roger

Will be shocked if Balazovic gets the call. One, he has pitched a lot of innings, at least for him after not pitching at all last year. Second, he hasn't been pitching all that well the last three weeks or so. Seems to have one good game surrounded by a couple that aren't good. If he isn't battling an injury, gotta believe he has that ole dead arm. And third, the kid is still at AA making a direct call problematic with this year's crazy rules.

Sorry, that isn't likely as the ballpark in Milwaukee has a retractable roof.

Has there been any indication, Matt, that Duran is throwing so a return this year is possible? Or is he still shut down? The key difference with Kopech is that Kopech had TJ surgery in 2019 and it was behind him. Duran hasn't had surgery, so that possibility is still out there. I don't know about others, but my fear is that his problem returns later this year or next and he isn't available until 2023 or later. But I will agree with your premise that if he does return late this year or next, it would be smart to use him out of the bullpen to limit his innings in 2022.

A bit concerning that Dobber gave up four walks, considering that free passes led to his problems late last year. Checked to see if they may have occurred late in the game and he was tiring due to it being his second rehab start. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as he walked one in each of the first four innings. But was great seeing him pitch into the fifth inning with only one run. Expect one more start for the Saints before rejoining the Twins rotation. Hopefully, he will do well and so they can count on two of these young guys, Ober and Dobnak, for the 2022 rotation. Balazovic hasn't been the same pitcher since his streak of nearly 30 innings without a run ended a month or so ago. After not pitching last year, gotta believe his arm has tired a bit. Appears they are going to keep sending him out there to build innings so he doesn't have this problem next year when he could/should be with the Twins late next summer. Although Javier's big night took the headlines, Severino and Julien were both 2-4 plus a walk. Although he hasn't totally turned the corner, Javier has had many two and three hit nights this year. Could be wrong, but I don't remember many multi hit nights in any of his previous years, so that is an improvement. Maybe next year he will finally put it together and become that star shortstop we all yearn for. Biggest question is whether or not it will be with the Twins as it is doubtful he gets added to the 40-man roster. He has been in the organization for six years, yet he missed so much time injured. Does he qualify as a MiLB free agent this year? Or not? Also saw that Sabato was 0-4 last night with all four at bats ending with the K. Gotta assume there will be some adjustment to the higher level, but golden sombreros aren't good anytime. That is what they call 4 K's, isn't it?

Read something interesting in the Strib this morning about Sano and Cruz. Seems Cruz was using a glove Sano gave him when he went out and played first base the other day. They truly have developed a special relationship while Nellie was here. Also recall something else I read recently that I didn't know, or had forgotten. That is that Sano and Polonco have been friends and playing together since they were teenagers back in the same home town in the D.R. As much as we all want championships every year these players are people, people who have developed bonds over the years that can affect what they do on the field. Rosie was part of that close group every step of the way from young kids to the Twins. Perhaps the fact he was removed has had a negative effect on the Twins and on him as he continued playing elsewhere. Now that doesn't explain the pitching this year, which is another topic.

All comes to he, or she, who waits! Let's all take a breath, sit back and be patient. Whether he makes one more start for the Saints, or none or two won't change his future with the Twins and his role next year. Ryan will pitch for the Twins and odds are it will be soon.

I think many are missing the reason why AAA extended their season with no playoffs. By extending, all teams will be playing until around October 1. That means that all major league teams will have their AAA team playing, versus only a few who are in the playoffs. Considering that rosters expand from 26 to only 28, having their AAA teams playing until the big league season ends is important for when players are needed on the big league roster. Was surprised to see Dobber move up to the Saints this soon. Expect with all the starters dropping from the Twins rotation, he will get two, at the most, starts for the Saints before rejoining the Twins rotation. Was reading Reusse this morning about the Giants-Dodgers. Interesting that the Giants are using Wade primarily as a platoon versus right handed pitchers and the results have been excellent. Also talked about Tyler Rogers and Zach Little. Appears Little was coerced into adding a splitter with the results putting him among the most effective relievers around. Also saw that Tampa kept Nelson Cruz in their lineup last night versus the Braves in Atlanta by having him play first base All this got me wondering why some of these thoughts never occurred to the Twins coaches while these players were at Target Field? Took a look at Austin Martin's stats since joining the Twins. See he has 2 stolen bases and attempts in 65 at bats with the Wind Surge. Prior to coming over to the Twins, he attempted 12 stolen bases (successful 9 times) in 196 at bats. So 2 in 65 versus 12 in 196 has him running about half as much as before the change of organizations. Don't know what that means, but isn't his speed and base running supposed to be one of the tools that makes him such a high prospect? Doesn't make sense to me to have him running so little, other than the Twins almost never steal a base.

