Seth Stohs

I was going to mention the Field of Dreams. It's a must-go in my opinion. I've now been there three times in four trips there. If you take the route up to Rochester and rather than the 35W way on the way back, the drive is quite scenic in many places... and there's a Laura Ingalls Wilder home in Burr Oak, IA!!

Pretty much sure their additions of LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe will outweigh their flyer on Joba Chamberlain.

Like that Michael walked three times in the game maybe?

Each night this week, before I went to bed, I would go outside. In the clear, dark night, I looked up into the sky and saw the Perseids meteor shower. On Monday and Tuesday nights, there were quite a few in the sky, maybe one every couple of minutes. This morning, I woke up a little before 4:00 a.m. Nature called, so I went outside which is why it’s so nice living in the country. In the fifteen minutes that I was out there, I bet I saw 100 meteors flying through the sky. While standing out there, I couldn’t help but wonder which flying objects in the sky were Miguel Sano home runs. On Wednesday night, Sano launched two home runs well over 400 feet. He now has seven home runs in 135 plate appearances. He is hitting .295/.409/.571 (.980) with ten doubles, seven homers and 25 RBI.Of course, seeing that performance brought me back to the first time I saw Miguel Sano homer. In 2012, I saw six Beloit Snappers games. It was their final season as the Twins Midwest League affiliate. It was my third year of going to some games there, and since then, I have been going to see games in Cedar Rapids. That 2012 Snappers lineup was very interesting. Eddie Rosario batted third. Miguel Sano batted fourth. Kennys Vargas batted fifth. Eddie Rosario was playing second base. In my opinion, he was a good athlete, but it was clear that second base wasn’t going to be a good option. Miguel Sano was at third base. In the first two games I saw him play, I saw his struggles on defense. On one play, there was a bounding ground ball that he had to charge, he pushed the ball nearly to the first base dugout. I also saw him drop a pop-up. It wasn’t pretty. When I went back to Beloit a couple of months later for four games, Rosario looked competent at second base. Miguel Sano looked really good at third base. He looked much more prepared before each pitch. He displayed softer hands and made all the plays. He always displayed a very powerful arm. I saw him taking ground balls at shortstop during batting practice and asked his coach, Tommy Watkins, about it. Watkins told me that they encouraged him to take grounders at short and to move around in the outfield during batting practice. Why? To remind him that he is a great athlete, that he can move his feet, and that he can still do those things at third base. The sixth Snappers game I saw, Sano had not yet hit a home run. I wondered if I just wouldn’t see one. However, in either his second or third at-bat, he displayed his tremendous power. He launched a drive to right-center field. In Beloit, there was a tall sign behind the wall. The ball traveled over that sign. Opposite field. It was the kind of raw power that we had heard about, but to see it from the then-19-year-old was impressive. To that point, I had seen him hit some vicious line drives for hits and line outs. The talent was clear, but to see that kind of home run power was remarkable. People in Cedar Rapids told me that they rarely see home runs travel over their batter’s eye in center field. They said that Sano and Vargas each did it that year when they played the Kernels in Cedar Rapids. He spent that full season with the Snappers and hit 28 home runs in the regular season, plus two more in the playoffs. He had hit 20 home runs in the short season in Elizabethton a year earlier, one less than teammate Eddie Rosario’s league-leading 21. In 2013, he began the season in Ft. Myers, and the day after the Miracle clinched the first-half division title, he (and Rosario) were promoted to AA New Britain. In all that season, Sano hit 35 home runs. At Twins Fest in January 2014, Sano was doing a media session. He answered several questions about his elbow and his size and such. I prefaced a question to him by saying “You hit 30 homers in Beloit, and then hit 35 home runs last year…” Sano looked at me and a big smile came upon his face. I continued, “What is your goal for 2014? 