Seth Stohs

Sure... but they're drafted for their upside and potential... and there may be a belief that he is close to MLB ready... but they shouldn't promote based on that. Especially if there is an injury involved. Burdi is 23... There is no rush. Getting him up in 2017 might be good, and it might be fun... but I'm more concerned about 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, etc...

http://www.twincities.com/2017/02/16/old-friends-helped-lure-matt-belisle-to-sign-with-minnesota-twins/ Mike Berardino (Pioneer Press) chatted with Matt Belisle about his decision to join the Twins. Belisle mentioned that he heard from recent teammates - with the Rockies - Michael Cuddyer and LaTroy Hawkins. Hawkins has been in Twins camp the last couple of days and Berardino talked to him about Belisle too.

The question was about the draft... at that time, she was his fiance...

On Sunday, the Twins will hold their first full-squad workout. Within the next couple of weeks, minor league camp will begin and all will be right with the world. Today we present another Q&A with a Twins minor leaguer. Domenick Carlini is a 22-year-old left-hander who the Twins drafted in 2016 out of Southeastern Louisiana University. As a senior last year, he went 8-2 with a 2.03 ERA. He was second-team All-Conference. The Twins drafted the crafty lefty and sent him to Elizabethton. Image courtesy of David McQueen, USA Today On Sunday, the Twins will hold their first full-squad workout. Within the next couple of weeks, minor league camp will begin and all will be right with the world. Today we present another Q&A with a Twins minor leaguer. Domenick Carlini is a 22-year-old left-hander who the Twins drafted in 2016 out of Southeastern Louisiana University. As a senior last year, he went 8-2 with a 2.03 ERA. He was second-team All-Conference. The Twins drafted the crafty lefty and sent him to Elizabethton. So let’s get to know a little more about Domenick Carlini. After reading this, feel free to ask questions and leave comments below. Enjoy the Q&A. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Mississippi, which was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players? Domenick Carlini (DC): Growing up, I loved the Braves. Chipper, Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux were some of my favorites.SS: What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities? DC: My junior year was a year for me to step into a role as sort of the last starter in the rotation, so I had a chip on my shoulder because of that. I ended up having one of my best statistical seasons during that year. I wasn’t really involved in any other sports or activities. I was a late bloomer and my athleticism didn’t really mature until after high school.SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about Southeastern Louisiana U. that made you want to pitch there? DC: Out of high school I only received offers from JUCOs and a couple of D2s. JUCO seemed like the best decision for me then. Out of Northwest Mississippi CC the recruiting process picked up fast, but Southeastern was my best option, all-around. I think the reason they stuck out so much is their style of play. I like playing baseball at its purest form (sac bunts, giving your best effort, hustle, etc.) and that’s how we played. Also, I wanted to pitch there because Coach Daniel Latham is one of the best college closers of all time.SS: What was the experience for you at Southeastern Louisiana? What were some of your highlights and favorite moments in your years there? DC: The relationships I made off the field will be life-long. Two players stood in my wedding and countless others made the 5+ hour drive. That shows the friendships made. On the field, I think making the first at-large regional bid in program history my senior year was the thing I take most pride in, and pitching in the regional is a memory I can never forget.SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? Where did you think that you might be drafted? What was your interaction with Twins scouts before the draft? DC: I talked to a few teams. I had a good idea of the range I would get taken in. Honestly, I didn’t really talk with the Twins. He contacted me in the morning of the third day and simply asked if I was ready and if I was still willing to go if I was selected. But the first time I talked to my scout was when I got the call a few seconds after the pick was announced.SS: When you did hear your name in the 21st round, where were you? What was your reaction and the reaction of those close to you? DC: I was sitting on my couch with my mother, step-father, and fiancé nearby. I had gotten texts in the rounds prior and just waiting to see when I would go. After a team that had texted me decided to go with another player we all sat back in the couch. I was in my head, so I wasn’t 100% focused, but I remember the guy saying my name. Everyone jumped up. It was an amazing moment for my family and me. We almost didn’t get through hugging when my scout was calling. What a moment.SS: What has the adjustment like for you, from the amateur/college game to the professional game, both on and off the field? DC: In college, I was a contact pitcher. I lived off of the batter hitting the ball to my teammates and them getting the outs. Well, in pro ball the hitter’s a little better and those ground balls I was getting in college seem to find a way through the infield for a hit more often. Learning hitters more and finding a way to strike them out more than in college has been the biggest adjustment for me so far.SS: To what do you attribute your success in the Elizabethton? DC: Coaching.SS: What pitches do you throw, and what would you consider your out pitch? DC: Fastball (two seam and four seam), changeup, curve, slider, cutter. My out pitch would be fastball or changeup.SS: At this very early stage in your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths? DC: I compete. Plain and simple. I don’t throw 100 mph, but I want to help my team win. That means always being focused on the next pitch and always bouncing back from anything negative that may occur in the game.SS: What are the areas of your game that you have been working on improving in the offseason and going forward? DC: Strikeouts. Like I said I am used to just getting a quick ground ball or pop up, but now there are situations where I don’t want the hitter to hit the ball at all.SS: Did you go back to school in the offseason? What is your major in school? DC: I did not go back to school. I graduated last May.SS: What are some of the things you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball? DC: Being with my family or playing basketball with my brother. Ping pong too.SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career? DC: All of my coaches along the way have done something to help me get where I am now. I also have a great family that supports me.SS: Favorite baseball movie? DC: For the Love of the GameThank you very much Domenick for taking time to answer our questions. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions in the forum below. View full article

