Steve Lein

What will Dobnak's role be in 2021? Count me as a guy who thinks he should have been penciled in as the 5th starter well before signing any other starter in free agency. I predict he'll be in the rotation by the end of May.

Larnach pulled this bomba just fine in Spring Training last year :

Matt Wallner Baby!!!

Yeah a big no on any extension proposal for Maeda. He's already under contract for 3 more seasons. Why would you turn a great contract into a not great one? Because that's the only thing that's really being proposed here. I think most of us, definitely me, thought the Phil Hughes extension was stupid at the time they gave him it, and it ended up worse than stupid. You play this contract out and be thankful as an organization for it.

Baseball Stars for NES was way ahead of its time. It didn't have any MLB license, but it was by far better gameplay than that of RBI Baseball, or any other baseball game on the console (I have basically all of them). It had a Franchise mode. You could create and sign players. Your team earned money to spend on said players to power them up. You could rob home runs, make diving stops. Everything that RBI had from a gameplay standpoint, Baseball Stars did better, along with having modes and functions that didn't come along until well into the next generation. I love RBI too, basically because the Twins were THE team on it, but it doesn't hold a candle to SNK's Baseball Stars for that gen.

Cash made that decision based on an overall philosophy of he didn't wan't his pitcher to face guys three times. His "analytics playbook." Do you know how the next three guys had done against Snell in this game when he was pulled? They were 0-6 with six strikeouts (Betts, Seager, Turner)... You can't use your "analytics playbook" to make a structured decision in a game where nothing hardly ever unfolds the same (e.g.: game flow, situations). I said this in another thread, it can inform you, but you still have to manage individual games with what you see happening. I think you're doing it wrong, especially in a game like this one was, if you take your horse out based on that input instead of considering what has happened in the individual game you're currently playing.

I like those plays too, but casual fans they need to attract don't want the other outs I talked about. They want hits. Strikeouts are a good point. Baseball purists love them, but to a casual fan they're also a big problem. It's another conversation though.

I am for banning shifts, and that's because MLB has a fan problem. It's boring to a lot of people who love the NBA or the NFL. Fans want to see hits, runs scored, cool things happen in the field. i.e.: ACTION. Shifting turns a lot of those opportunities for action into a boring out. That line drive that would be an easy hit without the shift, lands right in the fielders glove standing 30-40 feet in the outfield, or he's able to get that grounder or one-hop in the same spot and make an easy throw to first. Strategy/Schmategy, I hate it, and it's a direct harm to MLB's attempts to gain fans. Now I also do believe, that these professional level hitters can correct it themselves, if they'd just TAKE THE DAMN BASE THEY ARE GIVING YOU. But it's apparent to me by now, they don't care because home runs make them money. (But bunts are boring too, so the ban is the better course of action to me when it comes to the action desired by fans)

I think Wade fits as corner-OF depth for the Twins. Sure, he doesn't have much power, but you don't need that from him on this roster. They just had five guys hit 30+ HR's in a season, eight who hit 20+! As some have mentioned, what the lineup is missing is on-base threats, not power. With the roster construction you have, you don't have to worry about your corner OF guy bringing a boomstick, especially if he's your 4th guy.

Exactly what I was originally saying was wrong with his managing...

I definitely think there is an element of this. To me, the analytics give you an overall strategy to implement over an entire season, things like shifting, but it's not necessarily meant for a lot of individual game flow/game situations. You still have to manage individual games with what you see happening. My biggest complaint about the sweep (secondary to bats being non-existent) is the pulling of Maeda and Berrios, especially Berrios. He was at 75 pitches, just made a huge pitch and was PUMPED coming off the mound... And you took him out of the game. Instant emotional deflation, of the entire team because they're all right with you in the dugout as it happens. He was rightfully mad about it, and if you can't ride your horse in a postseason game when it's clear he's giving you everything he's got, because you have this analytic philosophy that says you have to take him out now, in my opinion, you're doing it wrong.

That certainly would have been fine instead for me, too

Lifting Maeda after those 5 innings I wouldn't have done until he got into trouble in the sixth, but if you do I would have gone the same route as the Astros did and used Odorizzi or Dobnak first, not the bullpen horses. You didn't have a lead to lock down with them yet. Agree moderately. No idea why you pinch hit for Jeffers other than wishful hope you had Garver's bat from last year. Agree this was a bad move. Only reason I see that Avila needed to be in, was Garver couldn't catch for some physical reason. Which then makes the prior one even worse. Willians Astudillo's pinch hit appearance I don't dislike for the matchup, but massively dislike it for how he treated it in the game situation sense. If I'm going to him there, knowing who he is, I'm grabbing him by neck before he goes out to the batters box and sternly advising he not swing at non-fastballs before he's got 2 strikes. Just incredibly poor awareness of the game.

