Seth Stohs

Chargois moved up to AAA on Saturday (sometime over the weekend)... Agree on Gonsalves... They can't just be cookie cutter though. Best thing they did for Kohl Stewart was letting him stay in Ft. Myers to start this season. Maybe the best thing for LeBlanc was to let him start in CR. Berrios should be the exception, not the rule... He's really good. Just too many variables. Wade... sure... But a week ago, many said Palka should move up and he's struggled the last 10 days... Doesn't hurt for them to prove their first month at a new level to be fact rather than mirage, ya know?

Of course it was a little over the top, but simply put, not all prospects move up at the same pace. You can't make a judgment on every pitcher within 1-2 years. There are fast-risers and there are some that move at a slower pace. The Twins have pushed Berrios to the big leagues at 21. The thought that they don't push their top prospects is silly at this point. But to think that guys like Slegers and Eades and Stewart should be promoted at the same pace isn't fair to the players or the organization. To think that Cody Stashak should be at Ft. Myers just isn't fair to him. He's made 4 starts in Cedar Rapids. There will be guys like Thorpe and Romero coming up from EST at some point in the next 4-6 weeks, and there will be changes. But to think that guys like Albers don't provide some value to Rochester's roster when 3-4 of their Opening Day starters are in the big leagues isn't fair either. And no, Slegers isn't ready for AAA (and that doesn't make him a lesser prospect because of it)... I can go with DJ Baxendale moving up. I have no problem with that. But teams also need depth. I don't necessarily understand the Nick Greenwood signing, but he's left-handed and pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (including in the big leagues) the last two years. Why not try to find lightning sometimes?

I'd never say that top prospects should be blocked. I'd also say that keeping a top prospect at the right level isn't always a bad thing either. I've said many times that I think Gonsalves is ready to move up. I think a case could be made for Stewart. Those two are top prospects. When they deem them ready, they'll make room for those guys. Jay needs to be more consistent. Jorge just needs another 5-6 starts at the level to see how it goes. Pushing guys can be good, or it can be completely detrimental, and I certainly won't pretend to know when the perfect time to promote a pitcher (or hitter, for that matter) is. LeBlanc and Clay likely move up when Gonsalves and Stewart move up. I'm comfortable with that. But Andrew Albers isn't keeping anyone from pitching at Rochester. Slegers has had mixed success in about 8-10 AA starts. There's no need for him to jump to AAA right now. Giving up on Eades at this point would be silly. Maybe he becomes a long reliever. Maybe he flames out in AA. Maybe he becomes a solid #3 starter, and if Berardino's reports of him hitting 97 this spring was accurate, and he does have 4-pitches, it may click for him in July, or next May... or not at all, but to say at this point he'll never make it isn't right... Pushing him to a level that doesn't put him in a good position to succeed doesn't make sense. I just think it's silly to say that there is no value in having some organizational filler in the upper levels allowing the organization to be more patient with prospects that they believe in.

Maybe they're hitting worse than that because they're facing the Miracle pitchers?

He crushed the double in his last at bat, hit it almost as hard as Kepler hit his triple. But the Buxton at bat that impressed me the most was the one in which he walked. He fell behind 0-2 and worked the count until he walked. That was impressive to me.

So, using your point... who pitches at Rochester then if you get rid of those guys that aren't prospects or future big leaguers in your opinion? Gonsalves and Stewart and maybe even Jorge could move up to AA, but then who would pitch at AAA? I guess they could just forfeit games so that non-prospects don't clog up spots. Of course LeBlanc should move up, but he's moving back to starting, so I have no problem with him getting 5-7 starts in CR before moving up, and again, I assume he moves up when Gonsalves moves up.

Assuming you mean Buxton, I agree... I think he should spend another month there, just to make sure any adjustments stick.

His former self was pretty good... It's only 10 games or so... that's why I always warn people when a guy has a good month to remember it's a long season and there will be good and bad... He'll be fine.