I would be in favor of both of those things happening!

This has happened every WBC. No, the Twins coaches don't travel, but certainly they're kept updated on the pitchers work, etc. I don't think this affects Santiago and his rotation spot at all. It certainly could affect Berrios though.

Try this... http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins/twins-and-former-twins-in-the-world-baseball-classic-r5343

A nice tribute to Landa, a plaque, in the Ft. Myers Miracle locker room (obviously the Twins spring training locker room as well): https://twitter.com/MikeBerardino/status/832276918053507072

Yeah, I don't have a problem with it at all... And if Chargois, Pressly, May, whoever end up being great in the 7th and 8th innings, that's wonderful. We always talk about putting the best relievers in the biggest situations. I'm good with Chargois or Burdi or Hildenberger or any of them pitching in the Betances role, rather than just 9th innings.

In today's Pioneer Press article, Mike Berardino reports that when lefty Hector Santiago throws his bullpen at Hammond Stadium this morning, it will already be his 11th bullpen of the spring. He needed to be ahead of the game since he will be pitching for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC. According to his schedule, he (along with Jose Berrios, Eddie Rosario, Kennys Vargas and Dereck Rodriguez) will head to train with the Puerto Rico team on March 6 and will play their first game on March 10th. Team Puerto Rico should be good and has a lot of young talent. http://www.twincities.com/2017/02/16/minnesota-twins-hector-santiago-considering-wbc-shuttle-plan/ Mike has since updated the article with comments from Engelb Vielma on a plaque placed in the locker room for Yorman Landa, his friend and teammate, who passed away in a car accident in December. Article also has some notes on Falvey, Molitor meetings with players.

Patrick Reusse wrote about Tom Kelly, Rick Stelmazsek and The Twins Way. He described what it meant back in the late '70s when both were coming off of their playing careers and entering their coaching years. He described working in the Florida Instructional League back then and all the work that was done. He wrote about the fields back then, the hours of work and the philosophy. He wrote about how pitching affects it all. And he talked about what The Twins Way has become in the last decade. It's a good history, and a good reminder for some of what the team needs to move the bar forward. http://www.startribune.com/the-twins-way-laugh-now-but-it-wasn-t-a-punch-line-until-this-decade/413938713/

I did a little research: Rankings............ Mejia ...............Garver Nick ......................7 .................... 12 Seth .....................12 ................... 11 Jeremy ..................8 .....................10 Cody .....................8 ..................... 13 BB Am ...................6 ......................17 BB Pro .................. 8 .................... No Mention Min Lg Ball ............ 7 ......................15 MLB Pipeline ..........9 ......................21 Mejia was a great get for Nunez, in my opinion... he just looks a little Mjaresque to me... not that I'm one to speak...

Hildenberger has told me that he's healthy, so I think he'll be ready to go when minor league camp starts. There is no need to not be conservative with Burdi. I don't get what you mean by "at this point." Because he missed a year? That would be a great reason to be conservative. Or, because he hasn't pitched well at AA yet as a pro? That's also a good reason. There is no rush to get him up fast. That said, if he dominated for the first 4-6 weeks, he should be moved up to AAA, and if he dominates there for 4-5 weeks, call him up. But he's only 23 still, so zero reason to do anything unnecessary.

