Seth Stohs

They could do a two-part type of thing... After 29 1/2 ... OR after 6 years, whichever is sooner. That way if a guy is called up at 21 and has six full seasons at age 27, he can become a free agent too. That might be a middle ground.

Seth chats with Twins pitching prospect Josh Winder about all things baseball including his youth days, playing at VMI, getting drafted, his journey through the Twins minor leagues, what he did during the 2020 pandemic season, and what helped make him so successful in 2021. View full video

If there was a breakout pitcher in the Minnesota Twins minor league system over the past 12 months, it has been right-hander Josh Winder. And today, he is the guest on an all-new Twins Spotlight. Join us live today at 12:00 pm (central) and send us your questions on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Virginia Military Institute has had a solid college baseball program at times, but if Twins right-handed pitching prospect Josh Winder makes it up to the big leagues, he will become just the third player in school history to do so. The most recent, pitcher Reed Garrett, pitched in 13 games for the 2019 Detroit Tigers. He has spent the past two seasons pitching in Japan. Winder was the Twins seventh-round draft pick in 2018. He went 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA in nine starts for Elizabethton that summer. In 2019, he moved up to Cedar Rapids, and while several of his teammates were promoted to Ft. Myers, Winder spent the whole season in Iowa. In 21 starts, he went 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 125 2/3 innings. Then came 2020. The pandemic. A lost season. However, it is clear that Winder took advantage of his time. When he reported to Instructional League, coaches took notice. Ramon Borrego, who would be his 2021 manager in Wichita, was in Ft. Myers for Instructs. This spring when asked about Winder he said, "The first impression that he gave me... they (the organization's reports) say he throws a slider and a fastball 90-93. When I saw him throwing to the mound and he was hitting 97-98, I was like "Oh my god!" Really good frame, strong guy, really hard working. I remember talking to Alex Hassan and saying 'This guy can be really good!' He's a really good competitor and has a very good slider." Those quotes came after he made just one start in Wichita. He went 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA over ten starts with the Wind Surge. In 54 2/3 innings, he walked just 10 and struck out 65 batters. He was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul and started with six no-hit innings in his first outing. He represented the Twins in the Futures Game in Denver, pitching for manager LaTroy Hawkins. Unfortunately, just four starts into his stint with the Saints, he was shut down with some shoulder tightness, ending his season. He rehabbed in Ft. Myers and is now back home for his offseason. We'll find out what else he is up to and how he feels about his season, about his progress, and his goals as he looks forward to the 2022 season. And later this month, he's a lock to be added to the Twins 40-man roster. Join us as we go live at 12:00 pm central time. You can participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics over about 20-25 minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE today at 12:00 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. You can even ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. For more on Josh Winder: Follow him on Instagram at @j.winder36. Click here for Twins Daily articles on Josh Winder. Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 36: Jose Miranda Episode 37: Kala'i Rosario Episode 38: Bailey Ober Episode 39: Simeon Woods Richardson View full article

Yup, lives in Atlanta in the offseason.

Twins Daily's Seth Stohs interviews (relatively) new Twins prospect Simeon Woods-Richardson, speaking about his July trade to the Twins as part of the blockbuster Jose Berríos trade and what comes next in the career of the young right-handed starter. View full video

;I love the addition of Tingler so much! Dude is smart, has experience (good and bad)... will be terrific to have him sitting with Baldelli. Those conversations and discussions should be great!

I like the idea of Gray since it's 1 year if things go bad, but potentially 2 years if things go well. That said, Larnach and Canterino was way too much. Canterino is very highly-regarded and Larnach is going to be really good too. That's just too much. (in my opinion)

A year ago at this time, the Twins claimed Ian Gibaut and Brandon Waddell. Those two certainly don't have the track record that Cotton does, but that's one side of the waiver claim situation. Two years ago, the Twins claimed Matt Wisler and he was terrific. That's the other side of the waiver claim situation. Can Cotton be the second coming of Wisler? I mean, I think so... but that seems to be about the range of where this type of player could be.

