DocBauer

Love and enjoy every game the Twins win. But a few comments to toss out there: 1] I've been pleasantly surprised by Gant. I saw him as a toss-in when the trade was made. But not only have I been pleasantly surprised thus far, but I've looked at his career numbers a couple of times. They are nothing special, but they aren't bad either. His career K/9 is nothing great, but career ERA, AVG, and WHiP are solid. I get the Twins are looking at him as a POSSIBLE SP, and they kind of have to right now out of necessity. But everything about him just screams to me as him being a quality, dependable middle man. And there's real value in that. I hope that's where he ends up. 2] Good for Rooker. Just wish he could do that more often, as well as just make better contact. There's still something there to like and work with. It's all up to him at this point. 3] Anyone else paying attention to Alcala? Despite some good highs and really bad lows, he had a couple pretty good games before his IL stint. Since his return, he's had a few really good performances. I'm taking 2021 as a good building block for his future. 4] Please don't make me duck and cover for this, but I'm starting to think the Twins would be smart to pick up Colome's 2nd year. (Initial and obligatory duck). Despite a few bad performances...which happen...the numbers for his last 30 games are pretty stellar: 2-0/ 2.73 ERA/ 11SV/ 1.21 WHiP. I believe his 30G dates back to around June 1st. Since then, he's pretty much been what he was supposed to be despite a few hiccups. I absolutely want the Twins to bring in a quality RH arm for $5-7M to work with Rogers, and another $2-3M version of Robles that can, hopefully, be more consistent. Can't believe im saying this after April and May, but maybe keeping Colome as a veteran performer in a set-up role isn't so crazy if you look at his career and the past 3 months.

In regard to Jax, all I can think is, what might have been if the Twins had guessed right and they would have changed the obligation rules earlier as they had expected/hoped. At this point, despite pitching at the ML level and showing SOME promise, sure seems like he's looking like a quality middle RP. Tòo bad. Shoulda/coulda/woulda. I keep wondering about Simmons. Is he playing to help the staff at this point defensively? Are the Twins thinking about re-signing him for 2022 on a smaller deal as a fill-in and just wanting to see how he finishes/responds? Otherwise, I'd just say STOP. Let him go and do something crazy and let SS be played by almost anyone. Use his roster spot for Miranda. Maybe go completely nuts and bring up someone like Palacious for 3 weeks. Just saying, if you don't expect/want him back, just use the roster spot for SOMEONE. Still fine auditioning various arms to see who you want to keep or invite back. That's what you do at the end of a disappointing season.

To echo Topgun#22 and others, a well thought out and written arguement, but I am also going to disagree. Maybe not entirely, but I will nonetheless. First of all, signing someone like Stroman would be a quality veteran who is relatively young to help front the staff and have value for 3-5yrs. SOMEONE besides just a bunch of rookies are going to be needed to start 162G. There are a number of "decent" options such as Pineda, for example, on 1yr deal for $6-8M as a stopgap. The question, in my mind, is do you stop there and use the final 3 spots for the young arms, OR, can the FO pull off another solid trade as they did for Odorizzi and Maeda? If the FO can make such a trade, you still have the remaining 2 spots to be Ober, Ryan, Dobnak, and others. And we all know you are going to need more than 5 or 6 SP for a full season. And if your 1yr signing doesn't turn out and the young arms are looking good, you can release said veteran. Further, if said signed actually pitches well and you aren't in position to contend, or again someone young is ready, you have a mid-year trade option. There is sufficient $ to spend without breaking the bank to make these kind of moves. A 1yr SP does nothing to block young talent. And maybe some will disagree with me, but other than a decent, solid temp SS and a solid, quality RH 4th OF, I think this team is good position player wise. Now, the pen needs addressing, no doubt. But a single, long term contract, a hopeful trade acquisition and an inexpensive 1yr starter does NOT blow up the payroll or handcuff you. And you will have more than enough opportunity to throw the young arms throughout 162G schedule. Why wouldn't you try to compete in 2022?

