Thrylos

Sounds like fun! only one caveat: There might be 200+ prospects (and non-prospect minor leaguers) in the Twins' organization, but only about 100 or so are active now and not in EST/rehab. From those, truly about 70-80 are "prospects". The others are older minor leaguers or the likes of Butera and Nishioka. So the field of play is a bit limited, esp. if someone adopts a prospect in EST. It would be hard to update once in a week if there are no games I love the idea, but it might make sense to allow for less frequent updates for players not actively playing, up to when they are in games. Makes sense?

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?459-Who-is-Hot-in-the-Twins-minors-2012-version-1

1. Based on how the Red Sox and the Angels are playing this is realistic: 1-1 split with Rays, 2-1 over the Sox, 3-0 sweep the Royals, 4-2 with Angels, 2-1 over Mariners 1-2 with Jays so total: 13-7 to give them 18-16 overall. I'd take a +/-2 which would make it range from 16-18 to 20-14 2. I'd be happy if they are within 2 games from the top of the Division. I don't care much about their record...

If you are going to have a player on an MLB bench to only play in 7 games, you are better with an other arm in the pen... even a horrible arm that you can use only when you are down by a lot as a mopup pitcher.

Yes. Shows as high speed changeup sometimes on PitchF/X

I think that whether Sano (and Rosario among others) stay in Beloit for the full season will probably open the Twins' cards on whether they want to keep their A team in Beloit in a contract season. Sano and Rosario bring tickets. Fort Myers is probably the only franchise that the Twins do not have to please (they are not going anywhere for the foreseeable future) so no need to rush them there, if they want bottoms on Beloit ballclub seats this season...

Originally published at The Tenth Innning Stretch ----- This is the first version of the 'who is hot in the Twins' minors' series for 2012. I have been doing this for a few years now and 3 weeks into the 2012 season, there are enough IPs and PAs and is about time I get the first version of 2012 out. I will be updating those in pretty much monthly basis. About a month into the minor league seasons now, it is not surprising to confirm that the Twins have a nice pitching depth in all levels of their minors (including LHP, which has been one of the organizational weaknesses in recent seasons. It is nice to see a balance between leftie and rightie arms, even though it is early in the season) There are several pitchers in Rochester who can jump in and contribute with the big team, as necessary. The bats are a bit cool this time of the year, but it is nice to see that the Twins' top prospects are pretty hot. Speaking on top prospects, Angel Morales after a lost 2011, is quickly putting himself back to the top prospect list. Also nice, as far as the big club goes, is the fact that Brian Dozier and Mike Hollimon are hot in Rochester, in case the Twins need middle infield help (the only position that is not backed up well in the major league club). Here is the list, going from AAA to A. The clubs represented are AAA Rochester Red Wings, International League, AA New Britain Rock Cats, Eastern League, A+ Fort Myers Miracle, Florida State League, A Beloit Snappers, Midwest League: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5152/7098789651_02fb66b359_z.jpg Catchers: Infielders: Brian Dozier (RHB, 25 AAA) .310/.375/.466 1 HR, 6 RBI, 64 PA Michael Hollimon (SHB, 30, AAA) .256/.341/.487 2 HR, 2 RBI, 44 PA Deibinson Romero (RHB, 25, AA) .293/.359/.552 3 HR, 13 RBI, 64 PA Miguel Sano (RHB, 19, A) .314/.453/.765 6 HR, 18 RBI, 64 PA Eddie Rosario (LHB, 20, A) .296/.397/.426 1 HR, 11 RBI, 6 SB, 63 PA Outfielders: Angel Morales (RHB, 22, A+) .382/.426/.509 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 62 PA Lance Ray (LHB, 22, A+) .256/.333/.512 2 HR, 10 RBI, 51 PA Aaron Hicks (SHB, 22, AA) .255/.338/.491 3 HR, 10 RBI, 65 PA Evan Bigley (RHB, 25, AA) .295/.343/.459 1 HR, 10 RBI, 67 PA 1st basemen/DH: Chris Colabello (RHB, 28, AA) .333/.415/.711 4 HR, 12 RBI, 54 PA RH Starters: Cole DeVries (27, AAA) 2.87 ERA, 0.957 WHIP, 8.62 K/9, 3.75 K/BB Samuel Deduno (28, AAA) 3.94 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, 7.31 K/9, 2.17 K/BB PJ Walters (27, AAA) 3.38 ERA, 1.266 WHIP, 6.33 K/9, 7 K/BB Steve Hirschfeld (26, AA) 1.06 ERA, 0.941 WHIP, 7.94 K/9, 3.75 K/BB BJ Hermsen (22, A+) 0.50 ERA, 0.722 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 2.5 K/BB LH Starters: Scott Diamond (25, AAA) 1.47 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 6.87 K/9, 2.80 K/BB Luke French (26, AA) 1.52 ERA, 0.930 WHIP, 5.32 K/9, 1.17 K/BB Logan Darnell (23, AA) 2.81 ERA, 1.188 WHIP, 5.63 K/9, 1.67 K/BB Andrew Albers (26, AA) 5.54 ERA. 1.231 WHIP, 6.23 K/0, inf K/BB Jason Wheeler (21. A) 2.40 ERA, 1.267 WHIP, 6 K/9, 2 K/BB RH Relievers: Casey Fien (28, AAA) 1.80 ERA, 1.100 WHIP, 8.10 K/9, 9 K/BB Jeff Manship (27, AAA) 0.82 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 8.18 K/9, 2.5 K/BB Deolis Guerra (23,AA) 0.84 ERA, 0.469 WHIP, 8.44 K/9, 10 K/BB Dan Turpen (25, AA) 2.89 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 8.68 K/9, inf K/BB John Garcia (25, A+) 2.53 ERA, 1.031 WHIP, 6.75 K/9, 2.67 K/BB AJ Achter (23, A) 0.87 ERA, 0.677 WHIP, 12.19 K/9, 4.67 K/BB Michael Tonkin (22, A) 0.96 ERA, 0.964 WHIP, 9.64 K/9, 5 K/BB LH Relievers: Tyler Robertson (24, AAA) 4.70 ERA, 0.783 WHIP, 11.74 K/9, 5 K/BB Caleb Thielbar (25, A+) 0.00 ERA, 0.545 WHIP, 11.05 K/9, 9 K/BB Jose Gonzalez (22, A+) 3.86 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 9 K/9, 3.5 K/BB Edgar Ibarra (23, A+) 0.90 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5.40 K/9, 6 K/BB Corey Williams (21, A) 3.86 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 9 K/9, 7 K/BB Ryan O'Rourke (24, A) 1.23 ERA, 0.818 WHIP, 8.59 K/9, 3.5 K/BB Matthew Tomshaw (23, A) 4.15 ERA, 1.269 WHIP, 10.38 K/9, 10 K/BB

