Siehbiscuit

I have mentioned this before, but will again. Pitchers will get injured and they will also have their struggles. Forget about the Super 2 stuff (the guy is 24) because we will have him during his peak years anyway. Get Meyer in the bullpen and get him MLB experience and also save some innings on his arm for a few months. Meyer will likely be very successful going only an inning or two at a time. Then come late-July or August move him to the rotation full-time. The Cardinals do this with a very high percentage of their young arms. Get them rolling out of the bullpen and they are confident when they move to the rotation. If Correia and Deduno are pitching well, we don't move them just to move them. We do want to win NOW. But that doesn't mean Meyer can't be on the roster and getting some experience. Move Burton for all I care. Save the innings for a while and unleash him later.

I forgot about Benson! He wasn't quite as heralded as Hicks, but had he panned out as many thought he would he would be starting in CF right now (and last year) and Hicks could be figuring out AAA pitching. His star fell off a cliff rather quickly, unfortunately.

IMO, the front office is still valuing tools too much once a player matures. Florimon and even Hicks have great LOOKING tools, but when it comes to actual production, they both fall miserably short. If, big if, Florimon or Hicks could hit .270 at the plate all of us would be happy to eat crow. The problem is Florimon CAN'T do that. He may look smooth in the field and take good BP, but the guy cant make contact. Hicks at least has youth on his side, FLorimon is supposedly in his prime. Yikes.

No worries with Stewart either. He could go all Dylan Bundy and tell the coaches and FO to screw themselves and just strike everyone out and not develop the secondary stuff, but Stewart is working on his weaknesses and becoming a pitcher, not just a thrower. Also, I have noticed areas where the younger guys like Stewart and Berrios are struggling is getting LH hitters out. Obviously, SSS, but Slegers and Eades have seen far more LH bats while in college are faring much better in their respective splits. Berrios is STRUGGLING against LH so far. Stewart not terribly, but there is a noticeable split.

I love Hicks' potential, but at some point the production needs to at least show flashes. Carlos Gomez drove many crazy, but he showed some WOW Factor. Hicks had about a two week stretch last year, robbing HR's and then hitting some. This year he has shown a good ability to draw walks. But that is it. The young man's L/R splits are still terrible (.241 vs LH compared to .150 vs RH). His .330 OBP is great in theory but an everyday centerfielder has to be elite in the OF or hit. Hicks can't hit a moving baseball. He's up there muttering, "Please walk me, please walk me" like a 4th grader seeing pitches from a 6th grader, knwing he can't hit it.

Also, drafting Gordon because we have a current need at SS is the wrong reason to draft a guy. He won't fill that need for at least three years, likely 4-5. If he's the BPA at 5 and the Twins want him, that's a reason to take him.

Why is the recent draft have these top tiers that our teams keep missing on?! NFL draft is supposedly top 7 strong (Vikings draft 8th), last year's MLB draft's top tier was 3 deep, of course the Twins had the 4th pick. This year the same thing. Top Tier is 4, maybe 3 now with Hoffman banged up, but the Twins draft 5th.

I think the Twins will give Pelfrey more time, only because of the financial investment, but that doesn't mean the Twins shouldn't make room for May and Meyer soon. But not in the rotation, Deduno should have the next spot, IMO. I would like to see Meyer and May called up, but sent to the bullpen. The Cardinals almost ALWAYS do this with its young talented arms: Wainwright, Lynn, Wacha, kid named Carlos Martinez (BA's no.31 prospect). This serves two purposes: 1) Save some innings on their arms and 2) Success in small amounts can give them confidence at getting MLB hitters out. I LOVE how the Cardinals trusted Michael Wacha last year in October. He had been great in the minors, but made him earn a rotation spot by being too good to keep in the bullpen any longer. Unleash Meyer and May soon in the mid-innings.

Keith Law said in the off-season (paraphrasing) that when Buxton is ready to come North that Hicks (if he's become an everyday caliber player) will be shopped. His ability to play centerfield will make him valuable to other teams. Law said that Hicks will never have the bat to justify putting in a corner OF position.

