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jkcarew

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Everything posted by jkcarew

  1. jkcarew
    I wouldn't say I'm waiting for Lewis to be promoted. I thought I might be, but I'm not. Instead, I'm waiting for Lewis to show some progression offensively. We're approaching the 200 PA he had last year at this level, and he's under-performing his (decent, not great) results from last year...including striking out more and massively struggling in the SLG area. It would be great to get a report on his defense, because that would have a material impact on how we view his overall progress. But, offensively, he does not appear to be anywhere near ready for a promotion.
  2. jkcarew
    Gordon hurt again? And is it time to update Javier from “early May return”?
  3. jkcarew
    Don't love him there...but given alternatives, I'm good with it. When looking at it, we'd probably be better off considering Kepler's numbers against righties only. He's not batting lead-off against lefties. And his OBP against righties...while not outstanding...is decent, and better than Buxton's. Against lefties, I'm good with Garver leading off at this time. My feeling is that lead-off batters have more pressure and see different pitching approaches (certainly relative to no. 9 hitters). Even if Buxton continues to make progress, I want him with a solid season behind him before we ask him to take that on...as long as the alternatives are 'decent'...which I feel the Kepler/Garver platoon is (so far).
  4. jkcarew
    But we just lost by a run. My thing is...why does having the ability to pull and launch and hit home runs have to preclude the ability to move a runner when the scenario calls for that? You'd like to see that type of versatility...at least among guys that aren't going to be anywhere near league-leaders in power numbers. (by the way...not necessarily a Kepler thing, really. Kepler was trying to move the runner...he's always trying to pull the ball which was the play there. Just got beat by the pitch.)
  5. jkcarew
    It would make sense to me that we will see shifts beaten more often going forward as the shift pendulum swings too far. Where the 'marginal' power guys become willing to look to beat the shift. Just eyeball/gut, I thought it was absurd that the Tigers were shifting Polanco. And, sure enough, he burned them multiple times. Maybe I'm just hoping. The pull/launch thing is great, but I like the idea of diverse styles and approaches surviving the data-driven evolution.
  6. jkcarew
    Good for him! Don't know that he will hit as he advances...but it's nice to see for a kid who...up to this point...has done pretty much everything that could be asked of a high-school catcher drafted in round 2 (at least in terms of overall numbers).
  7. jkcarew
    Yep. And also agree with the "encouraging" comment. What we are seeing is exciting, and it's not unrealistic to think that Polanco is in the process of taking his offensive game to a new level. Not Trout-like or even Carew-like, but still something that could be very, very good. Carew himself took a significant step at his age 27 season.
  8. jkcarew
    Heading into his age 25 season, Polanco has a career best 110 OPS+. Heading into his age 25 season, Carew had a 134 and a (injury shortened) 152 under his belt. And Carew posted the 157 at age 29. But, it’s worth pointing out that Carew and all of the others on your honorable mention list were second basemen. Short is more demanding...and playing at his current standard defensively, Polanco would not need to OPS as high as these others to be more valuable. So, for now, maybe we ponder whether 2019 Polanco can have the best year ever for a Twins shortstop? Seems like that could be realistic, as long as he remains healthy throughout the year.
  9. jkcarew
    And THAT is why traditionally you don’t have the best pitcher in the back of the bullpen enter games when trailing. It’s a gamble, and Rocco lost the bet. Berrios has struggled controlling the curve many of his starts so far...his mediocre FIP and K/9 heading into today’s start reflected that, despite the favorable results. It was bound to bite him eventually.
  10. jkcarew
    Oh, well. Detroit’s results since we saw them early had indicated that they might not be terrible. And seeing them up close now, I’d say that’s true. Or at least not as bad as I thought they’d be. The health of Perez and Cruz is more important than the outcome of one game. So, I hope they’re healthy and available very soon.
  11. jkcarew
    But would you want to go by that? I'd go by Maxi35milian.
