Jim Crikket

Nick, I think you've laid out a good case for why the Twins SHOULD do something different this offseason, but I'm with those who don't feel you've convinced me it WILL happen. Many of us have made similar cases every year for the past three or so as to why pitching needs to be shored up and why there's plenty of room in the budget to do so. I expect Ryan to see things the way Seth laid out... that there are young, inexpensive options and reason to believe one or more of them will step up their game. That being the case, TR will not see any reason to get in a bidding contest for what he sees as marginal SP talent. I also think Tanaka is getting so much support here primarily because none of us have actually seen him pitch so nobody has picked up his "flaws" the way we have with guys we've all watched pitch for years. I fully expect the Twins payroll to drop significantly and remain that way until the next wave of internal prospects start hitting arbitration and FA levels, several years from now.

Kernels postponed again. On to Clinton for 4 games Thursday-Sunday (hopefully)

Tweeted by @TimberRattlers: [TABLE=class: tweet] [TR=class: tweet-header] [TD=class: user-info]Timber Rattlers @TimberRattlers [/TD] [TD=class: timestamp][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: tweet-container] [TD=class: tweet-content, colspan: 2]Tonight's doubleheader with the @CRKernels at Time Warner Cable Field has been postponed by sleet, cold, & just overall crummy weather. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Yes. SD Buhr is my "evil twin"... or I'm his evil twin... bit of a split personality, I guess. I've been blogging at Knuckleballs under a pseudonym for several years and I was asked to help MSR cover the Kernels this summer. Naturally, I need to use my given name for those purposes. I'll also be providing a weekly Kernels Report for TwinsDaily. Look for that under the SD Buhr account starting, I believe, tomorrow.

Kernels @ Timber Rattlers has been postponed. They'll try to play two beginning at 5:05 Wednesday, per @CRKernels

Glad someone else felt this way. I'd kind of avoided the "Drafting an ACE" thread because I freely admit I know very little about what the Twins should/shouldn't do with the draft. As for Buxton, let me just add a reminder to anyone who is inclined to listen to radio broadcasts of Buxton and the Kernels, every game is broadcast on KMRY radio in Cedar Rapids by Morgan Hawk and is available over the web at KMRYradio.com or from a link at kernels.com.

I won't speak for Roger, but here's what I took from it. $550,000 is no small amount, but when you consider what it will provide to a guy over, say, the course of his likely working years (40-45 years), it's not all that much... maybe $15-20K a year, depending on what interest rates run. The difference in household income in the US between someone with just a HS education and one with a 4 year college degree is about $30K a year. If he ends up using that nest egg to go back to college, that could easily eat up 20-30% (or more) of the $550,000 for four years (which would have been free if he had chosen to take a baseball scholarship). Personally, I'd have taken the money in a heartbeat and I think most others would, too. But then, I'm a guy who left his spot on the bench of his JuCo basketball team midway through his second year of college to run fast food restaurants... so I'm probably not the guy to provide advice in this area.

Keep in mind, the Angels seem to have a very different philosophy these days regarding their prospects than the Twins do. Even so, Mike Trout was still 17 years old when he signed with them in July 2009. Before the end of that first summer, he was in Cedar Rapids for a handful of games. Buxton signed earlier in the summer than Trout did, but finished his first season a level lower than the Angels advanced Trout. In 2010, he spent more than half a season in Cedar Rapids (81 games at A, 50 games at high-A). His "phenom trail" didn't really start serious blazing until 2011. Even then, he spent more than half of a minor league season at AA. It's just that the Angels had him skip the AAA level altogether that season and promoted him to the Majors. And don't forget, he started last year at AAA, so he didn't really end up skipping that level altogether, either. IF (and it's a big if) the Twins allowed Buxton to follow the same path from this point forward, it would mean he's in CR through roughly the end of June and finishes the year in Fort Myers. He'd start next season in New Britain and get his call up around the MLB All-Star break. That would be remarkable, but I wouldn't bet against Buxton being able to do it. I just think that it would be very uncharacteristic for the Twins to have him spend very little time at Class A. Having him spend the July 4 holidays in Cedar Rapids wouldn't exactly inhibit his career path.

