Thrylos

Actually it depends on the team... On a contending team the likes of Pavano and Blackburn would be their #4 or #5 starters with possibly some high ceiling almost MLB=ready prospects making occasional strarts (the Twins' have only one of those arguably in Hendriks.) That's for a contending team that looks at contending well into the post-season. As far the Twins go, that's a different story. And their problem is not their #4 or #5 starters, is that their best starter is a #4/5 starter.

That umpire should never umpire another professional baseball game. The league needs to do something about the integrity of the game.

Not with Sano likely being the 1B of the future as soon as 2014/5

If there are any takers who are willing to pay most of the money and give back a couple of good pieces, this is a no-brainer trade for the Twins. The Twins will not contend until his contract is up and will not resign him.

Nope. The manager is an idiot.

Waldrop had a set back. He should be on the 60-day list. I hope Slama gets called up. Both Oliveros and Guerra can use some confidence building in AAA. But this quote from this article is very telling about the feelings of the Twins' brass: So, basically, the scouting department and the numbers do not agree and Gardy and Terry and Andy are going with the scouts... Unless this organization get new people with new mind set, the scouts will be running things and the Twins will continue the stagnation.

Here is the link Hope Anthony Slama makes it and that makes a statement to the Twins' brass

Well... based on the Mets' record, compared to their record in 2011, I'd say it has worked for them I don't think that the Twins should bring in the fences, unless they bring in a totally different pitching staff...

Good stuff One can make a similar argument for Denard Span as well. Here is his chart for 2012 from the same place: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/charts/gen/4526552012040120120524AAAAAspray-chart.png Maybe not 150 ft, but 100 for sure other than a couple balls he pulled. And Revere does not pull the ball. On the other hand, if you look at Revere's 2012 Chart: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/charts/gen/5191842012040120120524AAAAAspray-chart.png You'll see that he is getting some more pop than he had in 2011.... Arguably similar to Span (other than pulling the ball...) Look at those balls at CF. And this does not have his long outs from last night

Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft. I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here. I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer. Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos. Profile 16: Matt Smoral Profile/Stats: Matt Smoral is a senior at Solon High School in Solon, OH. He throws left handed and is listed at 6'8" and 225 lbs. He was born on Last season he went 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched. This season 3 games in, he had a metatarsal fraction on his landing foot. He had surgery and is out for the season. The recovery is said to be 12 weeks. Here is a good article about his injury and recovery. He is committed to attend the University of North Carolina. Mini Scouting Report: Matt Smoral is throwing a fastball and a slider and is developing a change up. His fastball sits at 91-92 and touches 94-95. His slider is a hard slider and is a plus pitch with plus plus potential. His changeup is a work in process. His delivery is nice and easy and almost side arm. A lot of similarities with White Sox' pitcher Chris Sale, but Smoral is taller. Good command of his fastball. Very injury prone, maybe because of his size. His latest foot injury is his 3rd injury in 3 years, but nothing major. Videos/Photos: Due to the difficulties in embedding videos here, please go to the original post to see videos of Matt Smoral pitching http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/11NATCB29.jpg

Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft. I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here. I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer. Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos. Profile 16: Matt Smoral Profile/Stats: Matt Smoral is a senior at Solon High School in Solon, OH. He throws left handed and is listed at 6'8" and 225 lbs. He was born on Last season he went 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched. This season 3 games in, he had a metatarsal fraction on his landing foot. He had surgery and is out for the season. The recovery is said to be 12 weeks. Here is a good article about his injury and recovery. He is committed to attend the University of North Carolina. Mini Scouting Report: Matt Smoral is throwing a fastball and a slider and is developing a change up. His fastball sits at 91-92 and touches 94-95. His slider is a hard slider and is a plus pitch with plus plus potential. His changeup is a work in process. His delivery is nice and easy and almost side arm. A lot of similarities with White Sox' pitcher Chris Sale, but Smoral is taller. Good command of his fastball. Very injury prone, maybe because of his size. His latest foot injury is his 3rd injury in 3 years, but nothing major. Videos/Photos: Due to the difficulties in embedding videos here, please go to the original post to see videos of Matt Smoral pitching http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/11NATCB29.jpg

Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft. I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here. I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer. Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos. Profile 15: Lucas Sims Profile/Stats: Lucas Sims is a senior at Brookwood High School in Lawrenceville, GA. He throws right handed and is listed at 6'2" and 185 lbs. He was born on May 10, 1994. Sims is also playing at shortstop but will be drafted as a pitcher. He is committed to attend Clemson University. Mini Scouting Report: Lucas Sims is throwing a fastball, a curveball and a change up. His Fastball is averaging 92-94 mph and has been thrown up to 96-97 mph. His stamina needs work because his velocity seems to drop late in the game. His fastball is an above average pitch with some life. His curveball is an above average pitch at 76-78 mph with a late break. His changeup is fairly polished. It sits between 85-87 and has good fade. He has a smooth delivery, even though there have been some concerns with his mechanics, especially his elbow being positioned high. Videos/Photos: Due to the difficulties in embedding videos here, please go to the original post to see videos of Lucas Sims pitching http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/11NATR8.jpg

Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft. I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here. I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer. Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos. Profile 15: Lucas Sims Profile/Stats: Lucas Sims is a senior at Brookwood High School in Lawrenceville, GA. He throws right handed and is listed at 6'2" and 185 lbs. He was born on May 10, 1994. Sims is also playing at shortstop but will be drafted as a pitcher. He is committed to attend Clemson University. Mini Scouting Report: Lucas Sims is throwing a fastball, a curveball and a change up. His Fastball is averaging 92-94 mph and has been thrown up to 96-97 mph. His stamina needs work because his velocity seems to drop late in the game. His fastball is an above average pitch with some life. His curveball is an above average pitch at 76-78 mph with a late break. His changeup is fairly polished. It sits between 85-87 and has good fade. He has a smooth delivery, even though there have been some concerns with his mechanics, especially his elbow being positioned high. Videos/Photos: Due to the difficulties in embedding videos here, please go to the original post to see videos of Lucas Sims pitching http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/11NATR8.jpg

DeVries yesterday pitched better for the Twins than Hendriks did this season. That is that. Apples with Apples.

Rules? Lets see: - A balk works the same way it works now (i.e. runners on base move up one base) but also as a HBP (i.e. batter goes on first.) - A home plate umpire who does not get 90% of the ball-strikes called correctly (per Pitch F/X) is suspended for a series the first time, two series the next, half a season the third and forever the last. - Established a 5th umpire on a booth who can review every out and hit by instant replay an have the ability to over-rule what is called on the field (this will not take any more time it takes now, since there is replay going on anyways. Crew chief wears a headphone and is told on the spot of the over-rulling) - If a manager gets out of the dugout to argue a call, it counts as a mound visit. If the argument is longer than the mound visit allowd time (30 seconds) the pitcher on the mound has to be replaced. Same with the second visit in an inning. (would be obsolete by instand replay, but...) - Umpires who touch managers/players/coaches etc are suspended the same way players/managers/coaches who touch umpires are. - A throw to an occupied base counts the same as a pitch out (i.e. a ball)

... Now his is up at the 11th spot from the 28th he was in Law's pre-season rankings. You can see his new top 25 list here (for insiders only). No other Twins in the top 25 but there were none pre-season.

Fractured hammate would explain Benson's issues 100%. This is a facture that happens either because of overuse (and that happens little by little and you cannot tell other than soreness on the wrist, until one day you cannot even grab a bat) or because of injury (like HBP or falling down on the outside -pinky finger side- of your wrist). Wishing him well, this is something with 100% successful return. Takes about 6-8 weeks and might need some more time to get the hitting back.