  12. jkcarew
    Kepler's wRC+ right now is 106 and ranks 20th among right fielders. Eight Twins have a higher wRC+. His OPS+ is 109 compared to his career 97. Meanwhile, his splits vs lefties so far this year (SSS) are once again flirting with platoon territory...hence the recent trend for Baldelli dropping him to the bottom of the order vs lefty starters. Kepler's 2019 improvement can be attributed totally and completely to an increase in HR rate. His BABiP is an abysmal 236 which is exactly where he sat at the end of last year. And his determination to try to pull everything isn't going to improve that materially. On the other hand, there's no reason to think that the improved HR rate isn't sustainable and can't continue to grow a bit more, even. But, it will have to for Kepler to be a "star". It should also be pointed out that Kepler's extension also makes him considerably more valuable in trade scenarios.
  13. jkcarew
    Rosario did look broke tonight...and has for many games over the last couple of weeks. The good news...last year that would have almost automatically meant games lost.
  14. jkcarew
    Obvious to me as well. His pull rate isn’t as high (until this year) as you might think...but he does TRY to pull everything. Everything. Result: balls hit to left of center are almost always poorly struck and the result of him getting beat by a pitch that he’s trying to pull. With his approach, sustained improvements mostly limited to the BB/K ratio and HR rate.
  15. jkcarew
    College pitcher or big-time bat, I hope. I know only the toolsy guys tend to go super early. But I, for one, will not be upset if we take a bat with true top-end potential with number 13...regardless of where he projects defensively. We've got enough toolsy middle infielders and center-field types in the system who may or may not hit. What we don't have much of are guys that can flat out rake. If dude ends up being a 1B/DH only, so be it.
  16. jkcarew
    Still emerging. Several realistic candidates, which is a good thing.
  17. jkcarew
    I agree that there are reasonable arguments/reasons/scenarios for a 12-man staff. And hope that that is what happens. But I don't think that will be the decision/outcome...at least not for the majority of the season. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.
  18. jkcarew
    Lot’s here think the pitching staff will go to 12 when the second of Sano/Astudillo become available? Why? Seems counter to recent history and trends especially as we get out of the cancellations season and into the makeup season. I’m sceptical that the staff will be 12 for anything other than brief periods going forward. I mean, they want 13 in early May, but will want 12 in June because...it’s become too hard to chose which hitters remain?
  19. jkcarew
    So here’s the question...batter gets no credit for RBI when grounding into a double play. Does he get the RBI when flying into a double play? If not, I’d make the goofball that got himself thrown out trying to advance buy me dinner after the game.
  20. jkcarew
    Garver s—ks! He’s horrible! (If we all do our part, we can keep this thing going. Come on, all you keyboard heros hiding behind your screen...let’s be heard!)
  21. jkcarew
    Agree. Kirilloff being real, and Kepler taking even one more half-step in his development...would be a nice problem to have, as they say.
  22. jkcarew
    You sure? After the Twins got good in the late 80's, it seemed inconceivable that the outfield of Gladden, Puckett, and Brunansky would be broken up. But the FO was able to leverage Brunansky's value to obtain Tommy Her-- No. Wait. Never mind.
  23. jkcarew
    I'm fine with that . But like I posted earlier...I knew Perez would get chances to start against a weak team (or three...our division is full of them)...but I still never expected to see results that good in terms of being in control, avoiding hard contact, getting deep into the game, getting K's, etc. I'm in Brock's "he's probably not THIS good...but it looks like he's legitimately/materially better than the old Perez" camp.
  24. jkcarew
    Not sure how it would impact Lewis. In fact, Baddoo is known to take a lot of pitches, which would be good for Lewis. FWIW...Baddoo has been a better offensive player than Lewis so far this year. Both have under-performed, but Baddoo is hitting for extra bases, and has 4 home runs which is 4 more than Lewis, Larnach, and Miranda. Granted, OBP is exceeding low for a lead-off hitter...but I don't think the organization cares that much what that might do to the likelihood of winning A+ games.
  25. jkcarew
    The large majority of those that can do that while playing major league shortstop are already on major league rosters.
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