Thrylos

The other thing that really bugs me about the Twins is that they insult people's intelligence with their medical reports. Here is the issue with this case (Same quote, bold mine) : Stress reaction is a decrease in the bone density caused by stress and it is not detectable by an MRI. You need a bone scan to diagnose those. Since they are doing MRIs he likely has a stress fracture that is detectible and is monitored by MRIs. I don't know why they are doing this BS; maybe they are afraid of the backlash... And they are having a new head trainer too... what's next? Booboos and owies and bumps? Regardless, I think that Hicks stays. The only other option is Clete Thomas who is hitting .347/.448/.571 with 3 HR, but I doubt that they pull the trigger because that would mean DFAing Butera or something to add him to the 40-man roster.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- For a few years now, I have been doing a feature, pretty much on a monthly basis, which was called "Who is hot in the Twins' minors" (you can see last seasons' versions here.) This included a list of the best players in the Twins' system, based on cumulative performance year to date, broken down by position. I am giving it a new twist this year: I am listing the best team of 25 players in the Twins' organization, by position based on cumulative performance. This is listed as a 25-man roster squad with starters and bench and a rotation an a pen. No batting order. Ages, handedness and team are also listed along with the stats. This is the first one and I will be doing those every 3-4 weeks. This first version of the Twins' top 25 in the minors is dominated by players from the Fort Myers Miracle and Cedar Rapids Kernels teams that dominate their leagues, but there is a good representation from the Rochester Red Wings and New Britain Rock Cats squads. This is pretty small sample size and the results can be skewed, especially on the pitching side. And of course there are some surprises. The 2013 Twins minors' best 25 are: Starters: C - Josmil Pinto (RHB, 24, AA) : .294/.400/.544, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 80 PA 1B - Chris Colabello (RHB, 29 AAA) : .328/.377/.642, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 77 PA 2B - Eddie Rosario (SHB, 21, A+) : .338/.368/.500, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, 87 PA 3B - Miguel Sano (RHB, 20, A+) : .384/.439/.740, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 1 SB, 82 PA SS - AJ Petersen (RHB, 24, A+) : .345/.418/.448, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, 68 PA OF - Byron Buxton (RHB, 19, A) : .404/.514/.614, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 SB, 70 PA OF - Clete Thomas (LHB, 29, AAA): .347/.448/.571, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB, 58 PA OF - Danny Ortiz (LHB, 23, AA): .313/.356/.582, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 73 PA DH - Mike Gonzales (LHB, 25, A+) : .238/.338/.476, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 77 PA Bench: C - Kyle Knudson (RHB, 25, A+) : .432/.512/.649, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 43 PA IF - Nate Hanson (RHB, 26, AA/AAA) : .317/.405/.429, 2 HR, 11 RBI 1B - DJ Hicks (LHB, 23, A): .310/.385/.586, 3 HR, 12 RBI OF - JD Williams (SHB, 22, A): .270/.429/.514, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 SB, 49 PA UT - Matt Koch (RHB, 24, A+) : .405/.490/.548, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 49 PA Rotation: Tyler Duffey (RHP, 22, A) : 2-1, 2.29 ERA, 3 GS, 19.2 IP, 3 BB, 17 K, 0.661 WHIP (.184 BABIP), 7.78 K/9, 5.67 K/BB DJ Baxendale (RHP, 22, A+) : 2-0, 1.04 ERA, 3 GS, 17.1 IP, 3 BB, 15 K, 0.750 WHIP (.200 BABIP), 7.79 K/9, 5 K/BB Alex Meyer (RHP, 23, AA) : 1-0 , 1.69 ERA, 3 GS, 16 IP, 7 BB, 19 K, 1.250 WHIP (.317 BABIP), 10.69 K/9, 2.71 K/BB Kyle Gibson (RHP, 25, AAA) : 0-1, 4.43 ERA, 4 GS, 20.1 IP, 1.279 WHIP (.321 BABIP), 8.41 K/9, 2.71 K/BB Andew Albers (LHP, 27, AAA): 0-0, 3.09 ERA, 3 GS, 11.2 IP, 1.286 WHIP (.314 BABIP), 8.49 K/9, 2.75 K/BB Bullpen: Corey Williams (LHP, 22, A+) : 2.08 ERA, 7 G, 8.2 IP, 4 Sv, 0 BB, 3 K, 0.692 WHIP (.231 BABIP), 3.12 K/9 INF K/BB Adrian Salcedo (RHB, 22, A+): 4.82 ERA, 6 G, 9.1 IP, 0 BB, 11 K, 1.179 WHIP (.407 BABIP) 10.61 K/9, INF K/BB Caleb Thielbar (LHP, 26, AAA) : 3.68 ERA, 8 G, 14.2 IP, 2 BB, 18 K, 1.364 WHIP (.405 BABIP), 11.05 K/9, 9 K/BB Steven Gruver (LHP, 24, A) : 0.64 ERA, 4 G, 1 GS, 14 IP, 1 Sv, 2 BB, 16 K, 0.714 WHIP (.258 BABIP), 10.29 K/9, 8 K/BB Tyles Jones (RHB, 23, A) : 0.96 ERA, 5 G, 9.1 IP, 2 Sv, 2 BB, 11 K, 0.750 WHIP (.217 BABIP), 10.61 K/9, 5.50 K/BB Ryan O'Rourke (LHP, 25, A+) : 0.00 ERA, 5 G, 9 1P, 1 BB, 7 K, 0.333 WHIP (.100 BABIP), 7 K/9, 7 K/BB Zach Jones (RHB, 22, A+) : 1.00 ERA, 7 G, 9 IP, 5 Sv, 2 BB, 13 K, 0.667 WHIP (.176 BABIP), 12 K/9, 4 K/BB http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8606001039_53154c362b_z.jpg