Lot of work needed on plate discipline to compare to Votto's (one of the all-time greats in that regard, especially when accounting for eras), but I'll take similar batting averages! I love this move, but also find it quite odd. He should have been here when Rooker went down to get his feet wet. If there's a player where the stage won't be too big, Kirilloff is a good bet, but there's a lot of volatility in how any rookie will respond so this could get weird, hah.

The only situation I saw where Jeffers would get the call up, was if injury issues happened with multiple catchers. I think that's partly what happened here with Garver and Astudillo, but I still wasn't expecting it to be his name at this point. I am all for it, though! Congrats to Ryan!

I've been doing it for over a year, haha. He's been incredibly consistent since the middle of 2018! The streak referenced below is still going.

Yeah, Nick Anderson was arguably the best performing reliever in the minors for 3 years before the Twins traded him. I'd really like to know what coaches and scouts for them saw that they didn't think would translate. He's a grave miss-evaluation for the organization on that end. But that's a good problem, that I'm complaining about them screwing up on a guy like him, because it's a very small issue in the grand scheme. And I am (and was) really happy Nick got traded to someone who gave him a chance, because he more than deserved it.

Berrios' best pitch is his 2-seamer/sinker. However, he's never been able to command it with any consistency start to start. Often times he ends up just scrapping it in games because he can't get it in the zone. When that pitch is working though, is the games he looks like an ace.

When it comes to Dobnak, my bold prediction I sent a buddy via text on July 25th: "he becomes Twins ace this year..." Posted this in the other Dobnak article to, but I don't make that statement behind a lack of evidence, it's right in front of you: Since the last time he gave up more than 4 runs in any appearance (May 16th of 2018), from Cedar Rapids to the majors, Randy Dobnak has, in 54 games: a 23-9 record 277.2 IP 1.95 ERA 1.07 WHIP nearly 4:1 K to BB ratio Sub .600 OPS allowed

My (long-running) #FunWithNumbers stat is since the last time he gave up more than 4 runs in any appearance (May 16th of 2018), from Cedar Rapids to the majors, Randy Dobnak has, in 54 games: a 23-9 record 277.2 IP 1.95 ERA 1.07 WHIP nearly 4:1 K to BB ratio Sub .600 OPS allowed The man aint just a myth anymore, he's a legend. You won't find consistency like that among anyone's rise to the majors.

Welcome Derek!!! When I wrote about the possibilities for what Twins prospects could make their MLB debut this year, when getting around to their top prospects I made the comment: "I think the Twins would be ecstatic to not have to reach down to them at any point, and simply continue their development in this short season." I think that's the type of MLB team they've built. If all are healthy and playing like they have, they're not going to need them. Balazovic is not currently. They just added reliever Juan Minaya to it with Rich Hill hitting the IL.

What I saw with Chicago: Bad defense, lineup that will be boom or bust, not nearly enough pitching. Said it all offseason, this is not the year for the White Sox to breakout. It was going to take them too long to gel with all the rookies and free agent splurges in a 162 game season, so that's magnified in a 60 game sprint. Good chance they make an expanded playoffs with Detroit and Kansas City in the division, but I don't see much better than a .500 record with that defense and pitching. They're going to be a good team, but becoming that this year was always wishful thinking to me. (Luis Robert is gonna be a thorn for a long time, he looks legit)

That is an incredible lineup of prospects, one that would have been so much fun to write about at triple-a this year!

