Seth Stohs

Probably not to that level, but he can certainly move. I wouldn't be shocked to see him pitch at three levels.

Just a reminder... if you would like me to ask Jake Mauer a question or two, or just give me some topics to bring up with him, leave your questions here.

Similar type of player. He missed so much time last year with injury, so he's very excited to be playing. Will he get to the big leagues? No way to know, but he's got the Revere skill set.

He's a solid hitter, but he's a really good leadoff hitter. He's not going to hit for any power, but he'll beat out grounders in the infield, turn singles into doubles and steal bases. Takes really good at bats, stays in the strike zone really well. He is an exciting player to watch, no question.

Last night at Perfect Game Field at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, the Cedar Rapids Kernels played their Home Opener in front of a crowd of 1,732. After a short delay, the hometown team gave the crowd what they would look for, a lot of great action and a win to improve to 4-0. Here are some notes and quotes from Cedar Rapids Opening Night: Image courtesy of Seth Stohs Last night at Perfect Game Field at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, the Cedar Rapids Kernels played their Home Opener in front of a crowd of 1,732. After a short delay, the hometown team gave the crowd what they would look for, a lot of great action and a win to improve to 4-0. Here are some notes and quotes from Cedar Rapids Opening Night: First, I made the long trek down to Cedar Rapids, in part, because I really do enjoy the experience. Perfect Game Field is tremendous. The grass was green, and the game-experience is wonderful for a fan. As is done in minor league stadiums across the country, there are games and give-aways between innings. They make it a lot of fun. If you live in the southern Twin Cities area, you’re looking at about a four hour drive to Cedar Rapids. And it’s easy. Just take 35W south for about 150 miles. Around Mason City, you exit onto 27 South and take that for 50 miles or so. Then 218 South, followed by 380 south. All of these are four-lane highways so the drive is really easy and smooth. As always, it’s great to get there and be greeted by Tommy Watkins. I watched the Kernels take batting practice and as they were just about done, it began to sprinkle. The Kernels quickly finished batting practice, and then the grounds crew got the tarp on the infield. It never really rained hard. In fact, the Beloit Snappers players got their stretching in and played catch on the outfield grass. They just took batting practice in the cages under the stadium. Looking at the radar, it was clear that there would be clouds and sprinkles until about 4:00 (scheduled game time), but then there would be nothing after that. Radar proved very accurate. The tarp came off the infield around 3:45 and the Kernels grounds crew had the field ready for player introductions at about 4:15. There is a grill down the left field line that I would definitely recommend if you get to a Kernels game this spring or summer. You can get burgers, hot dogs, brats, chicken, pork and more right off the grill. You can then add toppings. I added fire-roasted peppers and onions, some jalapenos and mushrooms on top of mine. Excellent! Oh yeah, the game and baseball stuff. There was a game that was played and it was a good game. Michael Cederoth made the start for the Kernels. He had a scoreless first inning with two groundouts and a strikeout. The Kernels scored once in the first inning. Zach Granite led off with a ground ball to shortstop that he beat out. The shortstop was charged with an error because he had to rush. My personal opinion is that he would have beat out the throw anyway. He stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Zack Larson grounded out to third but it scored Granite to give the Kernels the lead. After a Jorge Fernandez walk, Tyler Kuresa doubled down the left-field line to score the speedy Fernandez. The Snappers had the bases loaded in the second inning on a single, a walk and a bunt. Cederoth did a nice job to get out of the inning, allowing just one run. The inning’s fourth batter hit a slow grounder down the first base line. Tyler Kuresa fielded it, looked home but there was no play there, and he tagged out the batter running down the line. The Kernels second inning was their big inning, though it didn’t start out looking like the team would score. Jhonatan Hinojosa lined a single to center field. Unfortunately, he was caught stealing. The next batter struck out. With two outs, Tanner English singled to right field. He stole second and advanced to third base on a balk. Zach Granite walked and stole second base. Nick Gordon was hit by a two-strike pitch to load the bases. Zach Larson put together a really good at-bat that ended with a line drive double down the right-field line. Sidenote – Nick Gordon may not be as fast as his brother Dee, but watching him go from first to home showed that he can run really well. Cederoth got through four innings. He gave up just one run on three hits. He walked three and struck out three. However, he was done after four innings because he was already over 80 pitches. He had a lot of three-ball counts. In the first inning, he was throwing between 94 and 96 with the fastball. He also has a really good curveball. Of the Twins third-round pick in 2014, manager Jake Mauer said, “Cederoth was OK. He threw some really good breaking balls early in the game that weren’t called strikes. He’s working on some things. But if he can gain control, he can be really good. But, that’s why he’s here.” Lefty Sam Clay, the Twins 2014 fourth-round pick, came on for the fifth inning. He walked the first batter and then threw a wild pitch. He walked the second batter. He got an out on a ground ball, but then walked another batter to load the bases. Snappers third baseman Edwin Diaz doubled to score two more runs and cut the lead to 5-3. That was the end of the line for Clay. Zach Tillery, Twins 13th round pick last year, came on to play hero for the team. He got a strikeout before getting the final out on a ground ball. He then got nine out of the next ten batters out and completed 3.2 innings of shutout relief. “I got through it pretty well. That first inning, I let it go a little bit. I was pretty tired the rest of the way.” According to Mauer, Tillery entered spring training with an opportunity to start, “He was in the mix to start this spring, but with the trickle down all the way up, we decided to move him to the bullpen.” Tillery is just fine with that decision. “I started the year this year as a starter. A week and a half ago, our pitching coach Henry Bonilla said, ‘Hey man, you’re going to throw out of the pen.’ I did that in college, so that’s good.” Tillery says he throws “a fastball, a cutter, traditional breaking ball and a changeup.” Mauer said that Tillery will likely get a chance to start at some time this season. For his part, Tillery is just fine with his role right now. “Right now, I’m just trying to help the team win. That’s all I’m worried about. They can throw me out of the pen. They can have me close. They can do whatever they want. I’ll go play third base, for all I care.” The score remained 5-3 Kernels until the bottom of the eighth inning when the Kernels grabbed some insurance runs. With one out, Jhonatan Hinojosa and Brian Navarreto hit back-to-back singles. Tanner English bunted to advance them to second and third. Zach Granite came up with a big double to right center that scored two runs. It was a “normal” single, but he turned it into a double. When I asked Granite if he’s always thinking double, he said, “Oh yeah. I’m thinking triple out of the box. I stop at second because they throw it in, but yeah, I’m always thinking extra bases. There’s nothing better than a double. I like having extra base hits.” Lefty Cameron Booser came on for the ninth inning. He was a little nervous and walked the first batter. However, he struck out the next three. He has two pitches and both are excellent. His fastball sat between 95 and 96 mph and he touched 99 with one pitch. He also had a mid-80s slider. Even more impressive than his arm? His mustache! Following Sunday Kernels games, the Kernels players go out to the outfield grass. Fans are able to go down on the field and get autographs from the players for 15 to 20 minutes. At the same time, fans can run the bases or play catch in the outfield. Its’ really a pretty neat experience. The Kernels front office staff does a tremendous job of, well, everything. They have great promotions. They make the games great for their fans, and that’s what minor league baseball is about, the fan experience. And, of course, player development. The Kernels team has some really intriguing prospects. Obviously, 2014 top pick Nick Gordon headlines that list. However, there are several other minor leaguers whose names you will read frequently at Twins Daily who have a real chance to advance through the system and someday, maybe, play some games at Target Field. For those of you who live near the Twin Cities and really are Twins fans, I encourage you to make the drive down to Cedar Rapids at least once this summer, if you haven’t already, and check it out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. View full article

