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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    Gallo has been doing just enough to keep in the lineup. Most days Joey is at first base and has not been too good in the outfield. Does he need some time on the IL to heal a leg injury? Ideally, Kirilloff is the first baseman. Yes, the team has a glut of left-handed hitting corner outfielders when one lines up Gallo, Kepler, Larnach, and Wallner with Gordon on the 60 day IL now and Castro as an everywhere reserve player. I guess this was a reaction to watching Cave and Contreras last September. By the end of July, I would expect some changes via trades.
  2. tony&rodney
    Good hitting by Lewis to lob the ball into the outfield instead of trying for the three run jack. I almost feel bad for Kepler. He has been a good player for the Twins but is clearly not what the Twins need right now. Maybe he turns it around. Maybe Buxton and Correa turn it around too.
  3. tony&rodney
    Wonder what teams would be interested? Also wonder if the Twins are open to trading either or both?
  4. tony&rodney
    If the plan last winter was to have Taylor in CF and Buxton as a DH, then the Twins are a handicapped team. MAT is a fine centerfielder and excellent base runner, Kansas City did not trade him for salary relief or because the prospects they acquired are so promising. They did not need a reserve outfielder. The Twins need to figure out a configuration which makes sense in the field. They have their best outfielder as a DH, their best first baseman playing outfield, and some good DH guys playing in the field. The Twins have lost four series in a row and are 10-14 going into Houston before they come home to play four games versus Cleveland. These next seven somehow seem pretty important. Maybe the Twins can figure out where their players should play.
  5. tony&rodney
    I'm not at all convinced that Matt Wallner will evolve at a point in time to become a regular starter much less a star, but his athleticism is enticing despite the raw inexperienced nature of his play and it seems necessary to find out. Would the Twins even allow a young player to develop into a star? Wallner reached base in eight straight plate appearances, yet more impressive was the manner in which he accomplished it. He was focused and in control of the strike zone and fouled off some good pitches. Certainly it makes sense to see how his play would proceed in several subsequent games at the very least. Does this portend that the return of Maeda results in Varland being returned to AAA? A shift, even if for a brief time, to twelve pitchers is also something to consider. I expect that to be the norm within a year or two actually. The Twins are confounding to me.
  6. tony&rodney
    Playing the Astros in Houston should get players interested in being competitive even more than one might expect under usual circumstances. Although one could say that every game demands close attention, playing a team in their stadium that has dominated baseball for nearly a decade may increase whatever competitive spirit exists. This is similar to going into Yankee or Dodger Stadiums. We should see some good baseball. On a side note, I wonder if there would be benefits from carrying an additional bat and going with twelve pitchers? Does anyone else find it unusual to send a player to AAA who is clearly your best bat at this moment in time?
  7. tony&rodney
    Castro should have earned a utility spot with his versatility and all around play.
  8. tony&rodney
    Good story.
  9. tony&rodney
    Max Clark would be a terrific pick for the Twins. He has the most upside of anyone since the pick of Byron Buxton.
  10. tony&rodney
    True. I'm not sold. He has a ton to prove in my opinion, but I'm just a small voice that favors different skill sets. I understand those who like his game; I don't.
  11. tony&rodney
    Baseball (2023) managers have less autonomy than in the past. Falvey and Levine (perhaps others) have a significant voice in the game. I'm not sure that is a positive thing. Baldelli was hired because of his prior experience in working with a group of people combined with his low key approach. Managers made in game decisions, player usage patterns, and various other calls based on their knowledge, experience, discussions with other coaches, and feel for what was actually in front of them before the advent of front office involvement. In a sense there is only so much Baldelli can do. He is Falvey's guy. The Twins would never have someone like Francona or Baker. Both of these managers (a few others) listen and converse with a wide assortment of people, including their front offices, but the decisions made on players and in games is their call. If the Twins wanted the best mind possible as a field manager, Paul Molitor would still be in charge. Thus, the extension of Baldelli is easily understandable, actually expected, with Falvey at the helm of the team. Baldelli is fine. What has been a bit of a surprise is how the Pohlads have increased their unprecedented (for the Twins) financial spending under Falvey.
  12. tony&rodney
    Varland is a very solid #5 starter; so competitive and hard working.
  13. tony&rodney
    I like it. A few small tweeks: Julien, Buxton, Kirilloff, Polanco, Correa, Larnach, Lewis, Kepler, Vasquez with Farmer, Taylor, Castro, and Jeffers as the reserves. If Buck cannot play centerfield, things change.