According to Robert Murray, the Minnesota Twins have claimed RHP Jharel Cotton from the Texas Rangers. Today, the Twins announced that Alexander Colome has become a free agent after his mutual option for 2022 was not picked up. Teams are making roster moves, as they do every year at this time. Players are being removed from the 40-man rosters and teams will be making claims. Cotton has been in the majors since 2016, but underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2018 and hadn't returned to the majors until this year. The most impressive of his 2021 work happened in AAA-Round Rock, where he pitched in 24 games, and in 42 innings, he walked 17 and struck out 57 batters. That's an eye-popping strikeout rate. He was promoted to the Rangers on July 30th and struggled initially, ballooning to a 6.23 ERA towards the end of August. But he had a September to remember, posting a 1.62 ERA and just a 465 OPS against. Most significantly, he walked fewer batters. He also seemingly changed his third pitch mix from when he last appeared in the majors. He's still throwing his fastball about half the time, but he has completely give up on a cutter to throw a standout changeup more often and .... surprise, surprise ... mix in a slider. He also occasionally throws a curveball. He won't blow batters away with his velocity. Cotton averaged about 93.5 mph on his fastball, and that matches what he did before Tommy John. As mentioned, he had not pitched in the big leagues since 2017 when he made 24 starts for the Oakland A's. He has missed a lot of time due to injuries, mostly to his elbow even after surgery, but the 29-year-old has always had an intriguing arm. Cotton is eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting a $1.2M salary for next year. The increased price tag likely contributed to Texas parting ways. The Twins have also announced the move. In addition, Rob Refsnyder was outrighted. View full article

Thank you... and yes, he was really good. Enjoyable conversation.

Ummm, yeah... it's my thing for every episode... Sad, but true, and I wish I could say it was intentional... And yes, Simeon was a fantastic guest. I really enjoyed it a lot!

It's been a busy year for Simeon Woods Richardson. He began the year with the Blue Jays. He represented the USA at the Olympics in Tokyo. While there, he was traded to the Twins. We'll discuss those things and get to know one of the newest members of the Twins organization on tonight's Twins Spotlight. Join us live tonight at 5:30 pm (central) and send us your questions on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. Simeon Woods Richardson will the the guest on tonight's Twins Spotlight show, starting at 5:30 central. The Sugar Land, Texas, native turned 21 shortly after the 2021 season, a season of more change for him. Two years ago, he was traded from the Mets to the Blue Jays as part of the Marcus Stroman trade. He has continued to be pushed by the Jays and started the season in Double-A. In June, he traveled to Tokyo, Japan, as part of the Team USA Olympic squad. While he didn't pitch in a game, he was able to experience a great event and learn from manager Mike Scioscia and some of the other veterans on the roster such as Todd Frazier, Scott Kazmir and Edwin Jackson. The Twins traded Jose Berrios at the trade deadline in exchange for Richardson and Austin Martin. When he came back to the States, Richardson headed to Wichita and just worked by throwing bullpen before making a few starts at season's end. Let's get to know him! It's been another interesting year for Simeon Woods Richardson, and we will discuss it with him tonight! Join us as we go live at 5:30 pm central time. You can participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics over about 20-25 minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE tonight at 5:30 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. For more on Simeon Woods Richardson: Follow him on Instagram at @simeon_woods10. Follow him on Twitter at @simeon_woods. Click here for Twins Daily articles on Simeon Woods Richardson. Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 36: Jose Miranda Episode 37: Kala'i Rosario Episode 38: Bailey Ober View full article

Seth Stohs interviews Twins Daily's 2021 Rookie of the Year, right-handed pitcher Bailey Ober. After a surprising campaign where he added velocity and showed sustained success while reaching a new personal high in innings pitched, Ober looks forward to the 2022 season. View full video

I'm even older than you... I remember 33 cent packs and 50 cent packs. Ha! For me, it was 1985 Fleer Kirby Puckett. I had several Topps Puckett rookies, but the Fleer one was blue, and cool... And I couldn't find Fleer in town at that time... 2nd: 1990 Score Chuck Knoblauch... LOVED these cards. I was into prospects way back then, but draft pick cards of all first rounders was cool. And those up-close mug shots were so cool. Score was bright and colorful, but I loved the simplicity of those draft pick cards.

