YourHouseIsMyHouse

I think Devries would perform better than Marquis, but I agree that Hendriks should be the one getting starts. Slama or Guerra should replace Jeff Gray as well for a new sweep of transactions. I don't think anyone was surprised how poorly Gray did in the 16-4 loss. His ERA was so misleading and he was due to get shelled. Up to that point, he was one of the luckiest pitchers this season.

He has a pretty good career ERA and I'm not denying that Santos has had some success, but right now the comparison isn't very good. I don't understand sarcasm by the way.

"Liriano makes $5.5 million, Pavano earns $9.0 million, and Marquis signed this past offseason for $3.0 million. If you add all of those up with the $6.5 million lost on Scott Baker this year, the Twins will have quite the chunk of change to spend on pitching for 2013." You can also add $4.75 from Capps and with that the Twins have just over 28 million to spend. I really only see two major holes on the roster at 3B and SP. Greinke and A. Sanchez are the most attractive options available at SP and no potential free agents at 3B look like an upgrade (except Polanco who has a mutual option). I think going after a star pitcher makes a lot of sense for the Twins and they need to sign someone to get the fans excited for next season. The Twins have a lot of money coming off the books in 2013 (Morneau/14mil+Nishioka/3mil+Carroll/3.75m=$20.75mil) too so overspending now isn't terrible, especially if it's a 3-4 year contract.

Ramirez has continued his hot streak at the plate in Rochester. He's currently hitting .385/.385/.500 in 26 ABs. Although this is great news, he hasn't drawn any walks, hasn't had any success stealing bases, and his eight strikeouts give him an uncharacterized (and EXTREMELY high) 30.8% Strikeout Rate. These are all minor flaws that will hopefully work themselves out. I'd like to see some dingers from him soon too.

His showing today was pathetic to say the least. Nearly every pitch I saw was a hanging breaking ball or a mediocre fastball down main street. Then the command problems came and I just about lost it. I don't expect much from Marquis (I didn't expect a win either), but that was honestly the worst I have ever seen a pitcher perform. Ever. Cut him loose and move on. He's done enough damage to the Twins in 6 weeks to ever play for them again. He's washed up and never really was more than a #5 pitcher in his career. Now that he's bottomed out even more and is 33, I can't see any time with the Red Wings helping him anyway.

Santos has been getting shelled this year and is sitting on the DL after posting a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. Again dude, VERY bad timing!

Not only does he have the arm for a pitcher, but the bat for one as well. Unless this .360 thing is a sign of him turning things around of course. I think everyone is surprised by how well he's played and this thread couldn't by posted at a worse time! Whoever taught Drew Butera how to hit, albeit short term, deserves a reward or a medal of the sort.

I'd really like to know why you think Vavra is a good hitting coach. I can't see any reason to defend him really. The Twins take lots of walks, but overall I don't think he has really progressed players at the MLB level. Parmelee is a perfect example. This might be a good idea for an article if you really want to try and convince people including myself.

I really don't like using BABIP for pitchers. I think it's a useful tool for hitters, but there are much more useful sabermetrics that account for luck like xfip in terms of pitchers.

We need some better luck with Pavano if we plan on getting anything for him in July.

2012 AAA Official Game Log 5/15| 2-4, 1R, 1 RBI 5/16| 2-4, 2 RBI, 2K 5/17| 1-5, 2K, 1 CS 5/18| 1-4, 1K 5/19| 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 CS 5/20| 2-4, 1 RBI, 2K, 1 CS 5/21| 1-5, 1 R 5/22| 0-4, 1K 5/24| 1-4, 2K, 1 CS 5/25| 1-5, 1R, 1K 5/26| 1-5, 1K 5/27| 0-4, 1K 5/28| 0-3 5/29| 1-5, 2K, 1SB 5/30| 0-6, 3K 6/02| 2-6, 1 R, 2RBI, 2K 6/04| 2-3, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI From: http://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=5219&position=DH/OF&type=-1&gds=2012-05-15&gde=2012-05-20