My eye test tells me Polanco is definitely improved. Might be just settling in to 2B more, or his ankle being a little stiff early in the season or both. My eye also tells me Arraez has looked better. I think that's as simple as playing 3B more often and just getting comfortable. Sano frustrates me. He seems to field 1B cleanly and does a great job on scoops. He chases foul balls generally well. I've even seen him make some really good throws from 1B. He looks fine to even good at 1B and then just muffs a play or makes a ridiculous throw/play and I roll my eyes. Total Jekyl and Hyde. I think we're fine at catcher with some obvious growing pains from a couple young rookies that have played a lot. I don't know what to think about Simmons. He's still solid, but it does look like he's slipped. Is he disinterested? Is he taking his offensive struggles to the field? With average offense I'd take him back for a smaller deal. But it might just not be a good fit and time to find a different short term option.

Watched and listened to most all the game. Dobnak wasn't exactly perfect, far from it. But I was impressed. While he was high with his pitches in the 2nd and 3rd and was knocked around, he was also let down by his defense. But he also had a great 1st inning. He also had a fine 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th inning. His first game back. Call me encouraged!

Thank you. I thought he had to be protected and actually forgot he was ,left unprotected last year. All the more reason I'm confused why he isn't getting a shot now. I know the FO is sifting through "do we keep them or invite them back on milb deals" options, but time seems to be running out to get his feet wet. Unless they already know they are going to protect him and just let the other arms continue to audition. Hamilton is another arm I just don't get. We all know his tragic history. But he's been claimed, waived, claimed, waived, etc, over and again because everyone also knows his story. And yet, he also has yet to receive any sort of audition. Again, I can see a method taking place here. I'm just worried we might be missing a couple opportunities.

I'm tossing this out here as a discussion idea that I briefly touched on in my previous post. I think it's an interesting idea. Verlander is a future HOF SP. He's also coming off injury and a lost season. He will also be 39yo when the 2022 season begins. My hope and expectation is Stroman or Gausman on a multi-year deal to help anchor the staff. I can easily see Pineda, or similar, signed on something as short as a 1yr deal. And the various options have already been named. But instead of trading for a solid #2 option type....which I am not opposed to....what if the Twins did something a little crazy and took a shot for Verlander on 1yr deal? MAYBE a 1+1 deal. Despite an amazing career, age and injury are real factors. There is an obvious risk factor to signing him. But he and the Twins know one another quite well. Could he be looking for a short term deal to re-establish himself? Is he feeling the end is near and maybe agree to a 1+1? Either way, is he worth a serious shot? How much would it take? Would you sign him at 1yr at $15-18M with incentives up to $20M+? Or does Houston or someone else just take a huge plunge and just offer a guaranteed number that we don't want to touch on a 2 or 3yr deal? Thoughts?

I also have to confess that a lost 2020 milb season has me scratching my head once in a while when I read reports and look at box scores. And Shreve is one of those guys I "just don't anything about", unfortunately. Seems most of the entire 2019 draft class is sort of "lost" to many of us and we need to catch up. Thank you all for continuing reports and honors to get us caught up! Loved and laughed at "sure-fire future big leaguer Jovani Moran". When does he get his chance? I'm not sure if he has to be protected this offseason or not. Right now, I keep thinking either he doesn't have to be protected so they are playing that game, or, they don't want to "audition" him to the world and hoping to "stash" him away and keep fewer eyes on him. Either way, even with the pen doing so much better these days, I'm still confused he hasn't gotten a shot yet. What is up with Gore? He doesn't have a big, long frame, but be brings velocity and just keeps cranking out great performances after transitioning to the mound. IIRC he's yet to win a RP of the month award, but could end up winning the RP of the year award. I'm keeping my eye on him.

