twinsfan34

Perhaps I misspoke, as I want upside too. And I typically like the higher velocity too. He's striking out 12.9 per 9 innings so far against elite college competition. (33.2 IP, 48 SO) Maybe Nola is more like a Johan Santana (only 92 MPH) but with more strikeouts. Maybe...

I'm sorry, but that makes no sense whatsoever, by any respected publication or scout or anyone in the baseball industry. I understand we all have our biases, but THAT is crazy... The truth is a Twins Top 15-20 prospect is the equivalent to a Braves Top 3-8 prospect. This is why... The WORST pitching framing catcher in MLB, and a backup catcher, one Ryan Doumit, yielded Sean Gilmartin, who for 2013 publications, beginning with Minorleagueball was their #5 prospect. John Sickels worked for Bill James, he's solid. Bill Ballew, for Baseball America, had Sean Gilmartin as the #4 Braves prospect going into 2013. Bleacherreport had Gilmartin as #8 overall among Braves prospects. Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus, had Gilmart as #6 overall among Braves prospects. Fangraphs had him at #5 juts behind Lucas Sims entering 2013. Even the latest Baseball America rating of when Gilmartin was a Brave has him as #10. And I don't want to go Allen Iverson here, but "we're talkin about about a backup catcher, worst pitching framing in MLB, going to the NL (no DH). And he's horrible in in the OF too, for the Braves (#5 MLB, #4 BA, #8 BR, #6 BP, #5 Fangraphs) prospect. I don't think Gilmartin will amount to much, but who knows, he had (having) a good Spring Training. But the Braves, just not the same farm system league as the Twins. There's jr leagues and big leagues, the Braves have had a few great classes graduate with Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, and co, but this is 2014 and it's not the same type of impact talent there. Even the guy you name dropped, Jason Parks, has the Twins farm system as #1 for both impact talent AND depth. Meanwhile, he had the Braves at #24. It's not even close. Here's some other publications, and Keith Law, who you also named dropped, is here ranking the organizations: Organizational Rankings: Bleacher Report - Twins #1, Braves #21 The Sporting News - Twins #3, Braves #27 Prospect Digest - Twins #4, Braves #26 ESPN, Keith Law - Twins #2, Braves #22 Baseball Prospectus - Twins #1, Braves #24 Baseball America - Twins #3, Braves #26 So we actually have a Prospect who was in the Braves system, just as recent as 4 months ago (this past season) and who's now in the Twins system. And we have a number of major publications, scouts, etc. who've had a chance to place him in the Twins system with an appropriate ranking. And we have the disparaging difference in farm systems, yet a Twins top 10-15 prospect and Correia would yield a Braves Top 10-15 Prospect. Maybe on your Xbox or PS3 where you have "forced trades" initiated. Here's a another publication... The Twins #11 prospect is equivalent to the Braves #3 prospect. Twins 2 - Buxton 8 - Sano 35 - Meyer 61 - Stewart 68 - Pinto 84 - Thorpe 107 - Rosario 109 - Berrios 173 - Harrison 188 - Amaurys Minier 213 - Sean Gilmartin 262 - Trevor May 296 - Max Kepler Braves 47 - Sims 83 - Benthancourt 212 - La Stella 230 - J.R. Graham 267 - Salazar Aaron Gleeman, not an 'expert' or a professional scout, but definitely aware of major publication prospect ratings, has Gilmartin as #40 among Twins Prospects. Seth Stohs has Gilmartin somewhere around #19-#23 among Twins Prospects. The Publications go on and on. Maybe Gilmartin was at worst #10 among Braves Prospects...but, he's not ranked higher than (possibly) #19 among Twins Prospects. Baseball America's 2014 Prospect Handbook had Gilmartin as #10 among 2014 Braves Prospects. Gilmartin is a "45 Medium"...so if you glance over at Twins Prospects, again, just trying to put Twins-Braves Prospects on the same playing field...#14 (J. Pinto) and #15 (M. Tonkin) are "45 Medium" for the Twins...as are...#19 (Taylor Rogers)...then starting at #25 "45 High (risk)"...Travis Harrison, Niko Goodrum, Tyler Jones, Stuart Turner. And honestly, I wouldn't trade any of the Twins "45 Mediums" for Gilmartin.

