Seth Stohs

Got struck out in a college game by Kerry Ligtenberg.

Ryan Eades was pretty solid, better than the numbers indicate, at least. He was actually perfect through four innings. He gave up a bloop single to lead off the 5th followed by a regular single and then the run scored on a sacrifice fly. The 6th didn't go so well, obviously with the big three-run homer. Nick Gordon's been pretty good. Here were two tweets I posted on him tonight:

I have never heard anywhere that Molitor is in Twitter. Do you have his handle? That would surprise me a lot.

For any pitcher, the words “Tommy John surgery” cause a feeling of dread. It has become a prevalent procedure for many pitchers from every organization, and it’s a surgery that many in the Twins system have already had. In April, talented left-hander Lewis Thorpe went under the knife. I had the chance to chat with the southpaw from Melbourne, Australia on Thursday to see how he’s doing and what he’s been up to in Ft. Myers. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs For any pitcher, the words “Tommy John surgery” cause a feeling of dread. It has become a prevalent procedure for many pitchers from every organization, and it’s a surgery that many in the Twins system have already had. In April, talented left-hander Lewis Thorpe went under the knife. I had the chance to chat with the southpaw from Melbourne, Australia on Thursday to see how he’s doing and what he’s been up to in Ft. Myers. First, let’s go back in time just a bit. Lewis Thorpe was called up to Cedar Rapids in June of 2014. He experienced some ups and downs with the Kernels but put up numbers that are very encouraging. Especially for someone who only turned 19 last November. However, he was shut down after his final start of the season. Doctors found that he had a partial tear in his UCL (ulnar collateral ligament). Any tear, partial or full, of the UCL usually means that Tommy John surgery is imminent. There are several examples of pitchers who have been diagnosed with partial UCL tears who didn’t have Tommy John surgery. Twins starter Ervin Santana missed time late in 2008 and early in 2009 with a partially torn UCL and has yet to have the surgery. Adam Wainwright went five years before he needed to have the surgery. Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka is attempting to buck the odds. So the Twins went with the rest-and-rehab plan with Thorpe. In early March, I watched him throw to batters for the first time off of the mound. I also saw him pitch (and look really good) in an intra-squad game a few days later. And then it happened, and Thorpe knew it right away. His Twins minor league team was taking on a team of Rays minor leaguers. “I knew I tore it right away.” It wasn’t long before he learned that he would have to have the surgery. “I was a little annoyed at first, but then I got in my head that this is just a minor speed bump in my career.” On April 10th, Dr. John Steubs and Dr. Pearce McCarty performed the surgery, and it went well. “They are both great doctors and did a very good job.” Thorpe had to keep his left arm in a sling, with a half cast, for ten days. Then he was in a brace for about eight weeks. He had to wait two-and-a-half months before he could start working out, and then he was told only with body weight. Three months later, he is able to do more. “Now I’m doing upper body light, and I’m basically back to normal on the lower body.” His days in Ft. Myers are spent with a routine. Fortunately, he is able to stay at the Twins dorms where he is rooming with fellow Australian Lachlan Wells. The bullet points below describe what Lewis Thorpe says a typical days consists of for him. He is working with minor league rehab coordinator Chad Jackson. Wake up and eat breakfast Get in to the training room by 7:30. Do as much rehab as I can get done before 9:00. The team stretches at 9 and he joins them. While they play catch, he continues to stretch. Go back in and get the rest of my rehab done. Lift is at 10:30. When that’s done (around 11:30), he goes and eats. At noon, the GCL Twins play. Thorpe watches them play when they are at home, which is usually three times per week. He said, “It’s good to get out there in the fresh air and see all of the talent coming through the Twins organization.” And after the GCL game is complete? “Then go take a nice little nap!” It’s a grueling recovery for a Tommy John rehabber. The odds that a pitcher fully recovers after surgery are fairly high, but in order to do that, the rehab needs to be very structured. That can be challenging. Thorpe said, “The toughest part is just knowing you have to come in every day and repeat the same stuff. That’s why it’s called The Grind.” One thing you likely noticed is that Thorpe did not mention picking up a baseball or throwing it yet. That’s because he hasn’t. Not yet, but that date is coming soon. “Middle of August! Basically it’s four months after surgery.” He’s not in this alone. There are several Twins and Twins minor leaguers who have had the surgery before. There are others in Ft. Myers who are at various stages of their rehab. “BJ Hermsen has been a big help with me, pushing me, and giving me advice. He had the surgery two days before me. It’s always easier having someone that’s dealing with the same stuff you are.” There are others that he stays in contact with as well. He said that he has received good advice from (Rochester Red Wings All-Star 2B) James Beresford and (former Twins farmhand and long-time Braves reliever) Peter Moylan. He said that (former Twins and current Blue Jays pitcher) Liam Hendriks has also reached out and talked to him during his rehab. He said it was nice that several fellow Aussies have been there for him to talk to through this rehab. In mid-June, Lewis’s parents made the trek from Melbourne, Australia, to Ft. Myers. It meant a lot for Lewis to see his family. He said, “It was awesome seeing my family. It definitely made it a lot easier being with them for three weeks. They said to me that they love me and everything’s going to be alright. I just have to keep working hard and not give up on my dreams.” He won’t do that. He’s actually looking forward to reaching and then passing the milestones that are in front of him. Asked if he had any message for Twins fans, Thorpe took the opportunity to say, “I’ll be back next year with high hopes and ready to play! I can’t wait to be playing again.” I told Thorpe that I frequently get asked for updates on how he is doing in his rehab. He wanted to extend this additional message to his fans. “I want to thank all of them for their support. I really appreciate everyone who is thinking of me!” View full article

