Falcon25

I am Australian and I follow the twins because of Hendriks so to say I am biased is probably a vert true statement. I don't comment on other players because I don't follow them closely enough to be able to provide an objective comment. I don't question a players ability because they have done what thousands and thousands of others haven't......played Major League Baseball. They must have something besides opportunity. I also don't slam people who don't like Hendriks but who provide an objective view. For example, I don't believe I have ever criticised your opinion except for the fact that you can't spell his name. That's ok they don't get it right in Australia either. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Those opinions I suggest are more highly regarded when their is an expression of objectivity and even better when backed up by fact. I felt that the two comments I responded to were neither, in my opinion.

Twinsfan46 and 3up3down - thank god no one takes you seriously. You look at a young kid and you ignore the indicators in his development such as improved performances late last year. Statistically he was the best starter in the twins line up in the last month of last season that's not to say that he was brilliant but he had some good outings against some good opposition. Go back and do a pitch by pitch analysis of the yankees game and you will find that he pitched very well except that every mistake cost him dearly. He got away with nothing that day. His last game against the tigers was nothing short of very good against a quality opposition, where were you guys and your comments that day. i love the fact that you have him written off at 24. All i can say is again thank god no one takes you seriously. PS twinsfan46 you are aware that he was only a couple of innings short of being the iInternational league pitcher of the year which I believe is not that easy to do and would be welcomed by nearly 100 other pitchers across baseball. How bad must all these other guys be? (Sic)

Does anyone think that hendriks turned the corner in the last month? Statistically he lead the starters in ERA over the las month which included the Yankees outing. However, go back and watch that game pitch by pitch. Four poor pitches in the same spot with the same result which I am sure he won't do again. I thought he started to trust his stuff and was prepared to go inside and out to both left and right hand hitters which he wasn't doing consistently in his earlier appearances. His confidence I felt was growing. I like a number of other views think he has an upside but the proof will be if he can continue to improve and become consistent. Anyone know how his rehab is going?

Would it surprise you to learn that statistically Hendriks was the leading starting pitcher over the last 30 days. This does not mean much other than he is heading the right way and as the youngest starting pitcher in the twins is starting to learn more about what is required at the top level. He has to continue making improvements but go and asked the clubbier who is the hardest working pitcher and Hendriks name will feature very prominently. As to his post game comments, he answered the question asked and after coming off a 4 home run game and against another sound hitting team he had every right to be happy!!!!

My apologies for mixing posts (dig at DPJ) and not commenting on De Vries and his contribution. I agree that he has taken his opportunities and given his best shot and also deserves his opportunities. He has mixed his pitches very well and has been able to induce the batters to swing at pitches that would not be their ideal. He throws enough strikes and mixes it up with balls to keep batters off balance and unsure of whats coming. Reasonably smart pitch selection and location in my book!!

I agree with you in terms of learning and fine tuning the trade. Hendriks is 23 and Australian meaning he has played significantly less baseball than his US or South American counterparts. He is there because he has very good results and deserves his opportunity from the list that is available. I just hope that the twins coaching staff dont see him as a finished product and therefore dont commit the time, energy and fine tuning that a young developing pitcher requires. Let's not forget that he climbed rapidly due to great results in the minors. I agree with so many people that he needs to get that first win and see what happens after that. To DPJ and his comments in relation to Hermsen and Hendriks in the minor league pitcher of the year nominations it is obvious that he has no or little idea about pathways and development!!!

I think that's the precise definition of a AAAA pitcher. Hendricks is 23 years old. You might have an argument with Blackie, but it is way too soon to say the jury is out on Liam. Thank God someone acknowledges the fact that Hendriks is a 'pup' and has capacity to still learn and be coached!!! Being Australian and 23 (through no fault of his own) means he his probably somewhere between 2000 and 3000 hours behind USA players. As Seth and a number of bloggers point out he is ahead of schedule!!!! Let's hope he can learn and continue to improve. One thing I am lead to believe through ttalking to his minor league coaches (Ft Myer, New Britain and Rochester) is that he won't take short cuts and he will work as hard as anyone to make it happen!!!

What stats are you looking at? I suppose no one commented on your post because of the total lack of substance or was it a sarcastic comment expressed incorrectly or maybe you just can't interpret stats!

You can never say never about what the club will do but at 23 years of age I think it is very premature to be thinking that the club is thinking along those lines. As many writers have suggested, it takes time to develop both the mental and physical side of the game. Scott Diamond who is pitching up a storm is 26 while other relative newcomers to major league in Walters and De Vries are both 27 and Deduno is 29. I am sure they are not the same pitchers they were at 23.

Hendriks (he has no 'c' in his surname) according to the twins catchers has good sink on both his two seam and four seam fastballs. You could be right that when he drops his arm a fraction that it doesn't get the usual tail. that doesn't mean he hasn't got it, it means he has to become more consistent. If he has underwhelming stuff does that mean that Fiers (who threw a great game) is even more underwhelming as he averaged 2mph less than Hendriks!!!! Both batters struck out 5 although Fiers did it in 7 innings and Hendriks in 5. There is no doubt that Fiers was in control of the game and realistically, Hendriks gained his control after the second consecutive home run in the third even though he still missed too many first pitch strikes. His only blemish after this was Brauns second home run and lets be honest he shouldn't have been there to hit after the dropped catch.

Besides performing well to date, he also has his folks coming out in late June, early July and he ahas a knack for performing well whenever they get the opportunity to see him live in action. And for some more trivia..... James and his older brother Simon both palyed for Beloit although sevearla years apart. James obvously as a Twins player and Simon when Beloit was part of the Brewers affiliates. Also like to confirm that James is a great young man from a great family with a determination to succeed.

At 23 Hendriks still has much to learn but 3 and almost 4 quality starts (1out shy of a quality start) out of 5 starts at AAA suggests he is learning and giving himself every chance of putting himself in line for the next call up when opportunity presents. It would be good to see how he rebounds from his last start although for those who follow it closely will know that he was pretty sick but still chose to pitch against Charlotte. He is determined.