Mauer will never live up to some people's expectations. Mauer has won Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, batting titles, an MVP, numerous All-Star games, but because he doesn't hit HR's he can't be loved. Here's a thought... maybe pitcher's disagee with us idiot fans and throw him nothing good in clutch situations, because they'd rather pitch to Trevor "F&^##ing" Plouffe.

I think you're stereotyping a little too much with May. He was NOT below average at AA. He wasn't fantastic, but he was still pretty good. He made many fans and analysts Top 10 Twins prospect list in the best farm system in baseball. He looks to be a great innings eater and can strike people out. His control has actually improved tremendously. He may not be Greg Maddux (or even Nick Blackburn) in the control department, but he has continued to improve this weakness This year's start is continuing on that trend. He has looked very good this year.

Having a good eye at the plate is great to see in a young player. But he can't hit the balls that are over the plate. He has to look to walk to get on base, because he sure isn't going to hit the ball.

Do we assume that just because he is 6'5 and 230 that he should automatically be a HR hitter? What if he were 6'1 and 200lbs and had the same .322/.405/.467 slash line. Or is it the contract? What other $23 million+ guy would you want? 1. Ryan Howard $25M/yr (3 years left; current age 34) - He finished the 2012 season with a .219 batting average, 14 home runs, and 56 RBI in 71 games (OPS+ 91); 2013 season he was injured (80 games played) in July. He was hitting .266, had 11 home runs, and 43 RBIs at the time of his injury (OPS+ 114). 2. Pujols - $24/yr (8 years left; current age 34) - Finished 2012 with 30 HRs and .285/.343/.516 (138+). Injured in 2013, played only 99 games. .258/.330/.437 with 17HRs (OPS+ 115). 3. Cano $24/yr (10 years left; current age 31) - Off to a rough start in Seattle, hitting .270/.329/.351 4. Fielder $24/yr (7 years left; Age 30 Season) - Has played ALL 162 games since signing contract. Hit 30 HRs in 2012 and .313/.412/.518 (OPS+ 151). In 2013, he hit 25 HRs and .279/.362/.457 (OPS+123) 5. Teixeira $23.125 (3 years left; currently 34) - In 2012, he played 123 games and hit 24 HRs and .251/.332/.475 (OPS+ 115). In 2013, Tex played in only 15 games (OPS+ 66). He is currently injured as well. Mauer is 31 (5 years left) and played in 147 games in 2012. He hit only 10 HRs and .319/.416/.446. (OPS+ 140) In 2013, he played only 113 games, hit 11 HRs and .324/.404/.476. (OPS+ 144)

@JoeAP, I understand what you're saying but, I think many players and coaches would disagree with you. Most baseball people would say the jump from AAA to the Majors is the biggest and most difficult jump to make. Second is the A+ to AA jump. True, an adjustment period (like what Hicks is given) would help a ton of hitters and pitchers, but at the MLB level these guys need to win and win soon. The minor league affiliates want to win, but not at the expense of development.

Boo, Debby Downer. The Twins having good at bats is ALWAYS fun. Showing improvement at the plate vs 2013, is a major reason for Twins to smile!

I really hope so!!!

Also agree that 1-4 is not the problem. Hicks, though, is driving me INSANE! I love the potential, but WOW is he frustrating. He walks frequently, but it seems that he goes up to the plate looking to walk. He cannot hit. His ability to get on base is an asset. I would like to see him move DOWN to the 9 spot and he can work his on base skills in front of the top of the lineup.

Favorite player: I'm on the Chris Colabello bandwagon at the moment. Favorite Pizza: Sausage and Pepperoni w/ lots of garlic sauce

MAJOR OVERREACTION! The numbers will be there at the end of the year. If you want the guy to become Prince Fielder, then you will be disappointed. He is striking out more and likely because he is trying to hit for more power. In regards to the leadership stuff: Making the most money on your team doesn't make you a "leader." Being able to influence others is leadership. His professionalism on and off the field is leadership. He may be a lead by example type of guy. Michael Jordan was the leader of the Bulls, but often wasn't the highest paid player. Money is NOT the issue when it comes to leadership.

The fact that Beede is a little wild is what intrigues me. He let's it go and is anti-The Twins Way. Beede WANTS to strike people out and that is why he is a top 5'er for me.