Over the last two weeks, we’ve been making some roster projections for the teams from the Twins down to extended spring training. We predicted the starting pitchers earlier this week. Today we tackle the bullpen arms. Of course, there will be some crossover, especially in the lower levels. As always, the Twins brought in several additional pitchers on minor league contracts. Some will compete for a big league job. Some have opt-outs. Some are competing for AAA jobs, and others are competing to keep their careers going. There are few relievers who are absolutely guaranteed to be in the bullpen on Opening Day (pending injury), so there are a lot of questions. The same is true throughout the system, so let’s take a look at some of the names you’ll be hearing over the next six weeks. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker, USA Today Over the last two weeks, we’ve been making some roster projections for the teams from the Twins down to extended spring training. We predicted the starting pitchers earlier this week. Today we tackle the bullpen arms. Of course, there will be some crossover, especially in the lower levels. As always, the Twins brought in several additional pitchers on minor league contracts. Some will compete for a big league job. Some have opt-outs. Some are competing for AAA jobs, and others are competing to keep their careers going. There are few relievers who are absolutely guaranteed to be in the bullpen on Opening Day (pending injury), so there are a lot of questions. The same is true throughout the system, so let’s take a look at some of the names you’ll be hearing over the next six weeks. If you missed any of the other parts in this series, you can find them here: The Catchers, The Outfielders, The Middle Infielders, The Corner Infielders, and The Starting Pitchers. Minnesota Twins RHP - Brandon Kintzler (32), JT Chargois (26), Ryan Pressly (28), Matt Belisle (36), Tyler Duffey (26), Trevor May (27), Justin Haley (25), Ryan Vogelsong (39), Michael Tonkin (27) LHP - Taylor Rogers (26), Ryan O’Rourke (28), Craig Breslow (36), Glen Perkins (33-DL) The Givens: All right, let’s try to clear this up, if even just a little. These pitchers are ‘Givens’ to make the Opening Day roster, assuming health. Brandon Kintzler will likely start the season as the closer. Maybe he’s not the prototype for a big league closer, but he survived (and maybe even thrived?) in the role in the second half. Matt Belisle signed recently and is also a given to fill a role in the Twins bullpen. Ryan Pressly is a given. He was pretty solid in the 8th inning last year until he got overused. The other given is lefty Taylor Rogers who had a very solid rookie season last year. In my mind, JT Chargois should be a given. I don’t think that he necessarily is, but he needs to be in the big leagues. To Start Or Relieve: Tyler Duffey and Trevor May head to spring training with the same set of circumstances. Both have started in the past, and both have spent a lot of time in the big leagues. Duffey has started. May has primarily been in the bullpen the last couple of seasons. Both could be in the rotation. Both should probably be in the big leagues. However, each has an option remaining which could be used if the new regime thinks that they could develop into solid starters by spending any time in the bullpen. To Start Or Relieve (Part 2): The Twins have a few more players who could start or relieve, though the odds of starting are lower. Justin Haley was the Twins Rule 5 pick. As you know, that means that he has to stick on the Twins 25-man roster all season or be offered back to the Red Sox (or kept via a trade). Veteran Ryan Vogelsong was signed to a minor league deal. The 39-year-old could fit into the fifth starter competition or, like Haley, he could fill a long-relief type of role. The Lefties: There should be some good competition for the second lefty in the bullpen, alongside Taylor Rogers. If Glen Perkins is healthy and able, he will be in the bullpen, a given. More likely, he’ll start the season on the disabled list or rehabbing. Ryan O’Rourke is the best lefty in the organization against left-handed batters. If used in that role, he has a ton of value. However, depending on how well the starters pitch in 2017, the team may decide to go with someone else. Buddy Boshers signed out of the indy leagues last offseason and pitched well through 2016. Mason Melotakis will be ready at some point in 2017. It’s also possible that due to numbers the team could go with just one left-hander. Rochester Red Wings RHP - Jake Reed (24), Alex Wimmers (28), Trevor Hildenberger (26), Alan Busenitz (26), DJ Baxendale (26), Jim Miller (34) LHP - Buddy Boshers (28), Mason Melotakis (25) There are some guys coming through the system that we should see in 2017 (as we said in 2016). It will be interesting to see which guys come up, and in what order. Of the eight names mentioned here, only Boshers and Melotakis are currently on the 40-man roster, and they both have a legitimate chance to make the big league roster. Melotakis is at about the same point in his post-Tommy John surgery that JT Chargois was last year. Wimmers’ road to the big leagues was long and winding, but he got there last August and pitched pretty well the final month of the season. He came off the 40-man roster, but he signed back with the team quite quickly. Jim Miller has big league time with the Orioles, Rockies, A’s and Yankees going back to 2008. The 35-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Twins recently. DJ Baxendale could get another opportunity to start, but he pitched very well out of the bullpen once he was promoted to Rochester. It’s a role that fits his stuff well. Alan Busenitz came to the Twins last August 1st in the trade that sent Alex Meyer and Ricky Nolasco to the Angels. Busenitz isn’t a big guy, but he has the ability to reach 100 mph at times. Jake Reed and Trevor Hildenberger are the two that we’ll likely be hearing a lot about early in the season. They are two guys who could be ready at any time to help in the big leagues. Both were drafted in 2014, Reed in the fifth round and Hildenberger in the 22nd round. Hildenberger was the Twins Daily Relief PItcher of the Year in both 2015 and 2016. Chattanooga Lookouts RHP - Nick Burdi (23), Raul Fernandez (26), John Curtiss (23), Ryan Eades (25), Brandon Peterson (25), Luke Bard (26), Alex Muren (25), Todd Van Steensel (26), Matt Tracy (28), Zack Jones (26 - DL) LHP - Nik Turley (27), Cam Booser (24) 2016 was a very frustrating season for Nick Burdi. If healthy, he will likely return to the Lookouts to start over in 2017. Also if healthy, he has a good chance to debut in 2017. Speaking of healthy returns, Alex Muren missed the 2016 season after having thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Zack Jones unfortunately will miss the 2017 season (or at least a large part of it) after shoulder surgery. Matt Tracy signed as a free agent. He pitched in one game for the Yankees in 2015. Raul Fernandez re-signed with the Twins this year and got an invitation to big league camp. He split 2016 between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga. The same can be said of Brandon Peterson, the Minnesotan, who has been one of the best relievers in the Twins system since he was drafted in 2013. Luke Bard spent some time with the Lookouts last year as well. His fastball reaches 97 mph, so with some improved control he could move up as well. Todd Van Steensel finally got called up to AA at the end of the 2016 season. He will be pitching for Team Australia in the upcoming WBC. Ryan Eades pitched for the Lookouts last year. Halfway through the season he moved into the bullpen. While he could still start, his stuff may play out well for him in the 'pen. John Curtiss suffered through a couple of injuries in 2015. He began 2016 in Cedar Rapids, but after dominating for a month, he moved up to Ft. Myers. He pitched well in the Arizona Fall League as well. Ft. Myers Miracle RHP - Nick Anderson (26), Williams Ramirez (24), Michael Cederoth (24), Thomas Hackimer (22), Confesor Lara (26), Max Cordy (23), Zach Tillery (24), Logan Lombana (22) LHP - Michael Theofanopoulos (24), Anthony McIver (24), Sam Clay (23) Nick Anderson signed late in the 2015 season out of the independent leagues. The Brainerd area native has pitched very well since signing and came on strong late in 2016 with the Miracle. Thomas Hackimer was a closer at St. John’s. After signing, he spent the remainder of last season with the Kernels. He should make the move up to Ft. Myers. Michael Cederoth stayed healthy in Cedar Rapids and is now ready to move up. Williams Ramirez came on last year with the Kernels and has the ability to throw very hard with a good slider. Max Cordy throws 95 as well, and he did well after moving up from extended spring. Zach Tillery missed most of the 2016 season with injury, but he’ll need to make the move up to Ft. Myers. Logan Lombana served a 50-game suspension last year. Late in the season, he moved up and ended the season with the Miracle. Confesor Lara signed with the Twins for the last couple of weeks of the season after being let go by the Tigers organization. Michael Theofanopoulos repeated in Cedar Rapids during the first half of the 2016 season. He pitched well and then did well in the second half with the Miracle. McIver spent the season with the Kernels and very quietly put together a strong season. Sam Clay pitched in the Midwest League All-Star Game for the Kernels. He did move up to Ft. Myers to end the season. Drafted out of Georgia Tech where he was a reliever, it’s likely Clay moves to the bullpen at some point during the season. Cedar Rapids Kernels RHP - Colton Davis (23), Johan Quezada (22), Alex Schik (22), Clark Beeker (24), Patrick McGuff (22), Quin Grogan (23), Hector Lujan (22) LHP - Andrew Vasquez (23), Alex Robinson (22) It becomes really difficult to project who will be in the lower level bullpens. Several of these pitchers were starters in college at this time last year. That group includes Colton Davis, Alex Schik, Clark Beeker, Patrick McGuff and Quin Grogan. Davis and Beeker ended the season in Cedar Rapids’ bullpen. McGuff joined the Kernels for their playoff run last year after dominating the GCL and at Elizabethton. Johan Quezada became quite popular last year when it came out that he grew a bunch and started throwing fastballs that occasionally touched triple digits. Hector Lujan was a 2015 draft pick. He pitched in Elizabethton, and he actually made one appearance in Ft. Myers too. Andrew Vasquez made a couple of appearances in Elizabethton before moving up to Cedar Rapids where he dominated.. In 38.1 innings, he struck out 51 batters (12.4 per nine). Alex Robinson was used as a starter at the start of the 2016 E-Twins season, but he completely lacked control. He’s likely a bullpen guy, but he’ll have to get a lot better control to do that. Extended Spring Training RHP - Moises Gomez (20), Juan Gamez (22), Blair Lasko (23), Callan Pearce (21), Matz Schutte (19), Garrett Kelly (22), Zach Strecker (23), Vadim Balan (23), Petru Balan (20) LHP - Domenick Carlini (23), Austin Tribby (22) Unlike many years, the Twins signed several undrafted players after the draft. Zach Strecker went to Kentucky and then pitched out of the GCL bullpen. Blair Lasko couldn’t throw strikes at Buffalo, but he found some control in the summer league and threw well, and hard, and the Twins took a shot. Garrett Kelly went to Wake Forest where he was a catcher, but he moved to the mound. He throws 95, but he’s got a lot of room to grow. Juan Gamez was drafted in 2016, but he has a similar story. He was a catcher in college, but the Twins quickly moved him to the mound as well. This offseason, the Twins signed Petru Balan, the younger brother of the Vadim Balan. The two are from Moldova. Vadim Balan pitched just a couple of times in the GCL in 2015 before having some back issues that caused him to miss all of 2016. Callan Pearce, from South Africa, has pitched in the GCL the last three years. He’ll jump up to Elizabethton. Matz Schutte is from The Netherlands and has pitched in the GCL the last two years. The 20-year-old Moises Gomez pitched the last two seasons in the GCL. In 2016, he was 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA. Lefties Domenick Carlini and Austin Tribby were drafted in 2016 and pitched in Elizabethton. They could pitch in Cedar Rapids in 2017 as well. Top Prospects 1.) JT Chargois 2.) Jake Reed 3.) Nick Burdi 4.) Trevor Hildenberger 5.) Mason Melotakis 6.) Thomas Hackimer 7.) John Curtiss 8.) Andrew Vasquez 9.) Alan Busenitz 10.) Alex Wimmers So what do you think? Who will comprise the Twins bullpen, and how will things trickle down the system? Which prospects are you most looking forward to seeing perform in 2017? View full article

