Seth Stohs

DeVries and Fox weren't lefties that sat 91-93 and hit 95 with the fastball and have really good breaking pitches too.

Just 8 starts in Cedar Rapids. I would think he'd spend at least another half-season in Iowa.

I kind of have that started. Ill try to find a good way to get that posted when this list and Gleeman's are done.

I really have no problem with him getting an opportunity. As I wrote, I think his chances at about 20%, and the could be high. But, at the end of the day, I wouldn't be upset if he got the job. He's not old. Getting him to provide some value for the season's first three months might mean they can get a C-prospect back for him in June or July.

True and yet, I'm OK with that. For the first time in 3-4 years, there is hope. Yes, it's going to take 5-6-7 things to go really well for the Twins to get to .500, but they have players and the players we've been waiting on are getting pretty close. I'm excited for spring training and the season to get going. I thought they were a much more interesting, exciting team in 2014 than the previous two seasons, and I think 2015 can be even better. Obviously we'll see what happens, but I think they have the ability to be much improved in 2015.

It's actually the second time that Roy Smalley has been a guest with Jim Souhan on his podcast. Smalley is so smart and sees a lot. He also has some great stories of his playing days with the Twins in the late-70s and in 1987. Just fun to listen to.

Last week I looked at the Minnesota Twins’ centerfield position and provided several options for what could happen in spring training. One other position that will be up for grabs in spring training is the fifth starter role. Unless there is an injury, we know that Phil Hughes, Ervin Santana, Kyle Gibson and Ricky Nolasco will be in the rotation on Opening Day. However, there are several candidates for the fifth starter job and we’ll take a look at them over the next week, starting with Mike Pelfrey.The Background Pelfrey is a big, 6-7, 250 pound right-hander. He was the Mets first round draft pick (ninth overall) in the 2005 draft out of Wichita State. The Scott Boras client came to the Twins before the 2013 season on a one-year contract. He had undergone Tommy John surgery in April of 2012 but reports indicated that he would be ready for Opening Day 2013. Was he ready? Was he healthy? Either way, the numbers were just not good in 2013. He made 29 starts and pitched 152.2 innings, but he went 5-13 with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. For whatever reason, that performance turned into a two-year extension with the Twins last offseason. Unfortunately, it was another rough season for the veteran. He went 0-3 with a 7.99 ERA and a 1.99 WHIP in five starts before being shut down. He clearly wasn’t healthy as he walked 6.8 per nine in that time. At Twins Fest, he told a handful of writers, “I feel bad, like I’ve taken money from the Twins. It’s been frustrating. You play this game to play, and compete, and be successful and do it well. Obviously that hasn’t happened.” He spent the entire 2014 season rehabbing. Recently he said, “Rehab kind of stinks, but we got through it. I felt good. I think if the season had gone maybe another week, I probably could have pitched, maybe out of the bullpen or something just to do it.” The 31-year-old says that he “got a little extra shoulder program that was more maintenance, strengthening stuff.” For the first time since 2007, he says, Pelfrey will have to compete for a starting job in spring training. Back then, it really wasn’t a competition. “It was El Duque (Orlando Hernandez) or me, and if he was healthy, it was him.” The Mets handed Pelfrey the job when Hernandez was injured. Pelfrey is excited to get spring training and this competition underway. “It’s the first time in a while I have to go in and win a job. I have no one to blame but myself. Staying healthy and not performing… That’s on me.” The Hope Though he has never been front-end starter, he has a couple of years that were very solid. In 2008, he went 13-11 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP in 200.2 innings. In 2010, he went 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 204 innings. Those aren’t great, elite numbers by any means, but if a 2015 Mike Pelfrey can reach 200 innings with a sub-four ERA, Twins fans should be thrilled. That would be terrific for a fifth starter. The Alternative Pelfrey understands that there is some quality competition for the fifth starter job. “There are some young guys with very good arms. Tommy Milone has a pretty good track record too.” So what if Pelfrey loses the competition for the fifth starter job. Would he be willing to go to the bullpen? “Ultimately, I probably wouldn’t have a choice.” However, he would embrace it. He understands that it would be an adjustment as he has never really done it before. However, he would see it as another challenge, one he would be up for. “It’s still the same game, it’s pitching.” However, he isn’t going to go into spring training thinking about a job in the bullpen. “This is the best I’ve felt since before Tommy John surgery. I’m ready to go in and win a job!” Pelfrey Percentage So, if I were to venture a guess for the chances that Mike Pelfrey begins the season as the Twins fifth starter job, it isn’t a simple "No" as many may think. Now healthy, he deserves the opportunity to compete for the position. However, despite being owed $5.5 million for 2015, I would put the odds at only about 20%. Click here to view the article

As Parker (or someone showed), he did swing at more first-pitches in 2014 than ever before. I think a couple of things. I do tend to believe that the shifts hurt not only his doubles production but also a lot of singles to left too... I think moving from the turf of the Metrodome to the grass hurt some, especially on grounders up the middle. The information I found very interesting was when pitchers changed speeds on back-to-back pitches. My initial thought was that it sounded like a possible concussion-related thing. I would think picking up spin and depth perception and all that could be affected by a concussion. That one spoke volumes to me. I also can't forget the fact that he was a big league catcher for about 10-12 years. Even though he moved to first base, that mileage is still there. And, of course, he needs to hit Top 3 because of that OBP.