Sure, it's good money either way. But I think the point is that it's not an easy decision to make. If they elect to go to college, it doesn't mean they have no shot at getting that kind of bonus later. In fact, if they perform well in college, they may make more money. Then again, they may wash out in college due to injury or poor coaching decisions or inability to focus on their game because of those pesky classes they have to take to remain eligible to play baseball. In the end, it comes down to how you want to spend your first 2-3 years playing baseball after high school... for a college coach who's job security is tied to wins and losses or for managers who's job performance is evaluated by how well he gets his players prepared for advancing to the next level of professional ball. Either way... signing immediately or signing after 3 years of college... you should be roughly at the same level within the organization (somewhere between low A and high A). After that, you're on even footing with the guys who chose the other path. The question shouldn't be so much about which path will get you the bigger bonus, but which path do you see having the better shot at getting you to that Class A-A+ level successfully?

I think that's a fair question. As a Kernels fan and someone who's reporting on the team, I'd naturally love to see Buxton in town all season long. But part of the fun of being a fan of an affiliated minor league team is seeing "our guys" make it to the Show and realize their dreams. On top of that, I'm obviously a Twins fan, so whenever he's really ready to help the MLB club, I want him to be there. I'm just saying there are other things to consider. How well does he deal with fans? Does he handle himself well in community outreach programs? How does he deal with media sticking recorders in his face after a big game... or after a bad game? How will he deal with adversity and criticism when it comes? I'd rather see him learn to deal with those things now than having to do so when he gets to Target Field. Keep in mind, a year ago he was playing high school baseball in Georgia.

It's not that black and white to you and me, I agree. But that's what the scouting department is for. TR and his folks decide who the best player available is. Sure, sometimes it may be a virtual toss-up and in those situations, there's nothing wrong with trying to project needs in the organization. My point is that "need" should be a distant second as a critieria and the risk of career-threatening injury for hard-throwing starting pitchers causes me to perhaps lean toward position players.

Call me crazy (you won't be the first), but in the event that Fort Myers does need an OF due to injury or promotion in the near future, I think the first guy sent up from CR may just be JD Williams. He's off to a good start and just looks so much more comfortable and confident at the plate than what I remember seeing from him last summer. And he's already had a full year of A ball in Beloit. I just think the Twins are going to want to see Buxton stay in CR for at least half a season. There's more to that decision than just what goes on for 3 hours during the game and it won't hurt Buxton to spend a little extra time with Mauer & Watkins.

Put me in the "draft the best player regardless of position" camp. Even if it's an outfielder. If we should have learned anything from the Span and Revere trades, it's that Ryan is not afraid to trade good players in positions of depth for help at positions of need. Frankly, with the washout rate for pitchers being seemingly so high, I'm not so sure taking position players with lower injury risks and then flipping a couple of them for good pitchers who have at least survived to reach AA successfully might not be the best strategy, anyway.

Buxton ended up with 3 Ks on the night, which brought his BA down to an even .500 on the year. Kernels pitchers with 10 Ks tonight in a 10-2 win on a very cold Wisconsin evening.

Jeff Johnson of the Gazette has another article on Duffey's performance well worth checking out. Mom would have been proud of this performance | TheGazette I'll be heading over to Clinton Saturday and, based on the Kernels' 6-man rotation, that will be Duffey's next start (absent any rain-outs, etc.). It will be interesting to see what he does for an encore.

Tyler Duffey threw 7 perfect innings against the Snappers, but was pulled after hitting his pitch limit (he threw 76). Jesue Montanez survived the 8th inning despite walking 3 and giving up a run, but not a hit. Tim Atherton struck out 3 and walked 1 in the 9th. Byron Buxton was a HR short of the cycle and Dalton Hicks had 3 hits, including 2 doubles. Game story from MetroSportsReport.com: Kernels hurlers no-hit Beloit

Duffey threw 76 pitches in his perfect 7 innings of work.

I dunno. Looked at a replay in the bar earlier and it didn't look like a terrible pitch. Sometimes a good hitter wins the battle. Get 'em tomorrow.