At this stage of their career, if they're 'aiming the ball' it's amazing they made it this far. They're using their natural mechanics and pitching to the glove. It's just being forced upon them to make sure to have that command. It makes all the sense in the world.

They're working on mechanics and command, no attempt to be at 100% velocity. That will come shortly, and they'll (I assume) still be expected to be working on the command.

The Twins have typically had good control... But what they need is much better fastball command. I personally like this. Specifically as it relates to Berrios. He had terrible fastball command last year, so making it a priority is wise, in my opinion.

Mike Berardino also wrote about Phil Hughes today... Tons of quotes that are great, but here's one: http://www.twincities.com/2017/02/15/minnesota-twins-healthy-again-phil-hughes-determined-to-live-up-to-his-contract/

J. Scott Butherus is an AP writer who will be in Ft. Myers this spring. This morning he wrote an interesting article on Phil Hughes. https://apnews.com/2fbc95723fe54cad89e9d093066db1bb/Hughes-keeps-souvenir-from-forgettable-season:-a-rib Hughes had a tough 2016. He got off to a bad start, went to the bullpen, cracked a bone in his leg and then had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In the surgery, a rib is removed... and Hughes kept it. Obviously pitching will be a huge part in any 2017 Twins success, and Hughes hopes to be a big part of that. Hughes was also asked to comment on his Grammys tweet about Adele that garnered over 3200 Likes. This one: https://twitter.com/PJHughes45/status/830973320757665792

Garald Schifman of FanGraphs wrote an article today asking if Brian Dozier's power is repeatable... It leads to the question of why, being owed just $15 million over the next two years, he's still a Twins player. Yes, the Twins asked for a ton (as they should) and the plethora of quality second basemen in baseball right now. There are fancy things like exit velocity and true distance and charts and stuff too. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/is-brian-doziers-power-repeatable/

Something like this: http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/about-twins-daily/twins-daily-site-refresher-course-r5279

To be fair... the last two years, when the Mets pitching was good too, they had a 40-42 year old Bartolo Colon which would throw off the numbers. I get what you're saying though.