Steve Lein

Because he was cruising. 9, 13, 12, 21, 9, 13, 13, 13, 17. That's how many pitches he threw per inning. That is by no metric you could possibly think of, a "harsh" workload. If he had thrown another inning with 20+ pitches, I think his night would have been cut shorter. I hate that the "total pitches" is looked at in this regard, instead of pitches per inning. This is why Justin Verlander (not necessarily this year) routinely throws 100+ pitches, because he always keeps the pitches/inning low. In 2013, he had 4 starts (out of 34) where he DIDN'T throw 100+ pitches, and threw 110+ in 21 of those starts. I'm not saying May is Verlander, but total pitches is not what is worrisome, especially when the pitches per inning are kept low (say around 15/IP). It is my opinion that it is far more harsh on an arm if a guy is throwing multiple innings worth of a lot of pitches. If he's throwing as many as May did last night, no big deal. Just for fun, I asked May what he thought about throwing that many pitches, his response:

"Stewart was asked if the doctor visit is indicative of problems with his diabetes: “No, no, no. It's just you're supposed to see a doctor every three months now and I haven't seen one since spring training. So the whole time, we were looking at the All-Star break as the time when I would go do that. " I hope Kohl doesn't keep getting asked this question. Can confirm I also visit the doctor every three months as part of my care. Just a normal thing for someone with diabetes.

Van Steensel is getting a second chance with the organization, this time as a reliever. He has definitely looked good so far!

Just a lot of pitches early in the game. It's my opinion a lot of pitches per inning, is much worse than high pitch counts for a game. "Chased" probably would have been a much better word, haha. Sorry for any heart attacks!

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Kyle Gibson and the Minnesota Twins shutout Detroit to climb back within one game of .500 and just 3.0 games back of the Tigers divisional lead on Friday. Unfortunately, the organization’s affiliates didn’t fare as well, going 0-2 (3?) on the night despite some big names on the mound. RED WINGS REPORT Lehigh Valley 3, Rochester 0 Box score Alex Meyer was on the hill for the Red Wings, and the first batter he faced would foretell his night, in not a good way. His second pitch of the game hit leadoff man Leandro Castro, and though he followed this up by inducing a double play, two walks and a single would follow before he was able to escape with no damage. In the second Meyer was unable to escape unscathed, surrendering three singles, a triple, and three runs. He would finish the inning with a strikeout, but was replaced by Scott Diamond to start the third after just 55 pitches. Diamond, Deolis Guerra, and Edgar Ibarra would combine to shutout the Iron Pigs for the rest of the game, collectively allowing only two hits (both from Ibarra), two walks, and four strikeouts (three from Diamond). Unfortunately for the pitchers, the Red Wings left fourteen men on base and were 0-10 with runners in scoring position on the night despite outhitting Lehigh Valley 10-7. In the shutout offensive effort, Chris Herrmann and Pedro Florimon each had two hits, with Florimon and Dan Rohlfing collecting the only extra-base hits (doubles). James Beresford extended his hitting streak to ten games with a single in the sixth inning. ROCK CATS REVIEW Trenton 2, New Britain 1 (suspended) Box score The Rock Cats game against the Trenton Thunder was suspended in the bottom of the eighth, and will be completed before their scheduled game on Saturday. There was little offense from New Britain up to this point, as they had amassed just three hits and one walk before the delay. Reynaldo Rodriguez got the Rock Cats on the board with a solo home run in the fourth inning, his ninth of the season to tie the game at one, but they were unable to do much else. Nate Hanson (single) and Brandon Waring (double) had the other two hits. Virgil Vasquez made the start for the Rock Cats, and put together a quality start effort. In six innings, he allowed four hits, three walks, and one earned run while striking out six. Adrian Salcedo pitched a scoreless seventh inning despite issuing two walks and a single, while Matt Summers would allow the go-ahead run in the eighth after a triple. MIRACLE MATTERS The Fort Myers Miracle and the rest of the Florida State League began their All-Star break today. The FSL North will play the FSL South in the game at 6:05PM CST on Saturday. The Miracle are represented by Adam Brett Walker II (DH), and Jose Berrios (SP), who is a likely candidate to start the game for the South squad. The Miracle return to action on Monday, when they kick off the season’s second half at home against the Bradenton Marauders. KERNELS NUGGETS Burlington 6, Cedar Rapids 5 Box score Lewis Thorpe made his second start of the season for the Kernels, but has yet to find the same form he enjoyed in the Rookie Leagues last season. Over four innings, he allowed three hits, four walks, and two earned runs with one K. Both of the runs were scored in the fourth inning after he loaded the bases and surrendered a sacrifice fly and two subsequent free passes. Jared Wilson came on for the fifth, and allowed the Bee’s to tie the game at four after allowing a two-run home run. The Kernels took the lead back in the bottom of the inning, but Chris Mazza gave it right back in the top of the sixth after a walk and two doubles that brought the deciding two runs across the plate. Todd Van Steensel finished the game with two perfect innings, striking out three. At the plate, the Kernels were led by Ryan Walker and Tanner Vavra, who each collected two hits, and Jason Kanzler who hit his seventh home run of the season to give Cedar Rapids a 3-2 lead in the fourth. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher – Todd Van Steensel, Cedar Rapids Kernels (2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s) Hitter – Reynaldo Rodriguez, New Britain Rock Cats (1-3, HR) SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Lehigh Valley @ Rochester – Logan Darnell (1-4, 3.02 ERA), 6:05PM CST Trenton @ New Britain – Pat Dean (3-2, 4.84 ERA), 5:35PM CST Burlington @ Cedar Rapids – Ethan Mildren (2-3, 4.56 ERA), 5:05PM CST