40?” The smile grew as he said, in much-improved English, “Maybe 45. Maybe 50.” He also talked about how important it was for him to take a lot of walks too. With Sano, it doesn’t come across as bragging. He is clearly a kid who knows that he is immensely talented and he has big goals for himself. He doesn’t just want to be good. He wants to be great. It was clear to me after that day that Miguel Sano would be a superstar. Not just an all-star, but a superstar. He has the immense talent as the baseline, but he has the personality that fans will love. Of course, he missed the 2014 season after having Tommy John surgery. We had no idea how he would come back in 2015, or how long it would take to shake off the rust. He began the season back at AA, this time in Chattanooga. He struggled. Manager Doug Mientkiewicz gave Sano two straight games off (April 26 and 27) as a ‘mental break’ because of his struggles. After going 0-3 on May 1, Sano was hitting .150/.292/.333 (.625) with 20 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances. From May 2nd through June 29th, Sano hit .320/.403/.611 (1.014) with 16 doubles and 11 home runs. He also reduced his strikeout rate. On June 30th, he was called up to the Twins. And he has continued to hit ever since. He hit .455 (10-22) in his first seven games, including at least one hit in each game. He also has 45 strikeouts in 135 plate appearances, which is awful. However, he also has 23 walks to go with the ten doubles and seven home runs. It will be fascinating to see how Sano’s career turns out. Obviously the strikeout rate will need to be reduced. However, after needing to make adjustments through each level of the Twins minor league system, he is at the pinnacle of the game. He will have to prove that he can continue to make adjustments and improve. The type of plate appearances that he is having, despite the strikeouts, is encouraging. He can do it. We almost forget that before the 2014 season, Miguel Sano was a top ten prospect according to Baseball America. He was ranked as the top third base prospect in baseball, ahead of the Cubs’ Kris Bryant. Now fully healthy and recovered, Sano is reminding us all of why. ------------------------------------------------------------ I wish I had started going to the Twins Midwest League affiliate sooner. The first year that I went was 2010. I went to Beloit and watched them play two games against, ironically, the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The Kernels were led by 18-year-old outfielder Mike Trout, who was clearly the best player on the field. Aaron Hicks was the Snappers centerfielder. The two starting pitchers I saw were Edgar Ibarra and Michael Tonkin. The first game we saw, Brian Dozier was the shortstop. Following the game, he was promoted to Ft. Myers. Danny Santana was promoted and started at shortstop that next night. He had three errors and went 0-5 with three strikeouts, but even then his tools and athletic talent were on display. In 2011, I saw starts from Tonkin, AJ Achter and Ryan O’Rourke. 2012 is when I saw six games, two early in the season and four late in the season. Aside from Rosario, Sano and Vargas, Danny Ortiz and Nate Roberts (and his mustache) were on the team. In 2013, the Twins moved their affiliate to Cedar Rapids and then provided them with a stacked roster. I was there for their first three games and then for two or three games later in the season. Taylor Rogers was the opening night starter. Tyler Duffey threw seven innings of a no-hitter in his first start for them. JO Berrios joined the rotation a month after the season began because he had pitched out of the Puerto Rico bullpen in the WBC and needed to be stretched out. Jorge Polanco was the first player from this team to make the big leagues. Byron Buxton joined him in June. When Buxton was promoted to Ft. Myers, Max Kepler joined the team. Travis Harrison, Dalton Hicks and Adam Brett Walker provided a ton of power. Kohl Stewart was the headliner for the 2014 Cedar Rapids team, but I saw Lewis Thorpe make a start there. Stephen Gonsalves arrived later too. I was there for Nick Burdi’s professional debut. I was there for Opening Day this year and the Kernels first three games this year. Nick Gordon stood out as the top prospect, but there is a lot of talent on this roster. I mention this because it is fun for me to see the future and see the talent. I can then see beyond the box scores and do my own scouting on the Twins prospects. So can you. The Kernels also do a great job of entertaining fans between innings and with fireworks shows after a number of the games. They have 12 more home games on their schedule before they will play at least one home playoff game. If you have a chance to get to a couple of them, you’ll enjoy it. I’m still hoping to get down there for another series this year… maybe. Click here to view the article

I'd say AJ called this one pretty good. I sure have enjoyed watching him playing in a Twins uniform!!

I do think that Buxton getting more big league reps would make the Twins better. I think that Shane Robinson is a fine 5th OF. I think Buxton will be a star in this game for a long time. I don't think think him getting an extra 10-12 games in AAA after missing 6-7 weeks.

