Seth Stohs

The Twins lost on Saturday afternoon to Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers. Justin Morneau’s ninth home run tied the game at two in the second inning. Unfortunately, in the top of the 5th, Carl Pavano gave up six straight hits (5 singles and a double) and gave up four runs. Denard Span cut the lead to 6-3 with his first home run of the season, but that was it. The Twins were able to get no closer and lost 6-3. Span had a double and the home run. Ben Revere went 3-4 in the game. However, the rest of the lineup managed just three hits. The Twins tied a club record with 16 strikeouts in the game. Josh Willingham led the way with for strikeouts. Brian Dozier and Drew Butera each had three. On Sunday, the Twins will send PJ Walters to the mound in hopes that he can duplicate his last outing, a complete game. The bullpen could use that. Walters (2-1, 2.95 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) will face RHP Rick Porcello (3-4, 5.29 ERA, 1.47 WHIP). Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Saturday: ROCHESTER 2, GWINNETT 4 Luke French got the starting nod for the Red Wings on Saturday afternoon. The left-hander gave up two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six. Deolis Guerra took the loss. He gave up two runs on two hits and a loss in two innings. Michael Hollimon went 3-4 with his third home run of the season. Sean Burroughs went 2-3 with a walk. Following the game, Jeff Manship learned he was being promoted to the Twins. He was scheduled to start for the Red Wings on Sunday afternoon. The team may need to have a bullpen game. NEW BRITAIN 3, PORTLAND 4 (Completion of Suspended Game) As mentioned yesterday, Andrew Albers threw four scoreless innings on Friday night before the game was suspended due to fog. Brad Thompson came on when the game was resumed on Saturday afternoon. The righty gave up two runs on five hits in 2.2 innings. He walked none and struck out three. Daniel Turpen gave up two runs on five hits and two walks in one innings. He struck out two. Bobby Lanigan came in and got the final out. Matt Rizzotti was 3-4 with his second double in the game. Chris Colabello hit his seventh home run. NEW BRITAIN 3, PORTLAND 4 (Regularly Scheduled Game) The regularly scheduled game started well for the Rock Cats. Evan Bigley launched a big, three-run home run in the top of the first inning gave the team a 3-0 lead. Unfortunately, the homer was one of just two hits the team had in this game. Steve Hirschfeld started and gave up three runs on six hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out five. Luis Perdomo came in to start the bottom of the 7th inning. He got two outs, but he couldn’t get the third out before allowing the winning run. He gave up two hits and walked one. FT. MYERS 6, PALM BEACH 5 Danny Santana came into the game as a pinch hitter for Jairo Perez who was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the 9th. Oswaldo Arcia attempted a bunt on the first pitch to him, but three pitches later he hit a double down the right field line. Santana raced to 3B, and when the cutoff play was bobbled, Santana headed toward home with the walk-off win. The game was delayed, so it didn’t even start until just after 9:00 eastern time. The game finished minutes after midnight on Sunday morning. Jhon Garcia got the start and gave up two runs on three hits in three innings. He walked two and struck out five. He left with an apparent elbow injury although details are not yet known. Edgar Ibarra gave up three runs on four hits and three walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out three. Ricky Bowen came in and went the final 2.2 innings without giving up a run, a hit or a walk. He struck out three and gets the Win. Arcia led the offense with his 12th and 13th doubles. Michael Gonzales went 1-2 with two walks and a two run homer, his fourth of the year in the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, Lancy Ray hit a solo homer, his sixth of the season. The Miracle had seven hits, walked seven times and twice reached after being hit by a pitch. BELOIT 1, KANE COUNTY 5 The Snappers lost the first game of their road trip on Saturday night. Adam Bryant went 2-4 with his seventh double. Miguel Sano was 1-3 with a walk, his tenth double and fourth stolen base. He also committed his 16th and 17th errors. Lefty Steven Gruver started for the Snappers and gave up five runs (just one earned) on four hits and four walks in three innings. He struck out three. Australian righty Tim Atherton made his Snappers debut and threw three perfect innings, with four strikeouts. David Hurlbut struck out two in two scoreless innings. Matthew Tomshaw was placed on the 7-Day Disabled List, with Atherton taking his roster spot. --- Players of the Day for Saturday, May 26, 2012 Pitcher of the Day – Tim Atherton [ATTACH=CONFIG]1051[/ATTACH] Hitter of the Day – Michael Hollimon [ATTACH=CONFIG]1052[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Sunday, May 27, 2012 Schedule Rochester @ Gwinnett – TBD (Jeff Manship was to start, but he’s been promoted) New Britain @ Portland – LHP Logan Darnell Ft. Myers vs Palm Beach – LHP Pat Dean Beloit @ Kane County – LHP Jason Wheeler --- If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and I’ll try to answer them!

