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roger

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Everything posted by roger

  1. roger
    Don't understand what you are getting at with this and your previous point, Mike? Will agree that many of the best pitchers were top prospects who broke into the big leagues before they were 26, many of the best well before. But there are always some prospects with circumstances that put them as an exceptions. Jax certainly qualifies considering his being an AFA grad who missed nearly all of his first two years following graduation while on active duty. Toss in the missed year last year and he has what, less than two years of professional experience. I don't have a clue whether or not he has what it takes to become more than a AAAA type pitcher for the Twins. To be honest, I am surprised that they pushed him up to AAA to start this season considering how little experience he has. But it certainly shouldn't be considered a negative that he hasn't arrived with that limited professional experience. And the good point, assuming the CBA doesn't change it, is that the Twins will control his services through most of his best years.
  2. roger
    Thanks for another good look at the state of the Twins. The only point I will disagree with is Larnach being up for good. I believe it is best for his development that when Buxton returns he goes back to St. Paul. He will have had what, a month of big league experience and although I don't know squat about hitting he probably has lots of things he can work on in AAA. Then after a successful stretch at St. Paul, bring him back for good. Doubt the Twins have it in them to have a 2006 style comeback whether Duran is the second coming of Liriano or not. Hopefully, it will remain clear come July that the FO needs to deal several of these pieces to improve the future of this team. And that could include the biggest trade chip they have, Berrios, if he and his agent are telling him he will not sign an extension. Hopefully the health gods will allow Duran and Balazovic good health the rest of the summer so they can get a real chance of pitching in the 'show' in August and September so the Twins and us fans know what they can be. Now if Buxton can return by the end of the week those of you who see games should be able to enjoy watching the Twins once again.
  3. roger
    Don't know if you knew or didn't...Warren Spahn.
  4. roger
    Thanks, Seth. Assuming that this FO is successful in developing a Cleveland like pipeline, how long do you see it taking to get to the point that they are getting a couple pitchers from it every/most year(s)? Love seeing Duran hit 99 or 100+, but how hard you throw isn't as important as throwing it where you want to. Expect I have referred to this before, but was at a Legion banquet maybe 20 years ago. A former MLB lefty was talking and in the Q&A follow up some kid asked him how hard he threw. He was a surly old guy and his response was a bit of a put down as he flatly said: 1) He didn't throw all that hard, and 2) Put the ball where you want to and you will find success. He later said he often gets asked that question from people who know he didn't throw hard and is tired of it. In his case success was more MLB wins than any lefty in the history of the game, even after missing a couple early years of his career while serving in combat in WWII.
  5. roger
    Great seeing Whitefield with another three hit game. Was this the second or third game this week that the Yankees scored double figures against the not so mighty Mussels? If Duran stays healthy, is it realistic to see him with the Twins at some point this summer?
  6. roger
    Don't know whether he should be a starter or reliever. What I do know is that moving him back and forth between the two isn't doing Thorpe or the Twins any good. Make a decision and stick with it. Correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't he started (spot starts) every time he has appeared for the Twins and been used in relief in every outing for the Saints?
  7. roger
    Great seeing another fantastic start by Canterino. Ever since I saw Seth's interview this winter, I was excited to see how he does this summer. Sure seems he has an excellent chance of being a better than average starter for the Twins, perhaps as soon as next year. His dominance is screaming for a move down to the plains of Kansas. Great seeing the player movement yesterday. Dobnak and Kirilloff up to the Twins and Rortvedt and Ober down to St. Paul are all good moves both for the future, the two going to the Saints, and today for those joining the Twins. Really excited about following Urbina's every game. Unfortunately, seems he has cooled off this week. Julien is still hitting like a young man in need of a promotion.
  8. roger
    Great seeing Dobber return and pitch like most of us know he can. If a certain manager hadn't tried to make a reliever out of a young pitcher who has been a starter most of his life, we would have seen several games just like he pitched last night. Will they keep him in his starters role going forward? If they don't, it will be further proof of mismanagement by this staff. As for where he slots into the rotation, there are a couple obvious choices or even going to a six man rotation with the number of games they seem to be playing without off days.
  9. roger
    Great observation, thanks.
  10. roger
    Will give Duffey a pass on yesterday's performance. With everything going on behind the scenes, gotta believe his head wasn't into the game. Although Thorpe's outing was not terrible, but disappointing, I will give him a pass. The way he is being used this year has to be tough to work thru. Kind of long relief in St. Paul with 2 and 3 inning outings, then shipped back to the Twins for 24 hours to get a spot start. I believe starting pitchers need to get into a routine which is something Thorpe hasn't been able to establish this year. Hoping they will send Thorpe back to St. Paul to start every fifth game. Then after a few pitchers are traded in July, put both Thorpe and Dobnak in the starting rotation for the rest of the year and find out what they can contribute. Great seeing Sano starting to punish the ball. If he could stay hot for a week or two and then not go back into the K tank for the rest of the year the Twins could be fun to watch again. Doubt they can get back into the playoff hunt, but at least play competitive baseball.
