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biggentleben

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Everything posted by biggentleben

  1. biggentleben
    No, not at all. That's why the ones mentioned have at least a carrying tool that would allow them to claim a bench role in the major league.
  2. biggentleben
    So, forest for trees issue here. sheriff is an elected position in most places around the country. No chance that the sheriff has been persuaded by a donor for his next campaign, one with a particular three-letter acronym and having his comments influenced by that donor is there??
  3. biggentleben
    That depends. You could see a guy like Steven Gingery be a good 3rd/4th round target. He was a top-50 guy before TJS with very solid stuff from the left side.
  4. biggentleben
    Coming out of summer the thought was that it was an extremely deep pitching class in both high school and college arms. There is also unusual depth in catchers that could impact with both the bat and glove, especially at the high school level. The 2016 draft had a significant amount of depth of quality defensive college receivers, but this could be the draft to use a 2nd on a high school backstop.
  5. biggentleben
    Depends on your definition. The Twins have a good collection of guys who should contribute as major leaguers in the upper levels - high floor sort of guys that should work on a major league bench at least like LaMonte Wade, Mitch Garver (technically not officially graduated as a prospect), Zach Granite, Gordon, and one that a lot of people forget about, Max Murphy, one of the better defensive outfielders in the entire farm system. T.J. White and Chris Paul could also be guys who wouldn't be stars, but could be at least solid bench pieces if not decent regulars. While that's not flashy, that's significant to have that many legit major league caliber players in the upper minors. There is a reason many around the game have really stood up to take note of the Twins system depth from top to bottom, not just the high-variance talent in the lower levels, but the guys who are at the upper levels as well.
  6. biggentleben
    Not really at all. The team should draft the best player and best fit for their development. When you ever base a draft around need, that's when that whole year's draft ends up blowing up in your face. There is a wealth of pitching in the farm system that is bumping against the major league door and also very intriguing arms in the lower levels. Yet, the Twins are also blessed with some advanced bats that should impact the major league team in 2018-2019 and also some solid bats that are 3-4 years away. They're in a perfect spot to truly get the best player available.
  7. biggentleben
    He's an extremely good 2B, but he needs time at Elizabethton. I think he was an even better get than Maitan. If I had to rank them coming from the Braves, I'd have had Yefri Del Rosario #1 and Severino #2. Maitan and Livan Soto would have been very close for #3, and then there was a big gap to the next player.
  8. biggentleben
    AKA Kid Gleason in "Eight Men Out"
  9. biggentleben
    To this level, no, but Ervin was available near the very end of spring training for the Braves the year before he came to the Twins. Stephen Drew was a guy who received a qualifying offer before the 2014 season, and he lasted until May 20th before he was signed. Nelson Cruz signed that same offseason at the end of February with the Orioles. Teams had also reported by the time Ubaldo signed with Baltimore that year and A.J. Burnett signed with the Phillies. Jason Hammel signed with the Cubs from the Orioles along with Fernando Rodney signing with the Mariners on the day that teams reported for spring training that year. That year didn't have a ton of studs, as Big Erv was considered the #6 free agent in the top 50 that season with Robinson Cano the clear #1.
  10. biggentleben
    I'm probably at about a 2-3. He's got a great swing, but he was exposed to some very quality breaking stuff at that level, likely for the first time. He did adapt well in at bats from reports and the bit of video that I saw. What will be something to watch with Javier is how much he believes in his power - and sells out for it. His swing allows for excellent loft but also gets great contact right now, but too much adjustment for more loft would likely hurt his contact rate without giving enough power production to compensate based on his frame. I'd compare it to when Andrelton Simmons had 17 home runs his first full season in the majors and adjusted his swing way too much. He ended up having issues accessing his natural gap power from line to line, which he was able to access more finally last season. Javier could face more strikeouts if he would have that same issue with an adjustment to his swing to try to get power.
  11. biggentleben
    Sloan used to be the big thing to get to, so it does not surprise me that there'd be demand for tickets at those prices, but still...wow.