The guy I backed up in college... Former Phillies and Astros catcher Chris Coste.

I often wonder what Mauer's legacy would be if the ump had correctly called a fair ball in Yankees Stadium.

No, I don't think that the Twins have any issue with Vargas, other than poor performance. I don't think they'd trade him for nothing, but I think they're fully aware of his limitations.

I need to step in here... Vargas not running out a double play was purely speculation. If it is also fact, it does not make him an attitude-issue guy. It's a mistake and a correctable mistake. Who knows? He may have been hustling so much and popped his hamstring lunging to 1B. We don't know (unless it's been reported somewhere). I've never been real high on Vargas, but his performance last year, power potential and the fact that he's not 25 yet means he should be given some time and patience.

I wouldn't jump to that... more ready for GCL, maybe... But this is very aggressive. Very, very few 16-year-olds play in the GCL. In fact, only players born between July 1 and August 25th (or whenever the GCL season ends) are even capable of playing in that league at age 16.

I don't include anyone in my rankings until they've played in the GCL... Javier's probably a Top 10-15 guy now, without giving it a lot of thought. I think the moment he steps into a GCL game, probably next June after playing in some DSL games first, he'll be a definite Top 10.

Arraez is seen as a contact hitter. Line drives. He could grow taller, but he's fairly stocky already. Solid infielder, probably more of a 2B. Palacios is seen as a guy who can play all three infield positions well. Not a big guy, again. Not a big guy, but room to grow. Neither would fit into my top 30 at this point.. maybe 40-50 range at this point with room to move up that list.

I just assumed everyone already knew that...

If he is this pitcher, here's about what he'd make in coming years. 2016: $575,000 2017: $4 million 2018: $7 million 2019: $12 million 2020: Free agent So, if they were to go year to year, you're looking at something like $23.6 million over 4 years. If he were to sign the same deal Dozier did, 4 years, $20 million, it might be a small savings, IF he remains the same pitcher he is now. OF course, we've seen examples of both sides of that (injury, poor performance, or like Dozier, stepping up. I'd be good with offering him 3 years and $8-10 million. Seems fair on both sides, risk for both sides, etc.

I'd have no problem with giving him 2-3 years, buying a little cost-certainty and giving him some guarantee, but I wouldn't extend him beyond free agency... Of course, if he comes to the Twins and says, I'd like to stay here, and I'll take 6 years and $12 million, I'd say Sure. He won't do that.

And now Jorge Fernandez to the Disabled List for CR.

My assumption all along was that he had a really quick Opt-Out date. I mean, he'd pitched in the big leagues most of the first half. He's 39. I had no problem with the Twins signing him and seeing if there was anything left more up close, but he didn't do anything special in his 2 weeks, so move on (For Twins and him).

Taylor Clemensia, a RHP from The Netherlands, has been assigned to Elizabethton. He's just 18 and hasn't pitched yet in affiliated ball. Very surprising, in my opinion.

Lots of moves... and I assume more are coming... Brett Doe promoted to Ft. Myers. Zach Tillery placed on Cedar Rapids DL. Yorman Landa and Chris Mazza activated by Cedar Rapids from DL. Tyler Kuresa promoted back to Cedar Rapids.

