Steve Lein

I think something that is overlooked when we say things like "better in center field defensively than [whomever]" for a prospect, we forget one fact as related to the majors compared to the minors: The stadiums are much bigger. Hicks was touted similarly to how Buxton is now for his defense and arm coming up through the minors. I think it's safe to say we've been underwhelmed at this point by Hicks out in CF, though I don't think he's been bad either. What I'm getting at with the stadiums, is in the Minors, there is very rarely (if ever) that large 2nd or 3rd deck of stands above the lower-level, whereas they exist in every stadium in the majors. I think it takes some time to adjust to tracking a ball against the stands and the fans in the seats as compared to open skies like in the minors. Not really trying to make a point here, just something I find interesting when a guy comes up to the majors for the first time, and they don't always show the competency you read about.

Well, the thing is, Torii Hunter back when, talked about how Kirby took him under his wing as a mentor, and because of that he thought it was his duty to do the same for the next CF, who was Denard Span. It became a thing among the CF's in the Twins organization, that they made sure they helped the next guy coming up. Span then did it with Revere. I don't dismiss the 'mentor' aspect at all, I think It's quite real in Torii's case..

Escobar had 35 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 HR's last year! q; ) I'd hope they platoon Schafer and Hicks until one of them (hopefully Hicks) shows they're the better option. Denard Span always talked about Hunter's mentoring and how it helped him. Jackson in Detroit did the same.

Rosario's reports are fine, but never have been on the level of Aaron Hicks or Buxton's from a defensive standpoint. Rosario was moved because they (at the time) saw a lack of IF depth, and a plethora of OF depth in the minors, and Rosario was the best option to stay in the infield.

Well, I know Eddie can handle CF, but I wouldn't want him out there in an every day capacity. Want to have an even more terrible OF-defense this year? This is the route you would take to do that.

It has to be May or Meyer. The Twins made a conscious effort to acquire their type of pitching, but have not seen any fruits of those labors yet (granted, injuries and performance played a part too). In my best scenario, I think you start with May in the rotation, with Meyer as long relief where he can stay somewhat stretched out like Swarzak. Then when a spot-start is needed you give it to him and hope he never lets go of it. May was a better pitcher last year, so he has to be the frontrunner now. There is no doubt in my mind that Meyer has the best stuff in the entire Twins organization. Yes, you would like to see less walks, but the thing about high-strikeout/walk pitchers is they can also get away with a lot more than guys who don't rack up K's and let a whole bunch more balls be put in play (walks are bad, hits are worse). I'm not expecting Clayton Kershaw, but a 2014 Liriano, Kennedy, Odirizzi, or Ross type performance is more than reasonable to me. And that's pretty dang good too.

Yup. I haven't been able to find a single other autograph of Sano's that looks like the one I got with the help of Tommy Watkins at ST three years ago. Kinda frustrating actually, especially if one is a collector!

I like it... For now. I kind of see this as the start of more player movement. Bunch of SP prospects knocking on the door, and now room for only one of them. Could see a SP prospect dealt for help elsewhere. Could see them hope Nolasco improves and flip him during the season to free up room. Nice to see the Twins getting the guy they wanted.

Well, what few people know if you don't deal with the disease yourself, is that we are very prone to joint problems, especially with shoulders. Not saying that's the exact issue with Stewart as he's a pro athlete and taking care of his body better than 90% of the population I'm sure, but I certainly wouldn't dismiss it as an afterthought. I would certainly put it on the list of possibilities for at least contributing to his shoulder problems.

Yuck on Graham. That fastball they say he has? He didn't have it last year after his shoulder issues in 2013. From BA: "Why He Wouldn’t Be Picked Graham’s stuff was not nearly as good in 2014 as its been in the past and he especially trailed off in the second half, which explains why he was left unprotected. Graham could regain much of his previous plus stuff, but its at least as likely that his shoulder problems mean that 95-plus mph fastball is a distant memory." I'm all for Delino DeShields, however.

I thought they might put him there some after Buxton's injury too, but I'd be fairly confident in saying this was the part of the case why they didn't. Beyond that, the Rafters also had another OF on their roster who would be a much better fit there than Rosario, in Houston's Andrew Aplin.

Thanks guys! It was fun to follow all the fellas for me as well! Really love what Rosario and Kepler did on offense, and what the relievers brought to the table as well. I think we're finally going to start seeing some of those college RP fireballer's the Twins have been hoarding in recent drafts in 2015!