Maggi had a terrific year, making him the All Star. Palacios got a couple of votes too, and obviously is more of a prospect. And obviously Royce Lewis missing the year didn't help. And, if there is one potentially difference-making bat to look ready each year, that's pretty good! Add in Larnach and Jeffers and Kirilloff and maybe Gordon and that's a really good two-year stretch, especially with Lewis and Martin probably within a year or year-and-a-half away, that's good.

Absolutely 2022... Ha! I made the change. Thank you for pointing it out.

I believe as of tonight both Trey Cabbage and BJ Boyd are free agents. But I think they'll bring a couple of their free agents back, Jermaine Palacios, hopefully Cabbage... maybe Leobaldo Cabrera. We'll see, I guess. Julien is legit. I mean, he only dropped in the draft because he had the ability to go back to Auburn, for two years. What he showed this year was the approach to go with the power, and then the speed was a factor too. He's got a chance. Winder would have been unanimous if he had pitched another month. His innings count made him non-unanimous. For me, the guy I wish I had ranked, probably ahead of Balazovic, in Sawyer Gipson-Long. He had 2-3 rough starts at the beginning of the season, but after that was really good, and ate innings and had a ton of strikeouts. He's the one MISS I feel like I had.

Congratulations to all the winners!!

Coming into the 2021 season, the Twins had five veteran starting pitchers. By season's end, the only starting pitcher with his name written in pen on the 2022 Twins starting rotation, and our guest tonight on Twins Spotlight, is Bailey Ober who came up, maybe earlier than planned, and had a terrific rookie campaign. Join us live tonight at 6:00 pm (central) and send us your questions on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. It was some surprise last November when Bailey Ober was one of three players added to the Twins 40-man roster. It wasn't surprising based on his statistics. He had dominated at High-A and Double-A in 2019 to the tune of 100 strikeouts and nine walks in 78 2/3 innings. He was 8-0 with a 0.69 ERA. However, in 2020, he had a missed season. He didn't participate in the Twins 60-player pool at the alternate site in St. Paul. He didn't participate in the November Instructional League either. While we can all question the decisions to not protect players like Akil Baddoo, Tyler Wells, Jose Miranda and even Sam Clay, the Twins should get credited for protecting Bailey Ober. And Ober made the decision too really good. After starting the season with four starts in St. Paul (16 IP, 2.81 ERA, 5 BB, 21 K), he earned his first big-league promotion and made his debut on May 18th against the White Sox. He was briefly optioned back to St. Paul, but he was with the Twins from June through the remainder of the season. In 20 starts, he went 3-3 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. In 92 1/3 innings, he walked just 19 batters and struck out 96 batters. He became the team's most consistent, reliable starters. Just as important, he remained healthy through the remainder of the season. Following the season, he was "handed" the Twins Daily Best Rookie Award and finished second in Top Pitcher voting. What a year it was for Bailey Ober, and we will discuss it with him tonight! Join us as we go live at 6:00 pm central time. You can participate by sending your questions. We'll cover a ton of topics over about 20-25 minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please watch LIVE tonight at 6:00 pm (central time) on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below or on those platforms during the show and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show live, or later. For more on Bailey Ober: Follow him on Instagram at @oberbailey. Follow him on Twitter at @baileyOB_17. Click here for Twins Daily articles on Bailey Ober. Ober was a guest last November, days after he was added to the Twins 40-man roster. You can watch that episode now: Previous Episodes Click here to see more previous episodes of Twins Spotlight. Episode 36: Jose Miranda Episode 37: Kala'i Rosario View full article