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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    Tait and Gonzalez face the challenge of becoming proficient at a position. They have time on their side. Dasan Hill could go in just about any direction. He has great stuff, but he cannot control much less command his pitches. Hill throws hard so there is always the concern of an injury as well. The hope is that Dasan can figure things out and throw darts. All three players have talent and one wonders if one or more of these three might be involved in a trade in the next few weeks.
  2. tony&rodney
    Good comment. You may or may not have noticed but I'm big on the athletic talent of Brandon Winokur. He can play good above average defense at seven positions. He is fast, powerful, and has a rocket arm. The bat is the question. So ..... I try to catch as many plate appearances as possible when Winokur plays. Stats can be deceiving. Last night was a good example. Winikur had 3 hits but didn't look very good at the plate. I mean, yes, take the 3 hits but development is about getter better which means laying off of pitcher's pitches and barreling up the ball. There are a few days when Winokur has gone 0-4 with four hard hit balls well over 100 mph. Those are good swings. I do agree it is "nice to see Winokur with 3 hits." Seeing the plate appearances often tells a different story than the box score. Being greedy, I want him to barrel the ball more consistently.
  3. tony&rodney
    thank you.
  4. tony&rodney
    Earning a roster spot on an MLB club is outrageously difficult. The factor that separates out most players is hitting. The pitchers are so good at exploiting any weakness that becoming a regular position player depends on athletic talent, opportunity, and the ability to make frequent adjustments. Teams need to find those who can potentially hit and then also hope they can become average defensive players. The best defenders have a long road to reach the highest levels because they must hit enough to justify their existence on a roster. The Twins are not alone in that quest and in general the lists that rate farm systems are folly. A ton of work goes into developing players. The Twins have to be pretty pleased to have drafted Vahn Lackey due to his all around profile as a baseball player. Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kaelen Culpepper, and Marek Houston are all talented individuals who have shown an ability to be average or slightly better gloves while also displaying decent hitting ability. The Twins don't really have any fielding savants but that is fine. Injuries have hindered a few guys. There are a few tooled up players in the system who have a long road to developing their skills at the plate. Khadim Diaw, Brandon Winokur, and Yasser Mercedes are three to watch for the future (2-3 years out). Many of the other prospects possess tools worth noting and many of the best bat prospects face long odds because of weak gloves. All things considered it is really a difficult task to rise through a minor league system and maintain focus in a profession that has such a high degree of failure. This requires a resolute belief in self as well as outstanding work habits. I'm feeling pretty good about a few Twins prospects but remain cognizant of the extreme challenges and odds facing those who seek that precious MLB roster spot. I have a deep appreciation for how hard players work and how long they stick to their belief in themsleves. They come from all types of backgrounds too. Four to admire for their commitments on the Twins current roster are Alex Jackson, Kody Clemens, Ryan Kreidler, and Tristan Gray.
  5. tony&rodney
    The Twins have worked to improve the results from their Latin America signings but it is difficult to project teenagers. Always good to see a kid with promise join our organization.
  6. tony&rodney
    Don't fret. There are some good baseball players in AAA. The current roster is doing well and it always seems like someone gets injured which necessitates a call to St. Paul. In the meantime everyone should enjoy the club on the field.
  7. tony&rodney
    That was a sweet DP by Royce Lewis in the 1st inning and he is playing good defense on grounders, flips to pitchers, and in digging balls out of the dirt. Beautiful catch by Luke Keaschall. Quick, short inning for Morris and Gomez looked good too. Kreidler continues to impress. Ober was tantalizing, driving the Cubs crazy with his slow stuff. Big hit by Trevor and nice touch on the inning by Jeffers with the HR. Good win on a rare Friday night game at Wrigley in front of a packed house.
  8. tony&rodney
    Baseball is a tough game to find success and opportunities are also difficult to come by very often. The competition is fierce. Roden is ok as is Fedko but they have a little pressure to make things happen when their name is called.
  9. tony&rodney
    Never crossed my mind. Does anyone else think that is possible? Cubs must be cursing the slow pitches going left, right, and down without any pattern from Ober.
