DocBauer

It's really tough when the SP doesn't win after pitching to well. But that's baseball. Despite 1 run allowed, the pen did their job. I remain frustrated with those disappointed in Lee. Even when drafted, he was regarded as a "competent" SS who would probably move to 2B or 3B. His "competent" SS glove has now been moved to 3B, where it belongs. And he was supposed to be some "hitting machine" that he hasn't been yet. Last season, 2025, he was a ROOKIE save for 22 AB in 2024. But so many seem to believe he's been around forever and has TONS of experience and should be a STUD already. It's just RIDICULOUS how Lee has been perceived so far. He's still adjusting to ML pitching, and who he is as a hitter. So far, his power is looking better than expected. He may not be the HITTER we expected. He may have more power than expected. And I think we should be excited that we're seeing a maturation of his bat.

I was OK when they acquired Banda. He's a helpful bullpen piece. But I NEVER understood the excitement others felt. Based on all career numbers, he was a lesser version of Thielbar in his prime. But still a viable piece to the bullpen. I was actually more excited about the signing of old friend Rogers based on experience. I was also somewhat excited, with trepidation, that Funderburk would continue his 2025 advancement in performance. So what have we gotten so far? Funderburk looked pretty solid until he left for a child birth leave of absence. Suddenly he couldn't throw strikes when he came back. I still think there's a pretty solid "first LH" out of the pen option there, but he needs to fight his way back. Rogers has been slightly less than I had hoped for. He's been OK. He's had a couuple poor appearances, and a few good ones. He was solid today, Tuesday, against the Dirty Sox. Banda was damn near DFA status a couple weeks ago. And it's great that some adjustments he's made has him back on track. He is ABSOLUTELY throwing better. But his USAGE has also been better. And that's because Morris is being turned in to a high velocity late inning arm who has generally been productive. It's because the Twins MIGHT have found the next "Stewart" in Gomez, thank the baseball gods. And LH Rojas...whatever his future role is to be...has also made a huge difference for the staff. No question Banda has been better with some changes. But he's also better as the pen, overall, has been better.

I just got off work and haven't had time to peruse through all the comments, so forgive me if I repeat things already touched on. I think one of the most important things Royce can do is shut off any media accounts he has. He's just too sensitive. Personally, were I an athlete of any sort, I'd NEVER read anything but family and friends stuff, and cute animal stories. Everything else is just toxic. 1] For some crazy reason, he seems to think some want him to fail. Other than a couple faceless trolls on the internet...see my previous comments above...NOBODY wants him to fail! We all WANT him to succeed! 2] Just accept your body has changed and you just aren't who you were 2-3 years ago. You're just as fast or athletic as you once were, but you're still damn athletic overall, but are more powerful than you were. You need to find a comfortable stance that allows you time to see the ball, but still have the reaction time to swing with a solid power stroke. I thought that was the reason for private coaching this last offseason? 3] Combined with point #2, Royce, when did you decide that pitches 3" under the zone, 8" low and outside the zone, and 6-8" above the zone were within your ability to HIT? I mean, COME ON, a HS kid facing a ML pitcher...probably scared out of his mind...could flail at the stuff you've been swinging at. (A bit of hyperbole granted). Didn't you USED to have a "hitting zone" you felt comfortable with? 4] Recognize your coaches are just trying to get you to find a zone and swing that WORKS. They're actually on your side Royce! 5] And this is probably most important, your career is in YOUR HANDS. Despite a smiling, optimist who has gone through a **** ton of injuries, including a pair of bad knee injuries, your career isn't over yet. It's OK if you're FINALLY frustrated and pissed off things didn't go the way you and everyone thought and planned. The fat lady hasn't sung yet. Get your HEAD straight! EVERYONE WANTS you to succeed. You still posses enough talent to tell "life" to "get out of your way" because you ARE going to re-discover a ZONE that works. And you're going to put in the work and listen to coaches that WANT to help you. And you might want to "listen" to the voice in your head that says; "Come on Royce, you know what to do."