We’ve finally made it! The Minnesota Twins will start their 2020 season today against the Chicago White Sox, and while it’s certainly been a different kind of road to get there, I can’t wait to see what will happen in this crazy season that’s upon us. I was very fortunate this year in that I actually got to watch some baseball in the stands of Hammond Stadium at Spring Training the week before Major League Baseball and the world basically shut down. It had been a few years since I was able to go down there, and it was a blast once again. I tell this to any Twins fan I meet who has not gone to Fort Myers: you NEED TO! You will not regret it.For anyone new to this site, I have been helping to write our Minor League Reports since 2014 (man, I’m going to miss them this year…), and for years before that wrote about the Twins and their minor league system elsewhere. I’ve always been fascinated by the minor leagues as I went to many games as a kid when we visited family in Wisconsin, home to a few Midwest League teams. Back then we saw the Appleton Foxes, now known as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. I don’t recall an exact number on how many future major leaguers I may have seen back then, but the one who stands out was Alex Rodriguez. He played for the Foxes as an 18-year-old the same year he made his MLB debut. My favorite thing to look forward to in the baseball offseason is all the top 100 prospect and team lists that come out. While I certainly make my own such lists, there are so many websites and other publications dedicated solely to the minors these days (some of the best of those are right here at Twins Daily) that I like to put a slightly different spin on my own list going into a new season. It comes from those minor league games I watched as a kid where those prospects had the same dreams I did—to become a major leaguer. During the 2019 season, 261 players across Major League Baseball fulfilled those dreams and made their debut. The Minnesota Twins accounted for 12 of those players which included pitchers Ryne Harper, Lewis Thorpe, Devin Smeltzer, Randy Dobnak, Brusdar Graterol, Cody Stashak, Sean Poppen, Ryan Eades, and Jorge Alcala, along with position players Luis Arraez, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Ian Miller. Quite frankly, that was a lot of debuts for a team that won 101 games and speaks to the amount of depth that has been developed and how willing the front office has been to utilize it. Of those 12, seven of them were players I identified in this column before the season. For the upcoming season we now know that Dobnak, Smeltzer, Thorpe, Arraez, and Wade have made the 30-man roster and Alcala finds himself on the taxi-squad. Another wrinkle for 2020 is that the Twins will not have the entirety of their system potentially available, relying instead on a limited 60-player pool from which they can draw. That makes this year’s list below a little easier to determine. With the shortened season and the veteran and young depth this roster has, I would not expect major contributions from any of these guys outside of injuries, but it will be interesting to see what happens when a particular need does arise. So, who are the potential Next Minnesota Twins for the 2020 sprint of a season? ON THE 30-MAN ACTIVE ROSTER: Aaron Whitefield (23 years old on opening day) – OF The first player on this list is also perhaps the biggest surprise for the opening day roster. Whitefield hasn’t hit much over the past two seasons with Fort Myers and Pensacola with an OPS well under .600, but that is not the reason he’s here. He has played primarily center field and possesses a good arm and speed, swiping 50 bases in those two seasons despite the hitting deficiencies. I envision this as Byron Buxton insurance for now and a pinch-running weapon late in games, a luxury afforded with the expanded rosters. ON THE 40-MAN ROSTER: Dakota Chalmers (23) – RHP The right-hander was acquired in 2018 for Fernando Rodney while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Known for good velocity, Chalmers returned to action in July of last year and was impressive with Fort Myers before making an appearance in the playoffs with Pensacola. He then pitched as a starter in the Arizona Fall League and was tabbed for the championship game for the Salt River Rafters, which they went on to win. His repertoire includes mid 90’s heat he can reach back for a little more of, a good slider, and a developing changeup. As with many young pitchers, consistency is key for him moving forward, as he can get a bit wild. Here are some of his pitches courtesy of Parker Hageman: Travis Blankenhorn (23) – IF (TD’s #18 Prospect) Blankenhorn reclaimed a bit of his prospect luster during the 2019 season, as the former 3rd round pick OPS’d near .800 at Fort Myers and Pensacola, playing primarily 2B with some looks in left field. His 19 home runs on the season were a career high and he added in 22 doubles for good measure. He has also played a good amount of third base in his career thus far, so his versatility as a good athlete is something the Twins can take advantage of if needed. Nick Gordon (24) – IF To everyone who has forgotten about Nick Gordon—I think that’s a mistake. I would agree there’s not potential star power here anymore, but Gordon is going to have a long MLB career. He hits, can handle shortstop, and has sneaky speed that helped him collect 29 doubles and 14 stolen bases last year in just 70 games at triple-A. If he were not injured at the time, I do believe he would have been the name called up instead of Luis Arraez last season. We’re all glad it worked out like it did, but that statement speaks to what many are missing with Gordon. Don’t be surprised if and when he becomes a nice contributor to Minnesota’s lineup. Gilberto Celestino (21) – OF (TD’s #12 Prospect) Celestino is the first long shot on my list, as I don’t think it makes sense to call him up at any point in the 2020 season unless some things have gone seriously wrong with injuries to outfielders. Just 21-years-old and only eight games of experience above the Midwest League, he would likely be in over his head in the batter’s box. But one thing I do believe he could handle just fine in the majors at this point is playing defense at a high level in the outfield, center field included. 