Seth Stohs

Fair points and concerns, but it's hard to say. I think that if all goes well, Buxton and Kepler will be the CF and RF for a long time. So, that leaves one outfield spot. Rosario is in the picture. Daniel Palka is finding his way into the discussion. And a lot of people are thinking Zach Granite is someone who could be added too. And, I didn't even mention Robbie Grossman. DH? Well, Vargas and Park are there now, and Mauer will still be around for two more years. And, I don't think any of that is a bad thing.

Thanks... gotta admit... deciding between Gonzalez, Zander Wiel and Adam Brett Walker wasn't easy.

I'm not a believer in clutch being a skill or something, but Walker definitely seems to come up big often... We've seen it over and over and over over the years. I think he'll get up here in September... but they already have Rosario, Grossman, Buxton and Kepler in the outfield, and Park will likely come up to DH, along with Vargas. So, he may not.

I've written that for the TD Minor League Player of the Month awards... RP would be Slama and/or Achter ,and there are several others that would be strongly considered for the others.

And Garver missed about a week with a concussion. The key is Garver is getting catcher time and also keep his bat in the middle of their order. He's been terrific the last six weeks.

E-Town hasn't done much the last 2-3 years really. But yeah, for awhile there they were in the playoffs every year. I think that team is definitely fully of prospects, but they're young. The three you mentioned have high upsides.