IF the transition works and Jax can become a solid mid rotation starter for a few seasons, good for him, as well as TB. But to even hint it was a mistake for the Twins to not make this move is disingenuous. The younger version of Jax was NOT a ML starter. But he was a hell of a reliever! And while the Twins didn't always have great seasons when he was in the pen, the rotation was largely OK with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Sim, etc. Removing him from the BP would have depleted the pen depth, and probably lead to more losses with Jax in the rotation. Currently, the Twins are moving a possibly solid, back end rotation arm to a high leverage spot with Morris. It's not a dissimilar situation. But there is both need and opportunity to do so. And Morris gets to be a ML pitcher instead of being #7 or 8 in rotation depth. Rojas is sorta on the Santana, Liriano plan as a multi inning pen arm with rotation upside. Right now, he's making a real difference in the pen. Does he stay there? Maybe. If the control/command becomes good enough, he might end up back in the rotation again. But in the bullpen, we're talking a potential TOP setup man and potential closer. So it's never linear. I keep reading about projections that Bradley isn't SUPPOSED to be this good, and regression is coming. OK, maybe? How do you configure that? Regardless, even regression suggested still has him as a top of the rotation arm. So I will GLADLY accept what Jax meant to the Twins bullpen for a few years, wish him well, and be happy with a younger, even better arm, with more control.

A 5th round pick isn't exactly a low rounder, so I'm really surprised the Giants gave up on McDaniel after only 2 years. Now, he didn't perform all that great, but there's some power and a little speed there it looks like. Why didn't they give him a 3rd season to see if he could break out? He's off to a great start in the Twins organization, but at 23yo, he needs be up at AA around July to actually have a chance. Still, it's a nice story so far. I agree with others that it's just too early to sing the praises of Raya. I'm really happy that he's been throwing much, much better the past couple of weeks. And I still think there's a good arm there with some really good STUFF. Enough to make him a really good 1-2 inning reliever. But I just have to see greater consistency for another month before I can get excited. But it's still May. If we're seeing those kind of performances...as stated in the OP...on a more consistent basis through June, he's got a chance to debut in July or August at some point. He's still young enough to be a "prospect" as a pen arm, even if the prospect shine has been worn off overall. I sometimes wonder if he works too much outside the zone instead of trusting his stuff? Reyes sounds very exciting. He sure hasn't been slowed down with the trip stateside. And, it's fun to see a number of Latin kids at Ft Myers and the FCL Twins having really good seasons. Who do we give credit to if they do well since the Twins have changed over the operations in the International department only recently? I'm just being honest when I say that despite following the Twins MILB system dutifully, from Ft Myers down, it just becomes too difficult to follow so many young players. But Reyes is one of many that I read about in the TD write ups and checking box scores that offer future intrigue.

I can't deny your logic. It's sound and practical. My only argument would be are we sure KAM wasn't fully in charge and maybe didn't listen to his coaches enough? I have ZERO evidence to the contrary, I'm just asking. While I wouldn't have selected this past draft the same way, I can see a logic behind most of the picks. OT Caleb Tiernan in the 3rd round vs an OC is my biggest complaint/question mark. But maybe he was just too good and has too much potential to pass up? IDK. But that was a major head scratcher for me. But I will say this past draft really felt like OKC and Flores were in charge. I love some picks, I'm not sure about a few others, but I'd like to think they are a lot smarter than me, lol. I tend to agree with adding an outside source. It's also why I think Brezinski gets a bump in pay and a promotion. He's just too damn good at his job to not keep him around. But I can see reasons to go a different direction.

Sure seems the offense, or lack of, lost this game. But Matthews with ANOTHER solid start is VERY encouraging. We've been so wrapped up in watching Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Morris, and Rojas that I think we haven't been paying close enough attention to the corner that Matthews seems to have turned. That's HUGE. Sim with a solid finish to the game is also a positive. I still think his future is in the rotation...he's just NOT the pitcher we've seen this season...whether it's with us or someone else. But today was obviously a good step forward by him. I just ALWAYS hate losing to the Dirty Sox more than almost anyone.

He was really the only logical option for the 3 day fill in. He looked like he belonged in his first and only game appearance. He didn't come up swinging at everything, which is sort of the book on him. Instead, he was surprisingly disciplined and worked the count. I know the Twins are trying to win every game, but I was disappointed he only got in to one game out of three. He needs to keep working on his defense in the OF, but ALSO at 1B. He will be up again, and probably before the season is done. But he certainly didn't look out of place. And even for 1 game in 3 days, he can say he reached MLB.