I will be interviewing Cedar Rapids Kernels' manager Jake Mauer later this afternoon. Let me know if there are any questions you would like me to ask him. Topics could be about players, coaching, philosophy, etc.

The feedback I received from readers in Cedar Rapids said they preferred Chattanooga Chatter. For what that's worth.

Regarding Joe Mauer, I watched an inning or so of the Twins game yesterday with Jake Mauer in his office. Later, after the Kernels game, I went into his office again and, after an interview about his game, just said, "Isn't it nice to see a Twins box score where there is a ".300" after Joe's name?" Jake smiled and said, "Yeah, he's definitely feeling better than he did a year ago." I'm paraphrasing, but he said that the concussion played more of a factor than Joe ever let on. In fact, Joe never used it as an excuse. But there were a lot of times that he was just foggy. As Jake said, "the fog has lifted." I think Mauer has a chance to have a really good year. Maybe not 26-year-old Mauer good, but happy-he's-hitting-3rd-in-the-lineup good.

My opinion on Arcia: I think he's too young to platoon. I would play him (nearly) every day with the exception of the Sale's and Price's of the world who he understandably has little chance against. Can he hit lefties? So far, not so much, but at his age, I would let him work through some of that... or at least give him more time to see if he can improve at all. If it's late in the game and the opponent brings in a tough lefty against him in a close game, I have no problem pinch hitting for him, but in my opinion, he is still developing and let's see if he can make any adjustments.

Just got to Cedar Rapids. The Kernels are on the field stretching before batting practice. I'm sure I'll be taking a bunch of pictures, so be sure to follow @TwinsDaily on Twitter and like Twins Daily on Facebook. You can follow my personal twitter account, @SethTweets as well.