It was a big day for offense in the Twins minor league games. There were 11 players who had multiple-hit games for Twins affiliates. There was a game-winning home run by a big prospect in one game. One player that didn’t even start for his team on Friday night ended up with four hits and raised his batting average by .115 points. The big first baseman in Cedar Rapids had two extra-base hits and half of his team’s RBI. Of course, it isn’t all positive.One team was on the opposite end of the spectrum. Wander Javier did not play again on Friday. The first time he hurt his hamstring, he missed 16 days before playing two games. He re-aggravated the hamstring and has now not played again for two weeks.For the details of Friday in the Twins minor leagues, please continue reading. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 8, Norfolk 6 Box Score Adam Brett Walker came through in the clutch for the Red Wings again. With the score tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the 8th Byung Ho Park recorded his first AAA double. Walker came up and belted his 17th home run of the season. It gave the Red Wings the lead and made them a winner. Walker led the Red Wings offense. He went 2-3 with a walk and his second triple to go with the home run. Darin Mastroianni was in the leadoff spot. He went 2-4 with two doubles and drove in two runs. Wilfredo Tovar went 2-3 with his 16th double. Logan Schafer went 2-4. Logan Darnell made his first start of the second half. The lefty gave up four runs on eight hits and a walk over just 3.2 innings. He struck out two as his ERA jumped to 3.53. Nick Greenwood came in and gave up one run on three hits over the next 2.1 innings. Sean Burnett threw an inning. He gave up an unearned run on two hits. Buddy Boshers gave up a hit and walked a batter in 0.2 innings. Alex Wimmers got the final out of the eighth inning and then three outs in the ninth to pick up the win. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 2, Mobile 20 Box Score It happens to every team, and pretty much every year. Even the best teams have an absolute clunker. On Friday night, Chattanooga had one of those. Omar Bencomo made the start. He gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk in the first three innings. Ryan Eades came on, and he was charged with eight runs (six earned) on five hits and three walks. Luke Westphal came on and gave up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks. Jake Reed came on and got the final five outs, including two strikeouts. He gave up just one hit. The Lookouts didn’t have much offense either. They had just four hits. Dalton Hicks went 1-3 with a walk and his 20th double. Shannon Wilkerson went 1-3 with a walk and his eighth double. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 4, Tampa 3 (7 innings) Box Score The game was called on account of rain in the seventh inning. Fortunately, the Miracle were winning at the time. Randy LeBlanc had a quality start. He gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out four. Offensively, the Miracle had just six hits. AJ Murray hit his sixth double. Joe Maloney drove in two runs with his fourth double. Logan Wade reached base twice without a hit. He walked and was hit by a pitch. He also stole a base. Nick Gordon added a single to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 6, Lake County 1 Box Score Dereck Rodriguez had another solid start, and in this one, he even got the win. He improved to 2-10. He had not been the winning pitcher in a game in two months. He gave up one run on six hits over the first six innings. He walked one and struck out four. Anthony McIver gave up one hit over two scoreless relief innings. Michael Cederoth got the final three outs to preserve the win. Zander Wiel led the Kernels offense. He went 2-3 with a walk, his 17th double and his eighth home run. The other three Kernels RBIs came from Luis Arraez who had an RBI in each of his first three plate appearances. Casey Scoggins led off and went 2-4 with a walk and his third double. Jermaine Palacios is now hitting .224 after going 2-3 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch in this game. Kevin Garcia went 2-4. E-TWINS E-NOTES Elizabethton 6, Danville 8 Box Score Roberto Gonzalez wasn’t even in the starting lineup on Friday night. For some reason (we’re looking into it), Luis Martinez left the game in the first inning and Gonzalez replaced him. He came into the game hitting just .111, but the powerful outfielder went 4-4 with two doubles and raised his average to .226. That’s the beauty of small sample sizes. Bryant Hayman had the big hit. He hit his first homer of the season and drove in three runs. Alex Kirilloff went 1-3 with a walk and his fifth double. Shane Carrier went 2-4. Tyler Wells made the start. He gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits over 3.2 innings. He walked three and struck out five. Quin Grogan came on and worked 2.1 hitless innings. He walked two and struck out three. Johan Quezada struggled. He gave up four runs (3 earned) on three hits and two walks and recorded just one out. Colton Davis got the final five outs, three of them on strikeouts. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 0, GCL Red Sox 3 Box Score Huascar Ynoa started again for the GCL Twins on Friday. The young right-hander gave up three runs on five hits over four innings. All three runs came in the second inning. Ynoa walked three and struck out four. Moises Gomez came on and threw two scoreless innings. He is yet to give up an earned run (and allowed just one unearned run) in 11.1 innings this season. Callan Pearce ran his scoreless inning streak to 10 with two more scoreless innings. He struck out three. Daniel Martinez pitched a clean ninth inning. Lean Marrero went 2-4 in this game. Jhon Alvarez hit his first double. Twins 2016 second-round picks Jose Miranda and Ben Rortvedt each went 1-3 with a walk. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Dereck Rodriguez, Cedar Rapids Kernels Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Roberto Gonzalez, Elizabethton Twins SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Norfolk @ Rochester (5:05 CST) - LHP Andrew Albers Mobile @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP Tyler Jay Ft. Myers @ Tampa (5:00 CST) - LHP Sam Clay Cedar Rapids @ Ft. Wayne (5:35 CST) – RHP Sam Gibbons Elizabethton @ Princeton (6:00 CST) - RHP Ryan Mason GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox (9:00 am CST) - RHP Brady Anderson Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Friday's games. Click here to view the article

In my mind, he should... left-handed, 22 and hitting 96. I'd keep him on, but at the same time, it will depend on how many they prefer to add.

He got two games off and has been back in the lineup since. He had a sore hand, from various reports/quotes we've heard.

I think he has 10-12 errors by early May. I think he's been much improved defensively in the last 50-60 games. I'm not worried about his defense much at all. He'll hit for decent average, I think, and he's got an idea at the plate. Great swing, and I do think he'll add some power. Mostly double power, but I think he can hit 10+ in the big leagues once he's in it for a bit.

He was in my Top 30 in early June, and that was before he came up to Cedar Rapids and has pitched quite well. He's pretty much on the exact same timeline as Lewis Thorpe was, so many similarities. He's grown. He's like 6-0, maybe 6-1, 185 now. Fastball is low 90s, good mix, and smart... knows how to pitch. Not quite as much velo as Thorpe, but they're so similar.