Even if he could, I don't think I'd want Thorpe to throw any innings in the ABL this year...

Yeah, I think he'd be talking about Buxton as the "logjam" at this point. But, don't be fooled, Rosario could handle CF, but I wouldn't want him there every day on an MLB team as the fangraph's scouting report echoes. If he and Hicks are on the roster, it's Hicks in CF without a doubt. I don't think they're giving him enough credit with his bat, though. Even if they're citing examples of what they see as flaws.

It was about a week ago when the Minnesota Twins AFL team, the Salt River Rafters, clinched their spot in league championship game, but they still had a few games left to play before that. Eddie Rosario entered the season’s final week with a chance at a batting title, and two relief pitching prospects had yet to allow a run in a league play. How did they finish?Let’s check out what happened in week 6! Byron Buxton – Did not play. Buxton had surgery on his fractured finger three weeks ago, and is expected to be ready to go for spring training. Final AFL totals: 13 games, .263/.311/.298, 2 2B’s, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 12 K’s, 5 SB (6 attempts) Eddie Rosario – 3 games, 2-13 (.154), 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K’s. Rosario admittedly let the pressure of winning the League’s batting title affect him in the season’s final days, and the results showed. He had just two hits in thirteen at-bats, which resulted in a final batting average of .330 to finish second in the race. Of course, it didn’t matter much two days later, as Rosario had his best game of a fantastic overall AFL season in the League Championship game. Final AFL totals: 24 games, .330/.345/.410, 4 2B’s, 2 3B’s, 18 RBI, 5 BB, 19 K’s, 10 SB (14 attempts). Max Kepler – 3 games, 7-14 (.500), 4 R’s, 2B, 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K. Kepler had a strong final three games, racking up multiple hits in each contest to raise his average to .307 to finish the season. In Monday’s 8-4 win he was 2-4 and scored two runs. The next night he was 2-5 with a run scored, double, and an RBI in a 4-4 eleven inning tie. Then in his final game of the week, Wednesday’s 4-5 loss, he was 3-5 with a run scored and a triple. Final AFL totals: 18 games, .307/.366/.440, 4 2B’s, 3 3B’s, 7 RBI, 6 BB, 14K’s, 3 SB (3 attempts) Taylor Rogers – 1 game, 1 IP, 0 H’s, 0 BB, 0 K’s. Rogers made a single appearance in the final week of the AFL regular season, making the start in Tuesday’s 4-4 eleven inning tie. He pitched two innings, and needed just twenty-two pitches, fourteen of which went for strikes. In the first, Peoria’s leadoff man, top prospect Francisco Lindor, pushed a ground ball through the infield, but was nailed at second base while trying to stretch it into a double. Rogers struck out the next batter and induce a ground ball to end the inning 1-2-3. In the second inning, Rogers again set the Javelina’s hitters down in order, inducing two easy ground ball outs and a fly out. Final AFL totals: 3 appearances, 2 starts, 5.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 4 H’s, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K’s, .211 BAA. Jason Adam – 1 game, 1 IP, 5 R’s (2 ER), 4 H’s, 1 BB, 1 K. 18.00 ERA. Adam also made a single appearance on the week. After a rough start to his AFL season he had gone five consecutive appearances without allowing a run. That streak ended in Thursday’s 8-5 loss, as Adam was charged with the blown save and the loss after coming into the game in relief of top prospect Archie Bradley in the third inning. He was summoned with two outs after Bradley allowed Scottsdale to close an early lead of 4-0 to 4-3. Adam got the final out, but ran into trouble of his own in the fourth. He walked the leadoff man and surrendered the tying and go-ahead runs after an RBI triple and sacrifice fly to the next two hitters. A throwing error and two consecutive singles loaded the bases before Adam picked up the second out of the inning by striking out Josh Bell for the inning's second out. But an RBI single and the second error of the inning ended his night and AFL season on a sour note. Final AFL totals: 10 appearances, 1-1, 13.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 23 H’s, 8 ER’s, 6 BB, 7 K’s, .371 BAA Zack Jones – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 5 BB, 2 K’s, 1 Hold (6). 0.00 ERA. Jones’ first appearance of the final week came during Monday’s victory, when he picked up his sixth AFL hold while making it interesting in the eighth inning. He walked two batters and hit another to load the bases, recording two outs before he was taken out of the game. In Thursday’s 8-5 loss, he relieved Adam in the bottom of the fourth inning, and walked his first hitter to load the bases before escaping by inducing a foul pop up. In the fifth, the bases were again loaded after a single and two walks, but a strikeout of Dante Bichette Jr. preserved his 0.00 ERA in AFL League play, despite his odd overall numbers. Final AFL totals: 11 appearances, 11.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 7 H’s, 0 R’s, 12 BB, 11 K’s, .171 BAA. Jake Reed – 1 game, 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H’s, 1 BB, 1 K. 9.00 ERA. Reed made his only appearance of the week before the AFL championship game in Tuesday’s tie game. He gave up his first earned run of the AFL season, and only his second ER in 43.2 innings during his professional debut season. He was charged with a blown save after entering the game to start the top of the eighth. He surrendered a leadoff double and a walk before striking out Patrick Leonard for the first out, but a ground ball single up the middle to Justin O’Connor brought in the run. The final two outs were recorded on plays during the next two at-bats, so he did limit the damage. Final AFL totals: 10 appearances 12.2 IP, 0.71 ERA, 10 H’s, 1 R, 3 BB, 10 K’s, .213 BAA. Notes/Links: -Overall, Twins prospects fared very well in the Arizona Fall League. -The Salt River Rafters won the AFL League Championship on Saturday, after defeating the Peoria Javelina’s 14-7 in Scottsdale. -Rosario and Kepler combined to bat .333 with 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 R’s, 2 RBI, 1 BB, and 3 K’s during the week. -Twins pitchers compiled a 5.09 ERA in 5.3 IP, allowing 3 ER’s on 8 H’s and 7 BB’s, while striking out 5 on the week. Click here to view the article

It was about a week ago where the Minnesota Twins AFL team, the Salt River Rafters, clinched their spot in League Championship game, but they still had a few games left to play before that. Eddie Rosario entered the season’s final week with a chance at a batting title, and two relief pitching prospects had yet to allow a run in a league play. How would they finish? Let’s check out what happened in week 6! Byron Buxton – Did not play. Buxton had surgery on his fractured finger three weeks ago, and is expected to be ready to go for Spring Training. Final AFL totals: 13 games, .263/.311/.298, 2 2B’s, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 12 K’s, 5 SB (6 attempts) Eddie Rosario – 3 games, 2-13 (.154), 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K’s. Rosario admittedly let the pressure of winning the League’s batting title affect him in the season’s final days, and the results showed. He had just two hits in thirteen at-bats, which resulted in a final batting average of .330 to finish second in the race. Of course, it didn’t matter much two days later, as Rosario had his best game of a fantastic overall AFL season in the League Championship game. Final AFL totals: 24 games, .330/.345/.410, 4 2B’s, 2 3B’s, 18 RBI, 5 BB, 19 K’s, 10 SB (14 attempts). Max Kepler – 3 games, 7-14 (.500), 4 R’s, 2B, 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K. Kepler had a strong final three games, racking up multiple hits in each contest to raise his average to .307 to finish the season. In Monday’s 8-4 win he was 2-4 and scored two runs. The next night he was 2-5 with a run scored, double, and an RBI in a 4-4 eleven inning tie. Then in his final game of the week, Wednesday’s 4-5 loss, he was 3-5 with a run scored and a triple. Final AFL totals: 18 games, .307/.366/.440, 4 2B’s, 3 3B’s, 7 RBI, 6 BB, 14K’s, 3 SB (3 attempts) Taylor Rogers – 1 game, 1 IP, 0 H’s, 0 BB, 0 K’s. Rogers made a single appearance in the final week of the AFL regular season, making the start in Tuesday’s 4-4 eleven inning tie. He pitched two innings, and needed just twenty-two pitches, fourteen of which went for strikes. In the first, Peoria’s leadoff man, top prospect Francisco Lindor, pushed a ground ball through the infield, but was nailed at second base while trying to stretch it into a double. Rogers struck out the next batter and induce a ground ball to end the inning 1-2-3. In the second inning, Rogers again set the Javelina’s hitters down in order, inducing two easy ground ball outs and a fly out. Final AFL totals: 3 appearances, 2 starts, 5.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 4 H’s, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K’s, .211 BAA. Jason Adam – 1 game, 1 IP, 5 R’s (2 ER), 4 H’s, 1 BB, 1 K. 18.00 ERA. Adam also made a single appearance on the week, and after a rough start to his AFL season had gone five consecutive appearances without allowing a run. That streak ended in Thursday’s 8-5 loss, as Adam was charged with the Blown Save and Loss after coming into the game in relief of top prospect Archie Bradley in the third inning. He was summoned with two outs after Bradley allowed Scottsdale to close an early game lead of 4-0 to 4-3. Adam got the final out, but would run into trouble of his own in the fourth. He walked the leadoff man and surrendered the tying and go-ahead run after an RBI triple and sacrifice fly to the next two hitters. A throwing error and two consecutive singles would load the bases, before Adam picked up the second out of the inning by striking out Josh Bell for the innings second out. But an RBI single and the second error of the inning would end his night and AFL season on a sour note. Final AFL totals: 10 appearances, 1-1, 13.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 23 H’s, 8 ER’s, 6 BB, 7 K’s, .371 BAA Zack Jones – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 5 BB, 2 K’s, 1 Hold (6). 0.00 ERA. Jones’ first appearance of the final week came during Monday’s victory, where he picked up his sixth AFL Hold while making it interesting in the eighth inning. He walked two batters and hit another with a pitch to load the bases, recording two outs before he was taken out of the game. In Thursday’s 8-5 loss, he relieved Adam in the bottom of the fourth inning, and walked his first hitter to load the bases before escaping by inducing and foul pop up. In the fifth, the bases would again be loaded against him after a single and two walks, but a strikeout of Dante Bichette Jr. would preserve his 0.00 ERA in AFL League play, despite his odd overall numbers. Final AFL totals: 11 appearances, 11.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 7 H’s, 0 R’s, 12 BB, 11 K’s, .171 BAA. Jake Reed – 1 game, 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H’s, 1 BB, 1 K. 9.00 ERA. Reed made his only appearance of the week before the AFL championship game in Tuesday’s tie game. He gave up his first earned run of the AFL season, and only his second ER in 43.2 innings during his professional debut season. He was charged with a Blown Save after entering the game to start the top of the eighth. He surrendered a leadoff double and a walk before striking out Patrick Leonard for the first out, but a ground ball single up the middle to Justin O’Connor would bring in the run. The final two outs were recorded on plays during the next two at-bats, so he did limit the damage. Final AFL totals: 10 appearances 12.2 IP, 0.71 ERA, 10 H’s, 1 R, 3 BB, 10 K’s, .213 BAA. Notes/Links: -Overall, Twins prospects fared very well in the Arizona Fall League. -The Salt River Rafters won the AFL League Championship on Saturday, after defeating the Peoria Javelina’s 14-7 in Scottsdale. -Rosario and Kepler combined to bat .333 with 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 R’s, 2 RBI, 1 BB, and 3 K’s during the week. -Twins pitchers compiled a 5.09 ERA in 5.3 IP, allowing 3 ER’s on 8 H’s and 7 BB’s, while striking out 5 on the week.

The Arizona Fall League season came to a close with the Championship game on Saturday, with the West Division champion Peoria Javelinas facing the East Division champion Salt River Rafters, for whom Minnesota Twins prospects play. The teams traded haymakers inning after inning in Scottsdale, AZ, with seven total home runs and twenty-one runs scored. Eddie Rosario got the festivities started for the Rafters, launching a 1-1 pitch deep over the right field fence off Peoria starter Miguel Almonte of the Kansas City Royals for an early 1-0 lead. In his next at-bat in the third inning, Rosario brought in the the third Rafters run with a hard ground ball single to centerfield, scoring Joe Sclafini. He would end up being picked off a batter later, but the damage was done. Peoria would take the lead 6-3 after scoring three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings, but the Rafters kept pace with two of their own in the fifth and sixth. In the bottom of the fifth, with the score 6-5, Rosario faced a tough lefty in the form of Royals farmhand Daniel Stumpf, and proceeded to drill another hard ground ball into center for his third hit in three at-bats. The Twins' Taylor Rogers came in to start the sixth inning for Salt River, and gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Royals outfield prospect Bubba Starling, but would retire the next five hitters, before Reid Redman was brought in to face Hunter Dozier, also of the Royals, to end the top of the seventh. It was the bottom half where the Rafters would blow the game open, and Rosario again played a large part. His double on the first pitch he saw would one-hop the right field wall, putting runners on second and third. An intentional walk would bring Max Kepler to the plate. He quickly fell behind 0-2, but would lay off three consecutive pitches in the dirt and drew an RBI walk to score the innings first run. He was 0-4 for the game with the BB, RBI, and run scored. With runners on first and second and two outs after six more runs had scored in the frame, Rosario got another chance, and on an 0-2 pitch again put good wood on the ball. Unfortunately, this line drive was snared by the rightfielder to end the inning. The eighth and nine innings were uneventful, and Rosario, Kepler, Rogers and the rest of the Twins prospects and Rafters roster celebrated the victory. Rosario finished the game 4-5 and just a triple shy of the cycle, with two runs scored and two RBI, to obviously take home (my) player of the game honors.

Word... I read a few initial articles that said shoulder. The article I linked here also says shoulder. I'll take your word for it though!

In the Arizona Fall League, the Salt River Rafters moved on without the Twins’ Byron Buxton manning centerfield, but welcomed back another one of their participants. The Rafters won their division and will play in Saturday's AFL Championship game.Let’s check out what happened in week 5! Byron Buxton – Did not play. Buxton had surgery on his fractured finger two weeks ago, and is expected to be ready to go for spring training. Eddie Rosario – 5 games, 4-19 (.211), 1 R, 2 2B’s, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K’s. Rosario appeared to endure his first struggles in the AFL, but was still productive on the week as he picked up a pair of doubles, a triple and five RBI. He drove in at least one run in four of the five games. With Buxton being out, I thought Rosario might get some time in center field, but that was not the case as he remained in left for all five games. He also picked up an outfield assist in Friday’s loss. His average fell to a still fantastic .356 as of Sunday. Max Kepler – 4 games, 3-16 (.188), 1 R, 2B, 3 K’s. Kepler played in four games, playing right field in each. He went 2-4 in Monday’s 1-0 Rafters win to raise his average to .306 in league play, but managed just one more hit on the week and finished at .262. Taylor Rogers – 1 game, 1 IP, 0 H’s, 0 BB, 0 K’s. Rogers made his return to AFL play after taking a line drive to his shoulder in his first start for the Rafters back in week 1, pitching an inning of relief in Saturday’s 7-4 loss. It was a quick inning as he needed just eight pitches to induce two ground balls and an infield pop out. Taylor’s twin brother, Tyler, is also pitching in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions, and after they took different path’s after high school, have been able to reconnect on baseball fields in the AFL. Jason Adam – 2 games, 3.1 IP, 0 R’s, 3 H’s, 2 BB’s, 3 K’s. 0.00 ERA. Adam made two appearances, pitching more than an inning in each game. In Tuesday’s 3-1 loss, Adam replaced starter Vincent Velasquez after just two outs in the first inning. Adam finished the first and walked two batters in the second inning before recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame. In Friday’s 5-4 loss, Adam pitched the fifth and sixth innings, surrendering two hits but no damage on the scoreboard. He lowered his ERA on the AFL season to 4.38 at the end of the week. Zack Jones – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H’s, 1 BB, 3 K’s, 1 Hold (5). 0.00 ERA. Jones made appearances in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss, and Thursday’s 4-2 loss. On Tuesday, Jones pitched the ninth inning, striking out two in a scoreless inning around a throwing error that allowed the leadoff man to reach base. He picked up his fifth hold in Thursday’s loss, pitching the sixth inning to relieve Mark Appel. He walked the first batter he faced, but he was erased on a steal attempt and he retired the next two hitters, one with a strikeout. Jake Reed – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H’s, 0 BB, 1 K. 0.00 ERA. Reed also pitched two games on the week, picking up his third AFL hold with two innings in Wednesday’s 8-4 win, and finishing the eighth inning in Friday’s 7-4 loss. In his two innings on Wednesday, Reed surrendered a double to the first man he faced in the sixth inning, Dante Bichette, Jr, but retired the next six in a row. Twenty-two of his thirty pitches went for strikes. On Friday, things didn’t go as well, but Reed maintained his 0.00 ERA in league play as he was not responsible for any of the runners who scored. He entered the game with the bases loaded, and Hunter Dozier and Justin O’Connor singled to score the first two inherited runners. The third scored on a fielder’s choice groundout before Reed escaped with Dozier on third. Notes -Rosario and Kepler combined to bat .200 with 2 2B’s, 2 3B’s, 2 R’s, 5 RBI, 1 BB, and 8 K’s during the week. -Twins pitchers compiled a 0.00 ERA in 9.0 IP, allowing 0 R’s on 6 H’s and 3 BBs, while striking out 7 on the week. Click here to view the article

The MLB Free Agency period opened last week after, and in unsurprising news, the Minnesota Twins have yet to make any moves. Former Twin Michael Cuddyer inked a two-year, $21 million deal with the New York Mets, and all twelve pending free agents to receive qualifying offers, declined them. In the Arizona Fall League, the Salt River Rafters moved on without the Twins’ Byron Buxton manning centerfield, but welcomed back another one of their participants. Let’s check out what happened in week 5! Byron Buxton – Did not play. Buxton had surgery on his fractured finger two weeks ago, and is expected to be ready to go for Spring Training. Eddie Rosario – 5 games, 4-19 (.211), 1 R, 2 2B’s, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K’s. Rosario appeared to endure his first struggles in the AFL, but was still productive on the week as he picked up a pair of doubles, a triple, and five RBI. He drove in at least one run in four of the five games. With Buxton being out, I thought Rosario might get some time in center field, but that was not the case for the week as he remained in left for all five games. He also picked up an Outfield assist in Friday’s loss. His average fell to a still fantastic .356 on the year as of Sunday. Max Kepler – 4 games, 3-16 (.188), 1 R, 2B, 3 K’s. Kepler played in four games, playing right field in each. He went 2-4 in Monday’s 1-0 Rafters win to raise his average to .306 in league play, but managed just one more hit on the week and finished at .262. Taylor Rogers – 1 game, 1 IP, 0 H’s, 0 BB, 0 K’s. Rogers made his return to AFL league play after taking a line drive to his shoulder in his first start for the Rafters back in week 1, pitching an inning of relief in Saturday’s 7-4 loss. It was a quick inning as he needed just eight pitches to induce two-ground balls and an infield pop out. Taylor’s twin brother, Tyler, is also pitching in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions, and after they took different path’s after high school, have been able to reconnect on baseball fields in the AFL. Jason Adam – 2 games, 3.1 IP, 0 R’s, 3 H’s, 2 BB’s, 3 K’s. 0.00 ERA. Adam made two appearances, pitching more than an inning in each game. In Tuesday’s 3-1 loss, Adam replaced starter Vincent Velasquez after just two outs in the first inning. Adam would finish the first and walked two batters in the second inning before recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame. In Friday’s 5-4 loss, Adam pitched the fifth and sixth innings, surrendering two hits but no damage on the scoreboard. He lowered his ERA on the AFL season to 4.38 at the end of the week. Zack Jones – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H’s, 1 BB, 3 K’s, 1 Hold (5). 0.00 ERA. Jones made appearances in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss, and Thursday’s 4-2 loss. On Tuesday, Jones pitched the ninth inning, striking out two in a scoreless inning around a throwing error that allowed the leadoff man to reach base. He picked up his fifth hold in Thursday’s loss, pitching the sixth inning to relieve Mark Appel. He walked the first batter he faced, but he was erased on a steal attempt and he retired the next two hitters, one with a strikeout. Jake Reed – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H’s, 0 BB, 1 K. 0.00 ERA. Reed also pitched two games on the week, picking up his third AFL hold with two innings in Wednesday’s 8-4 win, and finishing the 8th inning in Friday’s 7-4 loss. In his two innings on Wednesday, Reed surrendered a double to the first man he faced in the sixth inning, Dante Bichette, Jr, but retired the next six in a row. Twenty-two of his thirty pitches went for strikes. On Friday, things didn’t go as well, but Reed maintained his 0.00 ERA in league play as he was not responsible for any of the runners who scored. He entered the game with the bases loaded, and Hunter Dozier and Justin O’Connor singled to score the first two inherited runners. The third would score on a fielder’s choice groundout before Reed escaped with Dozier on third. Notes -Rosario and Kepler combined to bat .200 with 2 2B’s, 2 3B’s, 2 R’s, 5 RBI, 1 BB, and 8 K’s during the week. -Twins pitchers compiled a 0.00 ERA in 9.0 IP, allowing 0 R’s on 6 H’s and 3 BB’s, while striking out 7 on the week.