  11. roger
    About 45 days early with this piece, Matt. Between now and then, the Twins FO must sit down with Berrios' agent and discuss whether he will consider an extension, even one more expensive than they would like. Let's admit it, Jose hasn't taken that last step to become a true ACE, yet, he is awfully good and worthy of near ACE money. If the answer is yes, they have to get it signed by July. If no, or hell no, then you hit it right on the head...move on this summer. Trading him to a team in the hunt for a championship this year should get them a top starting pitching prospect who is close to being MLB ready and at least one more very good starting pitching prospect. Say a pitcher who could become as good as Berrios was when he was moving up from AA to AAA ball and another prospect similar to say Winder or Canterino today. They have to walk away with potentially one and a half future starters with one being at least a future #2 and the other a solid #3 or #4, albeit a couple years away.
  12. roger
    2021 is an outlier for the Minnesota Twins. Is it? Not so certain. But we will all know a lot more come mid-July when those trades should be made if the FO determines they need to re-tool.
  13. roger
    Great article, thanks Lucas. Try to watch a few games on MiLB when Canterino is on the mound. Hopefully, he will continue getting good results and move up to Wichita by early summer. That could put him on track to join the Twins mid-season, 2022. One player I would love to hear more about is the young outfielder at Fort Myers, Urbina. Continue to be amazed when other teams have some young 20 year old break-in and become a star. Always ask, why can't the Twins be so fortunate. Right now the one young kid that appears to have a chance of becoming that young star is Urbina. But that optimism is based solely on his initial good results at low-A, being signed as a top prospect when he was 16, and the fact he just turned 19.
  14. roger
    After watching Jax pitch a wonderful game last time out, the results last night were disappointing. Hopefully, he will get back with a good game next time out. Great seeing Enlow getting 10 K's. Recall many wondering why the kid with the best curve in his draft class not getting many previously. And Urbina and Julien sure are becoming beasts at the top of the Fort Myers lineup. Will continue to hope that Urbina becomes that quick moving stud who joins the Twins late next year when he is only 20 years old.
  15. roger
    Haven't seen hardly any games this year, so don't know about Duffey's pitch. Although sounds like the Sox manager was ok with it. Not seeing what Ober was throwing, was surprised by something I read in the Strib this morning. He has pitched six games...SIX...above class A. Gotta believe with more experience he will be an asset to the Twins pitching staff. How good remains to be seen, but certainly an interesting prospect. And wasn't it good to see the big man finally wake up. Seems like there were hints of it coming the past few games. Can he lead the entire team to a turn around? And if he does is it already too late? Or are there too many problems with the pitching staff?
  16. roger
    He isn't under the radar, Seth, just not well known because he is so young. But the player I really want to see succeed and move up is Urbina. Was excited reading your comments, especially when I saw he had six stolen bases this week...six! Great seeing Jeffers hitting like we learned to expect last summer, but didn't like your comment that the first 13 base stealers against the Saints were successful. Yes, Jeffers isn't the only catcher, but I believe he caught most of those games. In the games I watched, I saw several pitches in the dirt that weren't blocked and became wild pitches. I know nothing about catching but believe that some of those should have been be blocked. Can hardly believe the start Miranda is having. I know he was highly thought of several years ago, then had a couple so-so seasons. Can't remember, but believe 2019 was better, but nothing to indicate we could have expected this start. Yes, it is still a SSS, but if this continues is he the answer to replace Donaldson in a couple years? What do you know about his defense, Seth? I always heard that D was Bechtold's strength, but don't remember anything about Miranda. I guess spending big dollars on Latin 16-year old's doesn't always work, eh? Are Javier, Sano and Severino the three biggest International signings ever for the Twins? Maybe Urbina can change that disappointing run. Thanks again for this report, love it. No need to change anything other than getting all four to have winning records.
  17. roger
    Wasn't aware of the actual late inning numbers until reading Brock's comment above. Got me thinking, is it possible they are worse in the last three innings because opposing teams are pitching their best relievers who have better numbers over an inning each compared with the starter for five or six innings? Don't know, just wondering if that is a possible explanation. As for firing the hitting coach? Wouldn't do it now, would wait until season's end and then clean house...everybody.
  18. roger
    Great start by Dobnak with an excellent 2 inning stint from Thorpe. Which do you think will fly west with the Twins and start one of the games in Thursday's doubleheader in L.A? See that Whitefield wasn't in the lineup yesterday. If memory serves, he was also out on Saturday. Is he banged up? Or maybe driving to St. Paul? Great seeing Javier with a multi-hit game. But even better seeing Urbina with another 2 hit game. Seems like he is settling in and could/should be on the move to Cedar Rapids by summer. Could we finally have one of these young stars who breaks in at 20 or 21 years old?
