DocBauer

I have stayed out of commenting until now for a couple of reasons. Chief reason being the ML draft is fun but the ultimate crapshoot where you barely know anything initially, know only a tiny bit more a few weeks/months from now, and sorta have a decent/real perspective 2-3yrs from now. That being said, I agree with the general sentiment this year just felt WEIRD! It sort of felt like nobody was great, except maybe for a few top picks, and nobody really knew who or what was great but everyone was following their own theory. Everything I read was a draft of hitters and nothing even close to a sure thing in regard to college arms. But possible depth in college arms. So that leaves HS talent, which can be the hardest to project. So the twins concentrated on BPA available, which was college bats. And a lot of them. Who am I to disagree? Other than ONE early arm, they followed their board and scouting reports, and then went all in for a collection of arms, mostly college, to see what they can find. And it makes sense in a pitching poor draft. You can, to some degree, teach "pitching" and breaking balls and changes, etc. If you feel a college guy doesnt have room to grow, then you grab a collection of guys who have something to build on and develop. Surprised and disappointed there wasnt a single HS pitcher with legitimate upside somewhere early like Enlow. But maybe that is the way this draft fell. I just have a hunch this FO picked a bunch of college arms who have something they like and can work with. Guys who might have had big senior years who they are hoping to bring on board now. Hoping so.

I honestly thought this was a sarcastic headline espousing solid early returns for Sano on his return to the Twins with his 1.000+OPS. I was sadly mistaken. I am NOT going to bash Sano in any manner. I will, however, simply re-iterate some things we knkw that have happened over his BRIEF career: there have been weight/conditioning concerns but so much as last season when recovering from fairly major surgery, there have been allegations levied against him, (NOT going down that rabbit hole), that had to be a distraction along with injury recovery, then had a weird, innocent, altercation while in his home country, and then suffered a freak injury that set him back for 2019. Despite some injuries, he has already shown what he is capable of, made an All Star team, and is still only 26 with 1,600 ML AB. He has shown signs of real maturation with his new regime. Despite being slowed to begin this season, and perhaps rushed back the MLB, he has been producing while probably STILL feeling his way back. Defensively, he lacks some range. But he has soft hands, moves well for a large man, charges the ball very well, chases pop ups well, and has an amazing arm. At 26yo and with various setbacks he is not yet a superstar or perennial All Star. Guess we should just give up on him, right? Come to think of it, we shou,d have given up on Buxton and Kepler before now too, right? And don't even get me started on that Polanco guy who can't play SS and had a couple things happen to him over the previous couple of seasons. Sorry, just frustrated by yet more piling on a young man with a world of potential who is is still growing and learning and developing. Who ever said he was HOF bound? Like Seth stated, how about a multiple All Star caliber player with a good career? Are we OK with that?

Forgetting BPA, whatever that means, for a moment, it feels to me the FO feels really good about the changes they have been implementing organization wide. I think they believe a lot in tools, and ceilings, and their ability to truly develop those tools. It's easy to say Lewis was a safe pick, for example. And maybe he was. But he also wasn't a consensus pick. But to your second point, the Twins probably/hopefully will not be picking this high for a few years. PERFECT TIME to roll the dice on a high upside arm or two and trust in their new way of doing things.

Personally, I've felt all along that a re-dedicated, maturing Sano...and that is NOT a knock on him...would settle in at 3B for at least a few years. And I'm not looking to jack the thread and start a debate, I just really believe he's going to settle in there and be just fine. How good he can be is for a different time and place. But you don't always draft for need. Realistically, in a couple of years, 3B COULD be manned by manned by Miranda, Javier, or even another super talented athlete like Lewis. Never know what the future could have in store, injuries, position moves, trades, etc. So when you draft, you draft for tools and potential and see what you can do with the guy. Reading various reports, it seems he has the glove and arm for 3B with power and good speed. An athlete who has to hone his swing.

From Andrew's report, quality glove man at 3B with power and power potential. Elongated swing is the issue.

I just love being so fascinated by a draft that has proven to be such a crapshoot and a player who probably won't even arrive for at least 3 years. Love being a fanatic! Lol!