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- For a few years now, I have been doing a feature, pretty much on a monthly basis, which was called "Who is hot in the Twins' minors" (you can see last seasons' versions here.) This included a list of the best players in the Twins' system, based on cumulative performance year to date, broken down by position. I am giving it a new twist this year: I am listing the best team of 25 players in the Twins' organization, by position based on cumulative performance. This is listed as a 25-man roster squad with starters and bench and a rotation an a pen. No batting order. Ages, handedness and team are also listed along with the stats. This is the first one and I will be doing those every 3-4 weeks. This first version of the Twins' top 25 in the minors is dominated by players from the Fort Myers Miracle and Cedar Rapids Kernels teams that dominate their leagues, but there is a good representation from the Rochester Red Wings and New Britain Rock Cats squads. This is pretty small sample size and the results can be skewed, especially on the pitching side. And of course there are some surprises. The 2013 Twins minors' best 25 are: Starters: C - Josmil Pinto (RHB, 24, AA) : .294/.400/.544, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 80 PA 1B - Chris Colabello (RHB, 29 AAA) : .328/.377/.642, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 77 PA 2B - Eddie Rosario (SHB, 21, A+) : .338/.368/.500, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, 87 PA 3B - Miguel Sano (RHB, 20, A+) : .384/.439/.740, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 1 SB, 82 PA SS - AJ Petersen (RHB, 24, A+) : .345/.418/.448, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, 68 PA OF - Byron Buxton (RHB, 19, A) : .404/.514/.614, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 SB, 70 PA OF - Clete Thomas (LHB, 29, AAA): .347/.448/.571, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB, 58 PA OF - Danny Ortiz (LHB, 23, AA): .313/.356/.582, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 73 PA DH - Mike Gonzales (LHB, 25, A+) : .238/.338/.476, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 77 PA Bench: C - Kyle Knudson (RHB, 25, A+) : .432/.512/.649, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 43 PA IF - Nate Hanson (RHB, 26, AA/AAA) : .317/.405/.429, 2 HR, 11 RBI 1B - DJ Hicks (LHB, 23, A): .310/.385/.586, 3 HR, 12 RBI OF - JD Williams (SHB, 22, A): .270/.429/.514, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 SB, 49 PA UT - Matt Koch (RHB, 24, A+) : .405/.490/.548, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 49 PA Rotation: Tyler Duffey (RHP, 22, A) : 2-1, 2.29 ERA, 3 GS, 19.2 IP, 3 BB, 17 K, 0.661 WHIP (.184 BABIP), 7.78 K/9, 5.67 K/BB DJ Baxendale (RHP, 22, A+) : 2-0, 1.04 ERA, 3 GS, 17.1 IP, 3 BB, 15 K, 0.750 WHIP (.200 BABIP), 7.79 K/9, 5 K/BB Alex Meyer (RHP, 23, AA) : 1-0 , 1.69 ERA, 3 GS, 16 IP, 7 BB, 19 K, 1.250 WHIP (.317 BABIP), 10.69 K/9, 2.71 K/BB Kyle Gibson (RHP, 25, AAA) : 0-1, 4.43 ERA, 4 GS, 20.1 IP, 1.279 WHIP (.321 BABIP), 8.41 K/9, 2.71 K/BB Andew Albers (LHP, 27, AAA): 0-0, 3.09 ERA, 3 GS, 11.2 IP, 1.286 WHIP (.314 BABIP), 8.49 K/9, 2.75 K/BB Bullpen: Corey Williams (LHP, 22, A+) : 2.08 ERA, 7 G, 8.2 IP, 4 Sv, 0 BB, 3 K, 0.692 WHIP (.231 BABIP), 3.12 K/9 INF K/BB Adrian Salcedo (RHB, 22, A+): 4.82 ERA, 6 G, 9.1 IP, 0 BB, 11 K, 1.179 WHIP (.407 BABIP) 10.61 K/9, INF K/BB Caleb Thielbar (LHP, 26, AAA) : 3.68 ERA, 8 G, 14.2 IP, 2 BB, 18 K, 1.364 WHIP (.405 BABIP), 11.05 K/9, 9 K/BB Steven Gruver (LHP, 24, A) : 0.64 ERA, 4 G, 1 GS, 14 IP, 1 Sv, 2 BB, 16 K, 0.714 WHIP (.258 BABIP), 10.29 K/9, 8 K/BB Tyles Jones (RHB, 23, A) : 0.96 ERA, 5 G, 9.1 IP, 2 Sv, 2 BB, 11 K, 0.750 WHIP (.217 BABIP), 10.61 K/9, 5.50 K/BB Ryan O'Rourke (LHP, 25, A+) : 0.00 ERA, 5 G, 9 1P, 1 BB, 7 K, 0.333 WHIP (.100 BABIP), 7 K/9, 7 K/BB Zach Jones (RHB, 22, A+) : 1.00 ERA, 7 G, 9 IP, 5 Sv, 2 BB, 13 K, 0.667 WHIP (.176 BABIP), 12 K/9, 4 K/BB http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8606001039_53154c362b_z.jpg