  19. roger
    Only one word to say at this point, Nick, Ouch! Great seeing Larnach follow Kirilloff's lead with his bat heating up following an 0 for whatever start. Certainly seems like these two should be middle of the order bats, beginning soon. Amazing how they found another way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday. Don't see how they can turn this ship around, but there are still what, 125 or so games remaining. If only the injuries would stop piling on.
  20. roger
    As usual, Doc, will second everything you said. Especially excited about what Whitefield's future may be. I know he is currently off the 40-man roster, expect next time added he is going to stay as he is unlikely to get thru being DFA'd a second time. Rooting for Ober to make it to the Twins and to be successful once arriving. Gotta love guys who many say doesn't have the talent or stuff or velocity or whatever to make it. You know, guys who just go out and get it done. Loved Doc's comment comparing Ober to Radke. Yes, definitely different pitchers, but similar results. I expect most of us have been impressed with the early season success Julien is having. I know he was a surprise signing when the Twins got his signature on a contract. They went significantly over the $125K allowed for lower round picks, didn't they? Hopefully, we will feel the same about him on June 16 as we do today.
  21. roger
    Thanks for the report, Matt. Sure was an interesting day in the minors as two of the four clubs took a good ole fashion butt kicking. Really concerned that Rooker doesn't miss more than a day or two because his bat was beginning to heat up with results like he got for the Twins last fall before breaking his arm. Also probably time to get Jeffers back to Target Field and Rortvedt to a level where he can continue his development and not be overmatched at the plate. Took a look at the plays related to the two runs scoring against Canterino. Yes, the first run doesn't score if the lead off hitter doesn't get on due to a Javier error, however, three wild pitches also played a part in that run and the second run he allowed. Without watching the game, don't know if the catcher should have saved any of those and kept a run or two off the board. Personally, I have always believed that if a pitcher has a wild pitch or error leading to a run, it should be earned. Getting whopped 10-0, the Mussels sure as heck weren't very Mighty last night. Great seeing Urbina hit as well as he has in low-A ball on his first stop in the States to begin his career. Maybe he will be a good one a few years from now. Did a double take when reading the above comment that four of our top six are on the IL. Anyone know if the three not named Lewis are close to coming back?
  22. roger
    Thanks for the report. Took a look at the box scores and see that Wichita and Cedar Rapids are both playing really great baseball, especially the Wind Surge. Expect Whitefield will stay in Wichita for a few more weeks, but then they have to get him to St. Paul as he may be the best young outfielder to join the Twins when they begin trading current players in the next month or two. Is he the most exciting player in the organization? Was also great seeing Cano with another solid outing. Speaking of Wichita outfielders, any word on the health of Celestino after getting hit by a pitch the other night? What was disturbing when looking at the box scores was seeing that Wander Javier is again hitting a buck something. I recall seeing him get hits in his first few games and assumed/hoped he was off to a better start...wrong. Its still early, but certainly time for him to get his bat going. Gotta feel for this kid, hopefully, he had some people making smart decisions with the four million bucks he got to sign. Watched the Saints on Thursday and yesterday's blast seems to confirm that after another slow start to his season, Rooker is heating up. Great to see as I recall how impressed I was by him after watching Seth's interview this past winter. Thanks again for bringing us something positive from the Twins organization!
  23. roger
    Did I read this right, Sano pinch hit for Rortvedt? But my main question is: Is it too early to start looking at who will be available with the first overall pick in next year's draft? I really like Royce Lewis, but it has been how many years since he was drafted and we are still waiting for him to arrive...yes, I know his injury isn't helping. Hopefully, next year they will use the #1 pick to get some help soon!
  24. roger
    Thanks for this, Seth. After a year with no minor league ball, so many of these names seem new to me. Really want Javier to finally figure it out and become the player the Twins hoped they were getting when they signed him to the highest International bonus ever...that still is, isn't it? Reading your report, seems like there are several players who could become solid major league players several years down the road. The bigger question is can any of them become top line starters for the Twins? You know who knows they sure as heck need more than a couple of stars. Do you see any of this group having that potential?
  25. roger
    Was thinking along the same line as you, Cody. Get Cano up to AAA with Acosta filling his spot in Wichita. After 30 days or so in St. Paul, get Cano to Target Field to see what he can do. Count me among those who has not been impressed with Broxton's at bats while watching the Saints. Would like to see Whitefield given another couple weeks and if he continues hitting like his start, get him moving up. Would leave Cavaco where he is for at least half the season. Nothing better than to be successful when beginning your career. Really liked Greglw3's comment above, until the last comment about putting Arraez in left field. If Polanco is at short, they need Arraez at second base where he should stay for the rest of his career with the Twins...which I hope is a long, long time.
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