They have a couple 19 year olds, and they have a few guys who are 3 and 4 year college senior draft picks. That's pretty normal. Guys drafted after their junior year last year got a quick taste in Elizabethton last year (and a few got to CR). So, they were 21 when drafted and 22 this year. It's not at all slow promotion, just the way it works with college guys versus high school guys.

On Saturday, the Twins farm system was complete with no-hit bids, big home runs and clutch hits, shutouts and a walkoff win. A couple of the Twins big prospects connected for their first home runs of the spring. On Sunday, the Cedar Rapids Kernels will be playing their home opener. I’ll be reporting from Cedar Rapids throughout the three-game series. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs On Saturday, the Twins farm system was complete with no-hit bids, big home runs and clutch hits, shutouts and a walkoff win. A couple of the Twins big prospects connected for their first home runs of the spring. On Sunday, the Cedar Rapids Kernels will be playing their home opener. I’ll be reporting from Cedar Rapids throughout the three-game series. Jeremy Nygaard, Cody Christie and I are excited about the start of the 2015 Minor League season and are offering the 2015 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook in paperback right now at a 15% discount. Get your copy today, if you haven’t already. It’s also available as an electronic book which is available for immediate download. We have had two days’ worth of Twins Daily readers participating in this year’s Adopt-A-Prospect. At this point, feel free to adopt more players – whether you have or haven’t – and start by posting their initial bio/profile in the Adopt-A-Prospect 2015 forum. Let’s get to today’s report. The Rochester Red Wings announced following their game that Pat Dean would be taking Trevor May’s spot in their rotation RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 2, Buffalo 0 Box Score After being weathered out on Friday, the Rochester Red Wings played their home opener on Saturday afternoon against Buffalo. Fans in attendance watched quite the pitcher’s duel, and then were sent home in dramatic fashion. Lefty Taylor Rogers was given the nod to start and was fantastic. He didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning. He finished the day with seven shutout innings. He gave up six hits, walked two and struck out six. In that fifth inning, he gave up three straight singles to start the inning. On the third, he got help from Aaron Hicks who threw a runner out at the plate. The next batter hit into a double play. Ryan Pressly threw a perfect seventh and got the first two outs of the ninth inning. Caleb Thielbar recorded the final out of the top of the ninth inning, maintaining the shutout. Meanwhile, Bisons starter Scott Copeland was really dealing as well. He had a perfect game into the fifth inning when Brock Peterson walked. He gave up a single with one out in the seventh inning to lose the no-hitter. Ironically, it was an infield single by Josmil Pinto. The Red Wings did nothing in the eighth and the first two hitters of the ninth struck out. However, with two outs, Eddie Rosario walked. That brought Pinto to the plate, and he ended the game with a walk-off home run. The Red Wings are now 2-0 on the young season. CHATTANOOGA CHATTER Chattanooga 4, Montgomery 3 Box Score Nick Burdi got another save opportunity in this one. Things got interesting, but the team was able to hang on for their second win of the season. The power bats showed up in this one too. Greg Peavey, who was the Twins minor league Rule 5 selection from the New York Mets organization, made his first start for the Lookouts. He gave up single runs in the first two innings, but provided his team with a quality start. He gave up two runs on six hits and a walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out six. Adrian Salcedo came on and got the final two outs of the seventh inning. Jake Reed was given the eighth inning. He gave up two hits and hit a batter, but he was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run. Then Nick Burdi came on for the ninth, given a two-run lead. He got the first two batters out, but then he walked the next two and gave up a run-scoring single to cut the lead to one. Fortunately, he ended the inning and the game with a strikeout, his second of the outing. In the fourth inning, Mike Gonzales hit a two-run double that tied the game. The 2-2 score remained until the seventh inning when Adam Brett Walker led off the inning with his first home run of the year, a line drive to right centerfield. Two outs later, Byron Buxton connected for his first home run of the year. Travis Harrison led the offense by collecting three hits, including a double. Miguel Sano was 1-3 with a walk and a stolen base. MIRACLE MATTERS Ft. Myers 4, Charlotte 3 (11 innings) Box Score The Miracle needed a miracle, or at least some clutch hitting, as well as some extra innings to steal this win from Charlotte. The Miracle were down 3-0 heading into the seventh inning. Chih-Wei Hu started and was charged with two runs on three hits in five innings. He struck out six and did not issue a walk. Tim Shibuya pitched the sixth and seventh innings. He gave up one run on three hits and a walk. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Chad Christensen led off with a double. He later scored on a single off the bat of Engelb Vielma. The Miracle remained behind 3-1 until the bottom of the ninth. Down two, Michael Quesada led off with a walk, and Marcus Knecht “knechted” with a two-run, game-tying home run! Todd Van Steensel pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Brandon Peterson gave up two hits but no runs in his two innings. He struck out five. Madison Boer pitched a scoreless 11th inning for the Miracle. With one out in the bottom of the 11th inning, Marcus Knecht singled, which was followed by an Engelb Vielma single. With one out, a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third, so Goodrum was intentionally walked. Alex Swim then singled in a run to give the Miracle the win. Knecht, a Candian outfielder signed by the Twins after he was released by the Blue Jays, went 3-4 with a walk and the home run. Vielma and Swim each had two hits. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 5, Kane County 3 Box Score The Kernels jumped to an early lead and got strong pitching to gain the three-game sweep in Kane County. They will head home and play their home opener on Sunday against Beloit. Left-hander Stephen Gonsalves made the start for the Kernels. He gave up a home run to River Falls native Marty Herum in the bottom of the first inning and then settled down. He went six innings and gave up just that one run. He gave up five hits, walked none and struck out nine for the win. Randy LeBlanc came on and threw two shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out two. Trevor Hildenberger got the ninth. He was charged with two unearned runs but struck out two to end the game. After going 3-5 in his first game action on Friday, Jorge Fernandez had two doubles in four at-bats on Saturday. Zach Granite set the tone at the top of the order. The speedy outfielder went 2-3 with two walks. His speed came in to play. He had a hustle double. At one point, on second base. Nick Gordon tried to bunt for a base hit. He was barely thrown out at first base, but on the play Granite scored from second base easily. Gordon went 0-4 but drove in two runs. Trey Vavra hit his first double of the season in this game. He had 20 doubles in fifty games at Elizabethton last year after being drafted. T.J. White added a triple. TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Taylor Rogers, Rochester Red Wings Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Marcus Knecht, Ft. Myers Miracle SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Buffalo @ Rochester (12:35 CST) – LHP Jason Wheeler Chattanooga @ Montgomery (2:05 CST) – RHP DJ Baxendale Ft. Myers @ Charlotte (12:00 CST) – RHP Ethan Mildren Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (4:05 CST) – RHP Michael Cederoth Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Saturday games. View full article