Fantastic report, Seth, and loved the information about where they rank in all of MiLB baseball. Not asking for additional work, but wondering how Miranda ranks among AA and AAA players. If memory serves, there are often some video game type numbers coming out of the lower levels. All four full-season teams are over .500 with three at least 10 games over. That is fantastic. But those poor FCL Twins have an ugly record, just plain ugly. And when I checked a few days ago, the DSL Twins record was similarly ugly. Does having the lowest two levels winning so few games mean anything to you? Should we be concerned? It is great seeing Sabato getting a promotion. Expect his streak of home runs recently got the Twins attention. Hopefully, he will do what Severino did when moving up, that is tear the cover off the ball. In response to sorney above, agree that Cavaco isn't putting up great numbers for a former first round pick. On the other hand it is a noticeable improvement over his first year in 2019. Considering he didn't play last year, I see this improvement as a step forward...perhaps a big step. The key will be if he can take another step next year?

What is your over/under, Cody, for how many WILL play for the Twins this year? I would put it at 2. Seems like a slam dunk to be 3, but one won't make it for reason X. Don't see Martin skipping AAA and coming straight to the Twins. What is more amazing is that two of these four were available for every MLB team last year in the Rule 5 draft. Don't know what this says about the Twins and other teams. Does it say that the Twins do a fantastic job developing marginal players into great ones? Or does it merely confirm that all teams 40-man rosters, including the Twins, are stocked with very good baseball players and there just aren't a lot of opportunities?

No, but this is a personal decision for each of us. We often go to the Capital Grill on our anniversary. She made me cancel this summer, June.

Ouch. That hurts, but no where near as much as it probably does for those fans who regularly went out to Joe O'Brien Field a couple nights every week. I know there was supposed to be some type of college summer league in the Appy League this summer. Did that happen? If so, what was it like?

I know people rave about Vallimont's stuff. But he is so inconsistent with way too many games like yesterday where that 'stuff' doesn't equate to success in the game. I know some believe he should be added to the 40-man come November, I just don't see it. See that Severino was 0-5 yesterday. Looked up his stats at Cedar Rapids. In 89 at bats, he has a .455 OBP. Granted, 89 at bats is still a small sample, but not for much longer. Also good seeing Wallner get two hits yesterday as he has had quite a few hitless games of late. I know Soularie has only 46 at bats, but 6 walks and 10 strikeouts is an early indication that this kid may have some real potential. Although Cavaco's numbers this year aren't video game like, he is hitting so much better than his first year in the GCL two years ago. Good to see this young man taking a step forward. Hopefully, we will see another step next year and beyond.

Watched the game yesterday and Friday night. Friday night, didn't think he looked great. Sunday, got the right pitch in his first at bat and whacked it hard and long. May have been the second at bat, he looked more like Friday night, ie, not all that comfortable.

No one is talking about the reason not to call him up, ie, the reason to keep him in St. Paul. I don't know or care to try to understand what is happening in AAA regarding playoffs, or not, and league championship rules. But the Saints have one hell of a team and are battling for first place. Miranda is their best hitter. With the addition of Ryan and maybe Winder getting healthy, they have a great chance to keep up their recent pace and win this out. Why is winning in St. Paul important. Two reasons, one, this is the first year of the Twins-Saints affiliation and putting a championship banner up at CHS Field would be fantastic. Second, the Twins now own part of that franchise and filling the stands throughout September and getting all the excitement back to fill seats in 2022 will keep the Saints as a solid, profitable franchise.

For me it comes down to lots of factors. First, it would depend on who was playing, rehabbing, pitching for the Saints. For example, I watched the Saints game the other night because I wanted to see Buxton and Ryan's first start (I have Hulu, so I can't watch the Twins). Second, it would depend on whether it was a day or night game as I have no interest in night games that get me home at 10 or 11pm. I believe the Twins play more day games during the week, which would tilt in their favor. Finally, I would prefer going to downtown St. Paul over downtown Minneapolis. Assuming my wife would be with me, that would mean we would have to go to St. Paul as she will not go into downtown or anywhere in Minneapolis, as she is concerned with the safety of walking/driving there.