Two quick comments that I think are important before addressing the OP. 1] The Maeda injury/surgery could very easily change the 2022 outlook/plan for the FO and ownership. And nobody should be shocked by that or "down" on the Twins if that is the case. It's one thing to believe you have a team that can contend with a couple pitching additions, re-work and add to the pen, maybe add one good bench piece, and keep developing your system, particularly the young pitchers...VERSUS....now you lost a quality front end SP when you already had various additional moves to make. Any additions for competing in 2022 just became magnified and doubled in importance as well as difficulty with the loss of Maeda. 2] Dismissing the Buxton factor for a moment as there are too many moving parts right now....IF the FO/ownership STILL believes in themselves, their staff their roster, their young talent and prospects, etc, ENOUGH to want to contend in 2022...they could target their 2019 and "projected" 2020 payroll and shoot for a $150M-ish 2022 payroll. While there would be various raises here and there, with no Berrios and Maeda only making his minimum, the Twins could actually have somewhere between $50-60M to spend to reach that $150M-ish number, IF they want to and believe enough. Done with that. Let's address a couple key parts of the OP and "what could be". 1] I wouldn't dismiss Verlander or Thor out of the blue. Each coming off injury is a bit of a re-hab risk financially, Verlander more so due to age. Speculation has Thor getting a QO from the Mets which would eliminate him from virtually anyone. Verlander would be a gamble for sure, but could be a surprise 1yr or 1+1 for something fair. And he and the Twins are very familiar with one another. 2] Gausman, assuming reports that he wants to stay on the west aren't 100%, and Stroman make perfect sense. Stroman and the Twins have been tied together for a few years now. And each is young enough to warrant a longer term deal without messing with future payroll. It just feels Stroman is an ideal choice and probably my #1 target. 2] The FO pulled off a pair of amazing trades for Odorizzi and Maeda and gave up very little to do so. Can they do it again?? I don't see them wanting to dent the ML roster but the system is deep enough to HOPEFULLY pull off a similar type of move. It could be easier and smarter than just spending more $ for a 2nd FA. I agree with that thought. I'm just spitballing, but something like Rooker/Wallner and Sands/Vallimont/Gross/Varland/Gipson-Long to a rebuilding tezm for a controllable arm similar to Odorizzi with potential and control? Doesn't destroy the system but seems fair. Almost assuredly gave up less to get Oddo and Maeda. Two guys under control to front the rotation. [Still wouldn't be shocked for something crazy like a Verlander on a 1 or 1+1 deal) Can they pull a rabbit out of the hat again? 3] Pineda is, IMO, already part of 2022. And I'm OK with that. I wouldn't be surprised if there hasn't already been conversations and maybe gentleman agreement. The #3 spot SHOULD BE something short term for $ reasons and prospect reasons, I guess where we MIGHT differ is, where and how do we factor the TRADE arm vs the 2nd FA arm? I'm not so sure, Nick, that your list of Kluber, Cobb, etc, might not be the 1yr option vs the trade idea. But I don't think we differ very far here. 4 & 5] These go together as they should. Without breaking the bank or doing anything to remotely destroy the system, we've added at the very least 3 quality arms via trade and FA. Barring a HUGE surprise, we've added a quality veteran arm to lead the way, a solid and hopeful arm with a couple years of control, and a 1yr flier that could be anywhere from solid to great. And while there will be some $ spent, we don't break the bank and we don't do anything to hurt the "system". Ober is pretty much written in ink. Ted commented in his recent post that Ober may have top 3 potential. I don't doubt that. But in this scenario, we are talking 2022 and not potential. A fully healthy Dobnak is the probable #5 at this time. If you don't like that, or believe that, then go back and re-read what he did in 2020 before a hiccup, which most young starters go through. THEN we can continue the conversation about changes he made and how good he looked in ST before the FO/staff deferred to Happ and Shoemaker over him. And we could argue over and over again if the FO and staff made a mistake. Right or wrong, they had a pair of veteran starters who they believed could successfully fill the back end of the rotation. Dobnak was tossed in to a difficult situation of long man vs starter and had a hand injury that curtailed anything he could do. Amazing how injury and a tough road suddenly glosses over the potential someone has shown. Dobnak is going to have to be healthy and re-establish what he has shown in the past. No doubt! Because Ryan and others are chomping at his heels. And we have September for Dobber to "get right" and Ryan to show what he can be. And ST will allow everyone to show what they can do. But I'm guessing Dobber WILL show what he can do/be. And A RIGHT NOW, TODAY, I'd expect a healthy Dobnak to be the 5th SP. But Ryan has a real chance to change all of that. And the 4th and 5th spots should be open to this kind of competition. There is so much talent coming forward that you don't want to block anyone or blow up your payroll. But the Twins CAN easily afford one long term deal and a short term option. The question is the middle. Trade or FA, where is the middle ground to bring in a 3rd SP to make this team competitive for 2022?