WILKIN RAMIREZ Date of Birth: October 25, 1985 (Age 26) Hometown: Bani, Dominican Republic Position: LF/CF/RF Throws Right; Bats Right Frame: 6'2", 190lbs. Acquired: Agreed to terms with the Twins as a free agent (November 17, 2011) Statistics (BaseballReference.com) Minors AAA (5 seasons)1111 PA 1011 AB 36 HRs 62 SB 19 CS 311 SO .249/.309/.423 AA (4 seasons)901 PA 815 AB 40 HRs 39 SB 20 CS 270 SO .279/.343/.512 A+ (3 seasons)622 PA 583 AB 18 HRs 36 SB 8 CS 160 SO .252/.291/.401 Majors [TABLE=class: sortable stats_table row_summable] [TR=class: stat_total, bgcolor: #DADCDE] [/TR] [TR=class: full hl] [TD=align: left]2009[/TD] [TD=align: right]23[/TD] [TD=align: left]DET[/TD] [TD=align: left]AL[/TD] [TD=align: right]15[/TD] [TD=align: right]13[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right].364[/TD] [TD=align: right].385[/TD] [TD=align: right].818[/TD] [TD=align: right]1.203[/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: blank_table partial_table, bgcolor: #DADCDE] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: full] [TD=align: left]2011[/TD] [TD=align: right]25[/TD] [TD=align: left]ATL[/TD] [TD=align: left]NL[/TD] [TD=align: right]20[/TD] [TD=align: right]30[/TD] [TD=align: right]26[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [TD=align: right].231[/TD] [TD=align: right].333[/TD] [TD=align: right].308[/TD] [TD=align: right].641[/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: stat_total, bgcolor: #DADCDE] [TD=colspan: 4, align: left]2 Yrs[/TD] [TD=align: right]35[/TD] [TD=align: right]43[/TD] [TD=align: right]37[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [TD=align: right]10[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [TD=align: right]14[/TD] [TD=align: right].270[/TD] [TD=align: right].349[/TD] [TD=align: right].459[/TD] [TD=align: right].808[/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Summary - Wilkin Ramirez is an older prospect who has contributed to the Twins minor league affiliates greatly this season. Continued success could earn him a promotion if a spot opened up due to injury or a trade (Span) to a position player. Never considered a top prospect, Ramirez has spent plenty of time under the radar and polishing his skills. He's spent most of his baseball life as part of the Braves and Tigers ball clubs, but joined the Twins in the 2011 offseason. 5 Tool Analysis Hits for Average- One of Ramirez's bigger problems at the plate is his ability to get on base. It is clearly indicated by a career minor league BA of .261. 2012 has been a surprising exception as he has been able to average .353 in Rochester, .388 in New Britain, and .267 in Ft. Myers. OVERALL: No Hits for Power- Wilkin Ramirez has a powerful swing and has belted 115 HRs in his 9 year minor league career. His ceiling may be around 15HRs for a 162 game season if he were to play well, often, and at the MLB level. OVERALL: Yes Baserunning- He's a speedy outfielder who has great instincts around the diamond. In addition, he doesn't get caught stealing often and is fairly efficient as well. Ramirez has totaled 164 stolen bases in his tenured minor league experience, but hasn't been asked to steal much within the Twins organization thus far. OVERALL: Yes Fielding Ability- Wilkin's speed translates into the outfield and he has a knack for tracking down fly balls. He ranks above average anywhere on the grass and can make plays with the best of them. OVERALL: Yes Arm- I'm not too confident in my knowledge on this area. I have never seen him throw, so I can say my judgement isn't the most reliable. However, he arrived on the scene as a 3B when he was just a 17 year old kid. The left side of the infield requires you to have a strong and accurate arm and it's possible he played there because his arm was an asset. OVERALL: Yes (likely) Strengths - Low ground ball rate/Speed/Pop/Excellent discipline Weaknesses - Making contact/Could also draw a few more walks Potential Upside - Wilkin Ramirez has very few weaknesses in his game and his performance with the Red Wings may be telling the front office that he has addressed them. I think he's worth an extended look in an MLB showing in a rebuilding year. Ramirez hasn't been given enough opportunities to distinguish himself as a AAAA player or a MLB one. It's quite possible that Wilkin could flourish as a full time major leaguer. Although if he were to disappoint, his athleticism may at least produce a useful utility man. Expectations - The depth the Twins have at outfield is the biggest obstacle for a promotion at this point. A line like this seems fairly reasonable if he were to get promoted to the MLB: .255/.320/.400

Seth, could I adopt Wilkin Ramirez instead? I want to give up on Angel Mata. He isn't playing and I there isn't much I can do with a thread about him.

