stringer bell

Gary Wayne.

Cuddy is my all-time favorite Twin, more for what he has done off the field than on. I would hope that one or both of K & L far exceed what Cuddyer was able to contribute.

Agreed that neither guy is "electric", they aren't five tools guys and the athleticism is not off the charts. They will need to be top hitters to be stars, but I think there is a reasonable chance that they will.

I disagree about Kirilloff's plate discipline. He doesn't walk much, but he doesn't chase indiscriminately either. If he doesn't get strikes to swing at the walks will come, but he's not up there to walk. Larnach swings and misses more and the K rate is pretty high. Not to say that Kirilloff doesn't strike out, but at a lower rate than Larnach.

I really think Taylor Rogers is close to a premier relief pitcher. Even with the three batter rule, he's very valuable and his ability to extend beyond one inning is also a huge asset. In my memory, Taylor has missed zero time due to arm injuries and that too is rare. Pay him what he's worth and get him some more help in the 'pen.

With today being an off-day for the Twins, I have taken a longer look at the stat sheets. I think it is interesting to compare and contrast Kirilloff and Larnach. Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach have much in common. Both are rookie outfielders for the Minnesota Twins, both were #1 draft choices for their team and both hit left handed. They represent a big part of the future of the franchise. Kirilloff has been in the organization longer and was the first to be promoted to the Twins. He started the second game of the 2021 playoffs versus the Houston Astros and did get a hit. Alex began 2021 in the minor leagues, although he was recalled before play began in the AAA season. Kirilloff had a stint on the Injured List due to a wrist injury but has returned and played almost every day. Larnach was drafted the year after Kirilloff, but is a year older, as a former college player. He was promoted in May and has been in the lineup regularly. Trevor has played mostly left field, but has played six games in right. Kirilloff has split his time three ways, starting ten or more games at first, right field and left field. Many on the boards have suggested that Kirilloff's future is as a first baseman and I don't disagree. However, it would appear that he could be an adequate corner outfielder if someone on the roster could only handle first. I've watched both players intently and think that the future is pretty bright for both. It seems their stat lines jump around from day to day, but currently Kirilloff has ten more plate appearances, despite a higher batting average Alex has a lower OBP. Both have five homers, but Kirilloff has only one long ball since returning from the IL. Larnach has only 12 RBI so far, a result of poor performance with runners on base, especially when they're in scoring position. It seems every day I change sides on which rookie will be the better player for the Twins. Today, I'm picking Kirilloff. I think his approach and swing are less prone to long slumps. He might become a gold glover at first base and he's going to hit for some power. The wrist problem worries me more than anything. Larnach generates a lot of power and has managed to keep a decent OBP and batting average despite high strikeout numbers. I think he'll be a good outfielder, as well. Hopefully, both are perennial All-Stars. What is your opinion?

It would have been nice to watch a comeback win in person on a beautiful June afternoon, but it was not to be. Bad defense in the eighth was more responsible for the three runs than Columé IMHO. It seems that all year, the errors have come at crucial times.

And those three runs in the eighth are now the difference.

Not much luck for Columé. Sanó had a play at home on the one he booted and then a seeing eye grounder.

Cincy has two catchers that can hit? What a concept!

Interesting to see Wes stand next to Ober!

Jeffers!

There I got it right-side-up!

Not starting against a lefty. Makes sense.

My view. Did it come through sideways?

Thanks! Beautiful afternoon at a beautiful ballpark. If the Twins win, it will be a bonus. I believe the last game I attended went like 15 innings against the Rays. It should be better than that.

I’ll be attending my first Twins game in nearly two years today.

Apparently, Celestino for Buxton. Yea.

In 2020 (SSS), when he played only second base, Arraez' defensive numbers were above average. I don't see any reason why a 24-year old player can't improve on that. I agree that his bat does belong in the lineup most days.

With Buxton's injury last night, it is certain he will go on the Injured List. If the Twins can get someone to Minneapolis today for the afternoon game, I would assume it would be a pitcher since the bullpen is depleted and Ober hasn't gone more than four innings in any start. They could call up a starter to piggyback with Ober, if one is rested and option or DFA him after the game.

