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roger

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Everything posted by roger

  1. roger
    Great seeing last night's start by Jax. Read that he gave up back-to-back home runs in the third, then recovered to pitch six solid innings. Since he was drafted, I have maintained that he would surprise many. My niece has two kids at West Point and what I hear they are put through is so different than one would experience in any regular University. I expect the AFA is the same, putting Jax in a different position when facing a difficult situation. Will join those above who remain hopeful that two of Jax, Ober and Dobnak can be solid parts of the Twins 2022 rotation.
  2. roger
    Yes, Henry Sanchez is who I was thinking about, thanks. Did he get higher than Eton?
  3. roger
    Wasn't talking about the bat so much, Lucas, more about any prospect who is good enough at shortstop to be effective/good for the Twins. Yes, I mentioned his bat as it seems to be coming around seeing him have several nice hitting streaks this year when he hit very well for a week or longer.
  4. roger
    Will second Brock's comments about Baddoo. Yes, it was a risk to leave him unprotected as it would have been for anyone he replaced if added to the 40-man. I just went back to see who they added last November, prior to the Rule 5 draft. It was Ben Rortvedt, Baily Ober and Jordan Balazovic. Considering Baddoo hadn't played in what, most of two years and was coming off an injury I doubt anyone would have preferred that he should replace any of the three added. Maybe there was someone else on the roster that he could replace, but I expect they doubted he would be selected. There were several former coaches/manager who had been working in the Detroit system, so I suspect there was some familiarity with Baddoo. Perhaps there was someone there who really liked him and encouraged the pick. Second, I checked yesterday when looking at box scores and saw he is hitting .260 something. Very good, but I suspect his average and OPS versus the Twins is much higher than the rest of the league. So the kid is hitting it out of the park against the team who let him go. Makes the loss of him seem so much worse when he beats us over the head with it every time we play them.
  5. roger
    Everything I have read, Lucas, says that Wander Javier is a good defensive shortstop and will stick there. That's why it is so exciting that his bat has come alive this year, somewhat. Hopefully, it will keep getting better and he will fill that spot for years to come. The other highly drafted shortstop is Cavaco. Is his defense good enough to stick at short?
  6. roger
    Well written, Nick. Will agree with you and those who are willing to give them more time to complete their plan. But when looking at last night's box score and the standings, that gets a little hard some mornings. I expect that they understand this year is over. Good to see them making lots of waiver claims for guys like Garcia and Garza, then giving them a try-out pitching for the Twins. It's been only one game, but Garcia looks like he could be part of next year's bullpen...as Grant does. There is no question that injuries have been HUGE for them this year. But when I look at their every day lineup, with maybe a little tinkering it could be good enough to compete for a title, assuming reasonable health. And for me that starts by getting a deal done with Buxton as their record shows when he is on the field. Is going to be fun to see what they do about pitching this winter, and then the results come April/May. Personally, I hope they go for quality over quantity and get one top starter and two top relievers with the young arms filling the gaps.
  7. roger
    Personally, I like the group you had the other day at 26-30 better than this group. If Sabato hadn't been a first round pick, would any of you even consider him for your top 30? I doubt it. Reminds me of a guy I expect Seth will remember. A high school first baseman taken in the first round, maybe a comp pick, a long time ago that scouts said had the best power bat in the draft. Don't recall if it was best high school power bat or overall. Kid may have made it to low-A ball. Think his name was something Sanchez, but could be wrong. Anyway, this pick reminds me of that one, one in which some scout(s) fell in love with some long home runs and talked the decision makers into taking him in the first round.
  8. roger
    Am I correct that Javier will be a 6-year minor league free agent at year's end? If so, he would only be rule 5 eligible should the Twins resign him before the draft. He has begun turning that proverbial corner this year. I am hopeful he will fully turn it next year, and do so while still in the Twins organization. The Twins have so many great candidates for short, yet most have questions whether they can stick there in the big leagues. Based on what I have heard, Javier is one who should remain at short for the Twins. Like all of you, I want to see Moran pitching for the Twins before year end. I am hopeful that he can be a solid member of their revamped pen in 2022. Of this group, I am most excited about Soularie, who I understand has special speed...is that correct?
  9. roger
    Thanks for another great read, Nick. As they trot different pitchers out the next six weeks, really looking forward to seeing Dobnak and Thorpe. Want a healthy Dobber confirm that he can be included in next year's plans in the starting five. Want to see Thorpe get one last chance to prove that he can be a solid big league starter. If he doesn't, his 40-man spot is in jeopardy and expect he will be gone. Also looking forward to see Ryan, but for different reasons. None of us knows who the starting shortstop will be come next July. Will Martin or Lewis move quickly enough to claim it? And I was thinking what you wrote prior to reading it, I want to see Arraez and Martin back to back at the top of future Twins lineups for the rest of the decade. Will destroy opposing pitchers confidence.
