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Thanks Matt. The most exciting result early this season, well one of them for me, is Javier's bat getting back on track so he can again be considered a top prospect. Gotta believe he has been more disappointed in the last seven or eight years than any of us. Couldn't be happier for him, and the Twins should he keep it up.

And I forgot to mention I just loved your comment, "Amarillo by Morning." That is from a song, isn't it? Can't remember which one or who sang it. And anyone that has ever driven I-40 across eastern New Mexico into the Texas (or the other way from Ok City) panhandle sure as heck understands what is meant by Amarillo by Morning. The biggest surprise I had the first time I made that drive was the number of windmills on both sides of Amarillo. Seems solid for something like 10 miles each way, probably more than I have seen anywhere else in America. Didn't expect to see that in Texas.

Thanks for the report, David. If you click on the Wichita box score it takes you to Wednesday's game. Yes, Fort Myers lost, but that pitching staff just keeps getting it done nearly every night. Gonna have to get to know some of those guys better, a lot better. Nice move up to AA for Steer, eh? And Palacios and Whitefield also keep getting their names in these daily reports.

Thanks for the report, Lucas. I do have a couple points, however, one that really bugs me. With both Gross and Shulfer you indicate that MLB may not be in their future because they already are or soon will turn 25 years old. Are you saying that if a player doesn't reach MLB by the time they are 25 their dream is over? Sure seems to me that is what you are saying. And basing so much on any age limit, especially after a year in which no one played an inning of minor league ball is foolish, at least in my opinion. I have watched several of the games Winder pitched this month and in the Midland game the Midland announcer raved about him being the #1 pitcher in AA ball. I assume he was speaking of only the Central Division of AA ball, yet, that sure as heck should mean he is hands down one of the Twins Top 10 prospects. I personally believe, together with the injury to Duran he has made himself into the Twins #1 pitching prospect with Balazovic nipping at his heals, somewhat due to his late start to this season. You referred to his fastball as being in the low to mid-90's, touching 96. In the games I saw, he was consistently 94-96, touching 97 a few times. The Midland announcer spent a lot of time talking about the work this former VMI student put in during last year's lost season, arriving at the fall instructional league with a fastball much faster than he threw in 2019 It seems that the data you referred to wasn't the most current insofar as his fastball is concerned. As for June's top pitchers, I am eagerly awaiting Winder's first few starts at St. Paul hoping he will continue to dominate at the AAA level so we have a chance to see him pitch on the biggest stage come September. I also understand that may be wishful thinking because of the limited innings he has and the likelihood that he could be shut down by Labor Day. I also try to watch Wichita's games when Schulfer is pitching, as he is from Wisconsin. I expect like many of us, we are pleasantly surprised with how dominant he has been and want to see it continue for the rest of this year and beyond. After all it seems the Twins have a current need for some big time pitchers.

For whatever reason, this club's fundamental play has been headed south for several years. Those of us who recall those Twins teams managed by Tom Kelly are shaking our heads.

Yes, but I hope like heck that magic is aimed at 2022.

What can you say. Wanted to take a look at the box score to see what the ERA's were for the Omaha pitchers. I thought Omaha was in first place and a good team. The starter had a high ERA, but 8 runs in 2+ innings last night certainly elevated it. The rest were all 4+ or so, so not the best, but certainly ok. A month until the trade deadline should give him time to continue hitting as he was at Wichita and be all set to join the Twins. Now let's see Winder put up a great start whenever he gets his first outing later this week. Always check to see how Javier is doing. Was 1-3, plus a walk. Another solid night...keep it up young man. Now let's see Balazovic get back on track tonight.

Thanks Sielk. Have the link in my favs to check every morning.