Almost always the number thrown out is the guys "peak." Rarely is it where they "sit." Berrios will sit low low-to-mid 90's, but obviously can crank it up a bit if he wants to as shown here. I will say 98 is a new high I've heard from him in that regard, though. I've been on the skeptical side of the Berrios bandwagon, but he's changed me into a believer this year. Have to think he'll be in AA after the All-Star games.

I'd maybe put Dozier in the 3-hole, but not cleanup. There is a psychological factor here as well. Even if a guy is playing "loose," it's a different approach batting fourth than second like he has been. Do not underestimate how this can mess with players. Justin Morneau was placed in the cleanup spot for most of his early career, but it was when they slid him down to #5 that he really started hitting, and won the MVP.

[wrong thread]

Sure, but this is also a pitch that is not even close to necessary to have success as a RP/Closer, especially when big heat is paired with a wipeout slider coming in hot as well. Examples exist everywhere. As mentioned, Perkins doesn't throw anything but FB's and SL's. A third pitch is most times a requirement for starters, but you can scrap it in relief if other pitches are of Burdi's caliber. It can be a "show-me" offering if he needs it, though.

I know, just saying what I'd do! But Burdi is also a different case. He's not a starter and was universally touted as the most MLB-ready player of the draft, with a lot of those same people saying he'd be effective in an MLB bullpen right now. I think it's a disservice to him, and to the team, if he's not fast-tracked more than a normal guy.

I'd put him in AA right away. There's no need for him to prove domination against lower-level minor league competition. He's done that already in college. Starting in Fort Myers would be okay too, as long as he moved up quickly if domination is displayed.