That is likely. As I put in the other forum (13 pitchers?), with the question marks with all five Twins starters in the rotation right now, it'll be important to have another arm that can eat some innings since Swarzak likely won't be ready to throw again for another day or two.

My guess is that Manship was told tonight, and whoever the subsequent person affected will be may be told in the morning... unless it is a DL thing.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?585-Twins-Promote-Jeff-Manship

Twins Daily tonight learned that the Twins have decided to promote right-handed pitcher Jeff Manship from AAA Rochester. He will be pitching out of the bullpen for the Twins. Manship was scheduled to start on Sunday afternoon in Gwinnett (Georgia) against the Braves affiliate, but instead he will be hopping on an airplane to join the Twins. Overall this season, Manship is 4-1 with a 3.08 ERA for the Red Wings. He pitched eight times out of the bullpen and made four starts. As a reliever, he threw 18 innings. He walked eight and struck out 18. In his four starts, he has thrown 20 innings and given up 16 hits, seven walks and struck out ten. At this time, we do not know the subsequent roster move. In recent days, there have been hints that Alex Burnett could be put on the Disabled List due to elbow discomfort. It is also possible, based on the question marks throughout the Twins starting rotation, that the team could decide to go with 13 pitchers again, as they did earlier in the season. Likewise, we do not know if the Red Wings will be able to add a pitcher, although LHP Aaron Thompson's suspension comes to an end in the next two days.

No one wants a 13 man pitching staff. The Twins did that earlier in the year out of necessity. It's not like the team does a lot of pinch hitting, and frankly, with the state of the team's starting staff, I think it makes a lot of sense to do again right now. Here are the Twins starters this coming week: Sunday - PJ Walters Monday - Scott Diamond Tuesday - Cole De Vries (Nick Blackburn making first of probably two rehab starts) Wednesday - Francisco Liriano Thursday - Day Off Friday - Carl Pavano (Rinse and Repeat) Swarzak will be able to work long relief against by Tuesday or Wednesday, but how much confidence should we have in this group. Right now the Twins bench consists of Ryan Doumit (or Drew Butera), Erik Komatsu, Darin Mastroianni, and Trevor Plouffe (or Ben Revere). Mastroianni and Komatsu don't play much. Komatsu should be kept around because he's a Rule 5 guy, but Mastroianni could be sent down to Rochester to bring up a reliever. Because there are 39 on the 40 man roster, the call-up could be anyone. It would be good to get someone who could eat a few innings. Jeff Manship is scheduled to start for the Red Wings on Sunday. Anthony Slama could come up but he's a one-inning guy. Deolis Guerra has thrown as many as 3 innings. Thoughts?

Slama has 7 IP in the big leagues over two years. I find it comical that people can make anything from 7 innings, good or bad. He has walked 7 and struck out 8 in those seven innings. Last year, he got 2.1 innings and gave up no runs but was sent down. (he was also hurt most of 2011)

I'm ready with them, but don't want to post them on the weekend. I would say that they'll be posted probably Tuesday and Wednesday. Let people enjoy their Memorial Day weekend, and post the top 20 right away next week.

Twins DHs have been Morneau, Mauer and Doumit... that's a pretty good group. #5 hitter started with the hot Willingham, and then Morneau moved back there and he's been hitting well. Doumit from time to time.

Longoria is one that should probably be on this list... Others I considered were Granderson (he's been pretty good), Tulo and Hanley.