I confess Woods Richardson slipped my mind. I stand by my initial thoughts above, but I have to change my vote for SWR as #1.

Interesting question! I agree it could be Lewis as he will likely have rookie status at the beginning of 2023. I also believe it could be Canterino as he also might have rookie status to begin 2023. 2020 and injuries are just a fact that has provided a delay for both. Both could/should find at least some ML time next season. But of the suggestions beyond those two, I think the tools of Urbina would make him #1. I say no to Petty because we don't even know if he's going to pitch this season or how much/little.

Guess I know what I'll be watching Wednesday night.

Your exuberance is fun, fine, and even warranted to some degree. I just can't understand a shot for Gibaut in any way unless it's a temporary filler before being dropped again for someone else. And I understand the want to promote some younger arms from AAA. I want to see that as well. And I'm frustrated! But I CAN understand taking a look at these handful of arms to help make better off-season decisions. These guys are 25-31yo, for the most part, and 1 or 2 could be kept. Also, a couple could end up being smart milb signings to bring back. So I get it. The lack of an expanded September roster hurts teams like the Twins. But there is room TOMORROW to still drop a couple of these guys and add/promote a couple of the milb arms for September for auditions. Right now, just forgetting the rotation needs for a moment, the Twins really, really need to add a couple quality arms for 2022. We all know this. It's no mystery. But it's also OK to be taking a look at the guys on hand to help decide who to bring back in various degrees.

Despite real reservations initially, and a real surprise he was protected and brought up so early, I've been impressed since his first start. Now, that first start wasn't a very successful one, but you could see potential. And he's only gotten better. And the last month or so, he's performed well against top competition. He's also been making some adjustments on the fly with his slider. I commented a few weeks ago that Ober has been the most impressive rookie SP I've seen in years. Someone reminded me about Dobnak. And yes, Dobnak showed promise at the end of 2019 and had a great start to 2020. And I'm not dismissing the flash a healthy Dobnak has shown....and I still think he has a shot as a solid back end SP...but Ober has shown more, in as many or more IP. The league will adjust. And Ober will need to do the same. The good news is he's already shown that ability so far. Despite a much, much better season since June on, I just don't see a place for Colome. Thank him but send him on his way. Just great to see Donaldson have another big moment. I think there is a real chance the Twins will shop him this offseason. But while not his biggest fan, I don't want to trade him for next to nothing for only a few $M saved. He's still a big and productive bat and solid defender even though we're probably talking about a part-time 3B and part-time DH. And I'm OK with the value he still offers if a trade just doesn't offer enough relief/return. Tough to run to Detroit for a win, then run back home for another series and lose that day off. They've shown a lot of fortitude this past month. Time to take care of the Cubs.

At this point, Winder and Duran being re-habbed and resting and Balazovic taking regular turns in AA and continuing to get in IP, sure looks like the rotation will/should be Ryan, Dobnak, Ober, Jax and Albers to finish things off. 4 of those 5 figure in to plans for 2022 in varying capacities. Very good chance ST Paul is absolutely loaded in their 2022 rotation, but Albers could have depth value on a milb deal again.