  12. biggentleben
    One of the most genuine in the business, and he's one that as you get to know him and his writing more, you see that he's really not "hating" on anyone at all, but he's simply looking for things that others might miss, and sometimes that exposes an underbelly we had hoped would remain unchecked! I do think it's wise to have filled the staff with multiple people to replace him, though the managing editor position will be intriguing to see how that is handled.
  13. biggentleben
    My nephew was over last night and had the chance to see the handbook, so he started thumbing into it. His eyes got big, and he looked up at me with surprise, and then he quickly thumbed forward in the book. His mom was curious what was up, but he kept shushing her, telling her that he would answer her in just a second. Then... "Did you know Ben has a story in this Twins book?! It's right here...and it's pretty good!" I'll take that.
  14. biggentleben
    I will give Berardino credit. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone else do a 2-hour chat on the top 10 list before!! https://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1515589722
  15. biggentleben
    I would take Graterol over any pitcher not names Gonsalves, so I don't see a major issue there. Gordon's biggest outlier I see. Playing time doesn't truly matter in ranking a prospect outside of showing a guy with "good, not elite" talent has maximized his talent through hard work, or whatever other attribute(s). Rankings are most about talent and impact. Heliot Ramos will almost certainly be the only Giants top 100 guy, and he was the guy for that before they made the Longoria trade as well, even though other guys have made it all the way to the majors behind him.
  16. biggentleben
    Moderators, if this is more appropriate for the Sports Bar, I can completely understand... Player's Association is looking into an agent who has been accused of recording players showering. He's the agent of Minnesota prep pitcher and current Red Nick Hanson. https://t.co/1FSugUkRp6
  17. biggentleben
    Very good for those who have followed, or are attempting to still follow, in the path that Dave led. Both he and John Manuel showed this winter that just because you've spent "significant" time writing, you can still have value to a major league organization, and that's been previously thought to be something that teams would avoid. There are more being heavily recruited right now. It's also interesting that Fangraphs has utilized this departure (and a couple others) as a moment to expand their full-time positions and their coverage. This while other places are cutting writers and having to load their sites with so many ads that content is nearly impossible to find.
  18. biggentleben
    I think this is the first piece I've posted here from PP, but it was a fun one to put together, and I thought it'd bring some good discussion forth. I also sourced both Ted and Tom in the piece, so it's got some Twins Daily flavor as well! https://puckettspond.com/2018/01/04/minnesota-twins-molitors-resolutions/
  19. biggentleben
    I did a long talk with Michael and Kyle at Driveline last summer, and they specifically mentioned Tom in that discussion. The interview was one of my more fun things I've put together, and I think Michael gave me 12 iterations before I finally published!
  20. biggentleben
    This is pretty much the opposite of reality. Law does the work of scouting the guys himself. He does source some guys in and out of the game, but his eye always will beat out another's opinion in a debate on a guy. He attends a TON of baseball throughout the year, amateur and minor league. He's been very open that he's not seen guys in the past when asked about them, and because he's tasked with doing so much other stuff for ESPN, he really cannot just focus on the prospect coverage the way his protege Longenhagens can for Fangraphs, which was a big pull for Eric to leave ESPN.
  21. biggentleben
    Great trade for the Dodgers. Alexander is a great get for them. Avilan is, well, not good. Very odd move for either of the other teams involved.
  22. biggentleben
    ...but you're really not negotiating with Darvish. You're negotiating with Darvish's agent, so his location isn't vital to getting a deal done.
  23. biggentleben
    Except Texas has new pitching brass, so for what he knew there, it is different. Same pitching coach, but the guys under that on the team are different, so it could be something he would want to talk about if that was a point of contention as he left Texas. There's also some discussion around the game that he left on less than great terms with Texas. He may have wanted to give the organization a chance to sway him due to his time there. He could have just met with them because he was feeling nostalgic. Who knows?! However, he has had more than just Levine as a connection to Minnesota. We laugh about Gimenez talking with Darvish about his 2017 with the Twins, but Darvish is a big fan of Gimenez as a person, so that could have some sway as well.
  24. biggentleben
    In speaking with a former Twins GM this summer, he mentioned off record about bringing in managers and free agents and that it is very rare that a player/manager is sold on the Twin Cities area in person in the modern age when everything can be seen via virtual tours.
  25. biggentleben
    One of these things is not like the others...
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