mnfanforlife

Wonderful point. I am usually very optimistic with prospects that produce. But the problem with Diamond is that I have seen his "stuff" on TV, alot. And I am afraid we may see his stats go back to where they were in AAA in 2010 and 2011. He has very little movement on a 89-91mph fastball. His curve-in-the-dirt is his best pitch, and his change-up is straight-as-an-arrow but slow enough. I just can't see him having an ERA under 4.00 with what he has in his arsenal. The second half of last year will continue, I'm afraid.

Great read!

This is a great read. I actually ran into Hrbek at Target Field in 2010! He smelled like smoke and looked like he was about 280 lbs. My kinda guy. I said, "Hey Kent!" He was not happy to be recognized because there were a ton of people around. So i just kept walkin.

I think delmon hit 21 HR's in 2010

Pedro was wild as a young pro, and had a reputation as a head-hunter. But his fastball and secondary stuff (even his change-up) had sharp movement. He fine-tuned his control more each year, and was untouchable for a good portion of his career. Agreed about Berrios. He probably SHOULD skip AA or A+ if he dominates in similar fashion at the low-A or A+ level. But he won't pitch in AAA this year. Maybe not until he turns 21 or 22.

NO way! A million for Capps?! How about a minor league contract?

I disagree with the final paragraph. I am hoping that Burton, Fein, Duensing, Perkins, and Theilbar will be all the Twins need for innings 7-9. IF there is an injury, I would elect to find a young arm within the organization rather than extend an invite to Capps. We know Capps is below average, maybe we could learn more about our young arms by giving them a real shot in Minnesota during this surely ugly 2013.

Harrison did look slow in that clip. He did have good bat speed though.

The head scout possibly had something to do with the Hardy trade? and Nishioka?

I think the top 4 ceilings listed here are Buxton, Arcia, Kepler, Walker. In that order. That doesnt meant the Twins will keep these 4. The group is varied enough in age where they can keep em all for a few years here....

Agreed

Maybe we got lucky since he was a two-way player his first two years?

NO DOUBT! Anyone see Vargas hitting 4, Sano - 5 in Minnesota someday?

Yeah he isn't going to be considered for Minnesota if he doesn't produce at Cedar Rapids

Yes, the Twins have a history of letting projected relievers start in the minor leagues. We'll see how Zach's story plays out...

Yep. That's the million dollar question.

Check out Ozzie's arm here: Video Highlights & Clips - MiLB | Rock Cats Arcia guns down a run at home - Video | MiLB.com Multimedia | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

Two-way players are rarely seen in today’s Major League of Baseball. Though, there have been some incredible examples in our recent and ancient past. I’m talking about a player that can produce at a high level on both ends of the spectrum, and can be considered a legitimate pitcher and hitter in the Major Leagues. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3122[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3123[/ATTACH] The most revered legend of the game broke into the majors as a left-handed pitcher. His rookie stats were impressive with 18 wins and a 2.44 ERA. But he followed it up with two of the best seasons in the history of pitching a baseball. His two-year stretch of pitching dominance boasted a 1.88 ERA with 47 wins. Of course, I am writing about Babe Ruth. 1918 was the year Babe got more than 300 at-bats for the first time. In 1919, he introduced the “power-hitter stat line” to the universe while playing baseball as a full-time outfielder and spot-starter for the BoSox. The Babe’s pitching days had run their course after he hit 29 bombs and was sold to the Yanks. He made four starts for the Yanks over the final 15 years of his career. Many other hitter-pitcher combo guys have come through the Major Leagues since Ruth’s days, but none dominated both arenas in such a fashion. A good list of the best hitting pitchers of all-time is online here. In today’s game, there are rarely opportunities for players to pitch and hit, even in college. This is a good article by Jonathon Mayo that typifies what happens to kids today. Eventually, someone else decides what position suits them best for the next level. It's basically a dying novelty at the highest levels. The Twins recently drafted a two-way college player in Zachary Jones. It is clear that Zach will be a pitcher moving forward. Perhaps, the reason he was available to draft in the 4th round last year was because he was a two-way player projected to simply be a bullpen pitcher in the pros. While I was a college baseball player, I had one season in which I was told I would not be a hitter or a catcher as I was accustomed to. This season, I would be a pitcher-only. I was frustrated at first, because I loved to hit. But, ultimately, the extra time spent working on the finer points of pitching really helped my total knowledge of the game. It also gave me a humble perspective, because I was filling a lesser role than full-time catcher. Zachary will certainly become better as he devotes more time to becoming a pitcher-only, and he did this his junior year at San José State University. So, he has at least one year of pitcher-only experience. We are talking about some scary at-bats for opposing hitters if he keeps getting better. Jones struck out everyone and their brother last year in his professional debut at E-ton and Beloit. There are rumors he could become a starter someday with his intelligent make-up. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3125[/ATTACH] It is fun to imagine Jones as a normal-sized flamethrower in the Minnesota rotation (ditto for JO Berrios). But he may never become a high-innings guy, and his fastball could probably touch 100 if he is allowed to be a one-inning reliever. One thing is certain, Zachary’s future looks bright with all those K’s and a wealth of untapped potential. Hopefully, the more hitters he K's, the less he will want to be a hitter himself. The Twins have a very intriguing prospect here.

Oswaldo is a true baller. I would look for him to finish 2013 in Minnesota if Morneau, Willingham, or Parmelee is traded around the deadline.

The million dollar question would be: Where does Minier fit defensively in 2018? I am hoping SS

Minier is gonna take about 6 six years to be Minnesota-ready. But shoot...most of our guys are on that same plan.... Sano, Rosario, Kepler, Berrios, Buxton, Arica, Vargas, Gibson, Meyer should be up before Minier. Should be good timing for Minier, as he will join a group in Minnesota that has some serious potential (if we still have those mentioned)

That would be a total fail on the Revere and Span trade. Worley aint enough, and there are no guarantees with him either.

I love this! Wish I had a guy every year that could do that