I LOVE these reports on milb talent! And I appreciate this and every other report. It helps us get to know these prosoects better, and remind us who they are. And I can't help but humbly apologize as about a week ago I commented how good a start Gipson-Long had after a similar TDpost. And then I realized I was thinking about Gross. So I offer humble apologies from someone who SHOULD know better considering how faithful I try to follow the system. And then I not only felt a little better after I realized they were BOTH drafted in 2019, Gipson-Long in the 6th round, and Gross in the 10th round, but also because they are very similar in regard to prospect status. There has been this very long discussion about our FO building an infrastructure similar to Houston and Cleveland and TB, and it sends my mind racing! These are the kind of pitchers drafted by those organizations and turned in to quality starters. You do realize that Balazovic and Winder, and Ryan, and others, weren't top of the of the order draft picks, right?

Just a bad game and embarrassing loss. Gant MIGHT have a future in the 2022 pen but throwing him out there is a diservice to him and ANY potential he has. HOPEFULLY we will see Ryan and Dobnak SOON to actually build towards 2022. And I think the Twins are doing right at this time in a lost season to audition some BP arms. And as much as it sucks, a game or two doesn't really show potential for a couple guys they are looking at. But you also have to be willing to pull the plug and let some of the AAA arms to bet their shot! And it's time! Colome what? Lover or hater, tell me the Turtle hitting a HR wasn't fun. Tell me, even in an embarrassing loss, tell me you didn't laugh and enjoy Astudillo tossing up crap and having a clean IP. Dark humor isn't a bad thing. LOL

I am an absolute believer in Ober right now! And it's not just some hope/hype. I've seen enough young pitchers come up over the years, including Gibson, Berrios, etc, who took their lumps. And I've seen a lot of kids who came up and had magic for a game or two and the reality set in quickly. I was NOT a fan of Ober being protected. HONESTLY, I was WTH? Despite video game numbers, there was just a sense it was an illusion. And he was always hurt. He commented a year or so ago that be always felt poorly after a start. And he's worked hard to perfect his delivery for health and production. And I'm repeating ALL OF THIS from previous posts. So forgive me. Ober has been promoted VERY aggressively! Take the time to look at his career numbers. Don't be lazy. He's started 15 games and has pitched better the more times he takes the bump. His numbers are solid across the board and he hasn't built those numbers against poor teams. Just recently, it was reported he changed his slider on the fly. He's throwing it harder now, with a little less break, but it plays off his FB better. And he's doing this as a rookie. I have watched most of his games thus far and have commented at times his stuff seems to break almost too much. And I will echo Dman that you can't live high in the zone all of the time. But his FB PLAYS. Especially considering it looks even faster than 92-94. His slider also plays big time if he can harness it a bit more. Early returns look good. If he can find any sort of 3rd pitch to keep LH honest, he might be a legit #3 rotation piece. I believe in him that much! And before the season began, I was like REALLY?

There is no question in regard to Buxton's talent and the fact that he is a difference maker when on the field and in the lineup. Despite everything that has gone wrong this year, a recent stat from Aaron Gleeman, reported in a different TD article, states the Twins were 42-20 when allowing 5 or fewer runs. Now, Buxton was around for some of those wins, but certainly not a majority of them. And that is a reflection not only about the pitching in 2021, but also a glut of errors early in the year like I've seldom seen. And, of course, there is the Cruz factor that is no longer relevant. This is to say the Twins have offensive talent, and have been breaking in a handful of quality young prospects that will only get better. So can the Twins win without Buxton? Yes. But are they a better team, especially with Cruz gone, WITH Byron? Absolutely. I am going to echo what terrydactyls mentioned, unless I am mis-remembering grossly, the rejection of the 1st couple of offers from Buxton's camp were not about the base $ offered but the structure of the incentives. Unfortunately for debate, we really don't know how those incentives were built. This tells me a basis for a deal still exists. I believe the Twins need to "gamble" and make this deal work with changes to said structure of incentives in order to actually make it work. I don't expect Buxton to suddenly become an iron man. And there IS risk, hence the incentives. And I'm not going to blame him for a broken hand on a poorly controlled pitch. And with his migraines seemingly under control, with his body built up, with him learning to preserve his body better in the field, there is hope to some degree that he has matured physically and intellectually to see the field more often going forward. The reward portion of risk/reward is just too great to not make a real effort to make this work and take the gamble. All that being said, there comes a time when the numbers just don't line up and the Twins will have to fold and make a trade decision or decide to run with him for 2022 and get the best/most they can from him. Really, there are only a few teams that could afford a big $ gamble on Buxton. I really hope it doesn't come down to saying goodbye and they can find a common ground that makes sense.