They have Plouffe and Sano at 3B, and Mauer and Vargas at 1B. So, he could be 25th man, pinch hitter, part time DH and emergency C, 1B and 3B.

To be fair... where would that be? They have a DH already in Vargas. Pinto isn't exactly athletic enough to play elsewhere. If Vargas struggles, Pinto could DH too. But then they should bring up a real backup catcher as well if the reason is that they don't think he can catch. And then some will complain about 3 catches on the roster. And, as he pointed out, he only hit .219. Pinto is no more a sure thing than Vargas is.

Jesse from Twinkie Town posted his annual interview with Twins assistant GM Rob Antony. There is a ton of great information. Part 1 is more about the major league side. Part 2 is more about the minor league side. Some great questions, and Rob always does a great job in his responses.

This is wonderful! Keep the updates coming! The four Twins Daily writers will each be down in Ft. Myers again for a week of spring training each, but we won't be there until the 2nd week of March. At that point, we'll be writing all kinds of updates.

Tyler Mason is very good and wrote a very good article here.When he was drafted, I had reports that he was much more cocky than most prospects, especially those with the Twins. In the few interactions I've had with him, he comes across as very mature and poised. Good to see! Watching him in spring training, it was incredible. Watching Trevor May and Alex Meyer watching Stewart pitch was great. They watched his curveball and their jaws dropped. He's got tremendous stuff. Hopefully the football will help keep him healthy!

Rosario - B Turner - D Walker - E Kepler - A Harrison - C

Fox Sports has a story that asks that questions, what if Joe Mauer had chosen to go to Florida State to play football and baseball? He was the #1 rated football player in the country as a Quarterback at Cretin-Derham Hall as well as the top high school baseball player. Friends said that Mauer was serious about going to Florida State even after the draft. It's really an interesting story of What If. At that time, there wasn't anything a team who was unable to sign a first round pick (today, the team would get a pick the next year). Obviously in the end, it was a great decision for Mauer and the Twins, but one can't help but wonder how good he could have been in college... and the NFL?

I would doubt it. i'm sure they'd go with Herrmann, Pinto and Fryer... but there is an outside chance. Probably depends on how long Suzuki would be out.

Would it be mean to say... You'll just have to come back for Part 2: 11-15 to find out... Ha!

Cedar Rapids will start the year with Murphy in LF, English in CF (or vice versa) and Larson probably in RF. They aren't going to have Minier up there to be a 4th OF. I guess he could DH (probably his best position) and get some time in LF and RF and 1B as well. I think he could be what you're saying, but I don't expect him to start the season there.

And I 100% agree that Hunter will be a huge positive influence on Hunter and Buxton. I really do. But, I won't question his work ethic and desire. In the Offseason Handbook, Terry Ryan told Parker that he isn't concern about that. Hicks cares, and he works.

There's no way to know this. Just because Hicks is more laid back doesn't mean that the desire isn't there.