Or drop him at that time (though it'll almost be September). Once Buxton gets a few more games under his belt, then they can make that decision.

I should add to my previous comment... when Byron Buxton has more than 3 games under his belt... and I expect him called up within the 20 days... call him up and play him every day... However. Buxton's the future. Buxton should play CF nearly every day. platoon Rosario and Hicks in LF... let the other play RF whenever Hunter gets a day off... let Robinson then become the 5th Outfielder who is used in emergencies.

I haven't listened, but ... I'm with Bonnes on this one... Buxton just missed like 6-7 weeks... he should be playing every day in AAA. Shane Robinson is a guy that can play once or twice a week, and play really good defense, and probably go 2-8 most weeks. Buxton will be up very soon (within 16 days, I'm sure), and he'll play a lot. Robinson being on the roster hurts nothing. Especially if we claim to believe that outfield defense is important.

It doesn't, but it's a nice honor for the player. He'll absolutely stay in Chattanooga through their playoff run. Can come up from there.

Did I read this correctly or miss something? I read this as: 1.) He believes that pitch framing is very important. 2.) He doesn't believe in the pitch framing statistics. Jeepers... Me and Glen Perkins have something in common!

Yeah, he hasn't been intimidated by the jump to AA. He had two straight rough outings, but he has been terrific before and after that.

Pinto had a good day yesterday. They'll want to get him behind the plate and see how he responds. I'd suspect he'll spend up to a week in the GCL before going back to Rochester.

They've said he's going to stay in the bullpen the rest of this year and will start again next season.

There has been no evidence either way. They haven't really hinted to anything.

I don't necessarily believe it either, but there are some who do and it is a theory.

According to Jeremy Nygaard, Duffey was optioned on the 6th, so he would not be eligible to start on the 15th without someone going on the DL.

I would say that it's WAYYYY too soon to make that kind of statement about Duffey. I'd say his struggles were about nerves, but also about pitching to the hottest offensive team in baseball. He didn't do too much worse than the veterans in that series. If Berrios does debut this weekend against Cleveland, we'll see what happens, but it's just one game. I think both Berrios and Duffey are very mature and very talented.

Was optioned after starting last Tuesday... 8/4... Saturday would be 8/15.

If we subscribe to the philosophy that a pitcher shouldn't work more than 20% more innings from one year to the next... that puts him at about 168-170 innings for this year. That's about 35 more innings, or five more starts if he pitches like he has. The Twins say they don't really have a limit for him, but I know they would be careful. I think they generally watch these guys pretty carefully. IF they look like they're tiring, they'll shut him down. Tyler Duffey threw six, one-hit innings tonight and used just 69 pitches. Could he pitch on short rest on Saturday?