While Max Scherzer struck out 20 against the Tigers on Wednesday night, there were a few really impressive starting pitcher performances in the Twins minor leagues. Two pitchers extended streaks of over a dozen scoreless innings. Two pitchers threw nine-inning complete games on Wednesday. And also a top prospect returned to the field after missing about a week or game action. Get Randy LeBlanc's thoughts on his complete game shutout.Continue to read all of the transactions, some potential next moves, and the highlights from all four Twins affiliates. TRANSACTIONS There were also a couple of minor league transactions: In some very good news, Nick Gordon came off of the concussion list and played on Wednesday night.Sean Miller was sent back down to Cedar Rapids with RHP Zach Tillery placed on the disabled list.RED WINGS REPORTRochester 7 Gwinnett 1 Box Score Andrew Albers was signed by the Twins just a couple of weeks ago when three members of the Red Wings Opening Day starting rotation were up in the big leagues. Alex Meyer has been sent down, but now Pat Dean is up with the Twins. On Wednesday night, Andrew Albers had an incredible night helping the Red Wings to their fifth consecutive win. The left-hander needed just 91 pitches to complete nine innings. He gave up just one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out six. He was working his cutter and his curveball to keep batters off balance. The Red Wings had a balanced offense. The top eight batters each had at least one hit. Byron Buxton went 2-4 with a walk and his fifth double. Max Kepler went 2-4 with a walk and his IL-leading fourth triple. Buck Britton went 2-3 with a walk. Wilfredo Tovar went 1-2 with a walk. He stole his 10th base, and he turned in a couple of great defensive plays behind Albers. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 4, Pensacola 6 Box Score David Hurlbut had a rough start to this game. He gave up three runs in the first inning. In all, he gave up four runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out two. Mason Melotakis came on and was charged with one run on two hits and a walk in the seventh inning. Omar Bencomo pitched the final two innings. He gave up one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out two. Dalton Hicks led the offense. He went 2-4 with a two-run double in the game. It was his sixth double of the season. Leonardo Reginnato went 1-3 with a walk and was also hit by a pitch. Daniel Palka was 1-5, but his one hit was his fifth home run. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 5, Bradenton 2 Box Score Tyler Jay had arguably his best start of the season. The southpaw threw seven shutout innings, extending his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 13.1. Jay gave up three hits, walked one and struck out six batters. The performance reduced his ERA to 3.03 on the year. Luke Bard came on in relief and threw a scoreless eighth inning. John Curtiss came in for the ninth and had his first rough outing. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk and recorded just two outs. Brandon Peterson came in and got the final out to record his first save of the season. Chris Paul went 2-4. Nick Gordon returned to the lineup. In his first plate appearance, he was hit by a pitch. He went 1-3 and scored two runs. Max Murphy’s hit was his second Florida State League home run. Trey Vavra went 1-3 with a walk and an RBI. Alex Real was 1-4, but he drove in three runs. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 9, Kane County 0 Box Score The Kernels had six batters with multiple hits and scored nine runs but the story in this game was the performance of Randy LeBlanc. The right-hander threw a complete game (nine inning) shutout. He gave up just four hits, walked two, hit one and struck out six. He needed just 94 pitches. He now has a string of 22 consecutive scoreless innings and hasn’t given up a run in three straight starts. Following the game, I had an opportunity to chat with LeBlanc for his thoughts on the performance. What helped LeBlanc to such success today? He said, “I had good command with my fastball today, especially early in the game. That was definitely the key, but I was able to bury some sliders when I needed to early on for some strikeouts. Getting early contact and letting the defense make plays in the field was the biggest factor. They made almost every play behind me, and AJ (Murray) worked hard (behind the plate) and called a great game. We were on the same page from the first pitch.” The performance gives LeBlanc a 4-2 record with a 0.90 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. Having spent the entire 2015 season with the Kernels (just five starts), he is definitely in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers. (Side Note - I have to believe that when Stephen Gonsalves is promoted to Chattanooga, LeBlanc will find his way to Ft. Myers.) So, what does LeBlanc think of the idea of a promotion? “I’d be lying if I said promotions are not something me, or any other player, thinks about. The goal is to move up in the organization. I’m just trying to give my team a chance to win in each outing. Hopefully we can keep it rolling.” A year ago, LeBlanc pitched well out of the Kernels bullpen. In fact, he had a streak of 26 consecutive scoreless innings. He worked out of the bullpen, and did so happily, but he has always wanted an opportunity to start. “Starting was something we’ve talked about since I first got drafted. I think I’m better suited as a starting, and I have a good idea of what I’m doing since I was a starter for four years in college. But, I’ve told them I’m comfortable starting or relieving. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do.” Part of that willingness to fill a role comes from the calming influence of manager Jake Mauer. “Jake’s a great manager and has been steady throughout. He’s definitely cool, calm and collected in the dugout and clubhouse. I think that’s why so many guys like playing for him. I’ve definitely enjoyed playing for him this season and last.” The first five hitters each had two hits. Number nine hitter Nelson Molina went 2-4 with his first stolen base. Luis Arraez went 2-4 with a walk and scored three runs. Rafael Valera went 3-4 with a walk and his ninth double. LaMonte Wade went 2-4 and drove in three runs. AJ Murray went 2-4 with a walk. Zander Wiel went 2-5 with his fourth triple. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day –Randy LeBlanc, Cedar Rapids Kernels Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Rafael Valera, Cedar Rapids Kernels SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Gwinnett @ Rochester (1:35 CST) - RHP David Martinez Pensacola @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) - RHP Aaron Slegers Bradenton @ Ft. Myers (6:05 CST) – RHP Keaton Steele Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (6:35 CST) – RHP Andro Cutura Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Wednesday games. Click here to view the article

He's thrown out 8 of 10 would-be base stealers so far this year. He's got a strong arm. He's still not perceived to be as strong as Turner, but I think it's a lot closer than people want to think.

I think Mitch Garver is strongly making his case.

Yeah, I don't get it at all.