You have to realize/remember, 5 runs given up is an aggregate/delta. For every 10-8 game there are as many 3-2 games, as an example. So it's about consistency. You have to remember a truth that has been born out year after year...everyone will win 60 and lose 60. It's the other 42 games that make the difference. [Don't you DARE talk about 50 win teams as they are an outlier and you know this]. The problem is not offense, even though it's underperformed at times for various reasons. And there are a few tweaks that could help with better health and approach. And I would tell you that there is a lot of optimism here with the talent on hand. But clearly the issue is pitching. Two days ago I would have told you what this team needs is a quality SP...and there are different options and scenarios...to add and bring back Pineda or someone similar and let the 4th and 5th spots be fluid various arms. Sign a couple quality BP arms that shouldn't cost more than $7-10M combined....which MIGHT include the Colome option...plus a flier or 2. But IF Maeda is a surgery issue, we enter a whole new territory for 2022. Suddenly we go from a quality SP addition...Stoman?...and Pineda or similar...to needing THREE SP pitchers if Maeda is gone. This, unfortunately, puts us in an entirely different dynamic. We are SO CLOSE to seeing pitching prospects arriving at the ML level. But we are also in a very bad place if Maeda is out. Suddenly a re-tool is a potential re-build. Is there enough guts for the FO and ownership to still bring in a top arm? Then you have to bring another second arm to replace Maeda IF he is out. Then you'd still like a veteran arm so Ober and others don't HAVE to be counted on. I don't envy the FO right now. You need another SP for a good team with talent and potential. You need to help the pen and make sure the #3 spot in your rotation is OK. And Suddenly you don't know if Maeda will be part of 2022. Nightmare situation for the FO.

I think we're sympatico on Kerrigan and Gore. A useful "extra" OF who could be useful and is definitely flying under the radar. And who cares what age Gore is, right? You move to the mound and suddenly you find a role. IF you hit MLB at 28yo or so and do well, does anyone care? Absolutely agree on Whitefield as well. Of course I love his story! A hard softball leaguer from Australia who the Twins sign? How can you not love a story like that? And because of that, he's been a guy I've been following for some time. Just feels like he's been around for a while. And then I rezlize he's still only 24yo and teased us with a solid 2016-17 at rookie and low A ball before a pair of bad seasons in 2018-19. And after a brief 2020 ML appearance and time at St Paul, he's suddenly having a solid year for Wichita. Absolutely agree he is un-refined and needs work. The K's need to come down, better contact has to be made, and he's way too big, strong and athletic to show so little power. But what might he be with an off-season and a return to AA as a 25yo still learning the game? Not expecting greatness here, but could he be a bloomer in 2022?

This is not directed at anyone, just a comment I have to state in general terms. Everyone just needs to stop focusing on the ages of prospects. Guys are ready when they are ready, whether it be 22yo or 25yo-ish. What matters is what they do when they arrive. But we all have to remember, using Ryan as an example, a 25yo SP is really a 24yo in regard to development time. And that's the same for all of our prospects, pitchers or position players. You just can't dismiss an entire lost season of experience and development even if some kids were at reserve sites in 2020. You just can't dismiss what was lost. As far as Ryan in particular, I'm very excited about him. The FB, location and presence seems legit. Like ANY young pitcher, he's going to have to harness his other offerings. In the 1st inning video clip I saw an amazing change, a bad one, and one that probably should have been called a strike. I want to see the kid getting his feet wet before this year is done. I think there's a reasonable chance we will. But he needs time to get his feet/legs/head re-acclimated. He quit being a milb pitcher over a month ago to prepare for the Olympics. He traveled almost half a world away to do so, got traded to a different organization while there, comes back a half a world distance, and gets a single start at this point. I don't care how much boxy the kid has, that's a LOT to deal with in a month plus time frame. How about we just let him settle in for another start or two and then talk about a promotion to dip his feet in the Ml pool?