Law and others state this is one of the worst drafts for college pitchers. But when I read the pluses of some of the top college arms, I see several guys with velocity and a big breaking pitch that have low floors but high ceilings. 1] Even at 13, is this the season to take a shot there and hope you get the right guy? 2] Could this mean a slide to the compensation or 2nd round for some of those arms?

I am 100% OK with both Odorizzi and Gibson back next year. Those two, Berrios, and the surprising Perez is a heck of a rotation to go to war with. Question then becomes a major deal for another top of the line piece, or the promotion of an internal candidate. Really like Odorizzi this season. There were times last year where you just felt like he was capable of more. I keep wondering if he just finally accepted the fact his stuff plays so well high in the zone and just quit being cute.

Twins play on the road against one of the top teams in the AL and take 3 of 4. Yes, the BP had a couple of bad games. No doubt. But all joking aside, I'm not hitting a panic button after these 4 games.

Really nice performance and win by the good guys! Sure glad I didn't panic after Thursday's game.

Honestly, despite being a huge baseball fan, the All Star game just lost luster for me several years ago. Maybe it was inter-league play, or saturation, or ridiculous fan voting, I don't know. Rosario and Polanco SHOULD BE automatic. Buxton and Kepler have claim, but won't go due to voting, depth, and fan votes. Cron and Schoop are deserving, but won't probably go due to selecting a balanced roster and trying to represent every team. Berrios, Odorizzi, Perez and Rogers are all deserving. At least 1, maybe 2, will go. We will end up, total, with 3 or 4 Twins going. Shame about Garver. His ankle doesn't get banged up, try telling anyone he didn't deserve to go.

I missed the game, so have no direct comment on anything or anyone. Perez has been awesome!. One mediocre game after jetlag with the birth of his child, and then another good game. He didn't have it tonight. The team didn't have it tonight. Hey, it happens. It's one bad game. Next!

Agreed on Arreaz going down. He has a bright future and he can be brought up whenever you need him. But he needs to play daily and continue to see work all across the diamond. And then probably Littell. I just dont see us need the extra arm right now.

Thank you for updates like this! While TD and milb reports are wonderful, your interviews and various tidbits of information help bring the team and players to life for us.

In regard to bullpen usage, I am generally very impressed the way Rocco has used the pen. (Lineup as well). I really like how nobody seems overworked, and everyone gets used regularly to stay sharp. Used to kill me how Molitor would use his best RP's in a 4-5 run deficit game in the hopes of a comeback. Hard to argue with the results. The only negative I can see, and this goes back to the "rust" idea, is there have been a couple stretches here and there where Rogers and others sat for a good 3 games at a time. Keeping everyone fresh is one thing. And it is a long season. But you also need to stay sharp.

First, foremost and most importantly, a tip of the cap to Smeltzer. Not only for his amazing debut, but for his victory over cancer and to move forward with his life and his dream. If you haven't read about his battle and determination as a youngster, and what he has done to give back, shame on you and start reading. He is already one of my favorite players in the organization. I said thjs in the game thread, but think it bears repeating: The box score may not show he won this game, but he was the winning pitcher. And he's already a winner in so many ways! As to what he did on the mound, I missed the first couple of innings. Heard some on the radio, and watched his last 2IP. It's still only 1 game, and a debut. But what I saw was control, location, change of speed, a mix of pitches, and some stuff that broke the looked nasty. Don't know how good he can be, but I saw enough to think he has a future.

The thing I love is, to a man, you can't say what they are doing is out of their realm of talent. Think about the guys brought on board. Schoop had 2 nice years, a breakout year, and then an injured season. Cron was productive, but not an everyday player. He makes some reported adjustments, gets to play daily, and has his best season in 2018 before being allowed to walk and continue on with the Twins. Gonzalez is not a true slugger, but a nice player with decent power. Always a bit of a slow starter, he's heating up and doing what he's done, mostly, for the last few years. Cruz is still Cruz. And now for the guys held over. Garver may be the only "surprise" but we've heard and seen the potential in his bat in the minors, and some last season as well. While I truly don't expect Rosario to hit 50 bombs...though he could...his potential along with Polanco, Kepler, Sano and Buxton has never been in question. It's been about health, experience and maturity. Back to pitching for a moment, no question there has been a major shift in the entire organization from players brought on, analytics and new coaching techniques. But...and you are going to have to trust me on this because I'm not going to do the research and can't remember who was talking...a couple years ago, when the old FO was still in charge they were speaking on a radio broadcast how the entire milb system had improved velocity and SO numbers as the philosophy (And players to be sure) had changed. But there is no question the new FO has continued this new push.