Thanks for the update, Seth. Sure is lots of information to digest. I guess if you are going to be a coach of the FCL (gotta learn to not type FGL), you had better be fluent in Spanish. the four kids that I want to see have immediate success are the two teenager pitchers from Venezuela, Raya and Rodriguez (the outfielder). Also remember Wander Valdez and Rhodery Diaz from two years ago in the DSL...thought they were solid prospects. Hopefully, box scores will be available and tied to the MiLB site so we can learn more about this group. Remember the GCL roster's were limited to 35 players? This group has 47. Are there any limits? Assume many don't dress for every game. Is this the first time that both of the Twins Players of the Week were immediately promoted? Will be good to watch Saints games and actually see a few good prospects. I don't know if it should be a surprise, but Schulfer sure has been getting it done for the Wind Surge. You know more about his 'stuff' than any of us, is it good enough to hope he could become a solid big league starting pitcher in a year or two? Is your memory the same as mine about Rooker being much better the second half of his past season's of pro ball than the beginning?

Thanks for the report, Andrew. Is interesting as the draft is kind of sneaking up on us. There is no way that I want to talk about any specific player as there is no way to know which of these guys will be available and what the Twins are going to do. What I hope, however, is that they DON'T pick a college power hitter who strikes out a ton and doesn't have a defensive position. I also hope they don't pick more than one high school kid in those first three selections. If they want to get back into the thick of the hunt in a couple years, drafting kids who MAY make it as we approach the next decade ain't gonna help. Will second DMan's thoughts above and hope like heck that the first pick and at least two of the first three are college pitchers. Maybe if they throw their line into the pond twice, they will catch one nice one.

I think that is optimistic for Cleveland. Way too many injuries to their starting pitching. In either case, the Twins need to get to around 88-90 wins to have a chance. That's an awfully big hill for them to climb. And thanks, Nick, for the report. Yes, it is a lot better reading after a winning week.

Watched the Saints game yesterday because my son and his wife took their 4 year old daughter to her first baseball game. He sent a picture showing her sound asleep by the third inning. But the third inning in Columbus was around 3pm, which is her normal nap time. Really aren't a lot of prospects on that team. Does anyone know if most of AAA are teams filled with players who are older with a little bit of MLB time? Interesting to see the Clippers play with both Reyes and Perez on rehab assignments. Has anyone else taken notice of how Whitefield has been hitting of late? His average is well over .300 and he hits the occasional four bagger. With his speed and defense, he has a good chance of playing for the Twins or another team next year or beyond. Also great seeing Javier follow up his two hit game with a 1-4 game. When I looked at the Fort Myers score I thought their usually stellar pitching let them down. Then saw that Varland had another top start, it was the bullpen that dropped the ball.

Read in the Strib about Donaldson's pregame talk to the team. Yes, they play Chicago ten times in the coming weeks. Win 7 and there could be hope. But if they don't win 7 or more, hopefully, that will be the final deciding factor for management to get to work on the phones. The best news that came out of Sunday's game for me was the fine start by Happ. Another game or two like that over the coming weeks and he just might have created some value.

Confused by the last sentence of your write-up about the Kernels...Steer and Gray were joined by Gabriel Maciel for two-hit evenings. You mentioned earlier that Javier scored two runs. If the box score is correct, Javier had a double, triple and walk and should have been mentioned instead of Gray, who had one hit batting in the spot ahead of him. This young man needs all the confidence he can find to get back on the fast track to Minneapolis.

I think Baldelli usually has Arraez near the bottom of the order versus lefties and leading off against righties.

Checked the Strib over breakfast and saw he had a 2-hit game last night. Didn't say what type of hits, will see about that when I read last night's minor league article above. But two hits puts his little slump of 0-fors behind him. This kid still has the potential to be one of the two-way stars of the next great Twins team...come on Wander, get it done.

Very interesting and I agree with much of what you are saying. But in the end, you are calling for a total rebuild. Granted, if they can get a few players back who are close to big league ready, the time until they are competitive may be short...say a couple years. And don't misunderstand what I was saying, a total rebuild may be what is both needed and best for the Twins.

Thanks for this piece, Seth. The biggest surprise for me this year is his power. Never expected to see him hit four home runs in a week like he did. Now he needs to make certain this slump doesn't extend for weeks and get back to consistently getting on base. Although it is taking longer than his friends, hopefully, he can join them at an all-star game four or five years from now.