With Kuresa moving back up to Cedar Rapids, I'd assume Weil goes to E-Town very soon.

That was awesome!! I haven't jumped to tweeting more quickly in my life!!

Several years ago, Minor League Baseball did something that I think is pretty cool. There are no minor league games on the day of the Major League All-Star Game with the exception of the lowest levels (who play in the afternoon). It allows minor leaguers to watch the game, watch the All-Stars and dream of what could someday be for them. With that said, today’s minor league report is quite short. However, it was a big day for the GCL Twins and we’ve even learned of a couple of transactions. Image courtesy of Dr. Jon Tarr (photo of Trey Cabbage) Several years ago, Minor League Baseball did something that I think is pretty cool. There are no minor league games on the day of the Major League All-Star Game with the exception of the lowest levels (who play in the afternoon). It allows minor leaguers to watch the game, watch the All-Stars and dream of what could someday be for them. With that said, today’s minor league report is quite short. However, it was a big day for the GCL Twins and we’ve even learned of a couple of transactions. TRANSACTIONS Cedar Rapids announced that right-hander Zach Tillery has been placed on the disabled list. Lefty Brandon Bixler was also released. There will need to be other moves made in the lower levels that will likely be announced on Wednesday. Friend of Twins Daily Steve Buhr was doing a little review of the Twins minor league rosters and noticed that Brett Doe was no longer on the Cedar Rapids roster. He checked the Ft. Myers Miracle roster which now shows Doe. Buhr tweeted to Doe and it was confirmed that he has been promoted to the Miracle. GCL TWINS TAKES GCL Twins 11, GCL Red Sox 1 Box Score The Twins had an early game on Tuesday. They scored a lot of runs, but it all starts with pitching, right? So, let’s start there. Lachlan Wells, an 18-year-old right-hander from Australia made the start. He gave up just two hits and two walks over five shutout innings. He struck out five. Stephen Pryor came on and threw two scoreless innings as he continues his rehab. He has now worked six innings in four appearances. Brandon Poulson gave up one run on one walk and two hit batters in his inning. He also threw two wild pitches. He struck out one. Callan Pearce pitched the ninth. He gave up a hit and a walk, but no runs, in the inning. The Twins scored four in the first inning. The big hit came with two outs. Bryant Hayman hit his second homer of the short-season, a grand slam which gave the Twins a 4-0 lead. After scoring a single run in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Jermaine Palacios, the Twins put six on the board in the sixth inning. It started with a Hayman walk, followed by walks from Ruar Verkerk and Roberto Gonzalez. A Lean Marrero walk scored Hayman. They added runs on an error and a fielder’s choice, but that brought up fourth-round pick Trey Cabbage. He hit a double to drive in another run. Cabbage scored later on a ground out, and then Palacios drove in one more with a single. Shortstop Jermaine Palacios is now hitting .409 after going 3-4 with a walk and his fifth double. Trey Cabbage went 2-3 with a walk and his first professional double. Lean Marrero, the Twins 16th round pick this year out of Puerto Rico, went 2-2 with two walks and his first triple. Roberto Gonzalez went 1-1 with two walks and stole his third base. The GCL Twins are now 12-8 on the season. RED WINGS REPORT Rochester Box Score All-Star break. The International League All-Star game will be played on Wednesday night. The Red Wings are represented by 2B James Beresford and pitchers AJ Achter and Taylor Rogers. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga Box Score No Game Scheduled. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers Box Score No Game Scheduled. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids Box Score No Game Scheduled. E-TWINS E-NOTES Elizabethton Box Score No Game Scheduled. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Lachlan Wells, GCL Twins Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jermaine Palacios, GCL Twins WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester – International League All Star Game Chattanooga @ Biloxi (7:10 CST) – RHP Alex Wimmers Ft. Myers @ Brevard County (5:35 CST) – RHP Chih-Wei Hu Burlington @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – RHP Felix Jorge Elizabethton @ Danville (6:00 CST) – RHP Alexis Tapia GCL Rays @ GCL Twins (11:00 CST) – TBD Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the transactions and Tuesday game. View full article

Before tonight's All Star game, the results of the Franchise Four voting was announced for each team. It was based on voting by fans. Here are the Twins Franchise Four: Tony OlivaKirby PuckettHarmon KillebrewRod Carew

I was going to say... at some point, he'll slump in the big leagues and that will be what will show us the most about him. How he overcomes struggles.