Slightly off topic, but it occurred to me today, unless I am mistaken, Kepler, Sano, Polanco and Rosario were all acquired over the same two back to back season's. Am I right on this or remembering incorrectly?

Agree 100%. Which is why I'm much more inclined to acquire bullpen help. Unless you trade for a true, top of the order SP...and bump Pineda from the rotation...I just don't really see how you improve yourself. Depth? You don't just trade for a depth guy to sit in AAA and wait for an injury. You hope, if someone gets dinged, that Stewart, Thorpe, Litell, Smeltzer and hopefully Gonzsalves can fill in. I've been singing the praises of the pen and their performance all season. And there is a reasonable chance that 1 or 2 of the "questionable" arms there are for real and will continue to do what they are doing. But long term and playoff time, could really use at least one more quality, proven guy.

This! Personally, I'd make a no trade list of Kiriloff, Lewis, Javier, Graterol and Balazovic. I'd make everyone else in the system available. That still leaves a ton of talent available to other teams! What's the expression, if it hurts to give someone up then you know it's fair value? I could make a list of 20 guys I'd really like to keep that I think have a chance to play ML ball. (For us or someone else). I agree 100% a quality piece or two can be brought in without touching the guys on my list. The system is more than deep enough. (Though a few injuries have hurt some guys' value at the moment). Don't get me wrong though if you were to trade for a legitimate top of the rotation arm I'm willing to move one of those guys in my list. Pitcher to acquire a pitcher for example. Do we need both Lewis and Javier when we have Polanco and other depth pieces? Well, I'd sure like to, but again, in the right BIG DEAL I`m ready to move one of them. Personally, the one guy I would refuse to part with is Kiriloff. I get organizational depth but I think he's going to be special. And there could easily be a spot in a year or so for him daily at OF/1B/DH.

He's been teasing us, but this is the Kyle Gibson we've been expecting and waiting for. With all due, respect, appreciation and hope and love for Perez and Odorizzi, don't be surprised if Gibson isn't out second best SP come playoff time. In the FWIW category, Adrianza is nothing special. But in his last two seasons, he has been a quality utility glove man with an above .250 AVG with some pop and a few stolen bases along the way. He's been solid in his role. He got off to a BRUTSL start to the season. Currently his slash line looks like this: .231AVG/ .306OB/ .359SLG/ .665OPS But after his brutal start, and with mkre regular playing time filling in here and there, see what has been going on: Last 30 games: .240/.341/.413/.754 Last 15 games: .333/.432/.611/1.043 Last 7 games: .438/.474/.813/1.257 Yes he's been on a hot streak. No he is not that good of a performer over the long haul. But it still shows he's not some waiver wire utility guy. And his past 2 solid season's add to that. There is a reason he hasn't been some automatic DFA to make room on the roster. Man this team is fun to watch!!