I will go with: 1.) Josh Hamilton 2.) Miguel Cabrera 3.) Albert Pujols 4.) Ryan Braun 5.) Jose Bautista 6.) Paul Konerko 7.) Joey Votto 8.) Matt Kemp 9.) Prince Fielder 10.) Carlos Beltran

This is a topic that I have been trying to figure out how to put into a blog, but I just can't. I think it's a good forum topic though. What is the difference between a #4 or #5 starter, a long reliever, a AAAA pitcher or a AAA Pitcher? As the Twins have gone from some veteran #4 and #5 starters to guys like Scott Diamond and PJ Walters and Cole DeVries, I can't help but think about this question. Diamond is a prospect in that, until last year, he really had put up very good minor league numbers. Walters is considered a AAAA pitcher who hasn't had a ton of success in AAA and very little in the big leagues. He's already 27. De Vries is 27 and just made his major league debut. Nick Blackburn was projected to be a back-of-the-rotation starter and has been just that. His first two big league seasons, he was very solid, very league average. Anthony Swarzak has been a decent-at-times big league starter and a solid-enough long reliever. So, what happens? These are just some current examples. Every organization has these types of pitchers. So, again, what is the difference? 1.) Is it just about opportunity or lack of opportunity? There is a team need, a guy gets a chance and either takes advantage of it quickly or doesn't. 2.) Is there a difference in stuff? Maybe a #4 has one really good pitch and two average pitches, whereas a AAA or AAA may have 3 average pitches? 3.) Draft status? Obviously signing bonuses create opportunities, but they still have to be taken advantage of. Can anyone help me out? I don't think it's an unimportant question because a guy who could be a #4 pitcher can still get a long-term, multi-million contract. AAAA and AAA guys are generally looking for jobs every off season.

Twins Lineup (vs Max Scherzer): Denard Span CF Ben Revere RF Joe Mauer DH Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau 1B Brian Dozier SS Alexi Casilla 2B Drew Butera C Jamey Carroll 3B SP: Carl Pavano

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?584-Friday-Night-Game-Notes

The Twins lost again, this time to the Tigers. They scored six runs on ten hits which should be enough most of the time. Unfortunately, Anthony Swarzak wasn’t feeling well and it showed. He gave up six runs and didn’t get through the fourth inning. Francisco Liriano gave up four more runs without completing three innings. Denard Span had three hits including two doubles, but it just wasn’t enough. Ron Gardenhire was ejected moments after Jamey Carroll was ejected for the first time in his career. Gardy wasn’t the only manager in the Twins organization to be ejected, and Carroll wasn’t the only player. Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from Friday: ROCHESTER 8, GWINNETT 13 Matt Maloney made his first start of the season, and it wasn’t what he would have wanted. The lefty gave up five runs on six hits in three innings. He had no walks and no strikeouts. Esmerling Vasquez tossed the next two innings and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. He struckout four. Lester Oliveros took the loss. He gave up two runs on three hits in 1.2 innings. Tyler Robertson gave up a hit but got the final out of the 7th inning. Brendan Wise pitched the eighth and gave up three runs (2 earned) on two hits and two walks. The Red Wings offense got off to a fast start. They scored five runs in the first frame and two in the second to take a 7-2 lead, but that would be about it. Sean Burroughs had two doubles and drove in four early runs. Tsuyoshi Nishioka was 2-5 with a walk and his fourth steal. Pedro Florimon and Matt Carson each had two hits. Danny Valencia had a two-run double. Unfortunately, he didn’t play after being ejected in the 4th inning for arguing balls and strikes. NEW BRITAIN 1, PORTLAND 0 (Game Suspended after 4 innings) It’s not every day that it happens, but the game in Maine was postponed by fog. Andrew Albers started and threw the four shutout innings. He had given up two hits, walked two and struck out six before the game was suspended. The Rock Cats bats managed only a single from Matt Rizzotti in their four innings. The game will be continued on Saturday, followed by the regularly-scheduled game (Which will be just 7 innings). FT. MYERS 2, CLEARWATER 6 The bats didn’t hit, and the arms didn’t pitch. Overall, this was just not a good game for the Miracle. The team managed just two hits. Josmil Pinto was 1-3 with a walk. In the fifth inning, he hit his fourth home run of the year. Levi Michael started the game by going 0-3 and dropped his batting average to .200. In his fourth at bat, he got a single to raise it to .205. Miguel Munoz got another start. The right-hander went the first five frames and gave up three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out two. Cole Nelson gave up one run on two hits and two walks in his three innings. Nelvin Fuentes then gave up two unearned runs on two hits in the final inning. BELOIT 4, CEDAR RAPIDS 5 (12 innings) It took extra innings and a play at the plate, but the Snappers fell 5-4 to Cedar Rapids at home. Tim Shibuya got the starting nod. He gave up three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out three. Ryan O’Rourke came in and gave up a run on three hits in two innings. He struck out three. Michael Tonkin struck out two and walked two in two scoreless innings. Clint Dempster threw two scoreless innings before giving up a single run in the top of the 12th to take the loss. Kyle Knudson led the offense. The former Gopher went 2-5 with a walk and his first double. Eddie Rosario was 2-5 with a walk. Drew Leachman had two hits. Adam Bryant was 1-3 with two walks and his sixth double. Bryant led off the bottom of the 12th inning with a double and advanced to third on a bunt. Leachman came up and grounded toward shortstop. In a close play at the plate, Bryant was called out and at that point, Snappers manager Nelson Prada was ejected. One batter later, the game was over. Miguel Sano Update – Sano led off the top of the 10th inning with a single. It was his first hit since Thursday, May 17, when he hit a single in the 7th inning. It was an 0-24 stretch. Sano’s struggles of late have been well documented. Since getting the day off on his birthday (May 11), Sano has played 13 games and gone 4-45 (.089). In his last ten games, he is 2-36 (.056). I mention these numbers not to downgrade Sano. He is no less of a prospect because of a bad streak. Most prospects, especially 19-year-old prospects, have these types of stretches. My point is that if he had started the season on a bad streak like this, would fans be clamoring for him to be promoted to Ft. Myers? --- Players of the Day for Friday, May 25, 2012 Pitcher of the Day – Andrew Albers [ATTACH=CONFIG]1045[/ATTACH] Hitter of the Day – Sean Burroughs [ATTACH=CONFIG]1046[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Saturday, May 26, 2012 Schedule Rochester @ Gwinnett – LHP Luke French New Britain @ Portland – RHP Steve Hirschfeld Ft. Myers vs Palm Beach – RHP Jhon Garcia Beloit @ Kane County – LHP Steven Gruver --- If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and I’ll try to answer them!