More national prospect rankings are being unveiled each week. The Twins have been ranked as having one of the top two or three farm systems in all of baseball again this year. We know that the organization has some high-end, potential impact big leaguers and several of them are getting close to being promoted. Because of that, Twins Daily is going to, over the next few weeks, produce our Top 20 Twins Prospects. Today, we begin with our choices for Twins prospects 16 through 20.20. Amaurys Minier – OF/1B Age: 19 2014 Stats (Rookie): .292/.405/.520 (.925), 11-2B, 2-3B, 8-HR, 33 RBI ETA: 2019 Minier was the Twins big international signing in 2012. He got a $1.4 million signing bonus as a 16 year old from the Dominican Republic. His professional career began in 2013 with the GCL Twins where the switch-hitter hit just .214/.252/.455 (.707) in 31 games. However, he still showed his tremendous power potential with five doubles, two triples and six home runs. In the offseason, he had shoulder surgery. Few believed he would be able to stick at third base, so he began to work in the outfield and some at first base. He returned to the GCL in 2014 and was much improved. His plate discipline and his power were able to develop. Minier just turned 19 last week and should spend 2015 with the Elizabethton Twins. 19. Travis Harrison – OF Age: 22 2014 Stats (A+): .269/.361/.365 (.726), 33-2B, 1-3B, 3-HR, 59 RBI ETA: 2017 Harrison was the Twins' first of two supplemental first round picks in the 2011 draft. His career began in 2012 when he hit .301 (.845 OPS) with 21 extra base hits in Elizabethton’s short season. He moved up to Cedar Rapids in 2013 and hit .253. However, he got on base almost 37% of the time and hit 28 doubles and 15 home runs. Following that season, he made the move from third base to left field. In 2014 he played in Ft. Myers. He continued to show very good strike zone judgment. He showed doubles power in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, but the 6-1, 220 pounder hit just three home runs. Harrison will be 22 years old through the 2015 season. I suspect he’ll start the season back with the Miracle, but he should get an opportunity to move up to Chattanooga during the season. He is a solid hitter who uses the entire field. He cut his strikeout total by about 30% from the previous season in the exact same number of plate appearances. He has tremendous strength, so expect him to put up bigger power numbers as he moves up. 18. Jake Reed – RHP Age: 22 2014 Stats (Rk/A): 3-0, 8 Saves, 0.29 ERA, 0.45 WHIP, 31.0 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 39 K ETA: 2016 With the Twins fifth round pick, they drafted their fourth straight college relief pitcher. They took Jake Reed who was the closer for the University of Oregon in 2014 after two years as a starter. He signed quickly for $350K. He pitched in four games for Elizabethton and 16 more for Cedar Rapids. In all, he put up video game numbers. For his work, he received an invitation to represent the Twins in the Arizona Fall League where he gave up just one run. Reed has a fastball that sits 93-95 mph and runs in on a right-handed hitter. He also has a very sharp slider that dives away from a right-hander. He will be just 22 years old through the 2015 season. He likely will start the season in Ft. Myers but should move up to Chattanooga fairly quickly. There is a chance he could be in the big leagues in 2015. 17. Stuart Turner – C Age: 23 2014 Stats (A+): .249/.322/.375 with 16-2B, 2-3B, 7-HR, 40 RBI ETA: 2016 Turner was the Twins third round pick in 2013 out of Ole Miss. He was awarded the Johnny Bench Award as the top college catcher that season. He spent that summer in Elizabethton. After going to big league spring training, Turner skipped the Midwest League and jumped to Ft. Myers. On May 25, he was hitting just .188. From that point on, he made some adjustments and hit .282/.360/.427 with 19 of his 25 extra base hits. At 6-3 and 230 pounds, he presents a big target behind the plate. He has the trust of his pitchers and his strong arm helped him to throw out 32% of would-be base runners. He will again go to big league spring training with the Twins and should spend the season as a 23 year old at AA Chattanooga. 16. Tyler Duffey – RHP Age: 24 2014 Stats (A+/AA/AAA): 13-3, 3.68 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 149.1 IP, 30 BB, 113 K ETA: 2015 At Rice, Duffey teamed with JT Chargois as co-closers. Duffey was the Twins fifth round pick in 2012 and pitched great in Elizabethton that summer. In 2013, he started in Cedar Rapids and quickly moved up to Ft. Myers which is where he began the 2014 season. After four starts with the Miracle, and a 3-0 record, he was moved up to New Britain. He made 18 starts with the Rock Cats and went 8-3. His season ended with three starts in Rochester where he went 2-0. As impressive, his strikeout rate rose at each level, from 5.2 to 6.8 to 9.0. Duffey’s fastball sits between 91 and 94 as a starter and 97 in the bullpen. He throws a cutter in the upper-80s. His 12-6 curveball is probably his best strikeout pitch. He’s still improving his changeup. At 6-3 and 230 pounds, Duffey gets a lot of his strength from his legs. He could go back to AA to start the 2015 season depending upon the numbers. However, if he does, he should be the first guy called up to Rochester. He was recently invited to big league camp as well. Check back later this week for Part 2 of the Twins Daily Top 20 Prospects Countdown. Click here to view the article

My point on Walker is that he's ranked 14th through 19th in most Twins prospect rankings. It's not like anyone is putting him in their top 8 or something. He's clearly got things to work on. His prospect ranking indicates that. But it doesn't mean they should have pushed him more... In fact, in my opinion, it should be an indicator that they've pushed him either at the right pace, or maybe too fast. Age and level matter in prospect rankings. They shouldn't matter in an individual's development. Not everyone gets up to the big leagues before they turn 23 or 24.

I don't hate this idea. I'm a fairly big baseball fan and I can hardly bear the last 3 innings with all the pitching changes. I watch because I get it, but it's annoying. If I were to guess what the #1 reason for the games taking forever these days, it's all the pitching changes. That said, I don't like adding too many rules. The game is the game. Play it.