Don't even have to comment about AK. Dobnak is a very easy choice and not because he has some committed $. He's still a relatively young and inexperienced SP still learning. We've seen glimpses of what he can do when healthy. You don't walk away from that. Same with Colina. Healthy, there's a good chance he's up with the Twins for about half this year with Alcala, honing his stuff and gaining experience. Smeltzer MIGHT be kept as he's LH and has looked solid at times. Agree his ceiling is a 5th SP and is probably a useful BP piece. I'm going to root for the guy whatever happens. But I think a numbers crunch will leave him off the 40 man. I'd like to see him back on a milb deal. I'd also like Stashak to remain in the organization on a milb deal. He's shown real promise, even in SSS, but I don't think there's enough there to warrant a 40 man spot at this point. Garlick just isn't a fit at this point. Rooker is younger and has more potential. Celestino is better than both, but a different type of talent. And I think it's time we just admit that Refsnyder, a former decent prospect, really has re-invented himself as at least a decent bat with solid OF play.

Anyone have word on Sands? Injuries to pitchers seems to be an epidemic this year. Just amazing to me how missing 2020 and losing that routine has affected so many young arms. Agree with jmlease1, just get as many IP as you can the rest of the year and keep everyone as healthy as you can. Just a couple quick thought: 1] I hope Kerrigan sticks around for 2022. Solid defense everywhere and a decent bat, he's njce to have around as a 6th/7th OF type. Whitefield is having a rezlly nice rebound season at Wichita and is still only 24yo. Athletically, he's a potential 5 tool talent who might need to repeat AA in 2022 to further harness his potential. Not saying he's a top prospect, but he has the potential be a solid reserve in a couple years. 3] Gore doesn't have ideal size, and he's a little long in the tooth after converting from SS to RP, but I don't care about his age for that very reason. Is he part of the St Paul pen in 2022? 4] The turnaround for Sabato is amazing. Was he hurt earlier? Was he putting too much pressure on himself? Or was it simply a young guy taking longer than hoped for/expected to make that initial transition? 5] Kind of ironic that days after an article on TD about Gipson-Long he has maybe one of his best performances. A little more "oomph" and/or movement on his FB and ANY variation of a change pitch and I just wonder if he could be a really fast riser in 2022. 6] I would love someone with more immediate energy than me to break down the monthly records of our affiliates. I might be mis-remembering, but it feels like everyone was hovering around .500 or so early in the season before just taking off.

I love these prospect profiles! Let's us really get to know the guys in the system, particularly those that aren't high selections that get all the ink. Agree his future would eventually be in the bullpen as of today. But I stress "as of today". He started 11G for rookie level Elizabethton after signing in 2019 with OK but not great numbers across the board. Fast forward past an entire missed 2020 and he's a stalwart at A+ after skipping low A entirely. Not blowing smoke, but I would think there is a real chance time/coaching could add a tick or two to his velocity and maybe a little more movement to go along with his control and quality slider. Would it be so much of a reach to think a guy in his first full season might harness/adapt the grip on his change to make it a decent offering? Over the years I've seen guys adapt a straight change to a circle variety or even a palmball grip variation to suddenly find success, I've also seen some just abandon a traditional change and learn a split-finger or cutter as their "change". At 6' 1" and 210lbs and still only 24yo, 23yo in prospect terms if you follow me, I don't know if his hands are built for the splitter, (It's always been my understanding you need larger hands/longer fingers to make a splitter work). But a cutter, or other variations on a change I just don't know enough to speculate. Just saying the guy has shown so much improvement in so little time that I'm not going to bet against his FB showing a little bit more life and some kind of refined 3rd pitch offering. And even in the pen, any kind of remotely solid 3rd pitch takes you, potentially, from a candidate to perhaps an important piece. Thank you and keep up the great work!