  10. roger
    Have a question, Seth. Has anyone heard whether or not we are going to see any of this year's draft class playing for either the FCL Twins or even the Mighty Mussels? The kid I really want to see in game action is Miller. With Simmons gone at year end and two highly ranked shortstops who both have questions about whether or not they will stick at short, would love to see what Miller can do as they search for a long term solution.
  11. roger
    Fantastic seeing Canterino back on the hill. And better results. Great seeing Severino continuing to rake, as was seeing Javier get a big one. and who is this Martin guy at Wichita? Don’t recall seeing him in their lineup earlier this summer? ?
  12. roger
    Is it correct that Wander Javier’s 9th triple is tied for the MiLB lead? This kid has so much potential/talent, really hope the Twins can hang on to him for another year to see him put it all together. was yesterday the first games for Soularie coming off the IL? If Palacios moves up, I don’t want to see him next to Miranda because I want to see Miranda at Target Field.
  13. roger
    Interesting, thanks Lucas. Someone who has gotten lost in the glitter surrounding those half dozen big time prospects the Twins have accumulated as of last week. Sands, Vallimont and Strotman. I hope like you know what that one of them becomes a solid #3 pitcher for the Twins by say, 2023. Maybe another goes to the pen, but it would be FANTASTIC if one of the three makes it!
  14. roger
    I hear you, Mike. But expect he will begin with the Saints for awhile for the organization to get a first hand feel for what he has. But heck, he has been on a pretty big stage the last 17 days...would they bring him to Target Field straight from Tokyo? Good news is he will take the same flight from Tokyo, to either ballpark.
  15. roger
    Thanks for the report, Allen, on a big day with four W's. Perhaps the highlight of your report for me was the news on Lewis Thorpe returning to St. Paul to make his next start, Sunday. The next couple months are going to be huge for this young man. I would be surprised if his chances of lasting through the 40-man roster cutdown this November is any better than 50/50. Lots of young men are playing so well that they should be claiming several 40-man spots. Considering Thorpe's play, or lack thereof, last year and missing much of this season, he needs to be successful beginning with his start this weekend. If Winder is shut down for three weeks, rather than three more weeks, he could be back in the rotation next week. Really want to see both he and Ryan pitching two out of every five games for the Saints the last six weeks of the season. Has anyone else noticed that Severino is hitting well, really well, since moving up to the Kernel's? This is one fortunate young man, having signed two contracts with signing bonuses over $2M. Hopefully, Atlanta's cheating will pay off for the Twins.
  16. roger
    Sad to see Arraez leave another game with his banged up knee. If memory serves, most of his injuries have occurred while either sliding head first (which I understand he has eliminated) or to his knee in the outfield. Maybe next year concentrate on having him play second base, third base and DH. Keeping his bat in the lineup 150 games sure would help the offense. Interesting how the Twins are making a lot of waiver claims on young relievers. Together with Gant, who came in the Happ trade, they have picked up three in the past couple weeks with all appearing to have some potential. Good way to get a jump on the offseason and maybe find one or two for next year's pen. Great article in today's Strib about Polanco. He, Arraez, a healthy Buxton and Garver would go a long way towards making the 2022 Twins competitive. Getting Sano and Kepler's bat going along with Donaldson and the two rookies should make the Twins lineup dangerous and deep. Unfortunately, the pitching may take until 2023 to arrive, but we can hope...can't we?
  17. roger
    Pre COVID I watched about 90% of their games and went to maybe three a year. I have HULU, so I have seen two games this year on FOX/FS1. Won’t go to any as my wife has no interest in going to downtown Minneapolis. Have the MiLB package and watch two or three Wichita or Saints game a week, although not always all 9 innings. Enjoy seeing some of these young guys. loved the comments above about regional divisions. Wouldn’t a six team division with the Twins, Brewers, Cubs, Sox, cards and Royals be great? perhaps the biggest problem that I haven’t seen mentioned is the major source of revenue. In the NFL and NBA, a large percentage of revenue is from the national tv contract. Baseball and hockey get much less from their national tv with a larger percentage from tickets, local media and other local/game day revenue. That leads to the large discrepancies between say, the Yankees and Dodgers on one hand and Twins and Royales on the other. Yes, a salary cap/floor is needed. But also better revenue sharing.
  18. roger
    With Winder coming out of VMI and Jax the Air Force Academy, they have a different background than other college players. Much more training in motivation and determination to get the job done under any circumstances.