  10. tony&rodney
    Maybe next time for Roden. He had a really bad PA after a supremely slow charge on the base hit and then a slow release. I'm hoping and I know those who are Roden fans are hoping but I'm not seeing the talent.
  11. tony&rodney
    Twins have some other prospects in top 100. The Padres may shift their plans by August 2 and so might the Twins. If the Padres are trying to reboot, they may listen to Tait, Rodriguez, Hill, Roden, and PTBNL.
  12. tony&rodney
    Trading Jeffers makes sense if an offer of a decent player is put forth. I doubt the Rays give us Brody Hopkins but perhaps they might if the Twins add Trevor Larnach. Maybe the Yankees send Elmer Rodriguez. There are players the Twins could trade from their 26 person roster and improve the team potentially. Is that selling? Conversely the Twins could acquire players using their own prospects. While it would be a surprise if either of Kaelen Culpepper or Walker Jenkins were to be traded, there are others the Twins could trade if the return made the club more competitive/stronger. There will be opportunities. Much like last year, the Twins can chart their course over the next 16 games. The results to August 2 combined with how other teams play could result in a flurry of moves, selling and buying.
  13. tony&rodney
    I'm ready for a gamble type trade that brings in something that lights up the board, whether that is a top ten prospect, a relief arm, or a starting pitcher. In some ways I don't expect much to occur but I'm ready. I don't think our fringe guys will bring much, but perhaps they can be used as an extra piece. You name some outfielders and maybe one or more of Roden, Rodriguez, and Mendez/Gonzalez fit somewhere in a trade. I doubt that anyone but Jeffers brings anything from the DH/1B group and the utility types don't really have much value. I do agree it would be nice to see a big trade. The reality is that the next 16 games should or could tell us which teams will want someone or be willing to give up talent. I'm looking at San Diego if they crater and if the Twins get above .500. There may be a move with Preller (SDP) possible. August 2 will be a big day across MLB.
  14. tony&rodney
    Winokur is a terrific athlete. The long limbs and arms make him look goofy when he plays. The reason the Twins keep using him at shortstop is because they want to keep him in play across all positions. I have probably watched him play 50 times or more. There have been tough days, especially a few times last year in Cedar Rapids, but Winokur has a very good glove and a rocket arm. He is not the shortstop that Marek Houston is and nobody should confuse the two at that position. However, I have seen Winokur make a couple of plays that Houston could never make due to physical traits, both fielding and throws. People should forget the idea of pushing Winokur to one position. He can play defense. The issue for Brandon Winokur concerns his levers and hitting a baseball. There has been steady improvement, but also some down periods as well. No doubt, frustration is a part of following Winokur both for his coaches and the fans. I'm sure the player would like to rocket through all of the progressions and bea Twin sooner rather than later. The final steps may not come but those who bet against superior athletic talent are often wrong. Winokur is on the slow rise. He has improved and there may be three years left before he manages to reach the MLB level. Finally, I understand that most people cannot watch a ton of minor league baseball but I do wonder if some of those who make strong definitive statements have seen the minor league guys play and how many times they watched each player. I'm not talking about stats or videos, I'm wondering about watching the games. I get the reflex thoughts and opinions, and those seem natural. I just wonder how people can be so definitive and firm on their opinions when they have not seen a player dozens of times. I was part of various aspects of the game for half a century and find myself hedging on a consistent basis. Winokur has time to develop. My opinion is that it is too early to place a bet either one way or the other. He is fun to watch though.
  15. tony&rodney
    Does this make Keaschall a player that the Twins should float for any teams willing to trade for him? Related .... Is Keaschall's value at a peak?
  16. tony&rodney
    This seems like a fair comment, but it raises a question in my mind. Where do you see Luke Keaschall playing and does he hold a fielding position in 2027? FWIW, I would not move LK to a platoon role.