I don't think the QO is a problem, those players have $14.1M sitting on the table and they turned it down. As the old saying goes, one bird in your hand is better than two in the bush. The rule works fine, those players had $14.1M for 2014 and didn't take it. That's their own problem that they miss gauged the market. As Kenny Rogers said, You've got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away Know when to run

I respect KLaw, but Nola was great last night against Vanderbilt and Beede was too. Nola struck out 12. He may not seem as 'flashy' but he already knows how to pitch and has great command. He may not have the high ceiling of a 220-240 K pitcher in MLB, but what if he could be a Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Brad Radke, Dave Steib, etc type. Either way...love that Rodon may be falling and also that there might be a LOT of good pitching prospects available this year. I like the college pitchers this year more than most. And it seems the depth would extend well into the 2nd round. Also, how many teams are forfeiting their 1st RD pick? I wonder if the way the compensation breaks down if our 2nd RD pick would be higher or lower than without the signings. I found this link... what are "competitive balance" picks? I would think the Twins should get 5 or 6 of those. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2014/order.jsp

How are they without Andruw Jones?

Would love to see that WAR breakdown. International signings of late: 2006 http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2006/262506.html - Montero - 1 for 12 2007 http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2007/264683.html -Teheran - 1 for 20 2008 http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2008/266917.html - Yorman R, and maybe Ynoa - 1 for 20 so far. 2011 http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2011/2611344.html - Heredia, Martinez, Alfaro http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/2/14/2795873/2011-mlb-international-signings-and-talent http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/1/30/3927084/mlb-international-signings-update-for-2012

You mention "individual prospect rankings aren't always the best gauge" but then say the have "upside-heavy system, specifically in their international signings." That's a contradiction. Also look at the top 100 international signings since 2010. 90-95 of the top 100 don't even make it to AAA. Corriea can contribute right now. And that's simple economics. I doubt they are interested in Corriea but also doubt much of their international signings will mount to much.

So it appears Dalton Hicks and AB Walker will start at A+ with the Miracle? What makes you think none of the trio will start at Cedar Rapids? Cedar Rapids season starts...April 3rd, http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t492 Would you guess they would then have to wait until mid June for the Appy/GC league teams? I guess I wouldn't think they'd wait that long, but all they have is Class A in the interim other than ext. ST...but can't see them going to A, then to drop back down to GCL/Appy lg...

Not sure which prospects the Braves would have...that 1) be willing to deal, 2) the Twins would want. Maybe Lucas Sims...but it's a pretty weak farm system. Not that Correia should/would bring back a lion's share...but you'd like to be able to get a guy who would actually make the pros at some point for a #3/#4 starter.

I was wondering if any of you guys knew websites for best keeping track of which top prospects were still in on the MLB spring training roster. Or a place to see current MLB rosters (would be a way to see rookies still on the rosters) Some noteable top rookies still in Spring Training with the ML clubs. Houston: Carlos Correa - who at age 19...can he be the opening day starting SS? George Springer - not surprising, starred at AAA last year St. Louis Stephen Piscotty - half of a season at AA last year - would be a big surprise, to make it ahead of Top 5 prospect Tavares (also was at AAA last yr) Kolten Wong - ended up with STL in the WS, not a big surprise Cubs It looks like Javier Baez is still with the Cubs meanwhile Bryant, Solar, Almora and their other top prospects all got sent down. Tigers Nick Constallanos - ended season with DET, no big surprise. Red Sox Xander Boegartz - no surprise Jackie Bradley Jr - no surprise, started last yr w/ big league club, Ellsbury gone Christian Vasquez - catching prospect, only AA experience - amazing defense, platoon with AJ? Reds Billy Hamilton - ended season with Reds, not surprised, Choo gone. There's a number of pitchers yet too...but harder to tell as they're not in the starting lineup every day. And the Twins have Danny Santana still with the roster...

Knock on wood... But "worst case" scenario...it's his right elbow, follow through part of the swing. Worst case = he plays 1B. And I think his bat would still play plenty well there. Joe Mauer, people don't give the guy enough credit for just how good an athlete he is. He was (and still is) the only player to be named Gatorade Player of the Year in TWO sports, baseball and football. He was a top 3 QB prospect in football and the top prospect in baseball. He could arguably be working on his 4th or 5th 4,000 yard season as a NFL QB or looking for his 4th batting title. That said, I'm sure he could play 3B pretty well in the bigs. Not sure if anyone was really doubting it.

Is there a link to where this 2 cents is? I won't pocket it, but I'd like to read it.

Based on the Spring Training starting lineups (if that means anything). The Twins lineups have mostly been like this: CF - Alex Pressley (1st game, Hicks led off, injured here and there since) 2B - Brian Dozier 1B - Joe Mauer LF - Josh Willingham RF - Oswaldo Arcia 3B - Trevor Plouffe DH - varied a lot - Pinto, Kubel C - Kurt Suzuki SS - Escobar (Florimon has been injured) Some have Oswaldo not starting with the team. I just don't see anyone else doing his 'floor' (.250 AVG 18 HR 150 K)...let alone better than that. Kubel has looked terrible. Parmalee couldn't hit Arcia's floor right now, Mastroianni either.