The Twins won in come-from-behind and walk-off fashion on Tuesday night against Texas. None of the minor league affiliates had that kind of excitement, but it was a busy day in the Twins minor leagues. Rochester played two in Buffalo. Tyler Duffey made his return to the mound for the Red Wings. Max Kepler just kept on hitting for the Lookouts. Stephen Gonsalves was on the mound for the Miracle. The Kernels had a nail-biter. The E-Twins got a dominant start. And, Luis Arraez had another strong game.All that and more can be found as you work your way through today’s minor league report. TRANSACTIONS As we announced here yesterday, Kennys Vargas was promoted to AAA Rochester. He took the roster spot of Danny Santana who went on the disabled list. Levi Michael was activated for the Lookouts. Josmil Pinto began a rehab in the GCL. RED WINGS REPORT Game 1 – Rochester 7, Buffalo 0 Box Score Tyler Duffey returned to the mound for Rochester for the first time since he made his major league debut in Toronto. He worked six shutout innings. He gave up just one hit, walked none and struck out five. He improved to 5-6 with a 2.53 ERA with the Red Wings. Aaron Thompson gave up two hits, but no runs, in the seventh inning to complete the shutout. Danny Ortiz led the offense. He went 2-4 with his 29th double. Reynaldo Rodriguez hit his 14th home run. Byron Buxton went 1-3 with a walk and a triple. Game 2 – Rochester 0, Buffalo 9 Box Score Game 1 went well. Game 2, not so much. Jason Wheeler started and was charged with eight runs (6sixearned) on seven hits and three walks in just 2.1 innings. Cole Johnson worked three innings and gave up one run on three hits and two walks. He left with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning. Eric Farris replaced him. He got the next two batters out with just one inherited runners scoring. James Beresford went 2-4. He was the lone hitter with more than one hit. Byron Buxton went 1-4. Kennys Vargas arrived in time for the second game. He went 0-2 and walked once. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 6, Mobile 2 Box Score Max Kepler just continues to rake. In four at-bats, he had a single, his 27th double and his 12th triple of the year. Travis Harrison went 2-4 with his 21st double and three RBIs. Niko Goodrum went 2-4 with his third triple and two RBI. He also stole his 14th base with the Lookouts. Jorge Polanco stole his 15th bag. David Hurlbut began his outing with seven shutout innings. He got two outs in the eighth inning, but also gave up two runs. He ended him night giving up just those two runs on nine hits in 7.2 innings. He struck out seven and didn’t issue a walk. Brandon Peterson came on and struck out the batter he faced to end the eighth. He struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 1, St. Lucie 3 Box Score Stephen Gonsalves put together a quality start in this game. The lefty gave up just one run on four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out four batters. He left the game tied at one. Zack Jones got the seventh inning. He gave up one run on one hit and a walk. He struck out two and took the loss. Tyler Jay got the eighth inning. He gave up another run on two hits in the inning. He didn’t walk any and struck out one. Chad Christensen went 2-4. Mitch Garver went 1-2 with two walks and his 18th double. Tanner Vavra continues to hit well. He went 3-4 and added his eighth double. Vavra began the season by going 1-26 (.038). Since that time, he has hit .284 and is now at .251 on the season. In his last 35 games played, he has hit .317. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 5, Lake County 4 Box Score The Kernels were able to hang on for a one-run win in this game. The top of the order did the job for them on this night. Tanner English had a single and a walk. Nick Gordon went 3-5 with his 17th double. Edgar Corcino was 3-4 with his 12th double. Keaton Steele started. He gave up three runs on four hits in six innings to improve to 4-3 on the season. He walked one and struck out four. Mike Theofanopoulos gave up one run on one hit and one walk in his inning. He struck out one. Nick Anderson came on and struck out three over two scoreless innings to record the save. E-TOWN E-NOTES Elizabethton 3, Greeneville 1 Box Score Cody Stashak returned after a short DL stint and pitched well. He struck out nine over five shutout innings. He gave up just three hits and didn’t issue a walk. Logan Lombana came on and struck out six over three shutout innings. He gave up just two hits. Kuo Hua Lo recorded his fourth save. He gave up one run in the ninth. Daniel Kihle went 2-3 with a walk and his fifth double. Brian Olson went 2-4. Jermaine Palacios hit his seventh double. Brad Hartong hit his fourth double. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 8, GCL Rays 5 Box Score The Twins got a lot of offensive contributions in this game. Luis Arraez is back up to .329 after going 4-5. Christian Cavaness went 2-4 with a walk, his third double and his first triple. Josmil Pinto returned to game action and went 2-5 with a three-run homer. He DHed. Kolton Kendrick went 2-4 with a walk. Trey Cabbage went 2-3. Jovani Moran made another start. The lefty went four innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out four. Matz Schutte came on and worked the next two innings. He gave up an unearned run on two hits and a walk. Callan Pearce gave up a single in a scoreless inning. Rich Condeelis gave up two runs on a hit and three walks in two innings. He struck out four. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Duffey, Rochester Red Wings Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Max Kepler, Chattanooga Lookouts WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Buffalo (6:05 CST) – LHP Taylor Rogers Tennessee @ Chattanooga (6:15 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey Ft. Myers @ St. Lucie (5:30 CST) – RHP Kohl Stewart Cedar Rapids @ Lake County (12:00 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge Greeneville @ Elizabethton (6:00 CST) – TBD GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (DH @ 10:00 CST) – TBD Feel free to leave any questions or comments below Click here to view the article

I asked that question a couple of years ago, and it's a good question. He can't go to any other team without his approval.

I kind of think that someone might have been you there... I figured it had to be said because it's true.