If there is a silver lining here, it's that he played a healthy couple weeks in Winter Ball, and was OK after finishing 2025 healthy. He was healthy through ST, and the start of this season. THIS injury was simply due to a stupid play by sliding in to 1B. Not a knee, or an oblique, or anything else. Again, IF you want to look for a silver lining. If I'm understanding his recovery time, he should be back sometime in July. So he's still got time to play this season and maybe even make his debut. (Which is wanted and needed). I agree with the OP that sometimes guys just grow out of an early "injury label" and we'll hope that is the case here. Going forward, should he have a different base running glove? Should they immediately tape his thumb when he reaches 1B? Hey, I'm not kidding here! Sizemore keeps a role of athletic tape in his pocket and while batting gloves are coming off, he just wraps tape around Emma's hand to keep the thumb tucked in. Would only take a couple seconds! The talent is undeniable. And he's still very young. So even if it takes a season or two for his full talent to be on display, he can still get OB, provide power, speed, and quality defense. I am FRUSTRATED as hell, but I am NOT in panic mode

First things first: Lewis is WAY too good for AAA. But it's NOT about yanking AAA pitching for HR. He has been guessing on pitches, seemingly deciding to swing no mattwr what before the pitch is even thrown, hardly ever working the count, and he has opened up his hitting zone to be 8-10" outside, and all the way up to eye level. Assuming there isn't a vision issue, he has ZERO plan at the plate, and has lost any conception of a personal hitting zone. When he BB more...and did have one yesterday...and starts to lace some hard hit singles and some doubles, he'll be on the right track. But I think he needs a good 4 weeks at AAA. And I'm sorry, I've been a believer and defender, but he needs to take ownership over his own career. I understand frustration, but NOBODY is out to get him or wants to see him fail. The Twins and the fans WANT him to succeed. The coaches are only trying to HELP him. Shelton has gone out of his way before the season to embrace him and his potential and importance. His mindset is not only about a better approach, it's also an acceptance he owns his own career. On to the rest! AAA: Langenberg has maybe been pushed a little hard this season, possibly Gallagher as well, but I don't mind doing so. They're probably both back end SP with an upside of a #3. But that's a valuable arm if it comes to pass. BOTH are still adjusting to the AAA level. What I care about is how they are throwing in July and August, not now. And for goodness sake, Fedko is obviously behind 5 other OF bats. But that doesn't mean a late blooming season in 2025 and tremendous production since the calender turned to May should be completely ignored. Maybe there's something we don't see or know about that questions his ability to hit ML pitching. But he hits, has power, runs well, and can help at 4 spots. The kid deserves an honest look at some point, with someone, even if is not the Twins. AA: Cory Lewis hasn't had a lot go right for him the past 1 1/3 seasons. But I'm happy to see him healthy and back on the mound. I think his future is in the bullpen for 1-2 IP, throwing as hard as he can, mixing in a couple different pitches here and there, and using that crazy knuckleball to freeze hitters. But right now, it's just about getting his command back. A+: (Note: the box score link is to a different game). So Quick is human huh? Who woulda thunk it? He's going to be fine. It's still his rookie profession season. I still wouldn't be surprised to see him in AA for August. Winokur got off to a bad start, and his numbers reflect that. But he's been really good the last 3 weeks or so. I think we should be watching him more closely. Houston might not be tearing the cover off the ball, but he's been very solid across his entire quad slash line so far in 2026, and is showing POP exists in his bat. And he's also running well. He doesn't have to have an amazing bat to be a really good ML SS. I'd be surprised if he doesn't reach AA come July. Garrett Horn, when acquired, was labeled as an "indirect" replacement for Coulombe. Despite being a starter in 2025...across 3 different levels in what was his professional rookie season...his IP was limited. His BB per were way too high, but the HITS per 9 were good, and he averaged 12 K's per 9. Glad to have him back on the mound again. This might be the rare example of a recently drafted prospect going straight to the pen to be developed. Although, the Rangers did draft him relatively high in the 6th round. A-: Colton Smith didn't have a crazy good career at Georgia, but he did have high K numbers. The Twins saw potential and grabbed him in the 12th round in last year's draft. So far he's off to a great start. Just nice to see Enrique Jimenez back playing again. He was a nice surprise after coming over from Detroit last season at the deadline. Hope he stays healthy for the remainder of the season and finishes strong.