Doesn't look like a good day for the uber prospects. Sano, Rosario, Hicks, and Benson looked like they all struggled. If Arcia keeps up tearing it up we may get a Benson/Arcia/Hicks outfield in NBR! Of course an Arcia promo could mean Benson gets demoted for how awful he has performed. It's great to see Rochester start to get competitive. The new faces (Ramirez, Burroughs, Oliveros among others) are really contributing out east.

Very interesting piece John. I really thought about the vaccination question before I read on and decided that vaccination would be the best idea. I would really like to see more commission than omission from home plate. I think borderline strikes should always be called, because the hitter has to know that it's close enough to where he could be caught looking. The 80% to 60% gap because of an 0-2 count is definitely not surprising and frustrating to say the least. Pitchers get squeezed in those situations a lot! Umpires need to stop taking pity upon batters and call the game the way it was designed to. You'd think they'd want to get out as quickly as possible, but that is never the case!

While I'd never want a player like Alex Rodriguez on my team, I don't watch the Twins because they are nice guys. I watch because I want them to win. This performance we have seen is completely unacceptable and I don't think many people saw it coming. On paper, it definitely looked like the Twins got better during the offseason. They added Doumit, Willingham, and Carroll while only losing Kubes and Cuddy. Not one, but two former MVPs came back in good health. Spring training also went excellent and gave us positive signs coming into the inaugural season. If you would have told me that this team was going to stay healthy and the bullpen would not be an issue at the start of the season, I'd definitely think that they were at least playing competitive and possibly in contention for the AL Central. Instead, they have managed to put together an even worse record than 2011's pathetic team. How?!

Because he makes nearly twice as much as any other catcher, I would at least hope that he could be #1 in production at his position. What time will they shut him down this year?

Ben Revere's hot streak may be encouraging, but beneath the surface it's not all too great. Only 1 of his 29 hits this season has been a XBH. All he has been hitting are singles and his slugging % is still ugly. Revere also has trouble drawing walks as well. His stat line for triple A: .322/.354/.333 or Great/Acceptable/Bad

Thank goodness. I was tired of watching Parmelee struggle. I hope Morneau performs just as well as he did when the gates opened. He really only struggled right before he landed on the disabled list. Hoping the wrist was the problem, but I can't say I'm optimistic.

Never mind it was Gio Gonzalez, who is pitching out of his mind with the Nationals.

Willingham without a doubt. It would be his first appearance. I'm surprised he didn't make it last year. Who was the A's representative? Jemile Weeks??

I don't see where you are getting the idea that Doumit's defense is "better than we heard" either John. His Rdrs/yr and fielding % are slightly higher, but not enough to claim we have gotten different defensive play entirely. He is still below average behind the plate and that was totally expected of him anyway.

I think Sano is ready for the promotion. The defensive issue will follow him wherever he goes in the minors so the point is moot. Ft. Myers' coaching staff could help him a lot more than the coaches in Beloit. His strikeout rate looks lower overall this year (despite the rk to low A jump) and it hasn't been too big a problem in May thus far. A callup would do much more good than harm to his growth.

Ray Chang would be the first option I go with. If he can't produce either I'd throw DB Romero into some triple A for a week or so and then promote him to the club or revert to Valencia. The Twins don't have much depth at 3B so it's difficult to find someone worth the call.

I originally thought Zunino was the best pick, but now I'm convinced that drafting pitching, pitching, and more pitching is the way to go. It's not because the Twins need pitchers (they do), but because it's a great way to build a franchise (Think Rays). The only way the Twins will ever have a true ace is if they develop him in their organization. Free agent pitchers simply cost too much in the offseason. Even if a team has a surplus of good pitching, great prospects can be dealt for position players later on (Think Pineda for Montero). It looks as though scouts have soured on Appel because he can't get strikeouts and his production has declined this season. Out of all the pitchers, I think Kyle Zimmer has the biggest upside and is the best choice.