Suzuki: .260/.310/.350 (as long as he is batting in front of Mauer he will see plenty of fastballs) 8 HR's Pinto: .270/.320/.415, 12 HR's (He will work as a great tandem with Suzuki) Mauer: .320/.420/.515, 24 HR's (I'm in the fresh hands and legs category this year on Mauer. Lower average, due to power increase. Will walk a TON as only threat in lineup.) Dozier: .270/.335/.420, 12 HR's (Leadoff batter will have a solid season) Plouffe: .250/.315/.410, 14 HR's (Plouffe will struggle again! If only Sano were an option) Florimon: .215/.260/.315 (Escobar or Santana will be taking away AB's by early July) Willingham: .225/.320/.405, 16 HR's (He's done and will not stay healthy. Approx 105 games) Hicks: .270/.340/.430, 19 HR's (Hicks will stay in the bottom order until the Twins have no choice but to move him up to about the 5th spot. Hits .265 from the left side) Kubel: .210/.260/.360, 5 HR's (See Willingham. Released by June 1st) Arcia: .255/.330/.460, 28 HR's (Will be in the 4-hole by mid-May) Colabello: .290/.370/.470, 22 HR's (Due to Kubel and Willingham's poor performance and health, CC becomes the full-time DH and thrives) Escobar: .265/.330/.360 (Will take over at SS for Florimon. Shares late season AB's with D.Santana. ) Bartlett: .235/.290/.300 (Bartlett greatly struggles, but manages to hang on the MLB roster all season) SURPRISE!!!! Eddie Rosario .275/.340/.440 3 HRs (starts at AA after 50 game skid and starts MASHING. Promoted to AAA and only stays 2-3 weeks as he continues to rake. Plays 30 games at MLB level. Starts in LF and backup in CF). Chris Parmalee - .240/.330/.460 - 17 HR's (gets called up for good when Kubel is let go. Willingham injuries force him CP into full-time duty. Hits for power but low average.)

I know "we" all use the "5th starter" as the last guy in the rotation, but are Deduno and Gibson better than any of our first four? For instance, Nolasco is our #1 and Opening Day starter. He is followed by Hughes and then a guy like Gibson or Deduno. Leaving Correia and Pelfrey to be the guys to miss a start if the Twins were to skip someone early on. What are the chances that Pelfrey is the #5 and not Gibson or Deduno?

Aaron Hicks prospect status has always been tied to his ability as a centerfielder. Big arm, good range in addition to what he brings offensively. The reason the corner OF stereotype exists is because you can hide an average to even below average fielder there, because the bat is very good. Aaron Hick's bat tool has never been considered to be in the 'very good' range. If Buxton is on the major league roster by let's say June of 2015, he and Hicks may get the opportunity to see what they can do together. If Hicks is hitting .275/.350/.450 while also hitting 15+ HR's and stealing 20+ bases, but is relegated to RF on the Twins, he could be worth a king's ransom! We wouldn't have to trade him, but we could still run Arcia and his bat out there but then flip Hicks for several high upside prospects or a MLB-ready SS. He is a CF that will be very sought after if he gets his bat going.

I want Kohl to protect his arm, period. Throwing a football around is so much less taxing on the shoulder and elbow than is throwing a baseball. With his talent and upside being so great I do not care if we have to wait till he is 24 or 25 to see the big leagues. I just want to see him reach his potential for at least 6 years as a Twin. The last thing anyone wants is to see him breakdown.

@Butterfingers8, I may not be Seth, but to me I don't think the term "push" is the right word to use here. The Twins have always been notoriously slow with advancing prospects. Berrios proved in short-season right away that he was far advanced and was ready to handle much more. They moved him to CR because he was ready to pitch there. Stewart is probably ready and could do great things there, but arm fatigue and developing nonslider related pitches comes into this as well. Berrios may be (speculation) further along in his development than Stewart even though Stewart's upside is much greater. Stewart, IMO, needs to develop at his pace, not the Berrios pace or any one else's. His situation and his future (selfishly our future as fans) shouldn't be pushed because of where he was drafted. We need this kid to be a gem for us and he may require a longer time to cut and polish, but that is because he is a 10 carat stone (Stewart) and not a 2 carat (Berrios).