  14. tony&rodney
    Enlow has a ways to go before getting an opportunity with the Twins. He has shown enough thus far that 2-5 more good outings could see him promoted to the Saints roster to show himself at AAA. Success for St. Paul points to an improved chance for MLB consideration down the line, likely in 2024. He has looked (milb.com viewings) like an improved pitcher this season.
  15. tony&rodney
    I'm thinking the Twins cannot mess around - take one of the guys who have been consensus top five. Anyways, all is good.
  16. tony&rodney
    Situational hitting is important and how a player approaches a pitch can and should change within an at bat. Ahead in the count it makes sense to be looking to drive the ball, while a two strike strategy must strive for contact. Miguel Sano became useless when he just swung for the fences on every pitch. Gallo has had some luck but sure takes a big cut on every pitch and looks very vulnerable to any pitch up in the strike zone. The flatter swing path has a better chance and baseball players can adapt. Both Correa and Buxton seem to change their swings with two strikes but are also both struggling with low batting averages. Batting average, slugging, and OPS are useful for evaluation only to some extent. We heard Dick Bremer state that Justin Morneau had 74 sacrifice fly balls in his career. Joey Gallo has 3. I believe that the Twins batters are working hard to be successful in their at bats, but a shift to conceding power for contact with two strikes is needed as difficult as that may be.
  17. tony&rodney
    The week ahead finds the Twins facing left-handed starting pitching. Time to let Julien lead off with Kirilloff in the third hole and Larnach batting fifth. Maybe Castro can continue his decent play too. The offense needs to help out the pitching staff and find their groove. Both the Giants and Blue Jays are good teams and the weather looks agreeable for some winning baseball. No real word on Buxton yet but Correa had some decent swings and fought through most of his at bats in Los Angeles. The Twins could use an exciting homestand going into the summer months.
  18. tony&rodney
    Moniak made quite an effort but it wasn't ever clear if he had any control of the ball. He dove into the stands and the replays show that the ball bounced up, out of his glove. It would have been a miraculous catch. Kirillof is looking to make a difference. I sure hope Buxton is back tomorrow and that Julien is at second base. The Twins need some runs.
  19. tony&rodney
    I watched a couple of games where Dollander pitched. He looked pretty hittable. He may indeed have a fair MLB career but he does not project anywhere close to the top five prospects. If you get a chance to find a Ken Griffey Jr., you take him. It doesn't matter if you have Byron Buxton or others. Talent will rise and make a difference in multiple ways for a team. The Twins don't need to get cute. They need to take the best player available. There are plenty of pitchers who will be available to draft. Think of Bailey Ober and guys in the system now like David Festa and Brent Headrick. BPA is the way to go.
  20. tony&rodney
    One recent mock has the Twins taking Langford. Most people seem to agree that Clark has the highest ceiling, but Langford could be starting for the Twins to start 2025. Langford is really good and has right handed power. Any of the top five are win, win.
  21. tony&rodney
    True. I get the frustration and there are others thinking of October too. I just hope people don't let their team ruin a beautiful day. I watch the games and have my opinions but like to turn the page after the final out. The attendance this season will be a sort of comment by the general public.
  22. tony&rodney
    Try a different type of coffee and your morning will unfold more smoothly.
  23. tony&rodney
    David Festa had pinpoint control of his fastball early in the year and pitched very aggressively. The guy I watched last night looked unsure of what to throw and struggled with location. The minor leagues are a tough learning curve and both Festa and Brooks Lee exemplify the need for experience. They are both talented and should be solid contributors in MLB down the road a year or two from now.
  24. tony&rodney
    My concern with Jax is that most of his pitches are in the same relative area. The old maxim of pitching in and out, up and down are not in use when Jax pitches. Ryan gets a ton of strike outs high in the zone because he moves the batters' eyes on every at bat. Additionally, Jax seems to throw his fastball only for a waste pitch, again in the general zone where he wants his slider to go. The hitters dismiss all of his pitches and are able to tune into one area. Jax and Pagan are positive points for opponents batting averages. I'm not sure what the options are at this time. Pitch selection and location?
  25. tony&rodney
    The kid, Kiefer Lord, that went to Carleton is a smart flyer, 3rd round pick maybe. Take the big Texan, Travis Sykora, with #34 pick if he is still there. Thank you for these write ups.
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