I don't like that particular example... Manship left the Twins and went to Colorado for a year and to the Phillies for a year. Cleveland was three years later, he was 30 and likely learned a ton in between. I'm not saying that the Twins were right in keeping him starting rather than moving him to the bullpen but there are too many other factors in this example. And, you can find examples in every organization or misses. I'm saying I would trade bullpen arms that they can and aren't part of the future for C prospects, if they can... and then hope one or two becomes something surprising, someone that other organization regrets giving up.

It's underrated... no question, but that's the big difference between potentially a big impact player and a prospect. Because of his age and being a 5-year college guy, and a reliever, adn a side-winder, he isn't going to be the type to show up real high on prospect lists.

Three Red Wings participated in the AAA All-Star game on Wednesday night in Charlotte. Kohl Stewart was on the mound attempting to duplicate Stephen Gonsalves’s Tuesday night performance. He got a lot of support from his offense. The Kernels put up big offensive numbers in the suburbs of Cleveland. Elizabethton powered its way to a win. It was a busy day in the organization, so continue on to read much more.If you missed it, here is the Twins minor league leaderboard through Tuesday. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester Box Score While the majority of the Red Wings team remains on their All-Star break, three members of the roster were on the International League roster for the AAA All-Star Game. Lefty Jason Wheeler was given the start against the Pacific Coast League All-Stars. He gave up a double in the first inning but was able to get out of it without allowing a run. In the 2nd, he gave up a single which was soon followed by a home run by Travis Taijeron. He gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in his two innings. He struck out one. Jose Berrios pitched the fourth inning. He gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning. Jorge Polanco was the one hitter in the International League team. He had an infield single in his first at-bat. He doubled in his second at-bat. He ended his evening 2-3. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 11, Tennessee 1 Box Score On Wednesday afternoon, Kohl Stewart was on the mound looking to give the Lookouts a second straight quality start. Stewart was up to the challenge. He gave up one run on seven hits over the first seven innings. He walked three and struck out three. He improved to 3-4 with a 3.74 ERA with the Lookouts. Zack Jones came on and was again very good. He threw two more shutout innings and had one strikeout. He now has thrown eight scoreless innings since his return to the organization. He has given up two hits, walked two and struck out 11. The offense came through to help as well. The top three hitters in the lineup each had three hits. Zach Granite was 3-5 with two runs scored. Niko Goodrum also was 3-5 and scored twice. Ryan Walker hit third and was 3-4 with a walk. He added his fifth double, scored three runs and stole his seventh base. The RBI production came from the five through seven spots in the lineup. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 3, Tampa 8 Box Score The Miracle fell behind early and were unable to come back. Keaton Steele made the start. He gave up six runs on ten hits in just three innings. He walked two and struck out two. Michael Theofanopoulos gave up one run on two hits and a walk over the next two innings. He struck out one. Nick Anderson went the next two innings. He gave up one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out four. John Curtiss struck out one in the final inning. Alex Perez went 2-4 with his fifth double. Daniel Kihle was also 2-4. Nick Gordon (17), Chris Paul (13), Trey Vavra (12) and Brian Navarreto (5) each hit a double. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 8, Lake County 4 Box Score Cody Stashak was strong again, and the Kernels offense provided plenty of offense, half of the runs coming on one blast. Stashak improved to 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA. In six innings, he gave up two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five. Two of the hits he gave up came off the bat of a rehabbing Michael Brantley. Andrew Vasquez pitched the seventh. The left-hander gave up two runs on a hit and a walk. He struck out two. Williams Ramirez picked up his second save. He walked one and struck one out over two scoreless innings. Jermaine Palacios went 3-5 with his eighth double. Luis Arraez went 3-5 with his 20th double. Zander Wiel went 2-4 with a walk. Kevin Garcia was 2-4 with his third double. Casey Scoggins added his second double. Jaylin Davis was 2-4 with his second double. However, the big blast came in the fifth went Davis launched his first Midwest League home run, a grand slam that put the Kernels ahead for good. E-TWINS E-NOTES Elizabethton 8, Danville 2 Box Score The E-Twins got off to a quick start with a couple of big home runs early. It was plenty of offense on this night. In the top of the first inning, Lewin Diaz hit a two-run homer, his third of the season. In the top of the 2nd inning, Travis Blankenhorn - who had doubled ahead of the Diaz homer - hit a three-run homer to give Elizabethton a 5-1 lead. Alex Kiriloff also had two hits including his fourth double. Trey Cabbage went 1-2 with two walks. Brandon Lopez was 1-3 with two walks. Tyler Beardsley went the first four innings. He gave up no runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out three. Austin Tribby struck out three over the next three innings. He gave up just one hit. Alex Robinson threw the final two innings. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out four. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 3, GCL Orioles 7 Box Score Bo Hellquist was again on the mound for the Twins in this one. The lefty gave up one run on four hits over four innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk. Daniel Martinez worked the next two innings. He gave up one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out two. Callan Pearce is now up to eight shutout innings on the season after throwing two more scoreless innings on Wednesday. The Twins went into the ninth inning with a one-run lead. Closer Garrett Kelly came on and was charged with five runs on four hits and a walk. Both of the outs he got came on strikeouts. Onas Farfan came on with two on. Both inherited runners scored but he did get the final out. Joe Cronin went 2-4. Aaron Whitefield went 1-3 with a walk, his second double, an RBI and his fifth stolen base. Manuel Guzman was also 1-3 with a walk. Kolton Kendrick walked twice. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Kohl Stewart, Chattanooga Lookouts Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jaylin Davis, Cedar Rapids Kernels THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Norfolk @ Rochester (6:05 CST) - LHP Pat Dean Mobile @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - LHP David Hurlbut Ft. Myers @ Tampa (6:00 CST) - LHP Randy Rosario Cedar Rapids @ Lake County (10:00 am CST) – LHP Lachlan Wells Elizabethton @ Greeneville (6:00 CST) - RHP Domenick Carlini GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles (11:00 am CST) - No Game Scheduled Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss Wednesday's games. Click here to view the article