Originally published at The Tenth Innning Stretch ----- This is the first version of the 'who is hot in the Twins' minors' series for 2012. I have been doing this for a few years now and 3 weeks into the 2012 season, there are enough IPs and PAs and is about time I get the first version of 2012 out. I will be updating those in pretty much monthly basis. About a month into the minor league seasons now, it is not surprising to confirm that the Twins have a nice pitching depth in all levels of their minors (including LHP, which has been one of the organizational weaknesses in recent seasons. It is nice to see a balance between leftie and rightie arms, even though it is early in the season) There are several pitchers in Rochester who can jump in and contribute with the big team, as necessary. The bats are a bit cool this time of the year, but it is nice to see that the Twins' top prospects are pretty hot. Speaking on top prospects, Angel Morales after a lost 2011, is quickly putting himself back to the top prospect list. Also nice, as far as the big club goes, is the fact that Brian Dozier and Mike Hollimon are hot in Rochester, in case the Twins need middle infield help (the only position that is not backed up well in the major league club). Here is the list, going from AAA to A. The clubs represented are AAA Rochester Red Wings, International League, AA New Britain Rock Cats, Eastern League, A+ Fort Myers Miracle, Florida State League, A Beloit Snappers, Midwest League: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5152/7098789651_02fb66b359_z.jpg Catchers: Infielders: Brian Dozier (RHB, 25 AAA) .310/.375/.466 1 HR, 6 RBI, 64 PA Michael Hollimon (SHB, 30, AAA) .256/.341/.487 2 HR, 2 RBI, 44 PA Deibinson Romero (RHB, 25, AA) .293/.359/.552 3 HR, 13 RBI, 64 PA Miguel Sano (RHB, 19, A) .314/.453/.765 6 HR, 18 RBI, 64 PA Eddie Rosario (LHB, 20, A) .296/.397/.426 1 HR, 11 RBI, 6 SB, 63 PA Outfielders: Angel Morales (RHB, 22, A+) .382/.426/.509 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 62 PA Lance Ray (LHB, 22, A+) .256/.333/.512 2 HR, 10 RBI, 51 PA Aaron Hicks (SHB, 22, AA) .255/.338/.491 3 HR, 10 RBI, 65 PA Evan Bigley (RHB, 25, AA) .295/.343/.459 1 HR, 10 RBI, 67 PA 1st basemen/DH: Chris Colabello (RHB, 28, AA) .333/.415/.711 4 HR, 12 RBI, 54 PA RH Starters: Cole DeVries (27, AAA) 2.87 ERA, 0.957 WHIP, 8.62 K/9, 3.75 K/BB Samuel Deduno (28, AAA) 3.94 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, 7.31 K/9, 2.17 K/BB PJ Walters (27, AAA) 3.38 ERA, 1.266 WHIP, 6.33 K/9, 7 K/BB Steve Hirschfeld (26, AA) 1.06 ERA, 0.941 WHIP, 7.94 K/9, 3.75 K/BB BJ Hermsen (22, A+) 0.50 ERA, 0.722 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 2.5 K/BB LH Starters: Scott Diamond (25, AAA) 1.47 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 6.87 K/9, 2.80 K/BB Luke French (26, AA) 1.52 ERA, 0.930 WHIP, 5.32 K/9, 1.17 K/BB Logan Darnell (23, AA) 2.81 ERA, 1.188 WHIP, 5.63 K/9, 1.67 K/BB Andrew Albers (26, AA) 5.54 ERA. 1.231 WHIP, 6.23 K/0, inf K/BB Jason Wheeler (21. A) 2.40 ERA, 1.267 WHIP, 6 K/9, 2 K/BB RH Relievers: Casey Fien (28, AAA) 1.80 ERA, 1.100 WHIP, 8.10 K/9, 9 K/BB Jeff Manship (27, AAA) 0.82 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 8.18 K/9, 2.5 K/BB Deolis Guerra (23,AA) 0.84 ERA, 0.469 WHIP, 8.44 K/9, 10 K/BB Dan Turpen (25, AA) 2.89 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 8.68 K/9, inf K/BB John Garcia (25, A+) 2.53 ERA, 1.031 WHIP, 6.75 K/9, 2.67 K/BB AJ Achter (23, A) 0.87 ERA, 0.677 WHIP, 12.19 K/9, 4.67 K/BB Michael Tonkin (22, A) 0.96 ERA, 0.964 WHIP, 9.64 K/9, 5 K/BB LH Relievers: Tyler Robertson (24, AAA) 4.70 ERA, 0.783 WHIP, 11.74 K/9, 5 K/BB Caleb Thielbar (25, A+) 0.00 ERA, 0.545 WHIP, 11.05 K/9, 9 K/BB Jose Gonzalez (22, A+) 3.86 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 9 K/9, 3.5 K/BB Edgar Ibarra (23, A+) 0.90 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5.40 K/9, 6 K/BB Corey Williams (21, A) 3.86 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 9 K/9, 7 K/BB Ryan O'Rourke (24, A) 1.23 ERA, 0.818 WHIP, 8.59 K/9, 3.5 K/BB Matthew Tomshaw (23, A) 4.15 ERA, 1.269 WHIP, 10.38 K/9, 10 K/BB