I pretty much agree with this article; the Twins look to have a bright future and the future is soon. I would probably add a fourth pitcher to the list: DJ Baxendale who, based on what I saw from him this spring training and the way he has been pitching in Fort Myers so far this season, he would probably be the second best SP prospect in my list (after Meyer) at this point. Move to AA this season, to AAA to begin the next and to the Twins to end, is not out of the question (the Sano/Rosario path). I think that the Twins can accelerate the future but I cannot see it happening before 2015, unless several players have breakthrough 2014 seasons. They got to be smart and trade people over the hill and with 1-2 years left to the contracts (Morneau, Willingham, Doumit, Carroll) and potentially get some value. Also, they need to figure out whether to add prospects to such trades and quit holding on to mid-tier prospects like Hermsen, Baresford, (or even Hendriks) etc who are not going to be stars in the majors, to get better value in trades...

Not this year for sure. Maybe not even next year. Unless the Twins get rid of some players (Butera anyone?) off their 40-man roster (or trade others), it will be difficult to see prospects coming up this year. Harden and Perez probably take a couple spots before all is said and done...

(copying and pasting because it got lost when it got promoted to an article) I am really happy about the Twins start. Really happy. And much better than 2012 (and 2011). BUT... I am not impressed. I'd be impressed if they were 12-3 or something (like Colorado and Atlanta) I think that it is promising (and I second all about the minor leaguers and the pipeline) but I am not about to applaud mediocrity... Sorry

I am really happy about the Twins start. Really happy. And much better than 2012 (and 2011). BUT... I am not impressed. I'd be impressed if they were 12-3 or something (like Colorado and Atlanta) I think that it is promising (and I second all about the minor leaguers and the pipeline) but I am not about to applaud mediocrity... Sorry

If you break it down with that small sample: Escobar>Florimon>Dozier>Carroll. So both Escobar and Florimon should start and Dozier (and Carroll) should sit, according to that logic. Methinks that it is a bit too early to pull any triggers either way.

This had zip to do with the "unwritten rules" and all to do with umpiring incompetence. "Unwritten rules" would had been if the Miracle retaliated and threw at one of their batters. They didn't... The ump should have thrown the Miracle pitcher out at the spot. He didn't. Sano did his job (instead of charging the pitcher - another "unwritten rule") and spoke with his bat. Then he mentioned that to his opponent's bench while circling the bases. The umpire ejected the wronged parties in the event...

"with the bat" were the operating words. Hardy is a SS and Plouffe a 3B. Apples and oranges. And I think that Plouffe will improve. Exhibit 1: Corey Koskie. And if people have problems with Plouffe's D at 3B, they will be really upset with Sano.

Hardy: Career: .258/.312/.426 (.739 OPS, 95 OPS+) 30 years old Plouffe: Career: .230/.294/.424 (.718 OPS, 96 OPS+) 26 years old Numbers show that Plouffe is a "Hardy type" with slightly better OPS+ and better power (isoP) with the bat. That's that. Plus he has not entered his prime yet, while Hardy is at his prime and ready for the decline...

Jon Denney should probably be in this list. Might have more upside than Zunino and good catchers are hard to pass. Zunino was 3rd overall last season, so I think that Denney would make the top ten. Would be interesting to see if the Twins pick him because that is a position of need in the organization, plus might save some $ at their 1st round slot.