I don't think anyone is saying that it "would be hard" to go outside the organization to find someone. It's just not in the Pohlad's nature, it appears. Obviously none of us know what is going to happen, if anything.

How is it year 3 of questionable decisions on his usage and development? In 2014, he was really good as a starter. In 2015, he was really bad as a starter, moved to the bullpen to try turn him around, that didn't go well, though he did end the season OK. In 2016, they decide to give him another shot to start. He does well for 3 games, gets called up to work long relief. Midway through that, they put two starters on the DL, so they decide to give him a spot start. Santana comes back so Meyer heads back down... And that's where my confusion starts. That's where I wonder what's going on a bit.

I didn't say those three should be the only options, just that I do think they have a few guys internally that would do a good job. Just because they work for someone doesn't mean they would do exactly the same things if they were in charge. Do you think they all just sit in a room and agree completely on everything? In Nick's article, he also wrote that he didn't necessarily think staying inside would be the right (or wrong) decision. But as he wrote, it's hard to envision them going outside, so let's consider the internal options. Hence, I threw out three names of internal options, each of which are very capable.

He's not being blocked.

i would have confidence in Rob Antony, Brad Steil and Jack Goin as potential GMs. Antony has great respect in the industry as a negotiator. He has a high-level of respect from the agents. He has the respect of the scouts and evaluators. Brad Steil has changed things up quite a bit since taking over for Jim Rantz as Twins minor league directors. He's definitely analytical. He's under 40. We've seen an aggressiveness in terms of promotions compared to Rantz. Jack Goin is very smart and obviously it's his job to be analytical. He definitely gets the other aspects, scouting and such. He probably hasn't done as much in terms of contracts, but he should be a consideration based on us wanting more analysis.

Here's a nice, fun link... it's Brace Hemmelgarn's (Twins photo) photo journal from his trip one year ago now to Chattanooga. Check out how many top prospects and guys that are already in the big leagues there are in this article... http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150520&content_id=124410456&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

Most say that the jump from Hi-A to AA is the biggest (before the big leagues)... I'm not concerned about his walk rate, but it is worth watching. Last night, he walked two guys in the 7th inning before being pulled. His line looks better last night with just two walks instead of four. I noticed something similar in another recent start. Seems like he fights in later in games. I don't see it as a big problem, but worth monitoring.

As usual! HA!

We largely agree on that, BUT it's such a case-by-case situation. As excited as I was when they called up Buxton last year (and hopeful), I could have told people that he wasn't ready. I'm sure I did. He had been so inconsistent the first 2+ months in AA when he was promoted. Sano was different. As much as he struggled the first month in Chattanooga after missing all of 2014, he was dominant at that level from about mid-May through June when he was called up. There was no inconsistency in those 6-7 weeks. He was ready. I think Polanco is pretty much ready offensively, but do I think he's a better overall player than Dozier? No. Plouffe? No. Nunez? Well, possibly, but not right now with Nunez hitting great. Chargois? He looked great his first five outings, and he looked not-too-great his last 7 outings this year. He got promoted to AAA, which is fine. Do I think he's ready for the big leagues? I think he's close, but he does need to throw more strikes. Is he better than Tonkin or Pressly? I'm not to the point where I say that's an easy decision to make. In fact, I would probably say "Not quite." So, while I feel like that, let him keep throwing, and see how AAA treats him for a month. I mean, I could go on and on, player by player (and that would be a lot of fun for me, but I do need to do other things too). At the end of the day, I don't pretend I know more than Terry Ryan or Brad Steil or Mike Radcliff at all. And at the end of the day, it's still pretty impossible to know what a prospect will do in the big leagues.

I think that losing Buxton/Sano for all of 2014 slowed down the whole thing. They may be established by now if not for that. Both would have been up by the middle of that year, most likely. 2018 may be realistic, but I don't want to think like that. My thinking right now is I want to see improvement from Rosario and Sano, and I want to see Berrios work through things - assuming he will - and I want to see Duffey and May... And I want to see Buxton, Kepler, Polanco, Chargois and others at AAA get up to the Twins in the next two months and start playing and be ready. I want to see improved play the rest of 2016. And I want them to be competitive in 2017. It's been long enough... But that takes more than the young guys, the Veterans have to do their part too. I expect the Twins show major signs of improvement this year yet so I can feel better about them going into 2017!

I think it's very fair, and should be... but I also think that this is a new group... it started with Arcia in 2013... Vargas/Santana in 2014... Rosario/Sano/Buxton/May/Meyer in 2015... Kepler/Polanco/Berrios/etc in 2016... They're not all going to turn out, but i would say that this group will need to show something of substance with the next two years (allowing for first-year "jitters" and adjustment time in the 2nd year) to figure things out or we'd have to say that it just didn't work to go with that strategy.

Because things can change... He was thought of as a starter until last year when things were not going well at all and they moved him ot the bullpen, hoping it would help. 2016 came and they said, let's try the starting thing again, and through three appearances, it'd been good. It's easier to move a guy to the bullpen.