There isn't anything left to say about Miranda. Hopefully, his defense (at third) will be solid so that he doesn't become another bat only big leaguer. Although Polo at short isn't the best option, an infield of Kirilloff, Arraez, Polo and Miranda would look awfully nice to me, especially with bats in their hands. Two lefties, one right and one switch is good balance. All four will hit for good to great averages with three providing reasonable power...20++ home runs. Great seeing 6 shutout innings from Balazovic with 6 K's. Little concerned about 5 walks, but overall great performance after a bit of good/not so good games. And don't want to even think about Canterino back on the IL. As my wife says, they probably should have cut when this happened. I assume your comment about Julien's OBP, Matt, was in jest, as it is .388. That is really, really good, but a long way from .600. Great seeing Dobber dominate in his 3.0 inning rehab start. Hopefully, he will pitch 4.0 innings next time out in Fort Myers followed by 5.0 innings for the Saints. That could see his return to the Twins around September 6th or 7th, giving him nearly a month to confirm that he deserves a spot in next year's starting five!

Kirilloff, Dobnak and Colina stay. The other three are likely headed out. Maybe there is a chance that enough spots will open up and one is kept around, either till spring training or to be included as an extra part of some trade this winter. Unfortunately, there won't be any opportunities to move them in a trade as everyone is looking to get rid of marginal players...not add.

Agree with much of what you are saying. Am hopeful that Arraez sees zero innings in the outfield because of his knee. Likewise, don’t want to see Miranda in the outfield and want Kirilloff to be the regular first baseman.

Love Polanco and Arraez. Big problem for the Twins is that both are best when playing second base. Twins are gonna have to figure out how to deal with that because both can/should be parts of winning Twins baseball.

I expect Arraez would be an adequate, maybe average, second baseman if he were put there and stayed there. Between moving all over the diamond and his gimpy knee, he hasn't been able to focus on playing second base. Agree, he won't be a gold glove second baseman, but I really believe he would be average if allowed to play there.

I am not able to vote in the above poll, however, my hitter of the day would be Severino. Four hits, including a pair of doubles is another outstanding day in what has been a remarkable streak since moving up to Cedar Rapids.

The question and your answer, Seth, about the DSL got me wondering. Went to their site and after several attempts was able to navigate my way to their roster. WOW, their record is similar to the FCL Twins, ie, terrible (they are in last place in one of four divisions). Went thru their lineup and see that most hitters are barely over .200 average or below. The big signee last year, DeAndrade, is hitting about .215. But, all these are small samples. Then took a closer look at their roster. Twenty-six (26) of the 39 players on their roster have birth years of 2003 or 2004, making them under 18 or just recently turned 18. Didn't spend the time to look at other teams, but the DSL Twins are very, very young. That may be the reason why they are winning only about a third of their games...or not, if the other teams are all just as young.

FCL Twins Win! FCL Twins Win! FCL Twins Win!!! We all have been following Varland this summer as he flat out pitches much better than many have hoped/expected. Is this Beck kid another guy we should begin following more closely. Looking at his stats, I see that he must have been used out of the pen until maybe around July 1. Is that correct? But he is pitching great and at AA, so he is another pitcher who may work himself into the mix of prospects the Twins will consider calling up...maybe as soon as late next year. Saw Javier had a nice night, but they are way to infrequent to get him on the 40-man. Also found some other good news when looking at the Top 20 above. There are only four on the IL. It was at least double that early in the season, wasn't it?

The good news for Lewis Thorpe is that he will now go on the major league IL and get paid the major league minimum, probably for the rest of the year. Was his earlier stint on the IL this year the minor league variety? Doubt Thorpe will ever be in a Twins uniform again, hopefully $150k for the rest of the summer will help tide him over until he signs on with another team...usually Oakland gobbles up former Twins Aussie pitchers (Balfour and Hendriks, although Liam had some other teams before arriving with the A's). Sounds like Dobber is about ready for a rehab stint, expect he will be back in the Twins rotation by around Labor Day. Expect he will be fine and in the hunt for the #4/#5 spot next spring, along with Ober, Jax, Barnes and others.

Great seeing Thorpe apparently healthy and getting a chance to start for the Twins. His career was so bright a couple years ago when he had that nice run in the later part of the season. When was that, 2019? Has been nothing but various problems since, including a fastball under 90. Hopefully, he will attack the strike zone tonight with a 91-92mph fastball with an umpire who doesn't squeeze his strike zone with his breaking stuff. Would love to see this young man blossom with the Twins the next six weeks and not with Oakland, or whomever, in 2023. Plus, the Twins need a good start tonight to keep their streak of winning series alive!