I can't see the Twins keeping Kubel instead of Arcia. I also don't see how Arcia doesn't at least start in MLB...he can go down to AAA in May if he can't hit.

AAA is worse than AA in the opinion of David Ortiz and many MLB players. The mentality is different and you get guys throwing 87-90 mph iwth a lot of junk. Better to be in AA and see a 95-98 mph fastball and a guy trying to get his curve over for 3 months. AAA by June...I guess I could agree with...any playing time there afterwards is poor competition - they won't get developed playing against that kind of competition. Not saying you're doing this...but most people need to realize MOST prospects aren't served well by going to AAA. It's not really a 'progression step'... http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_25248274/david-ortiz-twins-miguel-sano-give-him-shot

"If you woke every morning in the cockpit of a Ferrari, wouldn’t you fire up the engine?" Yes. Often.

Yep.

The only case where "time" could have been saved was back in late July last year (while he was a month into time at New Britian)...when he initially had that 'twinge' and just had surgery...but he played through it. At that point, if he had surgery, the most they could have hoped for was a few ABs at the end of the 2014. So it's a 'year' either way...better now...than Mid-July and he misses part of the season next year. It's still on the 'leading' edge of the season and hopefully this will help his hitting and defense that were somewhat in question at New Britian. In other news...the Twins look great for the 2nd straight game. Pretty patient in working 0-2 counts to 3-2 and walks. Vargas had some nice line drives, Parmalee's Homer... Pinto is a hitter...Radcliffe said he'll stay with the team and possibly DH even if he's not catching. "He's a hitter...he barrels the ball well." Buxton is in the game now...just caught a fly to center...will leadoff the bottom half of the inning.

Complete list of Tommy John Surgeries courtesy of Baseball-Reference. Notable position players here: [h=3]Selected Non-Pitchers[/h] Roberto Alomar Rocco Baldelli Jay Buhner José Canseco (the injury was caused during a pitching appearance) Shin-Soo Choo Trace Coquillette Carl Crawford Ben Davis Rafael Furcal Craig Gentry Luis Gonzalez Rusty Greer José Guillén Brad Hawpe J.R. House Todd Hundley César Izturis Trey Lunsford Kelly Johnson Carlos Martínez Justin Maxwell Xavier Nady (twice) Ray Olmedo Jay Payton (twice) Luke Scott Taylor Teagarden Tony Womack

It's nice to know some players had it and came back still able to throw heat. Strasburg, Nathan, Wainwright, Billy Wagner, etc. Not too worried about it affecting Sano's hitting...just about the arm getting back to '80' grade. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/545364-mlb-power-rankings-20-players-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery Jose Canseco, had a 40 HR season after the surgery.

Tommy John Surgeries by team and by year. The Twins have actually had it 'pretty good' compared to say, Atlanta, etc. Although, the caliber of the players it hits might have to do with it being more 'memorable' for some teams. http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2012/11/4/3587834/MLB-tommy-john-surgeries-a-more-complete-list

The Twins prospects have lost some time of late. e.g. Kennys Vargas is 23, he's only had 1 full minor league season due to injuries/suspensions. Eddie Rosario is out 50g this year (so will only have half a season). And then Sano. Can anyone benefit from Sano's spot being open at New Britian? Trying to find a positive here... Could Travis Harrison move up more quickly? Maybe do a A/A+ to A+/AA this year? I wish this surgery has been scheduled sooner, but they did consult James Andrews, so I can't (or we) shouldn't plant this one on the Twins medical staff, as you're not going to get better advice than that. Definitely disappointing...though, a few reports said that the reason Sano had such a 'tough' 2nd half at New Britian last year was because of the elbow injury was already bothering him there. So that .236 average and higher K rate (still not alarming, he also increased his BB rate) could also be alleviated with this surgery - of which many of us were expecting him to 'work out' through playing. Which...really is the only thing keeping Sano from being the Twins every day 3B... If the elbow was healthy and he somehow hit .310 there last year, he's the opening day Twins 3B this year. So hoping this surgery will do for him what we hoped a few ABs would do for him.

Which area was worse for the Twins: Hitting or Pitching? Which will be the weakest when they break: our hitting or our pitching? Might decide who gets the "extra" player...

Curious, if they have a list of their top Ranking Farm Systems (as far back as it'll go) and then looking out say...3-5 years...how those teams records were and what level of improvement (if any) - similar profiles to the Twins now...might be interesting for projections.

Welp, it'll make the old adage more attainable. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish."