Dman

You look at Stevenson's stats from when he was with Washington and he has always been a good hitter. Doesn't look like he has the greatest arm for center but he runs really, really well. Sure seems like he could be an option at the MLB level especially with the way is playing right now. Kinda wish some of these guys that are playing well at AAA could get a chance but even though their stats are elite that group has been shut down when the other team has a good pitcher on the mound so not so sure how it all would translate to MLB. Still it makes you wonder. Always loved Prato. Lot's of things to like about his game especially in a utility role but that area is pretty blocked right now as well. Just gotta keep playing well and the HR's have to help his cause.

I went to the Cedar Rapids game in Beloit and they did not disappoint. The top three hitters in the lineup Schobel, Rodriguez and Rosario have one thing in common they all hit the ball very hard. Schobel's first hit was almost right at the 3rd baseman but it was hit so hard he didn't have a chance to get it. The whole lineup is good but those three seem on a different level. Emmanual Rodriguez's first two at bats were ugly. I get that every batter has tough at bats but I didn't like the aggressive approach he took striking out both times. It worked for his triple though as he ambushed a first pitch fastball that went all the way to the wall. Rosario has huge legs and he leans back heavily on his right leg as he gets ready to swing. He hit some hard long balls right at the left fielder that if he could put just a bit more juice on them would have left the park. He is fun to watch in the box. I guess I never realized how small Ortega was. I mean I knew he was small but I thought he might be a bit more thick as well not that he is skinny just didn't expect to see what I saw and he was ready to hit tonight and with power as I believe he had the only two HR's for the Kernals and he almost had three as one was just wide of the foul pole. He has some pop in that small frame and it was raining so not easy to push balls out last night but he was the only who did. Pretty impressive for a little guy. Was not overly impressed with Matthews. Beloit was hitting balls hard from the first pitch, but fortunately they hung up long enough for the outfielders to grab them and he finally ran out of luck in the 5th when he gave up two home runs. I will say when he rears back with that 94mph fastball it makes a pop in the glove and several hitters were late on that pitch. I think he does end up a reliever unless he can come up with something more to keep hitters off the fastball. He pitched well I was just hoping for more. It was funny to see Beloit have their right fielder almost in center when Miller was up to bat. They know he can't pull the ball and is often late on good fastballs. He needs to put some muscle on or find a way to speed up that swing at least from the left side or he is only going to be able to use half the field. He didn't have many plays to make in the because it was mostly fly balls with Matthews pitching. All in all they played really well Beloits pitcher mowed them down the first time through the order except Ortega who hit a HR, but he lost his control after that (possibly because of the rain) and the Kernals took advantage of that with a big 8 run inning. It was fun to watch them do so well. I left before their big 5 run inning as the rain was too much for me even though a small drizzle to start it came down harder at times. The Kernals have a really tough lineup to beat and the pitching is good too. Might be the most fun affiliate to watch with all the talent down there.

All good now. Thanks!

Yes please!

@Brock Beauchamp Hey I voted but for some reason it said I had already voted but I don't remember doing it. Is there a way for to see what went through?

Just want to say you are awesome and I love the new format! Excellent, Excellent work!

@Brock Beauchamp can you add Rosario? He is on MLB's top 30.

Don't disagree it is impossible to know what he might bring back. We just know it has to pass the bar of the comp pick unless of course the Twins and other teams believe this is his last year then maybe that price comes down which was my point from the beginning. Others believe his possible retirement would have no bearing on his deadline trade value but that doesn't make sense to me because if he retires after this year then the Twins lose that leverage of the comp pick bar in trade talks. The Twins get nothing if they can't strike a deal and other teams would know that. Still the Nat's got the Dodgers to overpay and they passed on comp picks and the Dodgers were prepared to let those players walk so it isn't impossible to still get that value from some team that is desperate enough but, that team has to really like your guy or they can find something comparable for cheaper. Is Gray a Sherzer\Turner type difference maker? Maybe? Still if you know Gray is retiring and the Twins desperate to move him why pay more? When you can likely get him for less which would still be better than nothing for the Twins.

I don't think either of those players were two month rentals though and that is what Gray would be. Seattle and the Padres will both likely try to extend each player as well unless injury or poor performance.

It is pretty much the same thing for Berrios and Lopez. Toronto doesn't give up two top 100 prospects for 1 1/2 years of Berrios if they don't know what it will take to sign him to a longer term deal. Twins likely don't trade Arraez if they don't know what it takes to sing Lopez longer term. When giving up large assets you don't want to walk away with nothing short term if you can help it. True rentals are a different story they are not top 100 guys. Most teams can't afford losing top 100 guys for a rental they would always want to know what it might take to get them to sign long term and if they can't make that happen then offer less for the player. Unless of of course you are one of the teams that can just buy what you need then it might not matter thinking the Dodgers when they paid a high price to get Sherzer and Turner and they both walked. For most teams though you offer less for a pure rental than a player you think you can work a longer term deal with.

Well I can name one for sure and bet there are others. The Twins traded Escobar to Arizona for a pretty high level pitcher they didn't want to give up in Duran. Have to believe before pulling the trigger they had numbers in place to resign him in the offseason and they did jus that. Other wise they probably wouldn't have included Duran in the deal for a rental.

I really love this guys attitude and his past success bodes well for his future. Just keep that arm healthy and he has a real good chance to make it IMO.

It does if they plan to re-sign him. The Twins would want more than normal for Gray as a rental as if he signs a deal over 50M then they get a first round comp pick. A team would be less inclined to part with a likely top 100 prospect if he plans to retire. They could still do it but I think the odds would be much lower.

Yeah any thought of trading him now for a good return seems out of the question. Not that Twins would have traded him anyway but I think that statement is the nail in the coffin. Also might not for sure get comp pick either. Honestly I don't think he was all that serious. He is setup to make more in FA than he did all the years before I don't see him walking away from that. Still he said it for a reason so there is a chance he just walks away.

If he can control the strike zone and end up with a plus hit tool this kid is going to a monster out there. Gonna be watching him on his way up through the minors.

Yeah I remember that one. Glad the Twins didn't do that this year. I like all the position players they picked but still am happy they went pitcher heavy. Farm needed it and they don't seem to get much for arms from INTL free agency but do get bats. So draft seems to be the best way to get arms other than trades.

Twins came prepped to take pitching this draft. They have been using a lot of guys from the independant league's so actually having more options with freshly drafted younger arms seemed necessary if you ask me. The Twins have been very good at balanced drafts but given the strenght of bats in the system and weakness of arms I think they needed an uneven draft to even that out. I have no idea if these late round arms are going to help much but given the quantity drafted odds are good they will find a few good ones. I really like their draft. Loved they went with high upside high school kids early. I Don't think I would have changed much. Some safe solid plays mixed in with higher risk players and good value in the 1st round. I think they did just fine. Just need to hope we can turn some of them into star players.

No angst they don't have to take a catcher at all in the draft just noting that they usually do and mainly in the bottom half. Only two picks left and they still haven't grabbed one. I just figured they would grab at least one. They can sign guys outside the draft as well I just thought they would do their normal thing but looks like I am going to be wrong.

I believe that is 9 pitcher's in a row. Has to be some kind of record but they are short on young A ball pitchers so this makes a ton of sense. Technically they need 5 starters and 5 or more relievers and there isn't much pitching coming from the FCL that I can see. Also with High school pitchers they won't likely start in A ball but will start in the FCL so they need arms. Still I have to believe they have a few position players up their sleeves yet though.

I don't disagree but they need some guys for A ball. They can use Baez there for a bit but they usually grab at least two catchers per draft just to have guys for A ball. The other ones should move out. Maybe they only grab one this year but pretty sure they will grab at least one if not two.

Xander Hamilton sounds effectively wild but he has the stuff to strike guys out. Hopefully a few tweaks and they have something.

Yeah me too. Thought they would start with catcher several teams did the first couple of rounds. As stated they must have a couple of guys stashed at smaller schools they will take later. They need some catchers though.

Sounds like another injury bet. He was injured in 2022 and came back this year but the results were not great. They must feel like another year of recovery will help him get his mojo back.

Pasqualotto made MLB top 250 so there's that. It looks like a bet post TJ that he can find more control and improve the numbers. Change is the plus pitch. Sounds like more reliever than starter. It is a bet on upside as they like to do with several guys in this range. Could use help with the fastball but I think the Twins can help with velocity and spin and they need promising relief arms so this looks like value for the 12 round.

Found this article on best prospect from each state. Looks like there is potential but his WHIP was high this year giving up more hits than innings pitched and walking a fair amount of guys. Needs some work but has pitches. There is also this article that describes what he throws etc. Seems like they definitely always have eye on Big Ten pitchers. They must feel they can develop them more than the northern college systems. I like this pick. Iowa: Ty Langenberg, RHP, IowaLangenberg put himself on a lot of radars by striking out 33 and walking only four in 21 1/3 innings on the Cape last summer but put up more mundane numbers (4.15 ERA, 86 K, 34 BB in 78 innings) for the Hawkeyes this spring, hurting his stock. His fastball sits 90-92 with some carry and is complemented by two mid-80s pitches in his slider and changeup.