First, another great and realistic article Nick. I'd like to break down my thoughts in 3 parts: Injuries: They happen. We've had a couple already, though not severe, but the player roster clearly has depth and versatility. Personally, I DO believe that MOST teams would feel a real crunch if a top arm went down. Yes, you try to and need to build and provide depth. To compare the Twins to the Yankees or Dodgers is a bit of a tough pill to swallow, however. Those teams need do their diligence, but they generally have more $ available, period, to take shots/chances on guys. That doesnt mean the Twins cant improve their depth, however! So let's move to the primary 2 points: Rotation: Pineda has a solid history, and is showing signs of improving and returning to more "normal" production. There is no problem with him as the 5th SP, IMO. He'd be the Twins #3 starter most of the past 5 years or so. Part of the hope here remains in AAA. I say that because the team likes something about Stewart, and he did look decent his last Twins start. Gonsalves is finally back, opinions vary on his future. Despite some inconsistencies, most believe Thorpe will be at least a solid rotation piece. I am holding out some belief on Smeltzer at this time, but we may have found something there. On the radio yesterday, not sure who was in the booth, but they were talking about some things they told him to work on before the start of the season. He seems to have listened. This is not all daisies and songbirds. This is to suggest that if someone goes down at some point, if we are OK until say July, we may have a decent/solid arm or two to call up and fill in. I am not saying dont get someone. But realistically, unless we are all being fooled, Pineda, our #5 SP, would technically be the guy replaced. We are talking a healthy pricetag to acquire a 1-3 rotation arm. Bullpen: There is no denying what the pen has done so far. We can debate the FO plans/Hope's for Reed, Hildy, Mejia and Romero. What we cant deny is poor results. The good news part is Mejia and Romero are young and have live arms. Could either or both still be ready come July 1st? Fortunately, there is still time to see. I am disappointed in May thus far, but not giving up. I've seen too much to like to do so. Again, I dont know who, but someone was talking on the radio the other day that they may have been focusing too much on a couple of pitches instead of letting him use all of his stuff. We shall see. I dont know if I'm still counting on him, but I haven't given up. Regardless, and no matter how well this pen has done, sustainability is the issue. There is a real chance Magill's stuff is for real and he can be a useful piece. It's also very possible Harper and his incredible mix of curves and changes of speed can continue to be effective. Its is also possible Johnson's work with Duffey, and his new velocity to work with his CB could allow him to turn a corner. But as Nick states, to buy in to all of that is a fool's errand. What this team/bullpen needs is a reverse Pressly deal. (And please, let's not re-hash the same arguement about something that has already happened). There is enough depth in this system to give up a couple really good prospects without touching certain elite prospects to bring in a quality pen arm, hopefully with an additional year of control. Further, if we can wait until July, we not only have a little more time to work with what is on hand, but by then a few more teams may simply decide they are out of contention and be willing to sell. Yes, there could be additional teams looking. But a couple of this teams, barring injury, may not be as anxious to add to their already solid/expensive pen. To sum up, add a high quality BP arm around July 1 to strengthen and deepen the pen with Parker and Rogers. By that time, not only could May settle in, but one more arm could rise up. Depth could/should very easily come from all the other names mentioned. I'm still a bit uneasy about adding a rotation piece, and at what cost. Despite the window/door being wide open, the fit has to be right. I want to win as much as anyone. But if it takes Lewis, Kirilloff or Graterol for a rental, just not sure I could do that.

I never had him ranked that high, but he was really close in my opinion. After his first couple of years, the bat came alive and just kept getting better. Now, not sure I expected him to hit like THIS, but his second half of 2018 and second half of 2019, always felt he'd be at least some combination of the two years. Like you, I always disagreed that he couldn't play SS. He showed the range and athleticism. He just needed time and repetition. Minor league history is filled with future top ML SS who had high error totals early in their career. We have a good one here!

Remember when some thought adding Arraez to the 40 man was an OK idea but unnecessary? Wow, am I glad we didn't take the risk! But it's still only a handful of games. I have a lot of faith in the kid, and I think he's going to be a nice ballplayer, whether starter ornutility guy with a productive bat. But it's only been a few games. You can call me old fashioned or limited in my scope of thinking, but Adrianza is a glove first utility guy. That's what he is. For that,his bat is actually pretty solid. I want to see more of Arraez as well. But unless the FO and coaching staff feel that he and Gonzalez would be OK at SS should anything happen to Polano, I'm thinking Arraez goes down and rides the shuttle from Rochester the rest of the season.

I argued repeatedly in the past that with everything that went wrong in 2018, that team should have list at least 90 if not a 100 games. The fact that they actually went 78-84 is a testament to how much talent and potential was still on that club. IMHO, I felt the baseline for a healthy, (at least mostly), 2019 Twins team was about 85 wins with the potential form 95. I didn't like every move the FO made, or didn't make, but was happy overall.