Good stuff. I think that the Twins might have a change this year if they finish this month close to .500, but they cannot afford any sweeps like in Baltimore and vs. Texas. Got to mention that Nishi had a triple tonight too, which is his first triple in US Pro ball. And Wheeler looks about 15 in that picture

Unlike Hughes, Plouffe is a former Twins' first round pick (and from when Terry Ryan was the GM). In the past the Twins have shown incredible patience concerning their 1st round picks, esp. the ones who reached the higher levels. At this point of his career Plouffe is about as productive as Cuddyer (another former 1st round pick) was at the equivalent point of his career... So I will be very surprised if something will happen

Daryl and Brad at AAAAaron too but he is serving a 50 day suspension for street pharmaceutical use

Re: Cole DeVries: Frankly with the mass of MiLB free agents who were signed by the Twins this off-season and were given invites to the MiLB camp in ST, I was disappointed that Cole DeVries after his stellar 2011 season which was followed by an excellent AFL appearance was not given an invite. If I were to venture a guess, I think that what we see here is that Cole DeVries has the same "fault" that this organization found in Kevin Slowey, RA Dickey and Craig Breslow: they are all too smart for the manager and his coaches... Re: Deolis Guerra: When I saw him in ST a month ago he had control issues. Apparently these are not any more. He is throwing a sinker at low 90s up to 93, a great slow curve at mid-high 70s and a change up. I think that he has been playing around with a slider a bit but never heard of that amounting to anything. As Seth said, this is his year to make it to the bigs because it is his last option year. I think that he will be up at least in September

Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- This is the second installment in this series. You can find the first one here and all of them here in reverse chronological order. I will be doing these approximately weekly or at the end of every 2 series. In the last 2 series against the Yankees and Rangers the Twins as a team hit a respectable .279/.328/.434 with 6 HR and scored 28 runs. This was not enough to get them to finish better than 2-5 in these series. Part of the problem was striking out 52 times in 271 plate appearances, grounding into 6 double plays and stranding 54 runners, an average of 7.7 runners a game. The Twins Hitter of the Week was: Justin Morneau http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/6950716222_e8d81b2235_z.jpg .261/.370/.652 3 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R in 27 plate appearances Unlike the hitting, the Twins' pitching in the last 2 series was primarily responsible for their 2-7 record against the Rangers and the Yankees. As a team, the Twins pitched to a 5.46 ERA, allowing 79 hits (including 13 home runs, 15 doubles and a triple,) 37 Runs (all earned) in 61 innings, facing 272 batters. They threw 959 total pitches and 612 of them were strikes. The walked 14 and struck out 35. This results in a 1.53 WHIP, 5.2 K/9 and 2.5 K/BB. The Twins' Pitcher of the Week was: Jared Burton http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/7096786667_37f511b18d_z.jpg 3 Games, 3.3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5K

Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- This is the second installment in this series. You can find the first one here and all of them here in reverse chronological order. I will be doing these approximately weekly or at the end of every 2 series. In the last 2 series against the Yankees and Rangers the Twins as a team hit a respectable .279/.328/.434 with 6 HR and scored 28 runs. This was not enough to get them to finish better than 2-5 in these series. Part of the problem was striking out 52 times in 271 plate appearances, grounding into 6 double plays and stranding 54 runners, an average of 7.7 runners a game. The Twins Hitter of the Week was: Justin Morneau http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/6950716222_e8d81b2235_z.jpg .261/.370/.652 3 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R in 27 plate appearances Unlike the hitting, the Twins' pitching in the last 2 series was primarily responsible for their 2-7 record against the Rangers and the Yankees. As a team, the Twins pitched to a 5.46 ERA, allowing 79 hits (including 13 home runs, 15 doubles and a triple,) 37 Runs (all earned) in 61 innings, facing 272 batters. They threw 959 total pitches and 612 of them were strikes. The walked 14 and struck out 35. This results in a 1.53 WHIP, 5.2 K/9 and 2.5 K/BB. The Twins' Pitcher of the Week was: Jared Burton http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/7096786667_37f511b18d_z.jpg 3 Games, 3.3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5K

Plenty of evidence: Morales (and Ramos) was better than Butera in 2010, but Butera made the trip up North. Rivera has been a better catcher in 2011 (if you look at AAA numbers as well; and Liriano has been more effective with Rivera catching him than with anybody else) but Butera is the one who stayed with the team when Mauer was deemed ready. Now you are going to hear the excuse that Butera is a "great defensive catcher". Look at the numbers, especially PBs to see whether the excuse is substantiated by the numbers. Fact: Last season Butera had more PBs than Doumit/inning caught So that's that... There is no smoking gun, but....

+1 (and not only the modern history, Ancient history as well) and with Gardenhire's need to play him at least every 5 days when Pavano starts, you know that the team will have at least 200 futile PAs.

Not too unusual to see Souhan spearheading the bury Luke Hughes effort since he played the same henchman role for the Twins in burying Kevin Slowey very recenty... Way to Go!

was claimed by the Athletics. The Twins' passed...

interesting... I guess 4 players who can play third (Valencia, Burroughs, Carroll, Plouffe) and a whole bunch of people who can play the OF do not give him enough options now...

It does not make sense even if they put Doumit in RF regularly... Then Mauer will be the Catcher and if something happens to him, Doumit can come in and Catch at that point. Gardy's unsubstantiated fear is that he will lose the DH if one of the 2 Cs is DHing and the other gets hurt. Nuts.

priorities...

Andrew, are you in the game?

There not subjective "conclusions". It is math, formulas and calculations (and computers running them ) If more interested, this is a good starting point and make sure that you read all the articles linked...

Interesting quote by Gardenhire in that article: Unless he is debating with himself, which is not out of the realm of possibility, there seem to be saner voices in the organization...