to have him in the majors next year. 

TRANSACTIONS

A few quick notes on the transactions of the day:

•  
• Chris Paul promoted to Cedar Rapids from E-Town.
•  

E-TOWN E-NOTES
Elizabethton 10, Bluefield 4
Box Score

It was a good night for the Twins offense. Jermaine Palacios had another three-hit night. He went 3-5 with his fifth double. He also stole his second base. All eight others in the lineup had one hit. LaMonte Wade walked and added his seventh home run, a three-run blast. Chris Paul added his third homer. Brad Hartong and Brian Olson each added a double.

 

Chris Paul's promotion was a logical move.

LaMonte Wade is also slightly older than the Appy League average, seems he might be deserving as well.  Why not share time with Tanner English and get Wade up to finish out the season in CF/RF in the Midwest League?

Palacios is definitely blocked at Cedar Rapids by Gordon, and the kid just turned 19.  Probably just fine to leave him in E-Town for now.  Perhaps they can give him a look-see when Cedar Rapids starts their playoffs?

I believe Berrios doesn't have to be added until after the 2016 season.

Yep.  But I bet he is up by September.

Duffey is on the same prospect plane that Trevor May was at this time one year ago... Let's not start bashing him because he got beat up in his MLB debut against the best team in baseball.

I get very excited when a rookie makes his debut, especially a SP. seems there are only two outcomes: 1) kid does great, owns the other team, who...BTW...probably has next to nothing for a scouting report...OR...2) kid is amped, tries/throws too hard and is gone in 4 or less. Guess we know what happened here. But I agree he was the logical and right choice at the time.

Assuming you weren't going to do the right thing, the smart thing, and put May back in the rotation where he belongs. Not stretched out? Please. He belongs there, can be stretched out again in a couple starts, (probably) and you have an 8 MAN BULLPEN to come in when he hits his wall.

Regardless, to me, the only real regret with the Duffy shot is that he isn't going to get another one right away to rebound. And that's a shame! I think he's proven he has the stuff/potential to have a future, as a quality reliever if nothing else.

I'm really curious what Ryan will do this offseason here.  I think Milone will likely be on the block, but even if he's shipped off and Pelfrey is presumably allowed to walk, you have Hughes, Santana, Nolasco, Gibson, and May in those 5 spots.  Eventually, someone will hit the DL for a time and give them an opportunity to use Rochester, but there's going to be a few deserving arms to choose from.  I think Berrios has the highest ceiling of those arms, but Duffey and Rogers certainly will be making a case as well.

 

Side note, but I don't believe (could be wrong here) that Berrios is a 40 man decision this offseason.  I wouldn't mind him as a September callup, but I'd rather not waste an option on him next season unless the plan is to have him in the majors next year.

Hate to sacrifice a 40 man spot for Berrios and bring him up in September for a casual look/single sip of coffee unless TR and the Twins in general are willing and ready to fully and legitimately consider him for a rotation spot next ST.

Your primary question is an intriguing one that flips through my mind frequently. Barring a trade, which I believe is a strong possibility, (see; young ML catcher), the rotation should be Hughes, Gibson, Santana, May and Nolasco, Milone, Berrios, Duffey and Rogers. That's a lot of youth and potential mixing with a bunch of proven veteran status to work with. Berrios is the future there, even if they decide to be conservative with him. I believe Rogers for the port side and Duffey, especially with his reliever background, should also be considered bullpen candidates. Soooo much competition, depth and potential here Gang! Don't give up on Nolasco. Healthy, he really is a nice presence.

Remember when we weren't even sure how to fill a 5 man rotation?

How is saying "he gives us a better chance to win", not saying he was better for that moment? I don't know how else to parse that phrase.

Hope to see Berrios soon, and Duffey in the bullpen soon.

Hope to see Berrios soon, and Duffey in the bullpen soon.

And Rogers...

You mean like service time?

Service time, makeup, attitude, approach, results, tenure, age, and probably a hundred other things that I haven't mentioned here. There's lots of factors that come into play with these decisions.