Some nights you sweep, others you get swept. Kind of the story of Charlie Barnes, one night he looks ready for a call to the show, the next wondering why he hasn't been demoted. Does anyone know when the GCL season will start? Or even if there is going to be a season? The draft is what, July 11-13? That should give them time for a 30-40 game season thru Labor Day.

Arraez just keeps doing his job. Won't be long and his average will be around .325+, where it will likely be throughout his career. Didn't watch, well couldn't, and was wondering if he slid feet first on all his slides...as the picture above showed? Also warming to Gordon as someone that should remain with this team. What role? Great seeing Jax get some experience. Still believe that he has a career ahead of him, especially if he can settle into some type of regular role. Have always thought of Scott Baker when I see Jax on the mound...maybe? Could be? Will he, remains to be seen.

I'll go with Luke Hughes, Seth. Gotta love those Aussies that Howie used to sign for the Twins. Correct me if my memory is in error, but didn't he get a home run in his first AB with the Twins? Remember he was with maybe Oakland for a bit after the Twins, but his MLB career was short, wasn't it?

Thanks for the report, David. Turned on the Wichita game just after they put up their first four runs to tie the game. Down 4-0, they flat out bushwhacked Midland with a pair of four run innings. Watched Mason pitch the next couple innings, like what I saw. One play that sure as heck impressed the Midland announcer, who I really enjoyed listening to, was Whitefield steal of third base. I know he is behind having played only softball while a kid in Australia, but this young man is so fast and does a lot really well. Also checked in on the Kernels, hoping to see Javier bat. Didn't see him come to the plate, but noticed from the box score that after a couple weeks where his bat was the best of his career he has really cooled off. The Twins really need this young man to get back on track and be the player they thought he could be when signing him. Wasn't aware that Gross played at both Princeton and Duke...gotta be a sharp young man to even be considered for acceptance to those schools. Great seeing Urbina with a night where he was just the home run short of a cycle. We need to remember that this young man last played baseball two years ago in the DSL. He seems like such a great prospect, hopefully his bat will continue getting better as the summer moves on. Also, when you click on the Wichita box score, it takes you to Wednesday's game, not last night.

Eddie-Eddie-Eddie. I know he makes some boneheaded plays, but for years he comes up big at the biggest moment of games. I guess I don't miss him because I have Hulu and haven't seen more than about 20 innings of the Twins all year. But it sure as heck seems like the Twins miss him, on the field and in the locker room. Good piece in today's Strib about a guy who used to watch every game but no longer has access. Have a sad feeling that together with their play on the field the Sinclair/Bally B.S. is going to lose the Twins and baseball a lot of fans over this year and next.

I would love seeing the Twins keep both for their entire career. So count me among those who would like to see them sign both. Can it be done, certainly. While having this discussion, unless I missed it no one is talking about the other $90,000,000-$100,000,000 in their budget. How will that be distributed to the other 24 players? If the Twins really are close to having their minor league system begin putting players on their roster, ten players at or near the minimum is less than $10M of that $90+M. Should they only have four or five at the minimum, well, that changes this. So yes, go out and get it done as long as Buxton cooperates and agrees to some type of incentives tied to games played. Then milk the system with players like Miranda, Lewis, Rortvedt, Winder, Balazovic, Moran and others getting this team back on track and on their way to the promised land.

My vote would be no. But like anything, should someone blow them away with an offer, certainly. But count me among those who believe that Arraez can be a solid second baseman. Not gold glove, but certainly average...if given the chance to stick with it for more than a game or two. Same probably goes with him at third, although his arm isn't as strong as you would like. But defensively we need to remember that the Twins have moved him around so much that he never has a chance to settle into any defensive routine. And I believe that when healthy, this kid can be special with his bat. And speaking of injuries, both trips to the IR this were from injuries caused by head first slides. I saw that he has stated that he won't be doing that anymore. Don't watch any of the games, so I haven't been able to see whether he is now sliding feet first. Can anyone confirm that? But if the injuries are reduced, I believe that Arraez is a player to build around...unless someone blows you away with an offer...which isn't likely.