  17. tony&rodney
    It all comes down to consistently good pitching. The offense has been reasonable. The defense is vastly better than at the beginning of the season and can still improve. There are a couple of AAA players who may make a difference in August and September. But the work of Ryan, Ober, Bradley, Matthews, and whomever fills the fifth rotation spot (hopefully a healthy Prielipp) and the bullpen will determine how the rest of the year plays out. I understand that many people do not see the current team as a playoff team much less a roster that can win a few playoff series. Nevertheless, I'm ready to see the Twins bring in a few relief pitchers and make a few gamble type trades. What does San Diego want for their relief pitchers? Can Ryan Jeffers bring in a useful relief pitcher? I'm also willing to dangle a guy who has been performing well, Trevor Larnach. The Twins need a ton of luck and good health but they can win some series. I'm wanting to see how things go in the next 16 games.
  18. tony&rodney
    On the surface this seems like a really good plan. Look over the free agents for the coming offseason and suggest a signing. There may be a pitcher or two but the pickings are slim among position players. The best free agents have commanded Carlos Correa type deals and these are not especially helpful for middle market clubs. The Twins may find that getting lucky with their two top prospects emerging and making a few judicious trades the best avenue to competing.
  19. tony&rodney
    Jeffers does a decent job at catching and is a better hitter. Caratini is better at blocking balls in the dirt. It is tough to differentiate between catchers when they are close in their skills. I like Ryan Jeffers quite a bit. I won't be surprised if the Twins do not trade him if the offers are substandard. I expect a team wants Jeffers bad enough to put a solid offer on the table. Perhaps the Twins want more than solid; hard to guess. Caratini and Jackson have shown enough to get the Twins through the year if Jeffers is traded. There isn't really much of a difference between the three except the bats, where Jeffers stands out this season. The Twins need relievers so that winds up being the main consideration.
  20. tony&rodney
    The mediocrity is more related to a failure to act on potential obvious transactions and a set of directives that pushed defense down to a minimum in importance. Changes have been made and more are coming. The team is slowly improving in incremental steps. A simple look at the Opening Day defense versus now is pretty drastic. It isn't certain how the team can take a big step but perhaps a couple of prospects stepping into regular positions in August may be a thing. A big trade is also possible. While there is no such thing as too much depth within an organization, it might work to move a couple of the Twins prospects in the #4-10 rankings if the right player is available. It seems like we are itching for the team to leap in a direction, which may not happen. The next 16 games will give us and the organization a clue to where the Twins are headed. A team picked to finish at the bottom of their division and the American League has created enough excitement that we are paying attention.
  21. tony&rodney
    Boston is pretty happy with their pitching, so they do not make this trade in my opinion. Yes, the Red Sox like Ryan and tried to pry him away a year ago from the Twins. So thumbs down from Boston. The Twins don't need to get another learning on the job starting pitcher at the expense of losing their top starter. Minnesota might listen if Boston includes Franklin Arias but we already have said that the Red Sox are not looking for pitching. In a straight trade, the Twins don't even think for two seconds before saying "No". Two things are true in this case. Further, the Twins will need to be enticed with an offer they cannot refuse, which I'm guessing would need to include a top ten prospect and that seems unlikely from the viewpoint of the other side. I will be surprised if Ryan is traded.
  22. tony&rodney
    Thank you Jamie for all of your excellent work. I enjoy reading about the draftees and prospects. Once these guys join a team I try to find time to watch them via milb.com.
  23. tony&rodney
    If Bell continues to be the adult in the dugout, that veteran is carrying a piece of wood I want around. Tell me he can return a useful player and I'm good with that but who is that player. Bell stays in my book. Jenkins is the paper-rocks-scissors winner of a outfield position at the expense of whomever was holding the spot warm. I believe Jenkins becomes a regular some time in August. Buxton will still hold his position. The hot player or a platoon of sorts carries the day for the other corner roster position. The team will be better, stronger, deeper.
  24. tony&rodney
    FWIW, the same exact thing was stated about the 1987 Twins. No, i am not comparing the two rosters, just saying that mediocrity turns into roses sometimes. The questioning of the roster is legitimate but stuff happens.
  25. tony&rodney
    FWIW, Terry Ryan was on record as saying that Joe needed a couple of years to learn the nuances of catching but was ready to successfully hit MLB pitching when he was drafted, right out of Cretin High School in St. Paul. You are correct that no one should compare any young catcher to Joe Mauer. I feel the same way when people bring up Ken Griffey Jr. or other Hall of Fame players. Let these young players grow into their own careers.
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