I really have no clue if Adams has a future in the Twins pen or not. But how many times previously have we seen a failed starter, even some who weren't top prospects, change their repertoire and sequencing with a pen transition and look like a completely different arm? Did anyone really see Jax having the kind of success he did? I'm just glad to finally see some young arms get their shot to see if there's something there for now, and the future. Over the next couple of months we will, hopefully, see Klein and a healthy Lewis and Festa get their opportunity. But right now, it's Adams' time.

They have been playing much better ball. And it's no coincidence, IMO, that it's followed changes/shuffles in the roster/lineup. But quality pitching has also been a major reason. With Lopez out and Ober never regaining his velocity, I was getting worried even before the season began. Tell me honestly if you saw Bradley, and Abel being this good, Matthews settling in, and Prielipp and Rojas coming up this early and being this good? (Or Ober adapting to amazingly)? Is the pen improvement an illusion? Perhaps. But it wouldn't take much to improve what was probably the worst bullpen in MLB in April. Morris, Gomez, and Rojas might have something to do with that. Love giving the younger arms a real opportunity. Also, Orze hasn't been bad, and Banda has really turned things around after looking like a potential DFA candidate. I like the move of Lee to 3B. It makes sense for now, and the future. If and when Lewis gets his game together, you can worry later how all the pieces fit together. Really appreciating the way Kreidler plays the game. There's just no way his bat is suddenly even close to being this good. But if he could consistently hit around the .200 mark he's a viable, useful role player. Kreidler and Arcian up were the right moves at this time. But it's also disappointing that while the young arms have been getting their opportunities, the same isn't true on the position player side. Mostly due to injuries of course. I hope the team can keep things rolling the way they have the last couple of weeks. But losing Jeffers is a really, really big blow.

I struggle every time one of these posts are made. Polanco was terrible for Seattle, then good for a season, and has been a terrible signing so far for the Mets so far. So to me, Gonzalez is a "yet to be determined". And all I care about is what he does with the Twins. Despite a tremendous 2025 season that had him reach AAA with success, he's had a slow start to 2026, despite an impressive ST. But he's been getting hotter lately after a slow start. And he's earned a 3 day callup based on potential. He looked competent in his 1st game. I'm really hoping he gets a chance in game 3. Why not? I am ABSOLUTELY STUNNED by how tremendous all the young and rookie pitchers have done. Imagine the same a month or two from now when Gonzalez isn't the only position player, healthy, ready to debut. Despite injuries that have delayed debuts, I remain EXCITED for the 2nd half of the season with Rosario and Rodriguez and Jenkins in the OF. Gonzalez is just starting to heat up. Mendez seems to be a LF Gonzalez, great BAT, just waiting for more power to come through. The Twins offense doesn't suck, but it's inconsistent. It's just WRONG to say the offense is better without Lewis and Wallner. But that is reality. And Gonzalez has a chance to make a difference down the road, but in 3 games. But he shouldn't be dismissed. He EARNED his 3 day ML debut not just BECAUSE of being on the 40 man, but because he's worthy and been on a hot streak recently. We'll see him again, and Mendez, who looks like a pure hitter similar to Arraez, but with more power. In fact, BOTH of Gonzalez and Mendez are similar contact and good AVG hitters with budding power potential. Whether or not either is a STARTER or a solid bench player and 1B/DH is TBD. but the BAT potential might lag behind Rodriguez and Jenkins, and even Roden, but the potential to be a quality ML player is there. My point is there is ENOUGH talent for the Twins to be really good even with washouts. But DAMN I want to see what a healthy Twins could be the next few years!

Exactly. He's only around based on his experience. But that experience means once in a while he's still useful. And he was today.

A last thought, SUPPOSEDLY the Bo Sox are a high K team with breaking stuff. Isn't Ober supposed to start Sunday? I'm thinking this is a solid chance for a sweep if the offense comes through. Ober's mix of sweepers and breaking pitches just might allow for a sweep.