In the Arizona Fall League, it was further bad news for Byron Buxton’s season, as he injured his finger in Monday’s game, and will miss the rest of the AFL season. Read on to find out how the rest of Twins prospect’s fared during the week, and how the AFL Fall Stars game went for their two participants!The big news out of the Minnesota Twins camp this past week was the naming of their next manager, Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, but that wasn’t the only notable news in the organization. Byron Buxton – 1 game, 1-4 (.250), 1 K, SB (5), CS (1). The play that took Buxton out of action again occurred in the ninth inning of Monday’s 3-3 tie. It was a sinking line drive that he came in on and just missed making the play. Although not as serious an injury as the others that occurred this season, it’s yet another blip on what can only be described as a disappointing and lost season for the young phenom. Buxton had surgery on Thursday and is expected to be ready to go for Spring Training. Eddie Rosario – 4 games, 6-19 (.316), 3 R’s, 2 2B’s, RBI, 4 K’s, 1 SB (10), 1 CS (3) Rosario remained the number three hitter in the Salt River Rafter’s lineup, playing left field and continuing to hit. In Tuesday’s 14-2 Rafter’s win, he was 2-5 with a double. Then later in the week on Halloween he collected two more hits including another double in five at-bats, to finish the week batting .397 in league play and well atop the leaderboard. Max Kepler – 3 games, 4-14 (.286), 3 R’s, 3B, 5 RBI, 1 BB’s, 4 K’s. Kepler appeared in three games during the week, making two appearances in the regular right fielder rotation, and one game at designated hitter. He collected a hit in each of those games, including a triple, two runs scored, and three RBI in Tuesdays 14-2 thumping the Rafters put on the Glendale Desert Dogs. He was also 2-5 in Monday’s game and carries a .289/.385/.422 triple slash line on the season in eleven games. Taylor Rogers – Did not play. Rogers took a line drive to his shoulder in his only start for the Rafters in week 1, and has not pitched since. Jason Adam – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 R’s, 2 H’s, 2 BB’s, 0 K, Win (1-0). 6.00 ERA. Adam was the first of three consecutive Twins pitchers in Monday’s tie, surrendering a double and a walk before getting out of the jam with a fly ball to Kepler. His second appearance came on Friday, entering the game with one out in the sixth inning. He proceeded to hit the first batter he faced and walked the second to load the bases, but induced a groundball to pick up the final out of the inning. He came back out to start the seventh and gave up a single to the leadoff man, but retired the next two batters before being removed. He picked up his first AFL win in the process and lowered his ERA in the AFL to 6.00. Since surrendering runs in his first four appearances, Adam has pitched three scoreless innings. Zack Jones – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H’s, 2 BB, 2 K’s, 1 Hold (4). 0.00 ERA. Jones was the third of the Twins relievers on Monday and walked the first man he faced. He also gave up a single before retiring the final two batters on fly balls. In the Rafters 5-4 loss on Thursday, Jones pitched the eighth inning. He would again walk the first man he faced, but then retired the next two hitters with strikeouts. A pitch got away from him and hit the next batter to put men on first and second, but he got an infield pop-up to finish the inning and pick up his fourth hold in AFL play. Jake Reed – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H’s, 0 BB, 1 K. 0.00 ERA. Reed also made two appearances on the week, and in Monday’s tie pitched the sixth inning. He gave up a single to right field with one out but escaped any damage to his perfect ERA with a fly-ball and strikeout to end the inning. He made his second appearance in Wednesday’s tie with the Surprise Saguaros, pitching the seventh inning. He surrendered a single (and then a stolen base) to top shortstop prospect Trea Turner of the San Diego Padres, but retired the other three men he faced. He has now thrown eight scoreless innings in the AFL and continues to focus on improving his changeup and breaking ball in his transition from college to the minor leagues. AFL Fall Stars Game: With the AFL season half over, Saturday’s game was their All-Star showcase, the Fall Stars game. Byron Buxton and Jake Reed were the Twins original participants, but after Buxton’s injury it was (the deserving) Eddie Rosario taking his place. Rosario batted second and played left field for the East squad, going 0-2 with a walk, stolen base, and two strikeouts. He also picked up an outfield assist at second base. Reed made his appearance in the seventh inning, and was credited with a hold after retiring Nick Williams and Just O’Connor, giving up a single to Jace Peterson, and fielding a ground ball off the bat of Kyle Waldrop (not the former Twin) to end the frame. Their AFL-East squad won the game 6-2. Notes -Twins hitters combined to bat .297 with two 2B’s, one 3B, six R’s, six RBI, one BB, nine K’s, and two SB during the week. -Twins pitchers compiled a 0.00 ERA in 6.0 IP, allowing no runs, on 6 six H’s and four BB’s, while striking out three on the week. Click here to view the article