I like this... Frankly, I miss the days when I could just watch and enjoy a game without worrying about who is playing or not, what position players are playing, who could or should be promoted. Just enjoying the game, not over-thinking everything. Those were the days. And, players were the same way. I wish I could say, "Hey! Dan Gladden made a big difference for those championship teams." instead of saying "Man, he was a terrible player. HOw could he have been a leadoff batter? He never got on base!" I miss sometimes having a favorite player the way I did with Kirby Puckett or Chuck Knoblauch. Instead, I now think too much, analyze too much and think that this team really won't be competitive until 2014, and that Morneau won't be around then, and Span is a guy that the team can actually get nice pieces in return, and draft picks are better than free agents acquired. Its' a weird thing. I enjoy following, and I enjoy thnking through all these scenarios from the game, managerial decisions, front office decisions, everything. But there are times I wish I could go back.

Twins Lineup: Denard Span CF Ben Revere RF Joe Mauer C Josh Willingham DH Justin Morneau 1B Brian Dozier SS Trevor Plouffe LF Alexi Casilla 2B Jamey Carroll 3B SP Anthony Swarzak

I think that it was crazy to find more value to make determinations on Doyle based on 3-4 appearances this spring than the 200 IP he threw last year. I really think that DeVries, Walters and Doyle are all about the same. I do think Diamond can become a pretty decent mid-rotation guy.

I think that Scott Baker, at healthy and at his best, is a #2 starter. I think that is the ceiling for Hendriks, and I'm comfortable saying that. More than likely, he's a 3 or 4, but I'll stand by it. 1.) he's got good control. 2.) he's been able to get strikeouts through the minors. 3.) He has about the same velocity as Baker (2-seam 88-91, 4-seam 92-93), with good movement on the 2-seamer, 4.) has the CB and CU that are already solid, but to get to #2 level will have to get more consistent, 5.) not afraid to wear some emotions on his shoulder on the mound (I sometimes think this is a good thing, he is very competitive), 6.) having talked to him many times about pitching, he knows what he's doing and know how to make adjustments. Sure, more than likely, he'll be a #3, but I think it's fair to say his ceiling is a #2. I'm fine with others disagreeing with me, but I know I'd be really happy if he turns into a healthy Scott Baker (and you can argue with whether that is a #2 or a #3 too).

I count 39 as well. One thing to remember is that Kyle Waldrop has already missed almost 50 days, so he could be put on the 60 Day DL to open up a spot. Waldrop would just need to be put back on when he's done rehabbing...