60-MAN PLAYER POOL DEPTH: Sam Clay (27) – LHP Clay has missed plenty of bats and kept the ball in the yard at an incredible rate (one home run allowed in last three seasons and 188+ innings pitched). He lowered his walk rate in 2019 but free passes are still something he is working on. Edwar Colina (23) - RHP (TD’s #16 Prospect) Colina is one of my personal favorites, and he has the potential to make fans forget about trading away a similar pitcher in Brusdar Graterol. Colina has made impressive strides since being in the system and can now consistently hit 100-mph when he wants to and pairs that heat with a good slider. Drew Maggi (31) - IF Maggi is by no means a prospect, but brings a lot of experience and is a solid type of backup option to have around that can play multiple positions, including shortstop in a pinch. Hit .258/.384/.405 with Rochester in 108 games last season. Zander Wiel (27) – 1B/OF Another one of my favorite guys to follow in the system, Wiel’s production is often overlooked when it shouldn’t be. He led the International League with 40 doubles last year and also clubbed 24 home runs. His 86 runs scored also led all Twins minor leaguers. TOP PROSPECTS: Brent Rooker (25) – 1B/DH/OF (TD’s #9 Prospect) If the Twins are in need of a masher at designated hitter, first base, or a corner outfield spot at any point, Rooker is not a bad place to start. His power is for real, as he slugged .535 with 14 home runs in 67 games with Rochester last season. The caveat is that he strikes out a lot, but I have a hard time with that argument as a catch-all from people when his on-base percentage was also .399 on the year. Don’t let those strikeout numbers fool you—he’s a masher and on-base asset. Ryan Jeffers (23) – C (TD’s #7 Prospect) A good way to describe Jeffers for me is to look at the current starting catcher on the MLB team. Like Garver, Jeffers has been known more for his bat in the minors than his catching ability—but that appears to be much improved since he’s been in the system, to the point he may be a great asset there in the future. If the Twins catching depth is stressed beyond the top three at any point there’s a good chance the Twins could go to Jeffers, but I think he’s on the 60-man squad more to keep his momentum gained last season under the watchful eye of the Twins’ top brass. That’s also true for the rest of the players below on this list. I think the Twins would be ecstatic to not have to reach down to them at any point, and simply continue their development in this short season. Jhoan Duran (22) – RHP (TD’s #6 Prospect) There aren’t many pitching prospects in the Twins system you can put the label “potential ace” on (or in any system, if we’re being honest), but Duran is one. He has the size and repertoire, able to reach back for 100-mph if he wants to, and a two-seam fastball that will remind you a lot of pitches you’ve seen from Jose Berrios and Brusdar Graterol. He continues to work on his off-speed pitches but gets plenty of swings and misses with a hard slider, and if he can find any more consistency with those secondary offerings you have the makings of a stud. Trevor Larnach (23) – OF (TD’s #3 Prospect) The first of two similar hitters the Twins continue to be impressed by is Larnach. He was the Twins and Twins Daily’s choice for Minor League hitter of the year during the 2019 season that saw him reach double-A for his final 43 games. He was consistent all season, posting an identical .842 OPS at both stops and a .380+ on-base percentage. Due to being a little older and his experience in college, I’d think the Twins may go to him first over the next guy if they have to reach down this far, but it’s a tough roster to crack right now for a corner outfielder. Alex Kirilloff (22) – 1B/OF (TD’s #2 Prospect) When returning from Tommy John surgery for the 2018 season, Kirilloff shot up prospect lists everywhere after hitting .348/.392/.578 at Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers. He spent the entirety of the 2019 season with Pensacola and didn’t replicate those numbers, but much of that can be attributed to wrist and other injuries he sustained before and during the season. When he finally got near 100%, the numbers followed as he hit .311 in the month of August and was a monster in the playoffs, hitting home runs in four straight games. Royce Lewis (21) – SS/OF (TD’s #1 Prospect) I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about the Twins #1 prospect by this point, and perhaps about how he struggled some during the 2019 season. Well, any concerns you and I had about that should have been squashed by how he performed in the Arizona Fall League last year, where he took home the league MVP trophy. It’s a league I’ve paid close attention to for a long time, and it was without a doubt the best performance from a Twins prospect I have seen. Even more interesting about his time there was he was not given one of the coveted shortstop positions on the roster, instead spending most of his time at third base and some in center field, looking impressive at both spots. There’s also burgeoning power here, more than expected when drafted, so go ahead and be excited for Lewis’ future. If it wasn’t a short sprint, I’d rate his MLB debut potential quite highly, but believe it more likely 2021 at this point. As far as the current 60-man player pool goes, these are all the players in the Minnesota Twins system that could make their ML debut this year. Who do you think will don the uniform for the first time in 2020, and who do you think could also be added at some point to do so? MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article