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The big news of the day in Twins territory was the signing of free agent 1B/DH Kendrys Morales, but the Twins also shutout the Houston Astros at Target Field behind a strong start from Kyle Gibson. He improved to 5-5 on the year and lowered his ERA to under 4.00. In the minors, one top pitching prospect matched Gibson’s performance while another made his 2014 debut. Let’s get to it: RED WINGS REPORT Rochester 3, Gwinnett 2 Box score Rochester jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning, and it would be just enough offense to give Alex Meyer his fourth victory of the season. Meyer worked six shutout frames allowing only four singles and a walk, while striking out eight. He retired twelve in a row at one point and his 75 strikeouts on the season now lead the International League in that category. Ryan Pressly was the first to come on in relief, and after working a 1-2-3 seventh, lost his control a bit in the eighth. An infield single, passed ball, and two walks led to the end of his appearance. With the bases loaded, Aaron Thompson was summoned and limited the damage as best he could, allowing two of the inherited runners to score on a single before escaping with Rochester’s lead still intact. Michael Tonkin worked a perfect ninth inning to record his fourth save. The Red Wings offense pounded out thirteen hits on the night, but were just 2-16 with runners in scoring position and left twelve men on base. Chris Colabello was 3-5 with a double, Eric Farris was 2-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored, and Eric Frying was 2-4 with an RBI. Despite the lack of clutch hitting, every starter in the Wings lineup recorded a hit on the evening. ROCK CATS REVIEW New Britain 6, Binghamton 4 Box score Twins Daily’s #5 prospect, Eddie Rosario added to his solid 2-5 AA debut on Friday by going 3-5 in this one, including his first home run of the year, a two run blast in the fifth inning. Rosario started the game at second base, before moving to center field in the sixth inning. Three other New Britain hitters collected multiple hits, including Nate Hanson (2-4, RBI), Reynaldo Rodriguez (2-4, R, RBI), and Brad Boyer (3-4, 3B, 2 RBI). Sam Fuld also began his rehab assignment with the Rock Cats, and went 1-3 with a double and a run scored before being pitch hit for in the fifth inning. Pat Dean made the start for New Britain and went five innings. He gave up a solo home run in the second inning, and surrendered three additional runs in the fourth before New Britain came back for the win. Adrian Salcedo, Ryan O’Rourke, and Mark Hamburger combined to pitch four innings of shutout baseball to finish the game, allowing only one hit and two walks collectively. Hamburger struck out two in the ninth to record his first save of the year. MIRACLE MATTERS Lakeland 3, Fort Myers 4 Box score Matt Tomshaw took the hill for the Miracle and pitched seven strong innings. He allowed only one earned run on five hits, with two base-on-balls and six strikeouts. He struck out the side in the third inning and the run scored on a sacrifice fly in the fourth. B.J. Hermsen came on to start the eighth inning, and promptly gave up a solo home run, a walk, and a single before being replaced by Brian Gilbert who escaped the jam. Tyler Jones gave up one run on two hits in the ninth, but recorded his seventh save. The Fort Myers offense was led by Jorge Polanco and the surging Adam Brett Walker II. At the top of the order Polanco was 3-5 with a double and a run scored. Batting fifth, Walker was 2-4 and slugged his fourteenth home run of year, a two-run shot in the fifth inning that gave the Miracle a 4-1 lead. The two RBI for Walker gave him thirty-one in his past twenty-one games, and he now leads the Florida State League with fifty RBI on the year in addition to pacing the circuit in home runs. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 2, Kane County 5 Box score The story of this game was the 2014 debut of lefty Lewis Thorpe. Through three innings, he had allowed just three singles and kept the Cougars off the board, but that changed quickly in the fourth. A leadoff home run was followed by a single, hit batter, walk, and a sac fly to put the Kernels down 2-0. Thorpe also wasn’t able to get back on track in the fifth, as two walks, a wild pitch, and a single would end his night after 4.2 innings. Brandon Bixler entered the game with the bases loaded and walked the first batter he faced to score a run, and a two run single would follow. Hudson Boyd pitched two innings of scoreless ball to finish the game, walking two and striking out two. The Kernels weren’t able to muster much offense in this one, and their only runs came in the eighth inning when a Chad Christensen double scored Ryan Walker and Engelb Vielma. Walker was 2-4 with a triple and walk on the night, and Jon Murphy was 2-4. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher – Alex Meyer, Rochester Red Wigns (6.0 IP, 4 H’s, 1 BB, 8 K’s) Hitter – Eddie Rosario, New Britain Rock Cats (3-5, 2 R’s, HR, 2 RBI) SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Rochester @ Gwinnett – Logan Darnell (1-3, 2.58 ERA), 1:05PM CST New Britain @ Binghamton – Taylor Rogers (5-4, 4.88 ERA), 12:05PM CST Fort Myers @ Jupiter – TBD, 4:05PM CST Cedar Rapids @ Kane County – Ethan Mildren (1-3, 4.76 ERA), 1:00PM CST

I love this pick. The fact that Burdi was rated so highly on boards as a relief pitcher, should tell you a lot. I think there are a few organizations that would have him pitching in the majors before the end of the year like the White Sox did with Chris Sale. The 100 MPH heat is awesome, but I like the 90MPH slider even better!

Extremely surprised no Mitch Garver.