Kernels fans and Twins fans, alike, can’t help but be excited about the number of highly rated prospects included in the initial Cedar Rapids roster this season. Of the 25 active members of the Kernels’ Opening Day roster, 14 of them received signing bonuses in excess of $100,000 when they signed their names to their first contract with the Twins organization. Altogether, those 14 players signed on for over $12 million in signing bonus money. Three current players received $1 million or more to sign. (This article was originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com.) With all of that high-ceiling talent, it’s certainly understandable for fans to be excited, not only for the likely fortunes of the Kernels this season, but for the future of the parent Minnesota Twins a couple of years from now. Fans will get a look at one of those million-dollar players, Hudson Boyd, when he takes the mound Friday night in his first start of the season for the Kernels. He reportedly got $1 million from the Twins. Boyd’s counterpart, Beloit Snappers starting pitcher Michael Ynoa, provides a couterbalance for fans, however. His story serves as a reminder that, in the end, large signing bonuses and a player’s desire and work ethic provide no guarantee of a mercurial rise through the organization and a trip to the Big Leagues. Ynoa was signed, as a 16-year-old, with the Oakland Athletics organization for a then-club record $4.25 million in 2008 out of the Dominican Republic. He was widely regarded as one of the top Latin-American prospects that year. Since inking his deal, Ynoa has thrown a total of just under 40 innings for A’s affiliates. To say he’s had injury issues is a considerable understatement. He missed his first year with the A’s organization with a strained elbow. He made three starts in 2010 before being shut down and undergoing Tommy John surgery, which essentially cost him his 2011 season. He threw about 30 innings in 2012. His start to the 2013 Spring Training was delayed by a case of Chicken Pox. The Athletics organization certainly has not given up on right-hander. He reportedly continues to throw hard, but his inactivity has resulted in some understandable control issues. The team added him to their 40-man roster this past offseason, rather than risk losing him in Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 draft, in which players with several years of minor league experience can be drafted by other organizations if they are not yet on their team’s 40-man roster. Ynoa’s status as a top-level Major League prospect has been eliminated by his health issues. But the A’s appear to believe he can still eventually contribute at the Major League level if he can start harnessing his velocity and find some control. Of course, staying healthy would help, too. In the mean time, Ynoa serves as a cautionary tale for those fans that might look in to the Kernels dugout and assume that all of that high-ceiling talent already have their tickets to Target Field punched. Even with their impressive talent, getting to put on a Major League uniform will require skill, dedication… and a fair amount of luck.

Kernels fans and Twins fans, alike, can’t help but be excited about the number of highly rated prospects included in the initial Cedar Rapids roster this season. Of the 25 active members of the Kernels’ Opening Day roster, 14 of them received signing bonuses in excess of $100,000 when they signed their names to their first contract with the Twins organization. Altogether, those 14 players signed on for over $12 million in signing bonus money. Three current players received $1 million or more to sign. (This article was originally posted at Knuckleballsblog.com.) With all of that high-ceiling talent, it’s certainly understandable for fans to be excited, not only for the likely fortunes of the Kernels this season, but for the future of the parent Minnesota Twins a couple of years from now. Fans will get a look at one of those million-dollar players, Hudson Boyd, when he takes the mound Friday night in his first start of the season for the Kernels. He reportedly got $1 million from the Twins. Boyd’s counterpart, Beloit Snappers starting pitcher Michael Ynoa, provides a couterbalance for fans, however. His story serves as a reminder that, in the end, large signing bonuses and a player’s desire and work ethic provide no guarantee of a mercurial rise through the organization and a trip to the Big Leagues. Ynoa was signed, as a 16-year-old, with the Oakland Athletics organization for a then-club record $4.25 million in 2008 out of the Dominican Republic. He was widely regarded as one of the top Latin-American prospects that year. Since inking his deal, Ynoa has thrown a total of just under 40 innings for A’s affiliates. To say he’s had injury issues is a considerable understatement. He missed his first year with the A’s organization with a strained elbow. He made three starts in 2010 before being shut down and undergoing Tommy John surgery, which essentially cost him his 2011 season. He threw about 30 innings in 2012. His start to the 2013 Spring Training was delayed by a case of Chicken Pox. The Athletics organization certainly has not given up on right-hander. He reportedly continues to throw hard, but his inactivity has resulted in some understandable control issues. The team added him to their 40-man roster this past offseason, rather than risk losing him in Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 draft, in which players with several years of minor league experience can be drafted by other organizations if they are not yet on their team’s 40-man roster. Ynoa’s status as a top-level Major League prospect has been eliminated by his health issues. But the A’s appear to believe he can still eventually contribute at the Major League level if he can start harnessing his velocity and find some control. Of course, staying healthy would help, too. In the mean time, Ynoa serves as a cautionary tale for those fans that might look in to the Kernels dugout and assume that all of that high-ceiling talent already have their tickets to Target Field punched. Even with their impressive talent, getting to put on a Major League uniform will require skill, dedication… and a fair amount of luck.