It is official, Byron Buxton has a "boxer's fracture" of his left hand. He will miss weeks recovering from his latest injury. It just never seems to end for the ultra-talented center fielder. If it isn't his legs, then it's his shoulder, if it isn't his shoulder, then it is his head (concussions). I feel terrible for the player and feel some disappointment for the organization. A wonderful talent who just can't seem to stay on the field. Time is drawing short for Buxton to perform for the Twins. Assuming he is out until after the All-Star break, he might be able to play 60 more games this season. He will almost certainly be either a free agent or traded before he reaches free agency and he is such a risk that it is unlikely that the middle-market Twins will make legitimate offers to keep him. ing time. So that will be a silver lining. Whatever fleeting hopes of returning to contention depend on the Twins winning lots of games against their Central Division opponents in the next few weeks and now it appears that they won't have their best and most exciting player. Someone will get more opportunities. I presume Nick Gordon will get some time in center field as will Max Kepler and the two left hitting rookies (Larnach and Kirilloff) will get plenty of play

I’ve never seen a runner advance like Kirilloff just did. Every game is an opportunity to see something you’ve never seen before.

I realize this is dependent on SSS, but I think Arraez' defensive stats show me that he really isn't a super-utility player. However, he may be a guy who is a regular at different positions in different years. If that doesn't make sense, what I am saying is that if Luis is moved around from day to day, starting a game at second, another at third and another in left, he is not as effective as replacing Donaldson for a week or more at a time or claiming second base for a long period. Give him a few days to get comfortable and he can be adequate. Arraez provides very important skills and abilities offensively. He gets on base, he works counts, he makes contact and draws walks. He's a relatively high percentage hitter, all in contrast to most of the Twins' regulars. Gonzalez was mentioned upthread and he was a player capable of stepping into almost any position on the diamond for a day or more and being a defensive asset. Note that he's played a lot of second and short for the Red Sox, who are doing surprisingly well this season. He hasn't hit, which is why his salary was too high, but true super-utility types are in short supply. I think Arraez would be just fine as a regular second baseman or third baseman. I haven't liked his jumps and routes to fly balls in the outfield and for him to be a DH, left fielder or third baseman, someone would have to make up the slack for his lack of power. Finally, I may be an ultra-traditionalist, but I think a player cast as "utility infielder" should have the capacity to play shortstop. I think it is pretty much agreed that Arraez would not play short except in a stopgap situation and I think it is the lingering question about Nick Gordon. The Twins' utility players this year (Arraez and Astudillo) couldn't play shortstop. I consider that a flaw in roster construction.

It’s not the Nasty Boys or the Royals’ World Series bullpen, but Rogers and Robles at the end are getting the job done.

Like many other Minnesota Twins, Max Kepler enjoyed a banner 2019 regular season en route to over 100 victories. Kepler assumed the leadoff position in the batting order and flourished. He hit 36 homers and drove in 90 runs and played good defense in right field. Kepler also more than held his own against left handed pitching, hitting .283 with an .880 OPS against southpaws. The season, however, didn't end well for the Berlin native. He was injured and slumped in September and the team was swept out of the playoffs by the Yankees. Max was 0-10 in the 2019 playoffs. Since the breakout season, Kepler has not fared well. Max's OPS fell from to .760 in 2020 and is .692 this year. Kep has spent time on the Injured List both in 2019 and this season, including ten days on the COVID list. He's particularly struggled against left handed pitching making 2019 look like an extreme outlier in that regard. Kepler remains a good defender and is an adequate center fielder as well as well above average in right. Kepler's injuries and illness have given other players a chance. Career minor leaguers Rob Refsnyder and Kyle Garlick have fared well in limited roles and certainly done better against lefties than Kepler. Top prospects Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach have gotten an opportunity and shown that they are ready to hit big league pitching. Quite suddenly, there is a case to be made that Kepler shouldn't be getting regular play when everyone is healthy (I know it never seems to happen, but it might). Kepler is signed for two more years, at $6.75m in 2022 and $8.5m in 2023. That is more than reasonable for an above average starting corner outfielder, but is a lot to pay for a utility or platoon outfielder. Unfortunately, the trio of Larnach, Kirilloff and Kepler all hit left handed. Early results show the two rookies as handling southpaws better than the more veteran Kepler. What to do with Max?