  19. roger
    Don't have a clue what 2022 will bring, much less beyond. Will be curious to see how the FO approaches next season. Will they talk a good game while appearing to get back in the hunt, yet really be building towards 2023? Even though I like the number and quality of the pitchers down on the farm, it is unlikely any will help in 2022. Maybe Ryan or Strotman sometime mid-season, but any young pitchers filling rotation spots on opening day is probably limited to Jax, Ober, Dobnak, Thorpe and Smeltzer...assuming the last two get beyond November. The majority of this crop is more likely to arrive late next year and be solid in 2023. I agree with those above who discuss the every day lineup which should be pretty good next year. But unless the FO surprises me, I don't see a starting rotation that can win the division.
  20. roger
    Had a tough time deciding whether to hit the 'like' button or 'sad' button as the Saints just may have the better overall pen. Was also really impressed with several of the relievers from Louisville.
  21. roger
    After two ugly starts, wanted to watch the Wind Surge last night to see Balazovic. Watched the first inning, in which he gave up four runs on several hard hit balls. After being unhittable for what, six games, don't understand what has been going on of late. Stayed with the game to see Martin hit in the bottom of the inning, then flipped to the Saints game. What a night in St. Paul. Hunter Greene was throwing every fastball between 101 and 103, meaning he was unhittable. Based on what I saw last night, gotta believe the Twins made the wrong decision that year they had the #1 overall pick. Fortunately, Strotman was also very good. Then Moran and Garcia provided no hit baseball for the last four innings, with five K's (4 by Moran). As I watched the late innings kept wondering, who has the better bullpen today? The Twins or Saints? With the Saints celebrating their 2019 championship team, looked like a full house in St. Paul with fans having a big night while seeing a special game.
  22. roger
    Great night for Jax, let him get a couple months of starts to set him up for 2022. What do you do with a player who is older, doesn't have much experience in MLB but flat out hits the ball. In Refsnyder's case....PLAY HIM!
  23. roger
    Will double down on Mike's comment above about Sabato. I wasn't a fan of the pick last summer and have thought that most ranking services, TD included, have him ranked way, way too high. With that said, it was good to see him get two home runs yesterday. It caused me to go look at his splits for the year, which I found support my disappointment in his season. Yes, he is off to a great start in August, but it is only a couple games. His average in July wasn't as bad as May, but it was again well under .200. His strikeouts remained close to 40% in both June and July after being 50% in May. And what was most surprising, in his first three months in low-A ball he hit only four home runs, 4. It was great seeing him have a big day yesterday, but the questions remain...at least for me. Talked about how well Rortvedt has been hitting in St. Paul yesterday. Well, today it is Celestino who had a HUGE night last night. Seems that being thrown into the MLB grinder before they were ready may eventually pay dividends for both as both are crushing AAA pitching, albeit in a smallish sample. And so excited about the big night and hit by Martin, including no errors. Hopefully, John will write something about his first hand observations of this young man. Speaking of last week's trades, did everyone see that Happ had a very solid start for the Cards yesterday, two runs over five innings? Also interesting seeing the Twins pick up another waiver claim, Garza. Together with the kid last week it appears part of their strategy for next year is to add several young relievers over the next couple months, Will give them the opportunity to work with them to see if any are likely fits for next year's bullpen. I guess it helps being near the worst record in baseball when looking at the daily waiver wire, eh?
  24. roger
    With Miranda and his two hits a game back in the lineup, the Saints win. But the story of the night was three hits from Ben Rortvedt, including a double and home run. I have always thought this young man would have a solid bat once he got to the big leagues. Still believe that and in hind sight, struggling through a couple months with the Twins without a single game at AAA may have been a blessing. Sure looks early on that it helped with the pitchers he is seeing with the Saints. When the Twins claimed Garcia, I took a look at his numbers and thought he could have a chance. One night doesn't make a career, but it sure was a nice start and he even got the W! What a first game for Martin, expect he had some butterflies on his first night with his new organization. See that Sisk didn't do as well in his second appearance. But getting both Sisk and Gant for Happ remains a head scratcher, at least for me. And Gant seems to be doing better than ok for the Twins. Not a lot of hitting for the Kernels. Even though Javier was 0-2, saw that he picked up two walks and scored a run. Will be surprised that he has done enough to get added to the 40-man, especially with the addition of Martin, but certainly has taken a step forward after his struggles the past few years. He will be a minor league free agent this winter, correct? Hopefully he wants to remain with the organization and give it another year to see if he can turn that last corner at AA next year.
  25. roger
    Interesting group and we all know how much help the Twins bullpen needs. Wondering how Gore has a 1.00 WHIP with 8 hits and 8 walks in 13.0 innings?
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