#FreeHildy might be easier.

The comp Jeremy always uses for Wade is David DeJesus, so he'll have some extra base pop, but he won't be a big power hitter. If he's Joe Mauer 2.0, we should all be incredibly thankful. Most likely a 4th OF type with good OBP skills.

If he pitches like he has the last two times out, he'll be up by next June.

No.

I was more impressed by the K rates of the starters. To have four guys with K/9 over 9 at this late stage of the season is unusual, and Tyler Jay is close too.

I wrote several articles on how Ramos and Mauer could co-exist. Here's one, though I know I wrote about it several times: http://www.startribune.com/how-can-ramos-make-the-roster/89545302/

Very similar. But then again, all side-winding types get compared to just a handful of guys. Hildenberger throws a little bit harder and has more pitches.

That was the only trade that I really, really was "upset" about. I didn't like the Hu/Jepsen trade, but taking a step back, it wasn't horrible. Ramos was easily a top 100 guy, a catcher no less, who had enough bat to DH and allow Mauer more time at DH, and he had already had some quality big league success, even if only 8-10 games. In other words, he was pretty much ready.

I'm generally the prospect guy, and don't like trading prospects, but as much as I hated giving up Hu, I get that you have to give up something to get something. Jepsen has been a 'solid' MLB reliever for several years. I get that the Twins played above their heads most of last year, however, they had a shot to make the playoffs, so I can't criticize going after a bullpen arm. Even if they didn't make the playoffs, they were in the race until the final weekend. If this and If that, but they had a real playoff shot last year, even if it wasn't "real" in many people's eyes. They didn't give up one of their top 10 pitchers or top 5-7 pitching prospects to get it.