Pretty sure Baseball America rated Stewart's slider as the best in the organization this year and every grade I've seen has it as at least "plus." No idea if this is actually something they might take into account on how to use him now, but as a diabetic myself, I know those with the disease are more likely to develop issues with things like the shoulder. Since he has not thrown as much as your typical highly drafted pitcher, this may be a way of easing him into full season ball and strengthening his arm, while also limiting the chances of injury due to throwing a breaking ball so early in his career. I wouldn't read much into his stat line right now, which quite frankly, I find to be fantastic. Especially if he's not throwing that slider to put away batters.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/3047-Twins-Draft-Preview-Nick-Gordon

Arguably, it's been quite a long time since the Twins have employed a franchise type player at the most important position on the diamond, shortstop (I'll leave J.J. Hardy out of this conversation). Since 2004 when Christian Guzman last manned the position, the Twins have sent players such as Jason Castro, Jason Bartlett, Nick Punto, Matt Tolbert, Adam Everett, Orlando Cabrera, Alexi Casilla, Trevor Plouffe, Brian Dozier, Pedro Florimon, and Eduardo Escobar out there for extended playing time, to extremely underwhelming results (recent play of Escobar not withstanding). The Twins could do well to change this organizational shortcoming with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 draft, where there are a few highly touted players at this position, including North Carolina State’s Trea Turner. But there is another shortstop where the connections with the Twins have been much louder leading up to this draft, and that has been with Windermere, FL high schooler, Nick Gordon. Who is this guy? A conversation about Gordon should almost certainly start with a look at his pedigree. He is the younger brother of current MLB second-baseman, Dee Gordon of the Dodgers, and son of former MLB reliever, Tom “Flash” Gordon. Much like his brother Dee, Nick has above-average speed and came up playing shortstop, but that is nearly where the similarities end. The difference between them has been Nick’s bat, which took a big step forward in 2014 after adding some strength to his upper body. This has made him a far more highly regarded draft prospect than Dee, who was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. While he shares the position and speed similarity with his brother, Nick also possesses one of the draft’s best infield arms, which came courtesy of his father, “Flash.” On a high school mound Nick touches the mid-90’s, and translates this arm strength easily to the shortstop position. Scouts also praise Gordon’s instincts for the position, and he carries far less doubts about his long term outlook to stay at short than the usual prep player. Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com echoed these thoughts recently while discussing Gordon for the Chicago Cubs at pick number four: “It's a common situation every year to see players who man shortstop as amateurs but aren't expected to stay there long-term as professionals. Gordon, without a doubt, will play shortstop at the highest level. He has the arm, the hands and the range to be an outstanding defender at short.” Why the Twins will pick him In their recent history, if the Twins have targeted a high school position player early in the draft, it’s been for players that had potential with their bat (Travis Harrison) or great athleticism (Niko Goodrum) for their position and it can be said that Gordon possesses both these qualities. Add in the fact that the Twins have been devoid of a long-term solution at shortstop for ten years now, and it’s hard to miss why the Twins might be in on him. Gordon is a left-handed batter who is praised more for gap-to-gap power than raw power potential that he could grow into, but this is also what makes him more appealing if you’re looking for a shortstop. Even though he added strength to his 6’2” frame, he's been described as a “wiry” build that onlookers don’t see outgrowing the position or his athleticism for it. When you combine all of these elements together, you get a premium prospect at a premium position who definitely deserves a long look. Why the Twins will not pick him If you believe most of the rumblings, only one of the top pitchers (Aiken, Kolek, Rodon, or Nola) may prevent the Twins from selecting Gordon. The Twins do already have a few intriguing middle-infield prospects in their farm system, including Jorge Polanco, Niko Goodrum, and the Twins recent spark plug, Danny Santana. But all of these players have questions related to their long-term outlook at shortstop, or have already played considerable innings at other positions. Even though the comments above do temper this concern, it does always exist in some capacity if the expectation of drafting a high schooler is for him to stick at shortstop. It simply is a rarity that any of them make it to the big leagues in that capacity or develop the hitting skills to stay there in the majors. His own brother has certainly been a prime example, and this has also been the case for the Twins with players like Casilla, Plouffe, Dozier and Florimon reaching the big leagues at short, but not sticking for long. If there isn't another player atop the Twins board at number five, it’s likely none of these reasons would deter them from adding one of the best high school position players available in 2014 to the organization.

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