That was all Friday. I asked him if he was tweeting with his left or right hand and he said Of course with the Right.

All of the Friday night minor league information is shown here.

Wonderfully written and a great topic. I'm sure many of us are in the same boat when talking about Mauer with some people... well told!

This morning, the Twins officially announced that RHP Ricky Nolasco is heading to the Disabled List and Trevor May has been recalled from Rochester.

Completely agree, and their ability to recognize and lay off of them will determine their future success. It will take time and adjustment.

Yeah, I don't believe Kepler is at 100% Also, I thought there was some chance Harrison might start in Ft. Myers.

I noticed that too, but I think he does do that a lot, just to shake it out, keep it loose.

Update: WxMan17 - DJ Baxendale SD Buhr - James Beresford curt1965 - JO Berrios Steve Lein - Nick Burdi Hrbowski - Byron Buxton 2wins87 - Michael Cederoth Peanutsfromheaven - JT Chargois JunkWaxTwins - Ryan Eades Jeff Reboulet - Tanner English tyomoth - Mitch Garver MinnFan4Life - Stephen Gonsalves lightfoot789 - Niko Goodrum RollingOaks - Nick Gordon gunnarthor - Travis Harrison curt1965 - Aaron Hicks nicksaviking - Dalton Hicks JaleelWhiteFanClub - Chih-Wei Hu Hrbowski - Zack Jones blue chipper - Max Kepler Jeff Reboulet - Yorman Landa Joe Mulligan - Zack Larson James - Brett Lee Joe Mulligan - Trevor May markos - Alex Meyer teekz - Levi Michael AM. - Amaurys Minier TJG - Max Murphy Shane Wahl - Brian Navarreto scottz - Greg Peavey TheDean - Brandon Peterson milldaddy35 - Jorge Polanco Bill Tanner - Jake Reed bulldozier14 - Eddie Rosario nytwinsfan - Miguel Sano Dance with Disco Dan - Kohl Stewart Stringer Bell - Alex Swim nate10s - Stuart Turner Shane Wahl - Adam Brett Walker always 33 - Luke Westphal Secondary User - Jason Wheeler

I've posted that pronunciation a few times in various articles that have mentioned him lately just so that people get used to it.

From what I've seen, they just need to not swing at the sliders down and away... which is the scouting report on guys like Sano and Walker coming into the season. Buxton just looks really rusty, which of course is understandable. Also, let's see what happens when they start seeing teams' #3, #4, #5 starters.

I don't think he'll ever add a ton of power, maybe 10-12 home run potential... but you never know. He is just solid all around. Scouting reports basically say that none of his tools are elite, but he isn't really weak at any either.