Way too early to judge Benson... He just turned 24 and his is playing in a league (AA) where the average age is above that. Plus he had success before and it looks like he might be injured. So I would wait a couple of seasons... Tosoni was a 36th round pick. He has overachieved doing what he did and making in to the majors for a cup of coffee. Was never any sort of a prospect.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft. I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here. I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer. Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos. Profile 14: Clate Schmidt Profile/Stats: Clate Schmidt is a senior at Allatoona High School in Acworth, GA. He throws right handed and is listed at 6'2" and 175 lbs. He was born on December 10, 1993. Schmidt is also playing at shortstop very well and enjoys it (and hitting .406/.500/.688 this season), but will be drafted as a pitcher. This season he pitched for 29 innings, allowing 9 hits and striking out 33. His ERA was 1.69 and held opponents to a .222 Bating Average. He is committed to attend Clemson University. Mini Scouting Report: Clate Schmidt is throwing a fastball, a curveball and a change up. His Fastball is averaging 92-94 mph and has been thrown up to 96 mph. It is an above average pitch with good motion. His curveball is a plus pitch and is a sharp breaking low 80s curveball. His changeup is a work in progress. He has a 3/4 arm slot and has a fast arm, but his delivery is a maximum effort delivery and his mechanics need to be simplified. Videos/Photos: Because of the difficulty of embedding videos here, please visit the original post for videos of Clate Schmidt pitching http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/11NATGO9.jpg

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft. I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here. I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer. Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos. Profile 14: Clate Schmidt Profile/Stats: Clate Schmidt is a senior at Allatoona High School in Acworth, GA. He throws right handed and is listed at 6'2" and 175 lbs. He was born on December 10, 1993. Schmidt is also playing at shortstop very well and enjoys it (and hitting .406/.500/.688 this season), but will be drafted as a pitcher. This season he pitched for 29 innings, allowing 9 hits and striking out 33. His ERA was 1.69 and held opponents to a .222 Bating Average. He is committed to attend Clemson University. Mini Scouting Report: Clate Schmidt is throwing a fastball, a curveball and a change up. His Fastball is averaging 92-94 mph and has been thrown up to 96 mph. It is an above average pitch with good motion. His curveball is a plus pitch and is a sharp breaking low 80s curveball. His changeup is a work in progress. He has a 3/4 arm slot and has a fast arm, but his delivery is a maximum effort delivery and his mechanics need to be simplified. Videos/Photos: Because of the difficulty of embedding videos here, please visit the original post for videos of Clate Schmidt pitching http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/11NATGO9.jpg

I like it for the moment . I think that you've seen that I "adopted" Burris and what I wrote about him when I saw him in Spring Training. There are a couple things in play: a. is something that I did not write after I saw him pitch and that is who he reminded me off. Both his FB and (especially that curve.) And still I am not gonna go there (for a good reason. that guy was something and he f'd up that something so it is bad luck). Just think early-mid 80s; similarly built pitcher... And I saw them both pitch up close (that other guy is practically my age) and the similarities are scary. And his raw stuff is that scary good. And it is raw. b. I think that eventually he might start. So I would probably rank him higher at some point (like Salcedo high ) but he still got to get going and get some innings under his belt. So. Yeah. I am that high on the kid. He just gotta get his head in it an work his rear end off. The one I think that you might not have ranked yet and he really deserves to be in the top 50 list, and I am sure that he will be in your off-season rankings is Matt Koch. He is the real thing.

I was lucky to see both Oliveros and Guerra pitching this Spring at Fort Myers on a side field with a radar gun on the table with the kids who are charting the pitchers. Guerra's 2 seamer is more like 89-91 with occasional 92-93. But he just throws the 2 seamer for some reason. I suspect were he to throw a 4-seamer, that would be higher. Oliveros is somewhat funny: The fastest he throws, the lest control he has. He can throw strikes all day, if he settles at 92-94. Jumping up to 96-97 he is all over the place. Same with the slider. Low-mid 80s is nasty, mid high 80s gotta get out of the way.

hopefully not. Kid is under age still

The closest comparable that people talk about is Miguel Cabrera. He broke into the bigs as a 20 yr old (half season), did well as 21 year old and took off as a 22 year old with the Marlins

Yes. July-August timeframe; likely a rehab with either Forth Myers or GCL Twins