Not sure how I feel about this. I really do not care about smallball and having Mauer at #2 takes care of that (other than the few hit and runs that Gardy still calls.) The Twins had an ideal projected 30/30 leadoff man (and he was almost 20/40 last season) who they let go because Gardy could not stomach him. Hicks might get there and patience is needed. Buxton is a good 3 years away.

Agreed. But what will give you more bang for you buck at the same price? A decent average hit above average field SS, a 100 mph fireballer with a plus secondary pitch and a third work in progress pitch, or someone with decent contact and 40+ HR potential with so-so glove. In my book, the SS would be ranked 3 (with the same $)

There is something really simple against that logic: You need to have the right prospects to spend $$. And really after Sano, if you exclude the Cubans, there have not been many of those kind of prospects. Spending $ just to spend does not make any sense (even though Ryan does it with veteran FAs.) If you are getting the equivalent of a 10th-round (rule 4) draft pick (or even an equivalent prospect if you trade the international slot) in a 16 year old AFA whom you have to pay $750K to sign, you better not spend the $ that way. If there is value, spend (and overspend,) if not, it is a waste.

IIRC Sano played only a few games in DSL in 2010 and spent most of the season in GCL. Given that the DSL season start before the GCL, I am not sure for how many games Sano was playing in DSL after the GCL season started . Also, IIRC, he made the trip and league change with Jorge Polanco (who was signed that year), so there might have been practical issues like visas to delay the start in GCL. Bottom line is that if Minier is in FL now, he likely will start in GCL. If not, likely in DSL.

Same with Meyer, btw; The issue is 40-man space and the Twins would need to clear by several trades to bring some of the deserving minor leaguers up. If they hold to the likes of Morneau, Willingham, Carroll, Butera, Wood, Thielbar, Pelfrey, Correia etc, I just don't see this happening.

Frankly, I am amazed that he still is with the team (and not traded.) The Twins are rebuilding, he is 39. He is just a luxury as a 39 year old utility player who makes close to $4 M a season for a team that went 99 + 96. Not much of a middle infield pipeline in the high minors (other than Beresford and Santana who are not ready, all middle infielders in AAA and AA are older minor league free agents,) but there are 3 UT guys already on the 25-man roster and I think that this team is better with Colabello on the bench instead of a 4th UT guy...

Only way to see more of Arcia this season will be if they trade Willingham and/or Morneau. So wish for that

Good riddance. The Twins do not need Rochester (a town that does not support the major league team) and I wish they switched affiliations last off-season. Rochester is unique among the Twins' affiliate cities (yes, including New Britain) in that the natives have no interest in the big league club. The Twins need to develop their players and Rochester is more of a reserve place than a development place. There are only a handful of players 26 and under on the roster and 2 of them (Hendriks and Robertson) started with the Twins. Not too many "prospects" either. The one thing that it is somewhat different this season vs. some of the past seasons (and I suspect the change in Director of MiLB had a lot to do with this) is that the non-prospects there are in their late 20s vs their 30s and Rochester is right about league average as far as age goes. And it is 2 early. They have only 3 players (Arcia, Thomas, Colabello) with OPS over .706; and if you exclude Boggs (who is the one with that OPS) the next best is in the .550s. Add a team ERA close to 7 and what do you expect? The spring has been too cold this year in the Northeast and I bet all is directly related to that. They will be ok, esp in the second half, when prospects move up from New Britain to make space for the phenoms of Fort Myers. Fort Myers is doing great this season and I hope that by mid-year 5-6 of the players there are in New Britain. The biggest surprises this year for me are Kyle Knudson and Angel Morales (who is probably in his last chance, even though he is just at league average age - 23)

There is another twist on this: Bringing up Arcia instead of Benson or anyone else on the current 40-man roster, will bring some rear ends on Target Field seats. I would not doubt that people who were not planning on going to the games against the Angels (the only team with worse record than the Twins in the AL, btw) will go. Maybe up to 1000 a day; that's 3000 people for the 3 days, which translates to about 150K for the Twins (tickets, concessions etc.) Not bad.

Arcia can play CF as good as Cuddyer; this did not stop Gardenhire of playing the latter there... I just hope that he makes it difficult to send him down and eventually becomes the Twins' every day LF pushing Willingham to the position he needs to be defensively (DH). Really last time he played CF (other than a few games out of need at AA) was last decade in various Rookie leagues. He since beefed up considerably. He is like (pre-injury) Kubel at the OF (a tad better than Parmelee who is considerably improved this season.)

Now if Arcia is hitting the way he has been hitting in Rochester, he will make Ryan's job difficult as far as sending him down... Matter of fact I would not mind to see Arcia start every game at LF and have Willingham at DH (where he defensively belongs)

take a mulligan on that