From the Kernels via Twitter: [TABLE=class: tweet] [TR=class: tweet-header] [TD=class: user-info]Cedar Rapids Kernels @CRKernels [/TD] [TD=class: timestamp]18m [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: tweet-container] [TD=class: tweet-content, colspan: 2]Kernels lineup! Buxton 8, Polanco 4, Leachman DH, Hicks 3, Walker 9, Harrison 5, Goodrum 6, Rodriguez 2, Williams 7. Rogers 1 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

As Seth mentioned in his article on the TD front page, several of the guys you'd expect (Buxton, Walker, etc.)were sending balls out of the ballpark during BP, despite some pretty chilly temperatures by the time they were done. I was somewhat surprised to see Tyler Grimes keeping up with them blow for blow. The LF line is just 315 ft from home plate, but the wall is about 20 feet high or more. There's a picnic area for groups beyond the fence and all three guys sent balls over the picnic area, completely out of the ballpark. Given my age, I would have to say, though, that I was most impressed by Gary Lucas and Tommy Watkins. They threw a lot of BP and in each case, their throwing arms were still attached afterward.

It kind of depends on what you're in the mood for, but I can give you a couple of my favorites. My favorite "sports bar" restaurant is "Bushwood" (yes, named for the country club in "Caddyshack"). It's on the west side of town, on Edgewood Road not a mile or so west of the ballpark. My family and I hang out there most Friday nights (when we're not at a Kernels game, of course). "La Cantina" on 1st Ave right in the heart of downtown has kind of become my family's "go to" Mexican restaurant. "Gringo's", which is almost next door on 1st Avenue, isn't bad, as well. For breakfast, you might try the "Breakfast House Cafe" on 6th street (again, not all that far from the ballpark.. a bit east of the stadium). I like the pizza at Bushwood, but my favorite pizza in town is probably still "Leonardo's" on 16th Ave, again a mile or so SW of the ballpark. Leonardo's has been around since before I moved to CR in 1977, so they must do something right. The black and red "leather & suade" motif is a bit of throwback to that era, as well. If you're up for a short road trip, "Red's Ale House" in North Liberty (about 15 minutes south of CR) is worth checking out. Largest beer selection I've seen anywhere in Iowa and very good food. Those are just personal preferences and it's not a coincidence that they're all on the West side of town, since that's where I call home, as well. Of course, most of the usual chain restaurants can be found around town as well, but I thought I'd mention some of the locally owned/operated independents. Hope this is helpful.

Wow, what a terrific surprise to start my day! I wouldn't presume to speak for the Kernels or anyone but myself, but it's great to see TD giving Cedar Rapids some love on Opening Day. As Seth said, last night's Meet the Kernels event was terrific. It got a little chilly by the end of the Kernels' workout, but I keep telling myself it won't be long until the grass on the field is much greener and the temps are much warmer. I hope many of you will come join our "Party At The Park" this summer.

Excellent! I'd also suggest finding the local Little League (or whatever they call it there). I honestly enjoy watching those games more than I do high school games (when I can tune out the parents, anyway).